Ms Lo Hoei Yen’s wake at Teresa Ville, 30 Nov 2008
Field report by Fang Zhi Yuan, Chief Editor
The tragic killing of an innocent Singaporean in Mumbai by terrorist have jolted the entire nation. Many Singaporeans mourned the loss of Ms Lo even though they do not know her at all.
The wake is only open to relatives and close friends as the family request privacy. There was a big white tentage set up in the car park.
The coffin carrying Ms Lo’s body has arrived and has been moved into the tentage lined by rows of white roses and carnation.
There were only a few tables inside the tentage and they were all filled up by the guests by now. A huge screen loomed at one corner screening the photos.
As the guests walked past the coffin to pay their last respects, one lady broke down crying uncontrollably. It must be a heart-wrenching experience.
As we leave the wake, we still cannot fathom why an innocent life is lost. It makes me feel life is so fragile and precious and we ought to make full use of it when we are able to.
Watch a short video clip of the wake here
DISCLAIMER:
We understand the respect the wishes of the family for privacy. We do not seek to sensationalize what has happened. All that is written is reported as a matter of fact from a distance. Our thoughts and sympathies are with them.
Mr Tan Kin Lian’s speech at Hong Lim Park, 29 November 2008
Produced by The Enquirer TV, The Singapore Enquirer
PART 1
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rj0BIWRGCUo&hl=en&fs=1]
PART 2
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoXzZoZXLcs&hl=en&fs=1]
Excerpts from Mr Tan Kin Lian’s speech:
“Some of you have seen the MP and the MP did not do anything. Go and see him again, it’s the MP’s job, but this time ask the MP to ask MAS what happen to the petition, at least the MP must ask MAS on your behalf. If you ask the MP to give you back the money, the MP can’t.”
“Next is the prospectus. I have asked two lawyers to study the prospecturs, whether the prospectus has any mis-representation or non-disclosure.”
“I also ask the lawyers to get a Queen’s Counsel from England for opinion. If the opinion is not strong, then there is no need for you to take class action suit. If the opinion is strong, then we will ask you to take legal action.”
“If the FIs don’t give you the full information, complain to MAS as MAS is in charge of the FIs. As consumer, you have to ask for information about your investments as you have put in so much money, so put in writing your request. If they still don’t give you an answer, write a letter to complain.”
“Can I have a show of hands how many lodge complaint with FIRDReC ? Nobody.”
“May I have a show of hands how many interviewed by the bank, please put up. It’s about 10%. How many got an answer ? Okay, just 1%. Here there is 200 people, only 20 got interviewed by the bank and only a few got an answer. I think it is very slow.”
“Don’t feel shy to complain to MAS in writing because MAS put on their website the FIs are supposed to give you a reply in 4 weeks and now it is already 6 weeks.”
“Some people say all this is playing ‘wayang, wayang’, so you must go to MAS and tell them what is happening.”
“Somebody wrote me a letter to come and say ‘his family, his wife and himself under great mental stress, his money don’t know what happen, waiting for answer don’t know how long, every night cannot sleep’, so I hope everyone take good care of yourself, but if you are in trouble, go and see your MP, tell your MP you are under mental stress.”
“My last point is to give you encouragement. I know all this is very slow, but don’t worry, because this thing will never die, because the longer you carry on, the reputation of Singapore will go down, we won’t let it die. If later on Hong Kong or US, the court case is in favor of the investors, then Singapore is of course not so nice. So don’t worry, be patient. We just carry on until we get a solution.”
“I will give you another update next week. All right, so let me wish all of you seasons’ greeting and a better 2009. Thank you.”
Video source: The Singapore Enquirer with compliments to Jeremy Yau and team.
EDITORS’ NOTE: As of now, The Singapore Enquirer and The Wayangparty Club are the FIRST news blog to publish the video recording of Mr Tan Kin Lian’s speech at Hong Lim Park today which was not even reported by the mainstream media. Stay tuned here for Mr Goh Meng Seng’s ferocious walloping of the PAP tomorrow.
