Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam (age: 71), Executive Director and Vice Chairman of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) and Chairman of Singapore Press Holdings Limited (SPH), is now at the Elections Department to collect the presidential elections certificate of eligibility forms.
In the late 1980s, Mr Lee Kuan Yew named Dr Tony Tan as his first choice to succeed him as Prime Minister of Singapore, but Dr Tan declined. Dr Tan later returned to Cabinet and served as Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister from 1995 to 2005.
When he was Minister for Education, Dr Tan reversed the Graduate Mothers Scheme; a ‘eugenic-like’ policy which gave children of mothers without university degrees lower priority when registering for primary schools. He also persuaded then-Minister for National Development Mah Bow Tan to abandon plans to demolish an old mosque (dubbed the “Last Kampung Mosque in Singapore”) in his constituency of Sembawang. The mosque has now been designated a heritage site. More recently, he was the most high profile member of Cabinet to question the introduction of the integrated resorts to Singapore.
In a forum organised by the Nanyang Technological University in 1998, when a student asked if the Government would implement policies that would protect Singaporeans facing competition from foreigners, for jobs as well as university places, Dr Tan replied that “there is no way in which you (the Singapore government) are going to be able to protect either Singaporeans or Singapore because we are a small country. We don’t set prices. We are a price-taker, not a price-setter”.
In 1997, Mr Goh Chok Tong and ten plaintiffs sued Mr Tang Liang Hong, a Workers’ Party candidate, who had alleged that they conspired to defame him. Mr. Tang fled the jurisdiction, stating that he feared for his life. All eleven suits were heard in Mr Tang’s absence and the plaintiffs won damages totaling S$5,825,000. Dr Tony Tan one of the eleven plaintiffs won S$350,000 in damages in this case.
TOC has been invited to Dr Tan Keng Yam’s news conference and we will bring you more updates soon.
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Must see Mrs Tan Kin Lian 1st. Not sure got the look to represent Singapore or not. What if she looks like Chou Ah Lian?
A fitting chapter to the EP issue. Notwithstanding the limited powers and nature of the job, the number of possible choices are almost from the same family. Per se there is nothing wrong as they are not in Government now, but the more pertinent question is, fast forward 10 to 15 years from now, will the Nation have more choices?
Is it in the interest of the people?
The concentration of our resources to educate, groom a few together with the reliant nature of Singaporeans on its leaders, have led to group thinking and little challenge to held and trusted notions. Will this change for surely the writing is on the wall for all, that not all is well.
Well perhaps the EPs to be or those contesting can address the issues of how Singapore can start the process, rather than mother hood statements of grandiose like …. Hoping to connect…..to…..first priority should be singaporeans.
One is not hoping for statements of their actions, as that is the role of Government, which the Nation had just participated in a election. Rather their beliefs as fellow citizens. How and What can be done, to better improve the lifes of the layman.
@ Robert Teh 23 June 2011
TT should explain his reason for being among the eleven PAP members in using libel suit to bankrupt opposition Tang Liang Hong. Is it morally right to do so when election is about exposing wrongs in policies and trading criticisms about one another. Has he the righteousness or human spirit to be a people-centered EP?
Fully agreed. But you stop short to mention that TT also derived great satisfaction in seeing political opponents become bankrupt and their families ruined.
TT is also not a man of principle : he strongly supported the unjust policy of no upgrading for the opposition wards. This discrimination is intended to make opposition wards become a slum, flats losing value, elderlies with joint pains are forced to climb up the staircase one by one as a kind of punishment for not voting the PAP, therefore lift upgrading is denied.
If TT really becomes the next President, the majority of Singaporeans, esp the poor and the underprivileged will have six more years to suffer, regret and repent.
1993’s elected President – Ong Teng Cheong, many said dont vote for him as he is PAP. BUT Mr Ong turn out to be the best elected president so far, which mean Once PAP, does not mean he will not turn against PAP. I actually think Tony Tan once stand and disagree with PAP gov, PAP will have a more difficult time to face him than TKL. Becos TONY TAN know the reserve and in side out of GOV.
@chou ah lian
I searched internet to see whether can find Mrs Tan Kin Lian’s photo or not. See here:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=192550964125262&set=pu.184996368214055&type=1&theater
I will vote for Tony like the other 60% of the electorates. We all prefer branded, well tested, proven, and reliable goods. And stability. Tony is THE next elected President of the Replublic of Singapore. He will continue to put us on the map.
so what if he knows how much is the reserve?
he cannot do any thing.
