by: Ravi Philemon/
President S R Nathan has indicated that he will be stepping down as President at the end of his term and that he will not contest the coming Presidential Election due by end August 2011.
I admire President Nathan for having the tenacity to rise from humble beginnings. Coming from a disadvantaged family, President Nathan, completed his secondary education through self-study while working. Initially armed with only a Diploma in Social Studies, he rose from being a medical social worker, to the highest office in the land; to be the President of Singapore.
Of course, there have been many criticisms of President S R Nathan. The chief of which is (to me) the fact that he has not granted a single Presidential clemency. President Nathan is already perceived as the President who sat back and let the Cabinet curtail his powers; I just hope that he will also not be remembered as a president who has never granted a single clemency.
I urge President S R Nathan to consider the plea for clemency from Yong Vui Kong.
I am also reminded of a personal encounter my family and I had with President Nathan in 2003. We had gone to the Open House at Istana and chanced upon President Nathan.
When I said to my children that he was the President of Singapore, they wanted to shake his hands. I brought them to the President but he was already being thronged by a large group of people. And his security personnel also stopped us from getting too near to him.
President Nathan on seeing that my children just wanted to greet him, asked his security guys to not stop us from getting too near him and he excused himself from the crowd that were around him. Then he not only shook their hands and posed for a picture with them, but also wanted to know what were their names.
At that time, that gesture by the President, meant a lot to my children that for the longest time, they had the photo taken with President Nathan displayed proudly on their study tables.
In the last days of his Presidency, this is what I request of President S R Nathan; that he would clear the way (as he had done for my children) so that a young person like Yong Vui Kong, may have a second chance at life.
–
Read the official statement by President S R Nathan HERE.
HELP keep the voice of TOC alive!
If you like this article, please consider a small donation to help theonlinecitizen.com stay alive. Please note that we can only accept donations from Singaporeans. Thank you for your assistance.Do you have a flair for writing? Volunteer with us. Email us your full name and contact details to theonlinecitizen@gmail.com
Unfortunate that Nathan is not contesting. He is certainly the most likeable of all characters – truly the people’s president.
I also admire his rational thinking skills. During the financial crisis, Nathan refected on the amount of reserves to be used, the impact of using the reserves, and how to replenish the reserves, before finally granting the government the right to use it. Nathan’s financial acumen was remarkable, given that he wasn’t a economist.
Nathan was, is, and will be the best ever president that Singapore will have. He will be missed.
I beg to disagree.. to say he was, is and will be is a little bit over the top.. how do we know we wont get a better prez after him? and there are others who were just as good if not better.. like OTC, WKW, Sheares.. c’mon… anyway i hv nothing against him..
doubt mr president will be able to grant clemency for that guy given that he has to act on the advice of the cabinet.but if he does so,i will be impressed by that though i am not supportive of the clemency
To read abt what he did, we kanna buy his book
http://atans1.wordpress.com/2011/07/01/the-greed-of-president-nathan/
How can we expect him to do so, if he has to act on the advice of Cabinet?
At this point, I don’t see how any other outcome can happen, not unless our Constitution and/or procedures are reviewed.
Yes agree with you. A Chinese saying, “To save a human live is better than building a 7th storey Buddhist pagoda”. President Nathan, please spare him his live, you will be remembered by all Singaporeans.
@ yamagata
alamak, he did give any idea? U also can do it…how, why, when, who, where..Vote for tony tan, the modern moses.
Ravi summed it up neatly, Nathan is an expert only at shaking hands, talking to small children, and cuddling babies.
Other than these, his report card is zero.
He’s been very pragmatic, PAP wants him to resign and make way for TT, and he knows it very well.
Still want to make more money with his coming book.
Frankly, even given a free copy, would have placed it aside in a corner to gather dust. Nothing to read from a purely yes-man President. Don’t even consider paying for it, just to add to his wealth, no way.
It is a shame he lacks the moral courage to do something for the long-suffering people who cannot make ends meet by doing what ex-president has been rightly attempting to do.
Never looks like being his own man
Being dictated by PAP Govt in every decision.
Even to the very end his indecision to contest the PE is percieved by people as waiting for the signal from the Govt.
Achievement during his Presidency?
I scratch my head
According to Temasek Review Emeritus, MM Lee’s mother in law and Mrs. Tan Chin Tuan’s wife are sisters. So TCT is MM’s uncle in law, and Tony Tan is TCT’s nephew.
Quite a mouthful, isn’t it.
