Presidential Candidate Qualification and the Grand Scheme of Things
“...getting a Certificate of Eligibility to contest the Presidential Election does not necessarily mean that candidates are all "equally qualified to be President".” - Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
By far Presidential Candidate (PC) Tony Tan is undeniable the most qualified of the 4 candidates to be the President Elect (PE) for Singapore. His worldly experience and years at the helm of Singapore Press Holdings and Government Investment Corporation as well his statesman demeanour and relatively good looks sets him aside from the others. Coupled with an honest face it would allow him to pull ahead of the competition if the climate be different.
While PC Tony Tan possesses all the technical qualifications, the political climate has changed against his favour for he is now seen to be just another contender in the Presidential race. A climate where for 18 years there was no contender and where the government has had an overwhelming majority in parliament. It has allowed the Government to make policies in abstraction with the habit of provoking the masses and taking token notice to the concerns of the people.
The PE while is a custodian and Head of State does not comment on policies without seeking the consul of the Cabinet. These nuances give rise to the belief that government is seeking a PE who is reserved to rubber stamp its recommendation in areas of: spending of past reserves; key public sector appointments; detentions without trial in internal security cases; corruption investigations; and restraining orders to maintain religious harmony, namely the 5 areas as explicitly provided by the Constitution only becoming outspoken and antagonistic when parliament is dominated by the opposition.
The Straits Times supports the notion that partisan politics was best left to parliamentarians and prophesise a view that the PE do not venture beyond the existing known areas.
To different extents, PEs has declared their desire to champion the cause of common people in the form of uniting the people or representing forgotten voices or as an auditor on the government. A voice at the highest level acting as the conscience for Cabinet on policy matters to ensure benevolence, harmony and compassion for the people. He also was to speak to common people and government when an impasse occurs or when policies have gone awry and becoming the human side during failures and hardships.
In general, an independent and maverick PE by virture of its positional persence would encourage close scrutiny and debate on parliamentary bills and government expenditure. Institutions that are investment instruments of the State would then be subjected to being more transparent and accountable where questions on its autonomy, its performance vis-a-vis the CPF returns could be raised and it is in this sense safeguarding the national reserves.
For a PC that shares similar thoughts with the ruling party, it would allow for familiarity and some complacency and thereby becoming a “wild card” in terms of voter determination of independence. The group of undecided or opposition leaning voter would require some sense from this kind of PC that he can function independently on matters that are considered secret.
However the current political situation has the ruling party with an overwhelming number of parliamentarians avoided probing questions to toe the party line. So much so that the government would use its might to suppress and deny any opportunities and benefits to those with opposing views (upgrading of flats and more recently denying the use of PA areas). A compliant PE would therefore accentuate these problems by endorsing on policies and making constitutional changes as and when required by the Government. The consequent of this tacit latter arrangement thus creates precedence for each subsequent government when its seat of power is threatened.
On concept of the voice of the common people, this concept however noble is problematic to implement. To discuss municipal issues means the PE is now also acting as parliamentarian. This role is not congruent with the office of the PE and is confusing for parliamentarians are responsible for such matters. Secondly, if the PE behaves like an opposing force with veto powers on these issues, then the institution responsible for ensuring checks and balance needs checks and balance is giving away the final say by default.
A PE that is indulgence in partisan politics would be seen only to appeal to populist demands of embarrassing and antagonising the Government. It also appear as pet projects rather than that of any significant national interest. The promotion of provocative questions towards nation building would be more sensible platform and not rhetoric for political points. Otherwise seen to be light weight on matters when engaging other PCs and the government.
Based on sentiments, it likely that voter distribution is 50% of the electorate are PAP voters with PC Tony Tan receiving 40% and PC Tan Cheng Bock 10% of valid votes. The other 50% is distributed among the 3 PCs Tan Jee Say, Tan Kin Lian and Tan Cheng Bock. The details of votes distribution is given below.
Assessment of PC, Votes Distribution and Remarks
Tony Tan :Very affiliated with the Government, therefore a wild card on the issue of whether he can think and act independently. 40% - hardcore PAP voter
Hard nosed politician who see the 20-35yrs as his campaign target group. TT is at his best when dealing with institutions rather than common man.
Rally-24 August, Lunchtime at Boat Quay, Turnout: 800
Tan Cheng Bock : Past long term affiliation with the Government, therefore a wild card on whether he can think and act independently. 20% - 10% PAP voters and 10% Others
Originally did not intend to hold a rally. Depended on mailers and the Internet to canvass, however he has since changed his mind and an indoor event rally is to be held at Singapore Expo.