He can only act/block the govt’s proposition.
if he as the deputy chairman of GIC knows how much the reserves are, then LHL also knows.
because lhl is the chairman.
knowing the reserves doesn’t stop lhl from proposing and using the reserves wisely.
But that’s not the job of the EP.
think about the concept/principles behind the EP.
If you work out the logic, you will realise, if tony tan really claimed he is going to do what he is going to do that motivates him to be president, he should have just stayed on as deputy chairman of GIC or join LHL’s party.
The EP doesn’t act. it either agrees or block.
Why would he want to block lhl’s plan? The only remaining possibility is that he would agree.
but a spending/draw down plan must be given to the EP first.
and why does LHL need to propose such a thing?
LHL’s action vis a vis to the EP can only be 2 things:
1. put monies into reserve,
2. take monies out of reserves.
(1). doesn’t need EP’s approval.
(2). needs EP’s approval.
Question is why should LHL plan to use the reserves?
The govt before him never needed to.
That’s how the reserve was built.
Why is LHL intending to use the reserves? to what end?
LHL intends to use the reserves -> that’s why he needs a yes man.
Vote in TT, you will end up losing your reserves and getting a ‘yes man’.
as simple as that.
TT is not a credible candidate for EP of Singapore.
He is only serving himself and his party.
the EP is larger than party politics.
He is not the right mould.
I know I didn’t write too well above, but if you analyse carefully, in terms of motivations to serve Singapore, GY has a bigger justifications to EP than TT.
This is because GY cannot join the govt.
TT can.
He could have just join the last election.
But he didn’t.
GY can claim he wants to serve Singapore and because he wasn’t elected as an MP, he could go for election for EP.
But TT should have joined the last election.
He didn’t.
It is all bullshit.
the real intention of the govt is to have an EP that will agree to their draw down plans.
and yes, it is clear, the govt has the intention to draw down the reserves.
Not to help the poor because with the GST funds that is supposed to help the poor, only a small portion went to helping them.
It is to do something else.
Don’t even think it is to build flats.
With a demand high for flats and a crowd willing to pay, the govt doesn’t need to put up much monies.
What makes TT thinks TCB (I don’t want to mention TKL) cannot serve Singapore as an EP:
You mean, TT thinks TCB cannot
1. do ceremonial duties
2. agree to support drawing down of reserves if the govt had a sensible plan.
Remember: Nathan took 2 days (or less) to agree with LHL’s plan last financial crisis.
Is 2 days sufficient?
How come the other tigers who went through the financial crisis, didn’t need to draw down on their reserves and add to it… like China.
go check the figures.
It is all a sham.
some of the posters here commented that there are a lack of options for EP.
Think about it.
The first contestant against OTC even though reluctant, is a non pap guy.
This time round, all these potential candidates are/were pap people.
GKS and the other 1st generation people policies produces the first contentant.
The TT generation and beyond’s policies only produce pap people good enough to be an EP.
It is the fault and self serving interest of the 2nd gen and beyond that resulted in the current death of options for EP.
and now TT claimed s’poreans must be allowed to progress career wise in Singapore…
how credible is that?
S’poreans are not even allow to pick their own leaders and that’s why the pap use GRC.
I don’t believe TT.
A vote for Tony is a vote for status quo, to continue PAP policies…..also means support for 6.5mln or 7mln population….many more FOREIGNERS at the expense of Singaporeans in schools, offices, factories, hospitals, buses, mrts, homes, etc
Of course Tony is better at shaking foreign big shots hands.
A vote for Tan Kian Lian is for more check and balance. Also more welfare for poor Singaporeans….donating more than 90% of PAY to poor Singaporeans.
I go for more check and balance, TKL. PAP already 81 out of 87….very strong. Need a bit more BALANCING.
TT is the Chairman of SPH. But is SPH fair and transparent when it comes to reporting of news to the people?
I don’t really believe that a PAP loyalist will do what is right. After so many years of service in helping ensure that the SPH is the mouth piece for PAP and do maximum damage to the opposition.
Another useless choice for people to cross on the vote so that there is a higher chance for a PAP man to win the seat.
I need a EP who will protect our reserves and conduct check and balance without easily approving the draw down of our reserves.