So would Tony really be independent of the Lees’ influence?
We don’t want royal relatives together to rule the country, and sneakily push their own agenda behind close doors.
Vote for any candidate, definitely not Tony.
Repeating here, voting for Tony is voting for the Lees, who already control our Parliament and SWF GIC.
Hey Ravi – well written. when I read the title, I had actually wrote it off in my mind, assuming it would be some kind of tribute but I gave it a chance and the way you worded the clemency plea in the end was excellent. Balanced and to the point.
I doubt he will grant the clemency but at least TOC made a stand.
Nathan has how many millions in his banks acount during his 2 terms.
Let us do a simple maths
4.2mil x 10
42million dollars for shaking hands, photograph with generals etc. Sitting through out charity show.
To me,
he will always be remembered as the Oldest president in the world
and
the most highest paid in the world.
He is already qualified for a state funeral by the PAP. Do you think he want to throw that away for granting clemency?
You should begin with his story of a boy born in Muar Malaysia do good in SG, we love FT.
Nathan can show his independence (from PAP) by granting clemency to Yong Vui Kong as his last official act. He would then gain the respect on many Singaporeans like the late Ong Teng Cheong.
Nathan should remember that it is more important to be remembered for what he did as President than how he was buried.
Nathan, please get LOST from the PUBLIC. WE do not want 2c your stinko face again.
Lousy individual.
@yamagate, i always have a a laugh when i read your comments about Nathan hahaha
I truly missed OTC, i wish something could be done for him posthumously as a sign of recognition and honouring, although a PAP minister for a long time, but still one of the greatest Singapore sons we ever had
So really…this entire article is just subtle attempt at speaking out against the death penalty and getting one GENERIC drug trafficker pardoned?
Pathetic. If only people showed as much sympathy and compassion to NON-CRIMINALS.
Our ELECTED President….. wow.
Another attempted clemency plea for CONVICTED DRUG TRAFFICKER disguished as a commentary on the presidency..
Phui!!!
Yes Sir Nathan will be solely missed. He led the life of true surrender to the will of the Father, the Son and Holy Goh. His reward for his blind faith is the kingdom of the rich. May he leave in peace.
@Last chance to show his independence
“Nathan can show his independence (from PAP) by granting clemency to Yong Vui Kong as his last official act. He would then gain the respect on many Singaporeans like the late Ong Teng Cheong.’
If he grants clemency to CONVICTED DRUG TRAFFICKER in his last few days as President, then he will LOSS ALL THE RESPECTS from even MORE Singaporeans…..
EP , Accepted by the People, for the People.
The greatest man in singapore.
What a pure sacrifice!
Greater than Ghandi. but only in my view.
He is FORGETTABLE.
Well nathan supporters it hertfelt to see your congratulatory messages but fact is he is stepping down and nothing you say at this moment will change this fact. Let’s move on.
MR NATHAN tlaked about his ‘charitable works’;that,in itself is laudable but MR NATHAN forgot that the best charity one can give to anotehr is to provide him with the opportunity to use his god-given talents – however ‘little’ it may be – for his own good ;his livelihood.
JOBS have been literally stolen away form good and honest singaporean workers via the unjust ‘practices’ of the FT POLICY and what role has MR NATHAN,as the PEOPLE’S PRESIDENT, played in helping SINGAPOREANS safeguard their WORK,their JOB,their livelihoods?
how much’charity’ can we possibly offer to those MADE JOBLESS N IMPOVERISHED by no less than a govt policy;how much help could we render and for how long?
MR NATHAN had, in fact ,lauded the FT POLICY on not a few occasions.
IF FTs are cresting jobs fro singaporeans,i must submit that it is for thr good o singaporeans but what jobs have jobless foreigners who come here stealing our jobs done to COUNTLESS ORDINARY SINAGPOREAN WORKERS?
IT IS SAD TO SEE THOSE WHO OFFER ‘CHARITY’ often are the ones ,directly or indirectly,causing HARDSHIPS to their ‘recipients’ in the first place???
Seen the ST today? Haha. As expected ST flooded him with praise. The same way ST keeps showing us violent demonstration and flooded hit places all around the world to brainwash us.
President Nanthan, donate a substantial part of the wealth you have gained during those 2 terms to charity, like Bill Gates. That will stop the criticism and bring you and your family glory in the history books.
But will that happen?
“If he grants clemency to CONVICTED DRUG TRAFFICKER in his last few days as President, then he will LOSS ALL THE RESPECTS from even MORE Singaporeans…..”
