Dear Readers,
TOC is pleased to announce a groundbreaking forum organized for an unprecedented Presidential election.
In the first such event to be held by a local website, TOC held a studio discussion with all 4 Presidential candidates and an audience of 18 Singaporeans with a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences.
Participants included a Senior Counsel, bloggers and professors, a public servant, students, NGO activists and retired army personnel and the forum was expertly moderated by former Nominated Member of Parliament and veteran broadcast journalist Mr Viswa Sadasivan.
TOC will release a video recording of the forum in 2 parts, the first 45 minutes on Saturday evening 20 Aug, and the second 45 minutes on Sunday evening 21 Aug.
As a precursor for the video to come, we’re pleased to offer you a teaser of the no-holds-barred discussion that took place. Trust us, you won’t see anything like this on TV.
The TOC team
HELP keep the voice of TOC alive!
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Mr Tan Jee Say, if you are my President, I will be very proud to be a Singaporean. I will definitely vote for you on Aug 27. As for Mr ‘Jiat Liow Bee’, NO WAY! Go fly kite!
TJS has committed to take only S$500k/yr salary when elected!
http://www.temasekreview.com/2011/08/20/tan-jee-say-promises-to-take-500000-salary-a-year-if-elected/#comment-522957
That’s it.. I vote him!
PM says his party is not endorsing anyone but follows by saying he thinks TT qualifies for the job. Contradictory & foolish.
I am unhappy that TCB sent his campaign pamphlet to every household eligible to vote with every single electorate’s name printed on the envelope,such a lavish exercise on donor’s money.
TCB is their backup, still a PAP chap. Their tactics are unfair. CB says PMO should be housed outside Istana. How much more taxpayers money are they going to spend for a separate office. CB wants to promote multicuturalism. We have a whole ministry for that & isn’t it every citizen’s role to do so?
JS brought up 3 impt points in his speech last night.
1. The ministers pay should not be pegged to GDP. True. The majority of Singaporeans are not better off even if GDP is growing at double digit.
2. He feels that the president’s pay is too high even though he is standing for election for this post.
3. At the last GE, 60% voted for PAP and got 81 MPs in while 40% got 6 MPs to represent them. Some kind of ‘fair’ system we have here.
As for the malicious email about his bad investments, it is not verified. Even if it was true, we all know who holds the ‘best’ track record. . . . ABC preschool in Aust, Micropolis, Shincorp, Indon Telco, etc & BTW our orig stake of UBS at 9 % is , ahem, ? ? ? % now.
If there is fear that a president can waste the reserves, you mean the ministers ask carelessly & the presidential council advises carelessly? The scaremongering tactics are of the past. JS is not stupid to shoot his mouth carelessly. KL seems more likely to do it. At most, if JS does not abide by the penal code, he will not serve his full term even if elected; will go the way of bankruptcy.
My vote now swing to Tan Jee Say
TJS acted very manly in standing up to Phony Tony, the bully who behaved like a mafia don. TJS has definitely won my heart and I pledge my vote to him.
I noticed Phony Tony’s posters plastered all over town say Confidence for the Future. This is a grammatical mistake. It should be Confidence in the Future.
Phony Tony should take remedial English lessons on the use of English prepositions.
Is pay back time for the PAP!
No words can be meaningful and expressive enough to convey one’s heartfelt gratitude to Tan Jee Say for having the true courage to step forward to offer himself as a truly INDEPENDENT Presidential Candidate to the People’s of Singapore! You are the one and ONLY one for many voters just like me. All the best TJS!
Old things that many may have almost have forgotten…..
>
>
>
>
>
> Who said: “FOOLISH ENOUGH to build MRT”?
> On the one hand, we had President Ong Teng Cheong (then Minister of
> Communication):
>
> “The MRT is much more than a transport investment, and must be viewed in
> its wider economic perspective. The boost it’ll provide to long term
> investors’ confidence, the multiplier effect and how MRT will lead to the
> enhancement of the intrinsic value of Singapore’s real estate are
> spin-offs that cannot be ignored.”