We are living in a State that does not care for Human Rights, only the Ruling Rights. All the benign talk about societal issues is a cover-up for schemes to establish legal institutions to ensure that a good percentage of the wealth that flow through this country flow to the ruling elites’ pockets. For fifty years the machinery of oppression in terms of the use of the ISA and compliant judges have kept down people who tried to do something to disrupt the concentration of Power in the hands of the Ruling elites. The institution of the Presidency is yet another rampart against the onslaught of the outrage of the citizenry. But we the citizenry have ourselves voted this set of people into power over 50 years of fear. Now when we are searching for a likely President we get incompetent opportunists totally unsuited for this post, for the PAP have scared the best of our people out of the political arena.The damage to our stock of political minds and bodies is devastating so that we have no choice but to follow through the PAP programme. The PAP gives us Dr Tony Tan who is naturally soaked in the same oil, but he looks to me at least competent to do the job if he tries. The other two are also soaked in the same oil of course but lack his level of eminence. We shall have to try him as President. Anyway if we do not vote out the PAP five years down the road, we will have to take what is offered to us as President even next time around.
All these past 40 plus years people are subjected to a tax and hold-back spending on services in areas of housing, medical services, transportation, yet these problems are largely overridden by self-centered authoritarian rule to serve its own convenience of easy rule grossed over with justifications and excuses.
Yet, TT has not been contributing to solutions of such problems. What is the use of charisma or educational credential if a person cannot serve the people’s needs and aspirations.
At least TCB said something. TKL is the clear choice who can be trusted to serve the people for better check and balance.
lee & lim, totally agreed with you. Tony Tan will be another Yes-man of PAP if elected. With his involvement with current ruling party, we have doubts he can be independant. Now then he made known his intention to run, guess earlier on he was waiting for PAP’s instruction (as to whether he, GY or Nathan should contest). Our votes also go to Tan Kin Lian, hopefully the election dept. plays fair and gives him the COE.
@Signal – 100% agreed with you. Vote for TT? PAP will take it that we all wanted the same kind of ruling from them and they will continue with their usual (the arrorgant way). I really hope that my fellow Singaporean, please, for the sake of all true born Singaporean, vote for Tan Kin Lian instead for a better tomorrow. And as for Dr TCB, please give way so that non-pap votes will not be splited.
@sustain, you have been singing praises of Nathan, hey, are you related to him? His son? Grandson? good friend? or what? I asked because I don’t understand, even blind, deaf, half-dead, lowly-educated and everybody from all walks of life (except PAPies) also know what Nathan is ‘good’ about, except you? Ask Nathan to participate in this coming PE race, lets see how many votes go to him. Everytime you praised Nathan, my toes are giggling…
@Muthu..your comments are so good. @sustain could be the jaga himself.
This is a clear case of conflict of interest… should be automatically disqualified
Maybe the AG can comment on this?
TOC! Thanks for showing all those great pictures! I’m sure TT would appreciate it. One more link below for you to use as and when you deem appropriate: http://www.flickr.com/photos/worldeconomicforum/3488038465/
I’m looking forward to more of his promotional materials from TOC! MSM hasn’t done enough!
If Tony An is “independent” of PAP, my anus is also independent from my intestines
From now on
I’m going all out to make easy money.
Nothing else.
goin outta ma head over u
Money, money, money
Watso funny
It’s a Big Man Game!
Good sign.
If elected, it is the sign of trouble for Singapore and the world.
No one want to believe me so let Nature takes its course.
Good luck to the world.
I mean, i am a PAP supporter. All PAP ministers for EP to check on PAP.
We, are singaporeans. We are smart. Got intelligence. We base on trust.
OIC, World ass Wayang 4U2C.
Baey Keng Yam and Tan Yam Keng. Are they directly or inversely related?
@If TT can be trusted…
I mean, i am a PAP supporter. All PAP ministers for EP to check on PAP.
We, are singaporeans. We are smart. Got intelligence. We base on trust.
…………
Then all pigs will walk on two legs.
RajaMoneyCome,
A dialogue of Government with citizens:
Government to citizens : Government is a process of making monies from its people fair or foul. We know how to make it legal.
Citizens: Government, like you said fair or foul right? Can we write our own pay cheques?