Clemency doesn’t mean letting them go free. Also, what if Cabinet advises clemency, does that mean they lose the respects of more Singaporeans too?
Anyway this is not going to happen, it’s just wishful thinking. The Constitution does not allow Nathan to act independently.
during our opposition is weak, and to make it worse, president nathan is useless.
Now with Fts refuse to leave, housing are sky rockets and no U-turn, income is low and inflation are higher than ever.
Nathan, you had betrayed the people once again..
While the constitution does not allow Nathan to act independently, he can always “strongly” suggest some clemency. Cabinet can reject it. But he could at least try.
That was his biggest shortcoming.
Thank you Mr President and Good Bye.
to yamagata – speak for yourself only. Most of us don’t agree with you.
Nathan is the most useless and expensive president – basically as YES MAN PUPPET.
Dr Benjamin Sheare and Mr Ong Teng Chong were more beloved by the public.
Nathan is no where near their status of popularity nor capability.
well, i judge mr nathan in few ways.
1. has he ever spoken about singaporeans major concern in the last few years such as nos of FTs, transportation, floods, housing? yes we know he dont have the power to affect policy, but can he speak out on behalf of the singaporeans?
2. salary. he know about singaporeans not happy with govt ministerial pay including his. every spoken out or keep quiet?
3. symbolic it might be for a president. but one also can be a lively symbolic constantly engaging singaporeans and speaking out for the ppl who has given him the mandate instead of the cabinet. once again, we know he has limited powers and no administrative power. but YES, we only want him to speak for us. SPEAK OUT!
To me, the last 12 presidential years were “wasted”.
At the beginning of 2009, SR Nathan sanctioned a $4.9bn dip into the past reserves WITHOUT any conditions (eg, of clawback from, say, Job Credit Scheme pay-outs).
SR Nathan FAILED to squeak even when Public Listed Corporate Developers were releasing historic high net profit in their entire existence for 2H 2009 (one had 660% increase in net profit)!
Zzzzzzz – Presidential Sweet Slumber!
I am still wondering who to vote for amongst those 3 Tans. Would it be better if we include LKY, GCT, Abdullah T, WKS, MBT etc..etc.
To me Nathan is the ultimate YES man and he played his role to the hilt. He was perfect for the PaP.
Just two words. Kempeitai and walkover. I don’t quite care for his humble beginnings, cos majority of Singaporeans have humble beginnings too.
yamagata 1 July 2011
Nathan was, is, and will be the best ever president that Singapore will have. He will be missed
……………..
indeed that what gen yamashita said before he surrender to the british in 1945 and in 1946 he repeat the same as you yamagata before he WAS hang for war crime..
p.s. before you idolise prataa president..make sure you do your HOMEWORK
yamagata and yamashita may sound the same..but we wouldn’t 1st 2 hang the wrong nipponese..would we?
Perhaps a nice man, but nice men don’t make tough decisions.
He made his, thus he & his progeny has to live with it.
I do not have anything against this man, however I feel he did not seem to know what he was getting into.
My only hope,his presidential stint does not leave a stain on the Indian community, in Singapore in the future due to whatever reasons of him falling short.
By the way, some parts of the indian community does feel he did not exercise his rights well, albeit wanting to be politically correct, the feeling does exist amongst them.
@Yeoman,
The FT policy needs to be ammended not because it is taking jobs away, but because it is depressing wages of Singaporeans.
Our unemployment is 1.9%, so FT are not taking away the jobs. Unless you mean higher paying job oppurtunities.
But since this is about the president, I just feel that no need to blame him for the FT policy; it is the cabinet that makes the decision regarding FT so blame the cabinet instead.
BTW your constant flaming online has done some good. It seems that MOM has raised the MW for S-Pass onwards.
I think he will be remembered as the best NO man, in adding to a YES man; reasons:
1) Has he earned his $4m salary, honestly?
2) If he is so aligned with the common man on the street, a true leader would have volunteered a big pay cut during the height of the recession without the need for cabinet approval. Did he do so?
3) Has any common Singaporean him high tribute, beside the author about shaking his children hands and the ministers blowing trumpets lately? (At least none of my associates has any thing good to say).
4) When the garhem goof-up big time, like flooding, MKS escape, overspending in YOG, big losses by GIC/TH, etc, did he as President say ANYTHING?
5) Has he unified Singaporeans? (Hint: elections was split of 60-40).