> – 28 March 1982
>
> “The MRT will usher in a new phase in Singapore’s development and bring
> about a better life for all of us.”
>
>
>
> On the other hand, we had a “visionary” Minister who went out of his way
> to deliberately, publicly, and rudely slam President Ong – the chief
> advocate for the MRT system – as being “FOOLISH ENOUGH”:
>
> “The construction industry has become over-heated and if Singapore were to
> be foolish enough to want to build its proposed mass rapid transit (MRT)
> system now, it will find itself in trouble.”
> – Forum on economic affairs at NUS, 17 December 1981.
>
>
>
> Question: So, who was this “visionary” Minister who was not as “foolish
> enough” as President Ong?
>
> Click the link below and find out!
>
>
>
> http://young-pap.blogspot.com/2011/08/who-said-foolish-enough-to-build-mrt.html
===================================
IF YOU STILL DON’T KNOW WHO SAID IT..it was TONY TAN…in 1981.
How foolish he must look today!!
But he does not ride the MRT.
You do!!
>
>
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>
>
> -
>
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Ever wondered why Tony Tan suddenly interrupted?
Because he was worried TJS might get into trouble for linking ISA to political agendas?
More like it’s cause someone actually dared to question PAP’s decisions.
Truly independant Dr Tan? You make the call.
If Tan Jee Say becomes the President, it will also benefit all Singaporeans economically. Being a Hainanese, he can use his influence as President, to hold a series of dialogue sessions with the Governor of Hainan province, in search of investment and other development opportunities.
Hainan province has great economic potential and Jee Say being also an economist, would be in a better position to explore it and exploit the natural resources for the benefit of both Singapore and China. All this would translate into business opportunities for local entrepreneurs and jobs for all Singaporeans.
We all recall LKY’s failed project in the Singapore-Suzhou Park, costing billions. He did not have a Hainanese to advise him that, instead of Suzhou, or even Shanghai, Hainan was the better bet for Singapore. The Suzhou Chinese, and Shanghainese are too arrogant and look down on Singapore’s as culturally backward.
The Hainanese, being also culturally retarded, will welcome Singapore.
With President TJS, a Hainanese in charge, it will be boomtown charlie for Singapore. The other 3 Tans, not being Hainanese, will not have this competitive advantage to engage Hainan Province.
@Hainan clan for TJS 20 August 201
>Being a Hainanese, TJS can use his influence as President, to hold a series of dialogue sessions with the Governor of Hainan province,…
————————————–
You must be joking. The Hainan local government officials are known to be corrupt mavericks, circumventing directives from Beijing to line their own pockets. A recent Corruption Survey Study published in Mar 11 by the Chinese Central Agency for Discipline ranks Hainan province as the most corrupt. Are you Hainanese clan members hoping to cash in on some sweet heart deals with President TJS. I was told TRE also has Hainanese on board who hope to ride the TJS gravy train to Hainan.
TT is very rich and have need of nothing. His wealth is many times over the other 3 Tans. I am waiting for him to say (like the CEO of Citibank) I will have $1 as a token salary and donate the rest to the poor. This may atone for his son’s shortcomings in serving NS. Peoples President indeed.
Sorry only the $1 salary relates to Citi banker and not the charity part.
good grief, if my president is going to behave like TJS and has a loose mouth, it will be mighty embarrassing. people in the room were even sniggering in disbelief.
Tony Tan bid for Presidency is to protect the rich and connected in singapore. Look who were with him on stage when he gave his nomination speech?
The key purpose of the Elected Presidency is to protect the reserves. We must therefore become familiar with it.
http://singaporereserves.blogspot.com
@Gee
Any time I prefer a President who is genuine than one whose has no sincerity at all e.g. the way he shake hand with fishmonger, the plastic smiles, his son’s NS wrong doings, his role in graduate mothers scheme, ISA detention on do gooders, keeping quiet about huge losses in GIC investments, etc., etc. I think other countries dignitaries will appreciate meeting their counterparts as “what u see is what u get” n not wayang wayang type. In any case their country ambassador will have already provide them a brief.