Government: Be not stupid, do as I tell you. Do not do as I do.
live on no evil
#^_^
The best palindromic advice for sincere and truthful governance based on transparency and accountability.
#^_^
To be tonytanky is to be a simple non-partisan person, proven by a unique non-partisan fringe; no centreparting, no sideparting. Simply vogue. Luvit?
Juzduit.
Dear Dr Tony Tan, speaking for myself which may also reflect the feelings of most of the citizenry, I feel that the absolute power the Ruling Party has over 50 years has engendered a criminal arrogance among elite groups who work closely with the Government. As always in all the countries which descends into a mafia state, the law and police systems are harnessed by these elites either as individuals or as corporations. In Egypt you get the Police hauling people out of their cars to extort money from them. Here in Singapore the criminal oppression of the citizenry is more subtle: Law firms with close connections to members of the Ruling Party have been able to commandeer State Institutions to run errands for them. Specifically the ISD will harass anyone for the Law firm so as to soften resolves before the case go for Court hearings. MUIS will point out anyone as Muslim terrorist to be stopped at checkpoints and humiliated if called upon by elite lawyers to do so.MCYS will conduct family consultations at their premises together with the ISD who will use the occasion to threaten the opposing party for the elite lawyers and so on. I have reported this to the AG and true to form he does not investigate because I think he wants to safeguard that elite law firm who commandeered these State Institutions.There is a solid phalanx which the average citzen cannot penetrate.
The citizenry can tolerate and understand joblessness, homelessness, high medical expenses, abject poverty and all problems thrown up by life. But not bullying by the State at the behest of private business. We elect good people to govern us not a mafia to oppress us. If you become President, please look into this aspect of the governance. Start with the AG. He will have the records.
with all the above criticism, cynical, complaints or whatever unhappiness,
TT should be your #1 choice, and not TKL or TCB.
Write to his facebook for the changed.
and for those who don’t want to change, vote for TKL or TCB. PAP will not blow down to them. Singapore is a judiciary system before compassionate.
- Bhutan is a compassionate before judiciary. Measured GDP by happiness.
What did Dr Tony Tan do as SPH Chairman in past years to foster open public discourse/investigative journalism? Instead, ST only reported the bombshell disclosed by Teo Chee Hean right after GE 2011 that ministers were getting Pay And Pension (PAP) upon hitting Age 55 since 1982!!!
In the last Parliament, 16 out of 21 ministers (7 of whom were WITHOUT portfolios) were above Age 55. In contrast, Singaporeans cannot withdraw CPF at Age 55 with the CPF Minimum Sum of up to $131k being dribbled-out as monthly pay-out from Drawdown Age 65!
BACK-OUT is different from BACK-DOWN.
Dr Tan is an upright gentleman. He will not BACK-DOWN if he decides to pick on an issue.. But TWICE in his service for the country, Dr Tan has BACKED-OUT. Will he back-out in his presidential duties if it means having to wash dirty laundry in public?
Is Dr Tony Tan too tainted in his whiteness to be transparent as the People’s President?
PM Lee Hsien Loong and Dr Tony Tan talked about “Unifying Singaporeans” in the presidential candidacy talk.
Unify Singaporeans? Dr Tony Tan and those yaya-PAPayas still do NOT get it.
Singaporeans are UNITED PRO-SINGAPORE.
Singaporeans are DIVIDED between PRO-PAP and ANTI-PAP.
Honestly, we can write and have a thousand “Likes” with our posts on/about/why NOT to vote for TT.
However, if each and every one of you DO NOT act on it verbally and engage sensibly with every eligible voter out there whom you meet daily in the buses, the MRT trains, the cofi shops, the shopping malls, the parks etc etc, then I say that we, dafties, will loose this “fight” and will loose it damn sadly as well! Because TT will be voted in due/by our in-action to verbally explain to every one sitting next to you why TT must NOT be voted in….
So, from today till the EP Polling Day, please do your part in active verbal communication to the person sitting next to you in the bus, the train etc. Please dun not just sit infront of your PC writing posts…..
WE HAVE TO CLOSE RANKS AND STRATEGISE NOW BY ACTIVE VERBAL ENGAGEMENT!!
http://furrybrowndog.wordpress.com/2011/07/15/dr-tony-tan-was-no-independent-minded-person-on-the-graduate-mothers-scheme/
Prepare lot of mpnies to sue all other presidental hopeful.