6) Did he say or try to act about the social imbalance caused by a deliberate large influx of FT/FW BEFORE it reached now at 37% of the population?
7) Did he cover the grounds visibly, like visiting each constituency at least one in a year, during 12 years in office?
8) Did he question MND if public housing are indeed affordable nowadays?
9) Did he question why as Singapore president, he is allowed to unlock a couple of billions in reserves, but people in TH/GIC are allowed to lose 50+++b?
10) Did he ever asked why he is paid so much, while at least 200,000 Singaporeans require some form of public assistance?
@Black Hei
Our unemployment is 1.9%, so FT are not taking away the jobs. Unless you mean higher paying job oppurtunities.
—————————————-
hi sir/madam
i have much doubt on thsi ’1.9′ pct figure.
i am no statisrician but i did a basic course in undergraduate studies here on business stats.
i can ssure you that many ppl apllied statistics to ‘suit their own purposes’ rather than to refelct the true state of being.
to this simple mind,by elementary ‘eye-balling’ with an honest attiude,once immediately realises that COUNTLESS OF SINGAPOREN WORKERS – even professionals – who were ‘MADE JOBLESS’ by the reckless FT policy ares till mostly ‘UNEMPLOYED’ unless you insist that an EX-BANKER or IT SPECIALIST WHO NOW DRIVE A TAXI FOR A LIVING IS CONSIDERED ‘FULLY EMPLPOYED’?
I DO CONSIDER ‘under-emplpoyment’ of our very own GOOD AND HONEST LOCAL TALENST as a form of ‘UN-EMPLOYMENT’,per se.
And,by the way,if you have already not known or still inclined to believe that PR/FTs must be lumoed with SC( SINGAPORE CITIZENS) as ONE STATISTICS in the EMPLPOYMENT DATA,then i rest my case.
lastly,please be informed that ascrining ‘flaming’ to my earnest and heartfelt ‘feedback’ is hardly a compliment but if you insist it is,i graciously accept it.
cheers my fellow singaporean.
Akad
LKY sure win – at least 70%
A President must learn how to say Yes and No to the garment. Saying Yes is easy but saying No also is very important. Nathan will go down as a President that nobody can rely on to speak up for them. When we had OTC or Wee Kim Wee, u somehow feel that they have a special connection with the people.. they are not the type to close both eyes to injustice.
Singaporeans display an “unhealthy level” of self-centeredness and self-absorption in their perception of their graciousness, a survey by the Singapore Kindness Movement (SKM) revealed.
In the third “State of Graciousness in Singapore” survey conducted in January this year, 43 percent of Singapore citizens and PRs rated themselves well in terms of how gracious they are, but when asked to rate the graciousness of other Singaporeans and PRs, only 15 percent gave good ratings.
When respondents were asked if they have done a random act of kindness in the last six months, 88 percent or 876 Singaporeans said they had, but only 55 percent or 553 Singaporeans said they had been on the receiving end of any such act.
The survey covered 1,404 people in Singapore, including 1,001 citizens and permanent residents (PR), 201 work permit and employment pass holders and 201 tourists.
“Singaporeans consistently give harsher assessments of fellow Singaporeans and are more forgiving towards themselves,” Dr William Wan, general manager of SKM, said.
“The findings showed an unhealthy level of self-centeredness and self-absorption, and not being aware of and not appreciating the efforts of others. This is the attitude that we want to change,” he added.
Most Singaporeans agreed with the statement that they did more kind and gracious acts than unkind and ungracious acts. They also prided themselves on being gracious person and would encourage others to do so.
However, 62 percent or 621 respondents agreed that it was not possible for Singapore to become a more gracious place due to the hectic and stressed lifestyle in Singapore.
What sort of behaviours would tick Singaporeans off?
445 Singaporeans felt that fellow Singaporeans did not display considerate dining etiquette. Singaporeans also listed inconsideration towards others on public transport and failing to display safe lane etiquette while driving as the least gracious behaviour.
Singaporeans also pointed to public transport, public spaces and public eating places as the top three areas that needed the most improvement in the survey.
Gay
People finally won in Thailand’s election. The self-centered Abishit lost.
A wise ruler will know how to take care of the people rather than themselves. He should learn how to listen to the people instead of depending on grassroots to listen for him.
Even though you are unpopular, we will still pay your salary. But we are not happy. The new puppet must remember who voted for him. The PM and the Cabinet did not vote for him. Who is the master? The PM say it is the people. Action speak louder than words.