The ISA shows up the PAP for what it is, a mafia elite monopolizing Parliament and terrorizing its political opponents. Why must the PAP have a guard dog like the ISD so that it can remain in power. Are all the people incarcerated by the ISD, communists or Muslim terrorists? Look up the list of 50 years.If the answer is No, then, my fellow citizens we must rise up against the ISD-PAP conglomerate. If the answer is Yes, the PAP can keep the ISA and strengthen it.
From the several dialogue sessions including the present one, it seems that Dr TT has two extreme communicative skills: silence and circumvention coupled with “long-windedness”. To hear him is to leave with a state of none the wiser, confused and disappointed, not forgetting negligible relevant information. I have encountered many great speakers with the same art of circumvention but they are so polished that it takes a while before one realises to have been taken for a long ride – here at least one leaves with slight admiration for his peak performation. From the several public interviews, forums and appearances, it appears that Dr TT has only the National Reserve and the repeated reminder of his economic acumen and financial management expertise in his mind leaving very little room for the concern of the welfare of the People for which he vehemently attributes to be abiding to the Constitution defined role of the President. This seems to be not quite consistent with the concept of the President being the Supreme Representative of the People even taken in what is defined in the Constitution. The Constitution does not categorically forbid the President to be concerned with the welfare of his people and to bring their concern to the attention of the Minister concerned if and when necessary. The modus operandi that follows and the success in addressing the People’s issue will depend on the mutual understanding and respect between the President and the Prime Minister with his Cabinet cum Parliament. It is difficult to comprehend a dead end approach. In fact this scenario would only occur if the people is unable to convince the normal channels ie the Government, to appreciate and to help resolve their concern and their unhappiness. Logically with such a scenario, the approach to the President will be the last peaceful resort. What follows will depend on the Government and the President. Isn’t this the tenet of the democratic political ideology and system where there is available a system of going through a progressive higher authority to help resolve a problem and the progression involves MP, Minister, Prime Minister and ultimately the President. How could this be perceived as a dual power centres? It is in fact akin to the legal system -the subordinate court, high court and the court of appeal. Has this system been considered to have triple power centres? Dr TT insists that the people should vote for the Presidency there is and not otherwise. The other three candidates has justified the President they would be is the President there is ie within the Constitution confines. To the People, it is a President with a big heart for the People of Singapore they want and that is what they will do next Saturday. I hope all the four candidates consider themselves not as Presidential Candidate but ordinary voter, could you empathize with the people? As far as expertise to guard the National Reserve is concerned, the people do understand it is important defined role of the President and given that the President has his Presidential Council to assist and to complement his own expertise when necessary, the criteria for the Certificate of Eligibility covers the essentials adequately. This is the hardware but the heart for the People is important software and safety valve.
TT has to date not explained why he is stepping forward and what he means why uniting the people?
What are the issues that he sees, misplaced policies, ungrateful and demanding masses. He mentioned the GE? So what did he see and what are the reasons for the concern he mentioned?
How can he cement the divide? Or is it to reflect the results in parliament as a voice of the people?
It s interesting likewise that such has not been said but endorsements are plenty.
General statements have not helped as the masses are trying to evaluate through his statements his timbre despite close association in the past. His integrity is not doubted by intellects nor his intellectual abities but rather what he does stand for in terms of beliefs.
His silence and general statements have conveyed which may very well be the truth, his beliefs that are so similar to the elites in terms of education, immigration and definition of Singaporean first. This is the criux of the issue that is generating the debate and the resentment and distrust. Unless addressed through actions and retuming of policies as the Elites system seems so ingrained that perceptions about expectations of masses are often missed or thrown asidevin the motherhood statement of pragmatism or they know best.