200 investors still turn up in spite last minute change in plan
By Eugene Yeo and Cheng Siew Peng, reporting from Hong Lim Park, 6pm
In spite of the last minute change of plan by Mr Tan Kin Lian not to go ahead with his planned talk due to an Indian Cultural event occupying the same venue, about two hundred minibond investors still turn up at Hong Lim Park.
Some of them are aware of the change in plan, yet decide to turn up anyway to hear what Mr Tan have to say in person.
Many investors we spoke to have expressed doubts about the banks giving them a fair deal. Some still haven’t heard from the banks despite a stipulated guideline under MAS that they have to respond to their complaints within 4 weeks.
Mr Tan told the investors present to seek assistance from their MP and to share some of the pitfalls to take note of when they attend the interview conducted by the banks.
He is currently discussing with two senior lawyers to seek the expert opinion of a Queen’s Counsel of England. The initial legal fee is expected to range from S$10,000 to S$15,000.
Mr Tan asked the crowd the number of investors who have been approached by the bank and only about 20 investors raise up their hands out of whom only a few have received a firm reply from the bank.
Mr Tan ended his speech by urging the investors to have faith and keep the fight going for as long the matter is not resolved satisfactorily, Singapore’s reputation as a finance hub will continue to plunge.
The Chinese rendition of Mr Tan’s speech was given by Ms Lee Wai Leng, a WP candidate who stood in the Ang Mo Kio GRC against Prime Minister Lee’s team in the 2006 General Election.
Mr Goh Meng Seng ended the day with a fiery speech lampooning the PAP government for paying lip service to its vaunted standards of accountability and transparency and implored the investors to help him collect the 100,000 signatures needed to persuade Mr Tan Kin Lian to run for public office.
There will be a special meeting next Saturday at the same venue to celebrate the anniversary of The Online Citizen. Mr Tan will be giving an update on his discussion with the lawyers at the same time.
As the minibond saga continues to drag on, it appears inevitable that the issue is becoming more and more politicized. While there were no political speechs in first three rallies, they have become a regular event of Mr Tan’s rallies now.
Will this attempt to awaken the political consciousness of Singaporeans create a backlash against Mr Tan ? Are the investors who are more concerned about their money than Singapore politics support Mr Tan’s bid for public office ?
Given the pragmatic and mercenary nature of Singaporeans, this may prove to be another false dawn.
EDITORS’ NOTE: More to come – iphotos, nterviews with minibond investors, video of Mr Tan Kin Lian, Ms Lee Wai Leng and Mr Goh Meng Seng’s speech and a special feature on CLOB and Mr Steve Chia, who made a surprise turn out at the hustlings. Stay tuned at Wayangparty Club – we bring you the FASTEST news in Singapore.
Remembering the last two ‘presidential casualties’ – Ong Teng Cheong and Andrew Kwan
By Eugene Yeo, Senior writer
Mr Tan Kin Lian’s open declaration of his intention to run for the elected presidency during an interview with The Sunday Times last week was described by some as a bold, if not audacious move to announce his entry into the political arena.
While his supporters welcome and applaud his move, there are others who doubt his chances of becoming Singapore’s third elected President after Mr Ong Teng Cheong and the incumbent Mr S R Nathan.
The elected presidency was first mooted by then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew way back in 1982 to safeguard Singapore’s reserves from being frittered away by a “profligate” government should the PAP lose power one day.
The President is supposedly vested with special powers to look into the accounts of the government and to ensure that the nation’s balance sheet is in good order.
In 1991, amendments were made in the Constitution to give the President certain reserve powers over government expenditure of financial reserves and appointments to key public office.
Mr Ong Teng Cheong won the historic election in 1993 to become the first and only popularly Elected President in Singapore.