Tan Jee Say : Affiliation with opposition, he is likely to raise considerable issues with government. Government behaviour likely to more guarded from the aggressive and hostile posturing. Hard to outwit and out-manoeuvre by the government for he is familiar with the workings in government. There is network of political supporters for his bid as president.
20% - 10% Opposition and 10% Others (conservative estimate)
Rally at Toa Payoh Stadium on 23 August. Turnout 30,000?
Tan Kin Lian : Understated person. No affiliation with any party and small support network. Likely to be outwitted and out-manoeuvred as a president for he lacks experience with engaging government. Any protest on issues while in office will be treated with nonchalant by the government. Government would have neutralised and see to it that he remains harmless. He exhibits traits of honesty, sincerely, kind and above partisan politics. His ideas often "borrowed" by others, benevolence and thoughtful and is well-prepared as each word is a measured response.
20% - 10% Opposition and 10 % Others (optimistic estimate)
Rally - 24 August Yio Chu Kang Stadium. Turnout 800
Legend
Others means undecided or don't know
References
Channel News Asia, PE: More unions, Teochew associations back Tony Tan’s presidential bid, http://news.xin.msn.com/en/singapore/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5166608 (last viewed 16 Aug 2011)
Channel NewsAsia, “PE: PM Lee on what Presidential Election is about”, http://news.xin.msn.com/en/singapore/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5166133 (last viewed 17 Aug 2011)
Wong, Alicia, “Netizens: Does the gov’t understand our concerns?”,
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/netizens-does-gov-t-understand-concerns-003728432.html. (last viewed 17 August 2011)
Channel NewsAsia, “PE: Dr Tony Tan aware of bread and butter issues”’ http://news.xin.msn.com/en/singapore/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5155628, (last viewed 17 August 2011)
Chua, Mui Hoong, Review Editor, Straits Times, Page A2, 17 August 2011, “Why the President is not a Super-MP: Differences among candidates on role will lead to divisive campaign”, para 16 ,17.
Ong, Andrea, Candidates divided on role of president, Straits Times Page A10, 17 August 2011,
Chang, Rachel, Stark differences in positions, Straits Times, Page A10, 17 August 2011.
Kai Fong, I’m not championing Opposition’s cause: Tan Jee Say, http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/m-not-championing-opposition-cause-tan-jee-180517327.html (last viewed 19 Aug 2011)
amended 24 Aug 2011 0056 hrs
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By far Presidential Candidate (PC) Tony Tan is undeniable the most qualified of the 4 candidates to be the President Elect (PE) for Singapore. His worldly experience and years at the helm of Singapore Press Holdings and Government Investment Corporation as well his statesman demeanour and relatively good looks sets him aside from the others. Coupled with an honest face it would allow him to pull ahead of the competition if the climate be different.
While PC Tony Tan possesses all the technical qualifications, the political climate has changed against his favour for he is now seen to be just another contender in the Presidential race. A climate where for 18 years there was no contender and where the government has had an overwhelming majority in parliament. It has allowed the Government to make policies in abstraction with the habit of provoking the masses and taking token notice to the concerns of the people.
The PE while is a custodian and Head of State does not comment on policies without seeking the consul of the Cabinet. These nuances give rise to the belief that government is seeking a PE who is reserved to rubber stamp its recommendation in areas of: spending of past reserves; key public sector appointments; detentions without trial in internal security cases; corruption investigations; and restraining orders to maintain religious harmony, namely the 5 areas as explicitly provided by the Constitution only becoming outspoken and antagonistic when parliament is dominated by the opposition.
The Straits Times supports the notion that partisan politics was best left to parliamentarians and prophesise a view that the PE do not venture beyond the existing known areas.
To different extents, PEs has declared their desire to champion the cause of common people in the form of uniting the people or representing forgotten voices or as an auditor on the government. A voice at the highest level acting as the conscience for Cabinet on policy matters to ensure benevolence, harmony and compassion for the people. He also was to speak to common people and government when an impasse occurs or when policies have gone awry and becoming the human side during failures and hardships.
In general, an independent and maverick PE by virture of its positional persence would encourage close scrutiny and debate on parliamentary bills and government expenditure. Institutions that are investment instruments of the State would then be subjected to being more transparent and accountable where questions on its autonomy, its performance vis-a-vis the CPF returns could be raised and it is in this sense safeguarding the national reserves.
For a PC that shares similar thoughts with the ruling party, it would allow for familiarity and some complacency and thereby becoming a “wild card” in terms of voter determination of independence. The group of undecided or opposition leaning voter would require some sense from this kind of PC that he can function independently on matters that are considered secret.
