Some people commented in some blogs that it would have been better for me to participate in the general election, rather than the presidential election. I like to explain my decision.
I did not want to contest the general election as I did not like to spend time to run a town council, if I were elected. I was also not yet ready to join any of the political parties – until their leaders agreed to merge and build their membership base.
Initially, I did not want to contest the presidential election either. I changed my mind after receiving requests from many people to stand and offer them a chance to vote. (They said that I was one of the few non-PAP people that might be able to get the certificate of eligibility).
After Dr. Tan Cheng Bock expressed interest, I decided also to join in. My reasoning was that it would be difficult for the “powers” to disqualify both candidates but it would be easier for them to find the reason to disqualify a single candidate.
I acknowledge that I do not have the same “class” or “charisma” as Dr. Tony Tan. If that is what the people of Singapore wants, I would be quite happy to lose the election.
I can only offer to the people the chance to vote for a candidate who is willing to listen to the people and reflect their aspirations, have an independent approach to the decisions that have to be made by the President’s office (i.e. does not need to be confrontational to the Government) and able to use my knowledge to safeguard their CPF money and the national reserves.
Some people may prefer some other candidates and not me, but that is all right. There is really no need for them to insult me or smears my character or reputation. (I refer to defamatory remarks and smears posted against me in some blogs or websites or being circulated by e-mail. I hope that right minded people will stop these bad behavior.)
Tan Kin Lian
8 comments:
Sir Standford was the founding father of our lion city. He was not welcome back home by his boss in London!
At the same time he discovered this island, he also dicover Borobodur where under earth. He sent an expert team to explore it. It take 100++ years to unearth it by archaeologist. Today, Borobodur is a top world heritage protected both by UN and Indonesia law. It attracted mainly European and Australian tourist (sad to say few Asian like it).
History forever remembers Sir Standford for his past contribution.
Chinese saying: 盖官论定good or bad, right or wrong, wait till last nail of coffinn.
May late Pres Ong bless you, always.
TKL should be by now be immune to all those smears by people working in the Insurance Companies and those PAP Members. Supporters know how to separate the grain from the dirt. It is part of the game, and are sure TKL is made of harder stuff.
Many people vote along the same line as in a GE, the more the underdog is attacked, the more we vote for that person, i.e. the vicious effect may boomerang back to the attackers. Anyone who earns a living from a commission is your attacker, and anyone who is a member of the PAP may be your attacker too. It's very obvious by now PAP wants to split the votes by asking Tony to enter the race, and like what TKL said, it does not reflect well on the Govt to qualify TT and TCB and disqualify the other Tan. If the PAP does exactly this, then it shows the Govt is fearful of TKL, have no guts and confidence to put themselves to the test, and thus have to resort to strategy.
Some people may think since the PAP has been returned to power, it may be wiser to vote a President who is an "outsider" to the PAP, as voting for Tony is as good as voting for the PAP the second time
round, having in mind the jacking up of the CPF minimum sum, immediately after the GE.
By the way, our CPF Board seems so short of money, CPF members are feeling very scared now.
Have to think very carefully whom to vote in any future Election, GE or EP the same.
Yuyuan, Some people will know which smear statements are rubbish and should be ignored. But there are other people who ask - is this true? We do have quite a large segment of people who are fickle and naive, and may believe the smears. It will be helpful if the strong minded people, who are able to discern the smears, challenge the person who posted the smears to substantiate the smears and come forward to be identified. This will make the internet a more responsible channel to communicate views.
rex comments as follows,
I think Mr Tan mentioned a point which is exemplified in a concept which I had stressed in several blogs months ago.
The present political system in singapore will never attract true political talent sufficiently. It is because elected members of parliament are being made to do simple Estate Management jobs. I find that it is a case of 大才小用, something like driving a Mercedes Benz in tiny streets. Take Chen Shao Mao for example - Corporate Lawyer extraordinaire. Now he is MP, he's gotta sit in regularly to listen to mundane complains from Ah Bengs and Ah Huas concerning their personal financial issues with HDB, with the goverhment, divorce issues, traffic summons issues cannot pay, ask for leniency from govt rules issues. And what is their job? Help thise residents write letters to governemtn agencies, collect data. Is it not 大才小用? Is it the best way to attract passionate patriotic people to serve Singapore? Maybe yes maybe not.
Take the example of Mr Lee K.Y, Member of Parliament Tg Pagar, (actually, his new post just an ordinary MP, and by definition must meet the people regularly, help citizens solve micro problems... cannot call Indranee R. to stand in cover duty every time!) . Or Chen Shao Mao. Or stretch it more even Francis Seow. These people have better things to do than help Ah Bengs and Ah Huas write letters to government deparments to sovel their problems.
For me i think the political system in singapore would be far better if the Members of Parliament officially do not need to run the Town Councils. MP's should be involved in policy debates 90% of the time. It is not even necessary for MP's to do meet the people session. He can appoint estate managers/Liaision officers (paid just 5K a month) to help to do all this stuffs. And MP's job is to analyse all the monthly data and come up with policy change improvements and push up to Parliament for debate. They should be paid accordingly for the number of MACRO CHANGES they make to the country. If they don't make any positive changes, or don't open their mouth in Parliament, they shall be sacked forthwith. That is how i want to see MPs. Sub contract the detailed works, but help to lead singapore on macro level to affect POLICIES. To change a policy that will benefit 100,000 people, it is fair to pay MP $15K a month. To help write letters for Ah Bengs and Ah Huas, you only need to pay the letter writer maybe 5K a month.
So i can more or less accept MR Tan's view of why he didnt contest the elections. As long as we have this strange system, it will be very hard to have real, great leaders in singapore.
rex
The fact they can't substantiate the smears , these "Bie San" would not have the guts to come forward to be identified, have to hide behind the devil face in cyberspace. Simply, no balls.
Mr Tan, sorry I didnt go to Hong Lim Park yesterday as I much wanted to support that our Government should let the people get employed first instead otherwise.
I am a single mother with a 6 years old son. Have been jobless for 10 months. Have been trying to look for a job since but not fruitful. Now relying on my saving and I don't know how long I'll sustain.
Now finding a job which is office hour so I can fetch my son from childcare after that seem so difficult. Not being to find a job so can't buy a flat direct from HDB. A resale flat is so expensive that I can't even afford. As a single parent, I find that we have lose out our chance to get employment to foreigners as I can't do long hours where foreigners can. If work part time can't really sustain the income where tones of bills to pay.
This is what as a Singaporean has faced difficulties until I have lose hope! Hope you can be elected so you can help ordinary citizens like me has face. Thank you!
Rex has a point.
In 1960s, I stay next to a village association where villagers meeting regualarly to disucuss common problem and their solution.
The MP visited the association once a year ONLY. This village was located at now Serangoon JC site.
Today, this role is supposed to play by RC. Mr TKL was a organiser of Marine Parade RC. Can u tell us more on why the RC is "wayang" only (sorry to say that).
At Marsiling Zone 7, I had not seen member from RC take care the resident's safety and security and many other problems. They simply plant vegetable and bring for their PERSONAL consumption. The small farm is a HDB land!
During the early years of the Marine Parade RC, the RC members were active in collecting newspapers, donations for the community center building fund (from the residents, $1 a month) and organising social activities for the residents. They were active and provide good feedback to the MP. Most of the RC members do spend time on their work.
Times have changed. Today, many people have to work long hours and may not be able to spend time on RC or community work. So, we cannot expect the same level of dedication.
It would be good to tap the retiress for RC work and to pay them an allowance (for those who need the money).The others can still work on a voluntary basis.
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