However, soon after his election to the presidency, he became embroiled in a dispute with the government over the access of information regarding Singapore’s financial reserves. The government said it would take 56 man years to produce a dollar-and-cents value of the immovable assets.
Ong discussed this with the accountant general and the auditor general and came to a compromise that the government needed to give him only a listing of all the properties that the government owns. It took the government a few months to produce the list. But even then the list was not complete. In all, it took the government three years to come up with the information about the reserves that Ong requested
Ong’s conflicts with the PAP government led by Goh Chok Tong soon made him fall out of favor from the establishment. Though he indicated in 1998 that he is ready to serve another term, the government refused to support him on the grounds of health concerns (Ong was diagnosed to have lymphoma in 1993).
Whether it is due to external pressure by the PAP or personal reasons, Ong decided not to run for the presidency in 1999. He passed away soon after and became the first former President who did not get a state funeral.
S R Nathan, Singapore’s 2nd President, assumed the position in 1999 by default because there is nobody qualified to run against him. In 2005, however, a little-known PAP cadre Mr Andrew Kwan declared his intention to challenge Nathan.
Kwan came up with a blog in which he outlined his plans for Singapore as a future President should he win the election. Prime Minister Lee expressed his “surprise” at Kwan’s announcement. Two days later, the state media reported Kwan being embroiled in a legal tussle with a fellow condominium management committee member over the management of funds.
The press next went on a smear campaign against him by casting doubts on his moral character and integrity. It was an overkill since the Presidential Election Committee (PEC) disqualify him as a candidate being that Mr Nathan “won” again by default. Coincidentally, Kwan disappeared almost immediately from the mainstream media’s radar after Nathan was declared the undisputed ”winner”.
As we can see from the above example, the Presidential Elections is far from being free and fair. Not only must candidates possess qualifications which only a few have, including spending no less than three years being the chairman of the board of directors or chief executive officer of a company incorporated or registered under the Companies Act with a payup capital of at least S$100 million dollars.
The PEC, which is appointed at the discretion of the PAP government, has the right to disqualify any candidate deemed unacceptable by the establishment so as to weed out “unfriendly” and “undesirable” candidates though he or she may possess all the necessary qualifications.
Who is the ultimate kingmaker of Singapore’s Elected President ? Is it the PAP or the people of Singapore ? The answer is pretty obvious.
Mr Nathan is already 84 years old this year and it is likely that he may not run for the presidency again in 2011 by when he will be 87 years old.
Knowing how “efficient” the PAP has been to always plan ahead for the future, they may already have a candidate in mind to replace the aging Nathan.
Is the candidate Tan Kin Lian who after all, is a loyal PAP member for the last 30 years with intimate connections to leaders of the establishment including Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong ?
Not very likely because the PAP only loves “leaders” who are obedient and easy to control. By defying the wishes of the establishment to advocate for the rights of the minibond investors, Tan has already burned his bridges. Furthermore, he would not dare to come out in the open to criticize the PAP had he been their anointed candidate.
With the presidency still 2 years away, the PAP can always afford to wait for Tan’s campaign to fizzle out if he did not garner the 100,000 signatures he set for himself. In the meantime, they may already have chosen another candidate to take over Nathan, and that is Mr Gerald Ee, the present NKF Chairman. Watch this man closely, his national profile and visibility will be gradually raised by the state media in the months to come.
Is Tan Kin Lian posturing to reach out to the opposition camp ?
By Eugene Yeo, Senior writer
Is it a sincere “apology” which is long overdue or a posturing to reach out to the opposition camp ?
Out of the blue, Mr Tan Kin Lian posted on his blog this morning ” An apology to Dr Chee Soon Juan and his sister ” about a comment from CNA forum posted on 14 October 6 weeks ago.
Mr Tan said:
“I wish to apologise to Chee Soon Juan and his sister for the damage that is caused to them by the statement, “what many stupid and selfish politicians in Singapore have done and seek self destruction.”