However the current political situation has the ruling party with an overwhelming number of parliamentarians avoided probing questions to toe the party line. So much so that the government would use its might to suppress and deny any opportunities and benefits to those with opposing views (upgrading of flats and more recently denying the use of PA areas). A compliant PE would therefore accentuate these problems by endorsing on policies and making constitutional changes as and when required by the Government. The consequent of this tacit latter arrangement thus creates precedence for each subsequent government when its seat of power is threatened.
On concept of the voice of the common people, this concept however noble is problematic to implement. To discuss municipal issues means the PE is now also acting as parliamentarian. This role is not congruent with the office of the PE and is confusing for parliamentarians are responsible for such matters. Secondly, if the PE behaves like an opposing force with veto powers on these issues, then the institution responsible for ensuring checks and balance needs checks and balance is giving away the final say by default.
A PE that is indulgence in partisan politics would be seen only to appeal to populist demands of embarrassing and antagonising the Government. It also appear as pet projects rather than that of any significant national interest. The promotion of provocative questions towards nation building would be more sensible platform and not rhetoric for political points. Otherwise seen to be light weight on matters when engaging other PCs and the government.
Based on sentiments, it likely that voter distribution is 50% of the electorate are PAP voters with PC Tony Tan receiving 40% and PC Tan Cheng Bock 10% of valid votes. The other 50% is distributed among the 3 PCs Tan Jee Say, Tan Kin Lian and Tan Cheng Bock. The details of votes distribution is given below.
Assessment of PC, Votes Distribution and Remarks
Tony Tan :Very affiliated with the Government, therefore a wild card on the issue of whether he can think and act independently. 40% - hardcore PAP voter
Hard nosed politician who see the 20-35yrs as his campaign target group. TT is at his best when dealing with institutions rather than common man.
Rally-24 August, Lunchtime at Boat Quay, Turnout: 800
Tan Cheng Bock : Past long term affiliation with the Government, therefore a wild card on whether he can think and act independently. 20% - 10% PAP voters and 10% Others
Originally did not intend to hold a rally. Depended on mailers and the Internet to canvass, however he has since changed his mind and an indoor event rally is to be held at Singapore Expo.
Tan Jee Say : Affiliation with opposition, he is likely to raise considerable issues with government. Government behaviour likely to more guarded from the aggressive and hostile posturing. Hard to outwit and out-manoeuvre by the government for he is familiar with the workings in government. There is network of political supporters for his bid as president.
20% - 10% Opposition and 10% Others (conservative estimate)
Rally at Toa Payoh Stadium on 23 August. Turnout 30,000?
Tan Kin Lian : Understated person. No affiliation with any party and small support network. Likely to be outwitted and out-manoeuvred as a president for he lacks experience with engaging government. Any protest on issues while in office will be treated with nonchalant by the government. Government would have neutralised and see to it that he remains harmless. He exhibits traits of honesty, sincerely, kind and above partisan politics. His ideas often "borrowed" by others, benevolence and thoughtful and is well-prepared as each word is a measured response.
20% - 10% Opposition and 10 % Others (optimistic estimate)
Rally - 24 August Yio Chu Kang Stadium. Turnout 800
Legend
Others means undecided or don't know
References
Channel News Asia, PE: More unions, Teochew associations back Tony Tan’s presidential bid, http://news.xin.msn.com/en/singapore/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5166608 (last viewed 16 Aug 2011)
Channel NewsAsia, “PE: PM Lee on what Presidential Election is about”, http://news.xin.msn.com/en/singapore/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5166133 (last viewed 17 Aug 2011)
Wong, Alicia, “Netizens: Does the gov’t understand our concerns?”,
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/netizens-does-gov-t-understand-concerns-003728432.html. (last viewed 17 August 2011)
Channel NewsAsia, “PE: Dr Tony Tan aware of bread and butter issues”’ http://news.xin.msn.com/en/singapore/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5155628, (last viewed 17 August 2011)
Chua, Mui Hoong, Review Editor, Straits Times, Page A2, 17 August 2011, “Why the President is not a Super-MP: Differences among candidates on role will lead to divisive campaign”, para 16 ,17.
Ong, Andrea, Candidates divided on role of president, Straits Times Page A10, 17 August 2011,
Chang, Rachel, Stark differences in positions, Straits Times, Page A10, 17 August 2011.
Kai Fong, I’m not championing Opposition’s cause: Tan Jee Say, http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/m-not-championing-opposition-cause-tan-jee-180517327.html (last viewed 19 Aug 2011)
amended 24 Aug 2011 0056 hrs
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