Clearly there has been failings and it is not just in housing supply or Design and built schemes. Unless TT examines and question himself and the policies his perception of realities in terms of nation building or call to unify is but a perception of his ideas and those of his ex colleagues, which are perhaps harming more than doing good in the long term, not to mention the short term!
those who against PAP, just want to say we shall have a grateful heart,you never seen the real bad government….at least PAP created such a wonderful Singapore. Now we are more like those spoiled children wants to say NO to parents.BUT SAY NO DOESNT equal to Democracy.
PAP may not perfect, but you really think their opponents can brings you to a better life. One day you may find you get what you want but lost what you had. Do not look at the details of your own interests Only but have a wider vision. I do not believe in INSITGATER.
Compare most Asian people, we are lucky to have such a country as our home. No politic is pure clean no matter who is going to be president. Fault Finding always easier than Done Jobs Well.Taiwanese heard&trust the things made them happy but paid high cost to know who CHEN SHUI BIAN is!and we? I think Jee Say is using all the lace news to cover himself and divert attention.VOTE THE CAPABLE BUT NOT GREAT TALKER!Checks and balances government is not the main job of president.
i wonder why those thats always behaving like TR??? site posting over here
we shouldnt welcome such extreme mentality
what do those people know abt TJS? this guy just came up for GE this yr and what has he done for us? Among my peers, we are voting for TCB. Those that dont know whats going on, i will tell them my impressions of each n everyone n then they can decide later again
i do not want Taiwan kind of political environment. its not healthy at all
For me, if its GE i will never say if i will vote PAP or opposition because my options r open. & my choices will be different depending on where i am. But in Presidential election, I can only accept one person who is capable of bringing us together, who knows whats his talking abt, do not overpromises….
yea, 500k salary and does it look like indirectly buying votes since someone here already said +1 for him. TCB is really far sighted. He feel this is wrong n he will not do this or pass such remarks. If u guys see his talk, he is not a money man. to him, everything cannot always be abt money money n money. Even if he gets the salary as president, I feel that he will be able to use his salary to good use too. Who knows if he will donate out to others quietly. U do not have to tell the whole world if u r really truthful abt doing charity
I have read most of your comments. I noted that most were coloured ny your anti-government sentiment. Most do not take each comment seriousy that is why there is no disjointers non reburters. Take the comment by MrHenrysimlo who stated clearly that should the funds managers and the compliant managers of the two banks were to go to court TJS would be held accoutable. This is a serious statement of charecter or criminal nature. Yet this statement was ignored. It show either most of us are politically ignorant or just plainly neive. TJS used the term political opponents when he should use political opportunists who may be neive to be used by outside parties to use convert activies and subversions to put pressure on our government and worst to change our government and political systems. Many years ago i was traveling in the Philippines. One official pointed out to me the different clan associations and told me that tjese were funded by either China or Taiwan. How the new president and Philippines vote at the UN depended on these clan associates. If some of those guys and gals were detained under the ISA were innocent then they must be neive to be made used of by others to subserve our national intigrity and political well being. Remember we are only 46 years in the making. We can’t suffer political fools and opportunists with an axe to grind and scores to settle.
my mother says tjs is too impulsive to be her president. cannot think and speak cool
Would you like to be President??
The answer is YES…..I WOULD TOO.
Give me $4 million bucks.
That’s why.
I will kiss babies, shake hands with people I don’t know and those I don’t like, keep my mouth shut and not ask questions of Gahmen…and yes ..I will suck up to the Pappies too…as well.
For $4 million bucks.. I will do it….and to hell with my principles.
========
TOGETHER..let us wipe the smile off Tony Tans face.
HOW CAN TONY TAN EVER BE INDEPENDENT OF THE PAPPIES??
HE IS AS INDEPENDENT OF THE PAP AS LHL WILL EVER BE?
WHEN LKY TELLS HIM TO JUMP>> HE WILL ASK HOW HIGH SIR???