In the first place, there was no explicit reference made to Dr Chee and his sister in the alleged “offensive” comment.
Secondly, there was no furore or response from SDP or Dr Chee over the statement.
And lastly, what “damage” has it caused the Chees when they have been through much greater tribulations including being slandered publicly by the state media.
Had not Mr Tan chose to reveal the blog post now, nobody would have taken notice of it.
Interestingly, Mr Tan chose to end his “apology” with an acknowledgement of Dr Chee’s political convictions and struggle:
“I do not personally share this sentiment and wish to acknowledge their personal sacrifice in fighting for what they believe in.”
Dr Chee has been in politics for over 15 years. Since when did we hear Mr Tan expressing solidarity with him ? Perhaps he did realize the sacrifices Dr Chee has made, but is unable to say so due to his position then as CEO of NTUC INCOME.
Much as I admire Dr Chee for his courage and fortitude, he is walking along a lonely path shunned by other opposition parties. To Mr Tan’s credit, he did not call Dr Chee names unlike a particular opposition MP who callously described Dr Chee as a “mad dog” in a media interview.
In spite of Mr Tan’s repeated attempts to play down his bid for public office and his apparent nonchalant demeanour about it, this latest manoeuvring can be interpreted as a subtle posturing to reach out to the opposition camp.
It could mean either one or all of the following:
1. Mr Tan knows that his links with the PAP may turn out to be a liability in the future should he run for the election either as an independent or as part of the opposition as the hardcore opposition supporters which constitute 20% of the electorate still harbor doubts about him. This may herald a series of moves to win them over to his side.
2. It may be a signal to Dr Chee that he is open to the idea of working together with him though I find this a remote possibility as it will mean ailenating many of his supporters who are moderates.
3. As a bargaining chip to be used against the establishment to coerce them to be more responsive to his requests to assist the troubled investors. If the regime views Mr Tan as a sufficient threat should he cross over to the opposition camp, they may relent and accede to some of his demands.
Whether Mr Tan is posturing to reach out to the opposition or merely building up his support base, one thing is more sure: he is seriously contemplating the options available to him first before deciding on the next step to take.
As a long-time PAP member, Mr Tan must be familiar with the “wayang” antics employed by the establishment. He should be well aware of the potential pitfalls ahead of his journey should he decide to turn his back on the PAP.
With Mr Tan’s entry into the political fray, we can expect more exciting “wayang kulit” in the days ahead. How will it turn out ? Let’s hold our breath and see.
Interview with 2 Public Assistance holders: Is $330 monthly enough ?
Presented by the video production team of The Singapore Enquirer
Background:
Ah Hock, 55 and Ah Seng, 71 are two Public Assistance (PA) holders for the last 10 years. They are unable to work anymore due to medical reasons. Being single with no children or relatives, they have grown to depend on each other for friendship and support during their sunset years. Both of them live in a sparsely furnished one-room rental flat.
In a Straits Times article last week, it was revealed that 2,719 people are on the scheme, most of them old folk or households with at least one elderly person. Given the rising inflation and economic downturn, is S$330 a month really enough ?
The Singapore Enquirer pay a visit to Ah Hock and Ah Seng’s home to find out:
PART 1
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_1Oo8R0Sac&hl=en&fs=1]
PART 2
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OiZ1msMz4M&hl=en&fs=1]
Background soundtrack: “Winds of promise” by S.E.N.S
Please visit www.singaporeenquirer.sg to watch the other videos produced by The Enquirer TV
More photos from minibond rally at Hong Lim Park, 15 Nov 2008
Photos contributed by Michelle Zeng
Roundtable discussion: Mr Tan Kin Lian’s bid for presidency – how far will he go ?