HE IS CONNECTED TO THE CHEEKBONE, THE BACKBONE AND THE HIP BONE OF THE PAPPIES …FOREVER.
DONT BE FOOLED.
Tony Tan IS THE PROBLEM. NOT THE SOLUTION.
WHAT DID HE DO AS CHAIRMAN OF SPH TO GIVE SINGAPORE MORE PRESS FREEDOM?
SWEET F-ALL…THAT’S WHAT!!!
ALL HE DID WAS SIT ON HIS ARSE, FATTEN HIS WALLET AND SUCK UP TO THE PAPPIES.!!!!
DONT BE FOOLED.
ARE YOU READING AND LISTENING??
DONT BE FOOLED BY TONY TAN.
DONT VOTE FOR TONY TAN.
He says he is independent of the PAP.
He is as independent of the Pappies as LHL is.
Dont be fooled.
Dont be taken in by the propaganda of the lap dog ST which just follows the Pappies.
DONT VOTE FOR TONY TAN.
all u TJS pple are so contradicting. TJS keeps talking abt GE, even though PE is not GE n shd not be linked so! And u still affirmed that TJS is independent. It’s obvious he’s NOT independent when he’s anti-PAP!
Omg! Do u all really want someone who only stands for presidency elections after failing in general elections?? Political or non-political? Seems like he cannot even decide on his stand, can he?
Oh yes TJS dares. He dares to speak up against the white. But is he tactful in doing so? Dun forget he’s gonna represent the country to meet foreign diplomats. He’s gonna be our ambassador. If he speaks before he thinks, brings up sensitive issues without back up to our foreign counterparts, singapore may go to war!
I will not dare to vote him as president. I dun trust my country in his hands, I mean, mouth.
since you’re all in for the living,Need not be so long winded and some more grandmother suck egg story.OK I vote Tony Tan,swee boh?but don’t why some time on important occasion like EP,my hand become nervous,automatically it will cross Tan jee say.what to do?
Earlier, they tried winning with lift upgrading and estate masterplans.. This time, no more dangling of carrots.. so may the one who has the HEART to serve the citizens win this election.
Why ,of all questions, was the Patrick Tan question never asked?
Why is TT denied the chance to clarify once and for all?
There is nothing to hide right?
Also, why did TOC get viswa as host? He did not appear as fair to TJS as I think he is to TT.
regards
Jia Bee
We no need to think who to choose from among TCB TKL TJS.
TCB : sounds good. But what policies were he involved in? We don’t know all and so we don’t really know where he stands.
TKL : Always playing safe. Like, he says he speaks for People and may not be his views. This is playing safe. If you don’t feel the same way, would you robotically speak for the People what they tell you to speak? Too diplomatically safe person to be Independent.
TJS : Everything fits the bill except a small moment of over passionate. He toned down quickly however. Honest people always speak too directly. Hokkien?
So, its going to be a headache who to put most of our votes to.
So, guys and gals, i am sure we are all divided who to choose out of the 3.
So, the best choice is the Winning Choice.
Whoever is the most likely to win among the 3.
TT is not a consideration due to him unable to differentiate from the PAP and thus fail under my selection criteria of Independent minded.
TCB has Differentiated himself enough to be quite Independent. With advisors, he would be able to do a good job.
TJS can still consider running for MP and he is very much younger than all the rest. 50 something vs 70 something. Almost can be the son of TT in terms of age.
So, guys and gals, who should we put all our votes on?
It no longer matter to me which of the 3. All of them qualify. And I am down to earth. I do not expect PERFECTION. Even from TJS.
The post 65′ers who are more Righteous minded, they would go for TJS.
The more scared and conservative, passive and quite types would go for TCB.
The more mini bonners would go for TKL.
This seems like we can only vote for TCB who may have the highest chance. But we need a poll to get a bigger picture.
TCB may be able to garner some votes from PAP non-hardcore supporters who are Not too biased and not overly PARTISAN. People who are fair minded. People who listens to all views. People who is not afraid to be challenged as they are good people who has nothing to hide.