By Fang Zhi Yuan and Eugene Yeo
Prologue
After playing down his political ambitions for two months since he was thrusted into the limelight by being an advocate for the troubled minibond investors, Mr Tan Kin Lian had finally announced his interest in the elected presidency or MP. In an article published on Sunday Times, ‘Tan Kin Lian eyes elected presidency”, Mr Tan said he will run for either the presidency or MP if he is able to gather 100,000 signatures.
We ask our panel of 3 writers of what they think of Mr Tan’s plan to run for public office.
In addition, we have invited 3 bloggers to share with us their thoughts – Mr Daniel Ling of Information Read by Me, Mr Gabriel Sim of Simply Gab and Mr Ng E Jay of Sgpolitics
Mr Tan has repeatedly denied that he has any political motives for helping the investors. What are the possible reasons for this abrupt U-turn now ?
Daniel: A) It could be tat these events were actually planned for since we all noe tat LKY is likely reaching limits soon thus there will be a need for a new Knight to be God for the next generation. Who better than someone who ve stood up for the masses in times of need? (B) Then again, he could be really persuaded by a close friend to try to change the system. (C) Or he could be genuinely feeling tat the system is in dire need of change thus the U Turn.
E Jay: I’ve given a possible reason in my blog posting. If Mr Tan does indeed have at least some political ambitions, it would be perfectly understandable for him to downplay them and dissuade people from second-guessing him at this stage, when he is not ready to declare his intentions yet. That would be both politically appropriate and savvy. Hence, I don’t think he has really U-turned. His need for 100,000 signatures appears to be a high hurdle that he deliberately set so as to avoid being pressured into something he does not wish to do.
Eugene: I beg to differ from E Jay. Declaring one’s bid for public office publicly is no small matter, he could easily reject his supporters’ suggestion to do so and nobody could have coerced him. It is probably a gimmick to “test the waters” first to see if it is safe to take a full plunge.
Zhi Yuan: I do not think Mr Tan has harbored much political ambitions initially. The groundswell of support for him from the investors may provide him with an impetus to consider otherwise.
Gabriel: If you were to describe his current interest in office as an abrupt u-turn, are you then suggesting that he had an ulterior motive behind his championing of investor interests with regards to mini-bond fiasco? I do no know the man personally so I can’t comment on this. Ulterior motive or not, I believe the affected investors would not be too concerned as they are to an extent indebted to him for elevating their concerns. Perhaps this is the first time he has been so close and connected to the ground that he was struck by how much needs to change, or at least how desperate and powerless they were
Do you think Mr Tan will gather enough signatures on the ground to support his bid ?
Daniel: If 1A, then yes, sure can gather enough signatures since he will ve the backing of PAP. 1B or 1C, possible since 10k investors + family members + frenz is a high chance of getting 100k approvals.
E Jay: I really don’t know, but it appears unlikely. The 100,000 number, as I’ve said, is probably a deliberately high hurdle he set. He may have felt that is an unlikely target.
Eugene: It is impossible he is able to garner even half the number. Knowing how politically ignorant Singaporeans are, not many would have heard of him in the first place. I can foresee the answer his supporters will get if they go around in the streets asking strangers to write down their particulars and sign the petition: “Simi dai ji ? Will you pay me if I sign ?”
Zhi Yuan: “Haha, that’s a good one. If Mr Tan is really keen to run for public office to provide Singaporeans with an alternative, I believe he will go ahead if he can secure at least 10,000 signatures and that is a lot by local standards. Since when did an online petition even hit close to this number ?
Gabriel: To be honest, I am not too optimistic about his chances for becoming president. However, if he were to instead contest a SMC as an independent, he might stand a better chance. By running as an independent, he will not be burdened with the historical baggage of other parties.
Now, we know that Mr Tan has been a PAP member for the last 30 years and he is no ordinary PAP member. He was actually a branch secretary with intimate links with Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. Why did he decide to quit the party only 3 months ago and now wanting to run for elected office ?