I have reservations for TCB since he is PAP for too long. Even so, I may give my votes to him as long as the majority non-Tony supporters would go for TCB.
I look at this election as a citizens and not with eyes tinted by Partisanship.
This is not a Partisan Election. Period.
Vote wisely. Safe the Reserves.
I’ll consider anyone but TJS!
@WYF [Quote]
Tan Jee Say was DPM Goh’s Principal Private Secretary (PPS) during the 1987 Marxist arrest. He was responsible for coordinating this operation across various Ministries like MITA and MHA for DPM Goh.
As PPS to DPM Goh, who was PM designate, Tan Jee Say was privy to information that only the most senior Cabinet members have access to.
Tan Jee Say have never spoken out on the 1987 Marxist arrest and clarify his crucial role in it….
For him to talk bout social justice now is one of the biggest irony and injustice of all.
He have never been involved in opposition politics for the past 20 year when he was in the private sector.
& now he want to check and balance the govt ???
Is he not an opportunist and hypocrite?
Tan Jee Say was rejected by WP before approaching the SDP….WP saw him for the opportunist he is….
This man gave up public service to be an investment Banker after a govt scholarship & now telling everyone he ONLY needs $500K a year?
There are so many pretenders who think they are up to the job, sigh. If TJS is elected we will have a rubbished speaking individual who will turn the office of president into a circus – much like in the Taiwanese parliament. Simply put I can’t imagine either TJS or TKL going onto the world stage as my president.
TJS and his likeminded (or is that small minded?) supporters have consistently been diametrically opposed to the PAP as a political party supporting its own preferred candidate yet he has “invited” the airhead Nicole Seah (yes that same one regurgitating thoughts and ideas from others, much like those who hide behind a fake ID on many forums) to speak at his night rally?
Nicole Seah like that Tin Pei Ling are cut of the same cloth and used as pawns for the same political ends – they are both akin to dumb blonds only without the pretty looks and killer bodies.
Think about it – those who want to oppose the PAP have lost out more in Aljunied more than they realize and I’m predicting that ward to change allegiance come the next GE. Can anyone really, I mean REALLY, visualize any of the alternatives we currently have in or out of Parliament to be the next PM let alone ministers?
Make no mistake Singapore may had enjoyed phenomenal growth in many areas but we are so fragile and small that if ever there was the wrong person(s) who by some stroke of warped manifestation become our next leader then what took 50 years to achieve will be wiped out in 5. Don’t have to imagine that scenario – just observe what how that war mongering idiot GW Bush whittle away the surplus accumulated by his predecessor Bill Clinton in less than 8 years.
So yes, people don’t be blinded by change for the sake of change because destiny has a funny way of giving you what you wish for – albeit in an ironic fashion.
I certainly do not want my president to behave in this manner in the international arena. now i know why TJS cant control his supporters…becos he cant even control himself! we must recognize that MP & PE is fundamentally diff, period. If TJS wants to provide that so-called check & balance go thru the proper channel & get himself voted into the parliament.
VOTE FOR TJS
Agree with Leonard Chan on most of his points.
I had a good impression of TKL but when he kept changing his mind about running for presidency, I knew I don’t want a fickle-minded person to be my president.
For me, TJS seems like someone that will turn Singapore into a political circus like Taiwan’s. If he can’t control his emotions and supporters, we’re going haywire, no matter how ‘exciting’ he can make the job of a president become. If u want to go with your heart, I can only say that emotions alone can’t rule a country, period.
Hence for me, through the elimination process, the fight is between TCB and TT. Will wait and observe more.
The best citizen-elected president is still ex-President Ong Teng Chong. He was PAP..but prove to work for the people at the end of the day. So, whether the guy PAP supported or not, he must have the guts to question the ruling government if their policies were right for the people of Singapore. Also, he must have good diplomatic relationships, as people are likely to work with you if you have a good relationship with them. I don’t need a president who oppose for the sake of opposing the govt. It’s not going to benefit me or the people. Look at States, the President propose something, the cabinet oppose. And things take longer to get done. I don’t wish to see that here.