E Jay: The minibonds saga probably provided him an opportunity to ease himself out of the establishment framework and quit the PAP “gracefully”. Otherwise, if he had quit the PAP and explored alternative political ambitions earlier without any compelling external reason, people may think he is jumping ship because PAP will not give him what he needs to satisfy his ambitions (if he has any).
Gabriel: This outlines the problem with the Singapore political system. So many of our institutions, and as a result its top executives, are intimately linked with the PAP to the extent that the hidden hand of the Government is more of an obtrusive arm. As ex-CEO of NTUC, this revelation is not surprising. But alas, we do not know the extent of this relationship.
Eugene: Seriously, I have doubts about him. Why would anybody quit PAP after 30 long years ? Mr Tan claimed he is disappointed with the PAP for losing touch with the common people, but that already happen like 10 years ago ! Why did he take so long to quit the PAP and the timing coincides with the eruption of the minibond fiasco, so something is quite fishy here.
Zhi Yuan: That’s an exaggeration, Eugene. He may not be able to quit the party as long he is still the CEO of NTUC INCOME. I will give Mr Tan the benefit of the doubt.
In the interview, Mr Tan made some rather bold criticisms of PAP’s policies. How do you think the government will react ?
Daniel: If 1A, likely PAP will try to “shut” him down. After which failing to do so, he will get in somehow? Maybe not as President but as a Senior Member, etc? After which maybe some of the less direct Impact changes can be made but the Big Impact issues will remain unchange due to diffculties, etc. If 1B or 1C then PAP may forcefully try to shut him down. Successful anot will depend.
Gabriel: Same as they always do, in a knee-jerk fashion. Won’t be surprised if he is called for tea with SM Goh. But I believe they will be more careful this time around in their character assasination. They wouldnt want a repeat of the Gomez saga.
E Jay: Govt will probably say nothing, as they might not want to be seen attacking Tan Kin Lian at a time when he is helping out investors fervently.
Eugene: Haha, what if they have given him “permission” to do so beforehand. Never underestimate the degree of “wayang” the PAP will go through to promote somebody of their choice for the next president.
Zhi Yuan: I agree with E Jay. They have been keeping mum on Mr Tan’s protests for a long time and will continue to do so in the near future unless their position is threatened which is highly unlikely. With no offence to Mr Tan, he is hardly a threat to the PAP now. However, if he is able to attract enough credible Singaporeans to join him, it will be a different ball game altogether and we may see the PAP adopting a more forceful stance against him.
Mr Tan also said that “he will run if enough Singaporeans want change.” What exaclty does he mean by “change” ?
Daniel: His currently asking for opinions on wat is the public opinion of changes on his blog.
http://tankinlian.blogspot.com/2008/11/manifesto-future-of-singapore.html
If 1A, it could be a mole thing to gather wat r the issues tat pple r concern about. As for wat he feels is “changes”, tat only he can answer. =D
E Jay: I think he deliberately left the word “change” open to interpretation, but I figure he is most likely referring to having more opposition and independent voices in Parliament.
Eugene: Sorry I am the eternal skeptic. Change what ? How much change can he bring after being a PAP member for 30 years ? Can his mindset be changed at his age now ?
Zhi Yuan: I do not know if Mr Tan used the word “change” on purpose or is he misquoted by the journalist. He needs to be very specific or else all sort of misinterpretations will arise in the minds of ordinary Singaporeans reading the article. If he wants to change the government or the PAP system, then it is unlikely he will get any support at all. Singaporeans are not ready for the kind of “change” which has swept Malaysia and USA. They merely desire more opposition in Parliament to check on the PAP and that is not considered a “change” to me.
Gabriel: This is linked to my first point. As much as Kin Lian’s eyes have been opened to the woes of the common man, perhaps he has seen the eyes of common man open to the fallacy of their long held beliefs that the PAP knows best. If their confidence with the PAP is lost together with the value of their structured notes, the impetus for change develops. I would however caution Kin Lian against trying to ride on Obama-ism without clarifying the change he intends to bring. I hope he will follow up with a manifesto on the specific change he advocates and not wait till the results of the petition are out.
Also read the last roundtable discussion on Malaysia and Singapore education system
Life transformer: Man works 7 days a week to feed family of 7
Background:
Chen Meimei has five boys, the eldest is 14 and the youngest is only 5. Her husband works as an odd-job laborer earning $800 monthly only if there is work available for him. She had a major operation 10 years ago for liver infection and is unable to work. The family of seven lives in a 2 room flat which appears to be poorly maintained. In spite of the hardship, Meimei claimed she is happy just to fulfil her duties as a wife to her husband and a mother to her 5 children.
PART 1
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKsxpUwCcG4&hl=en&fs=1]
PART 2
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToPanDIfGi0&hl=en&fs=1]
Tan Kin Lian’s bid for presidency: Is this the right time ?
By Fang Zhi Yuan, Chief Editor
Mr Tan Kin Lian’s unexpected announcement of his intention to run for public office has taken many Singaporeans by surprise, including his ex-employees and supporters.
After all, it was only 2 weeks ago that he played down his political ambitions citing “age and family” as concerns.
While his previous blog posts were focused primarily on financial matters, he had been more forthcoming lately of his political views including writing a manifesto of what he want to do if he gets elected into public office.
Though Mr Tan had been coy about his intention to run for public office by insisting that he will only do so if he is able to collect 100,000 signatures from Singaporeans, it appears he is pretty serious and clear of his next course of action.
Is this the right timing for Mr Tan to launch his bid for public office ?
It may not be the appropriate time now for the following reasons:
1. There are no signs an election will be called soon, either for the presidency or a general election. The current president S R Nathan is in the pink of health and there are no signs he will be stepping down by the next election in 2 years time. Is it too early to fire the shot ?
2. The minibond fiasco is still not resolved satisfactorily and this will be an unwelcomed distraction. Preparing a presidential bid is not a small matter and it will be a heavy toll on him given his committment to the investors.
3. Just this week, Mr Chua Sheng Yang wrote a highly charged letter to The Straits Times Forum questioning Mr Tan’s political agenda for helping the investors by staging protests at Hong Lim Park. With Mr Tan now abandoning his previously neutral political stance, it will only give free ammunition to his detractors to shoot at him.
4. Mr Tan just told the media in a recent interview that he did not ‘harbor any political ambition’. What spin will the mainstream media come up next to discredit him for this apparent abrupt ’flip-flop’ ?
5. There is insufficient public interest in the matter at the present moment. People will ask why time and resources are being spent on an election which is not imminent in the near future. With the current economic downturn, Singaporeans are more concerned about their rice-bowls than their candidate for the next presidential election.
6. Did Mr Tan sound out the establishment yet about their views ? Though anybody with the qualifications can contest the presidency, it is an unspoken rule that nobody can sit on that seat without prior tacit approval from Singapore’s ‘godfather’. Let us not forget the late Mr Ong Teng Cheong and the last wistful challenger to the coveted ‘throne’, Mr Andrew Kwan, who is a PAP cadre himself.
Nevertheless, one may argue that there will never be a perfect time and it is better to ’strike when the iron is hot’ rather than to miss the boat later.
Mr Tan’s smart move to test the ground first by following ex-Filipino president Corazon Aquino’s example of starting a petition to garner support for his bid is a testimony to this newcomer’s political guile and maturity.
If he manage to gather the 100,000 signatures he has set for himself to run for president, then nobody else, even from the establishment can afford to challenge him directly. On the other hand, he can easily extricate himself from the tricky situation should he fail to obtain the necessary support he has set for himself by citing that Singaporeans are not ready for ‘change’ yet.
Now that the arrow has been released, there is no turning back. Mr Tan has to thread carefully from now onwards for there is plenty of time ahead for “unforeseen circumstances” to arise out of nowhere to derail his bid.
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