Ethical, principled and people who know what it is to fair n just would never vote the likes of TT. His phoniness can be likened to sheep wearing mutton on its face!
Voting for TT is eschewing ethics, principles, sense of justice and fairness. Only one who is disconnected, self-absorbed would even consider Tt for the presidency.
Dear All,
My view is as follows:
One way for one country to control another is to install a puppet government in that country, by toppling an existing one, using local proxies like political parties, religious groups, terrorists, etc.
Singapore is a tiny state surrounded by “less than friendly” neighbours. This is a known fact. Its location is also strategic for some major powers of the world. It is a relatively young but rich country with a disparate population and is very vulnerable to predators, till today. Therefore, it must constantly guard itself against any infiltration and subversion, through political platforms or terrorism to assume control over us and turning us into a puppet state.
This is a fact of life for Singapore. As it stands today, it has no choice but to have a blunt instrument to knock out any such forces which threaten its security and sovereignty before damage is done. To protect Singapore and is people, the ISA is still relevant. Such an instrument had existed and practiced in ALL countries since time immemorial, albeit called by other names. This is life.
Thank you.
The standard so far developed in the Singapore new media has been quite good.
For example,if someone comes out with some wild accusation against certain candidates,from my observation,the crowd would sit still withiout any response,most of them in fact,are waiting for further evidence
So for our friends here,who have some accusations to make against any of the candidates,they should be ready with all the evidences,then they will get the audience all ready to pound hard..
Personally,I am quite keen to know the wrong doings allegedly done by one of the candidates,and still waiting for further evidence.
I think Singapore voters are ready to move further,it is a positive development for democracy in Singapoere.
I agree with some of the comments here about TJS not being able to control his emotions – I for one do not want a President to be so emotional, especially when he holds the 2nd key to our country’s reserves.
I also think TKL is quite fickle minded about wanting to contest the presidency. How can he be a good President if he keeps changing his mind ?
I think both TT and TCB are the most capable candidates. May the best of these 2 candidates win the election !
TONY LOST BILLIONS. CITIGROUP PRICE CHART SHOWN: http://singaporereserves.blogspot.com
How can we elect someone to do check and balance on himself? Do you ask your children to check their own homework? Do the students do their own marking in a examination?
Wake up!!! if you want to cast your vote to TT.
Finally I see someone with a rational mind like Leonard! Imagine we have such quarrelsome president TJS so embarrassing for all s’poreans! Our image will be tarnished after all the hard work by our leaders.After losing GE hoping to become head of state to control the ruling party as he don’t know the. Role of president. Be patient wait for 5 years later to try the next GE to shoot ! Vote for TT as he is recognized nationally and internationally.
@ The Tan Jee Say You Should Know
You’re absolutely right!
If you give a jobless person a job now, he would be so grateful (especially when worl recession is looming near). And he knows deep down that he’s worth at best half a million!
(Well, his last position was a private investor after his last stint with a big bank. So many uncles out there in Raffles Place are also working as private investors)
To all his supporters – why keep harping on his starting job in MTI and later as assistant to the then PM Goh? He has to serve out his bond right, after taking government’s fund to study? And that was probably his first and last decent and proud appointment.
See what happened after that – changed jobs every 2-4 years!
Because he thought the various jobs were not good enough for him??
Because he wants to serve the nation by making sure he can do ‘check and balance’ on the ruling government?
Or because he thinks only he’s fit to take up the noble call of an EP?
We want to move towards a First Class nation and society, and by pointing fingers and almost barking in front of an audience just shows that he’s unable to manage his anger and emotion. I wouldn’t want an employee like him, let alone a pubic figure to represent our beloved Singapore.
Doesn’t need a genius to know who possesses all the credentials among them, and above all, who doesn’t need this kind of pay to start off with?
FOr me, its obvious. TCB. Firm in his belief, give clear answers, do not take us on a ride by giving sweet talks. Practical, down to earth,
TJS, whats his job after that hmm Goh’s post ah? i still dont know whats his occupation in recent yrs. Such a person go for GE then PE, u want me to believe he really doing a check on govt? I find it hard to believe if he said he will communicate with the govt. Look at how he raised his voice, point the finger and then NOTHING TO ADD when given the chance at him again. What a contrast!!!
T.T. talked so much but not answering the question, beating around the bush, telling you the grandmother stories, ‘yawn’.
Does T.T. reminds you of TPL? At least when TPL doesn’t know what to say, she would frankly says, “I Don’t Know What to Say!”……..for this aspect, maybe the ‘lao jiao’ can learn from the green horn.
TJS reminds us of the COURAGEOUS, TALENTED & SUBSTANT-FILLED Nicole Seah. When they talk, we listen as their tones, gestures and words simply tell us that it is worth listening.
By the way, the host / moderator is obviously biase when he allowed the T.T. to interrupt but denied TJS to defence. If he is the referee in Malaysia Cup, sian liao
The call to elect a President that will not be constantly questioning the government on policies is a specious one. At first sight, it sounds logical and appealing to those who argues that there shouldn’t be an alternative centre of power to the elected government. However, a closer examination of this line of thinking reveals several flaws.
The Constitution clearly mandated the Elected President with the task of protection of our Reserves. As envisaged by the government this meant not allowing it to draw down the Reserves for frivolous spending.
The incumbent government obviously didn’t intend that they should be questioned on their policy making decisions and rightly so too. However, insofar as to government policies that will impact our Reserves somewhere down the line in the future it stands to reason the Elected President not only has a moral obligation but a duty to question the government and challenge it vigorously.
Try imagining the duties of a parent. Chief among many others is the duty to ensure that the child is adequately prepared to compete in society and make a good living. There are many bad habits a parent has to prevent the child from acquiring, e.g. smoking, gambling, drinking, taking drugs, etc. A parent can take a passive role by stopping the child from doing any of these bad habits when he or she sees it. Or he can take an active role by ensuring the child never got to the point whereby the child will be tempted or compelled – imagined the child associating with bad people – to do so.
One could argue that the duty of a parent is to provide the child with love and let nature takes its course. If your child insist on smoking and mixing with bad companies, where it is quite obvious he or she will have a bleak future, can the parent do nothing and still claim he has performed his parental duties admirably? No!
If the Elected President realised that impending or even current government policies will lead to the drawdown, weakening, or dissipation of our Reserves should he remain silent for fear of intruding into OB (Out of Bound) Markers? Or, should he take a back seat and simply wait for the inevitable day when he can tell the government ‘I told you so’ and then refuse to sign off on any drawdown of our Reserves?
It is not difficult to imagine when that day arrives the country will be in economic mess and any loss of confidence by the market of its future will push the country over the edge. Try putting yourself in the shoes of the President at that crucial moment when everything he foresaw years ago came true. He will be confronting a real moral dilemma he refused or was prevented from confronting years ago.
It is a Hobson’s choice he will be facing. Saying no to the government’s drawdown of the Reserves can lead to economic ruin for the country and the blame for it falls on the President. Saying yes will only encourage an emboldened government to continue its wasteful and profligate waywardness.
A look down the road tells us we need a strong Elected President that is prepared to be confrontational insofar as the protection of our Reserves is concerned. We need a President that will not remain silent and happily collect his S$4 million annual salary regularly even when told he can’t be informed of the true state of our Reserves because it will take 56 man-year to compute.
In my book only one man has shown the moral courage to do this job: Tan Jee Say. He has shown his mettle staring down Tony Tan’s veiled threats on the ISA issue. The other two hopefuls were merely opportunistic spectators with wet dreams of the annual S$4 million salary, hoping to die rich – I can’t imagine how anyone can ever finish spending so much money in one lifetime in Singapore.