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CNA Forum: PE2023 Presidential candidates discuss independence, integrity, and impartiality in non-politicisation

CNA Forum Spotlight: In the PE2023 live broadcast, former GIC chief investment officer Mr Ng Kok Song championed staunch independence, emphasizing no ties to any political faction.

Former NTUC Income CEO Mr Tan Kin Lian focused on prioritizing issues over politics, urging solutions that transcend party lines.

Meanwhile, former PAP senior minister Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam cautioned against simplistic evaluations of candidates based on political affiliations, stressing the importance of character and track record.

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SINGAPORE: On Monday (28 Aug) at 9 pm, the spotlight was on three prominent contenders vying for the 2023 Presidential Election (PE2023) as they engaged in a live forum hosted by Mediacorp CNA in Singapore.

The trio of Presidential contenders comprises distinguished individuals: Mr Ng Kok Song (75), the former GIC investment chief; Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam (66), a former senior minister of the People’s Action Party; and Mr Tan Kin Lian (75), the former NTUC Income chief.

During the hour-long live broadcast, these candidates fielded questions from CNA’s Otelli Edwards.

They delved into topics ranging from their suitability for the presidency to their strategies for fostering unity and cultivating a more compassionate society.

When asked how they would wield their powers impartially as the elected President of Singapore, Mr Tan Kin Lian emphasized a crucial consideration: identifying the challenges faced by the people.

He stressed that a President’s understanding of these issues and the potential solutions is of paramount importance.

He emphasized the vital need to prioritize addressing the issues themselves, rather than “politicizing” them, irrespective of the source of proposed solutions.

In challenging problem-solving scenarios, intertwining solutions with the identities of Party A or Party B is counterproductive and unhelpful, Mr Tan asserted.

“I do not believe in politicking, because it’s taking away time that should be going to understanding the problem and solving the problem.”

“I do not agree with the framing that any solution is politicising, I think we should focus on the problem, and use all available resources and knowledge to see what is the best way to solve the problem that the country and the people are facing.”

He emphasized that Singapore continues to grapple with longstanding issues that have persisted for decades, including the low birth rate and the increasing challenges of daily life.

These problems, he emphasized, demand comprehensive attention and solutions that transcend political affiliations.

Ng Kok Song reiterates staunch “Independence”

On the other hand, Mr Tan’s contender Ng Kok Song, has once again emphasized his unwavering “independence,” highlighting that he is not aligned with any specific political faction.

“I do not belong to the People’s Action Party (PAP), I do not belong to any opposition party, so there’s no better safeguard to have a non-politicized presidential election to have candidates who do not have any political affiliations.”

Ng Kok Song articulated that when candidates receive backing or endorsement from particular political entities, a potential “danger” arises, wherein the President’s ability to act impartially could be compromised due to influence from the agendas of these political parties.

Tharman challenges simplistic labels in evaluating Presidential candidates

Meanwhile, Mr Tharman strongly contested Ng’s suggestion and reiterated the importance of avoiding “simple labels“.

“This is a contest between individuals, who have to be assessed on their character, whether they have the spine, whether they have the track record, whether they’ll be able to keep the trust of the people who are electing them.”

He dismissed the notion of relying solely on whether someone has been affiliated with a political party as “extremely simplistic”.

Mr Tharman further elaborated that this perspective would have excluded notable figures in history, including the late President Ong Teng Cheong, as well as former candidates like Mr Tan Cheng Bock and President Tony Tan.

“It  would have ruled out also a whole set of people who may not be members of a political party but who have owed their positions to their bosses who were ministers in the government of the day.”

He pointed out that this reasoning extends to senior civil servants and individuals holding influential roles in the public sector, who often owe their positions to political authorities.

“Are they obligated to their bosses because of that? Not necessarily, it depends on the individuals.”

“Let’s say, if you have a private company you have a construction company that depends on government contracts, or you have a fund management company that depends on government monies.”

“Does that make you not independent? Not necessarily, it depends on your character and your track record.”

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Redditors question support for PAP over perceived arrogance and authoritarian attitude

Despite Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s warning that slimmer electoral margins would limit the government’s political space “to do the right things”, many Redditors questioned their support for the ruling PAP, criticising its perceived arrogance. They argued that SM Lee’s remarks show the party has ‘lost its ways’ and acts as if it alone can determine what is right. Others noted that the PAP’s supermajority allows for the passage of unfavourable policies without adequate scrutiny.

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In a recent speech, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong warned that “if electoral margins get slimmer, the government will have less political space to do the right things.”

Mr Lee, who served as Prime Minister for 20 years, highlighted the risks associated with increasingly competitive politics.

“It will become harder to disregard short-term considerations in decision-making. The political dynamics will become very different,” he stated during his speech at the Annual Public Service Leadership Ceremony 2024 on 17 September.

“Singaporeans must understand the dangers this creates, and so must the public service,” SM Lee stressed.

SM Lee pointed out that Singapore faces formidable internal and external challenges in the years ahead, with rising expectations and demands from citizens.

As growth becomes harder to achieve and politics becomes more fiercely contested, he warned, “Things can go wrong for Singapore too.”

He urged vigilance in preparing for an uncertain future, noting, “As the world changes, and as the generations change, we must do our best to renew our system – to ensure that it continues to work well for us, even as things change.”

Critique of PAP’s Arrogance and Disconnect from Singaporeans

The People’s Action Party (PAP) experienced a notable decline in its vote share during the 2020 General Election, securing 61.24% of the votes and winning 83 out of 93 seats, a drop from 69.9% in 2015.

A significant loss was in Sengkang GRC, where the PAP team, led by former Minister Ng Chee Meng, was defeated by the Workers’ Party (WP).

In discussions on Reddit, some users questioned why they should support the ruling PAP, criticising the party’s perceived arrogance.

They pointed out that SM Lee’s recent remarks illustrate that the party has strayed from effectively serving Singaporeans and seems to believe it has the sole authority to decide what is right.

Others highlighted that the PAP’s super-majority in Parliament enables the passage of unfavourable policies without sufficient scrutiny.

One comment acknowledged that while many older Singaporeans remain loyal to the PAP due to its past achievements, younger generations feel the party has failed to deliver similar results.

There is significant frustration that essentials like housing and the cost of living have become less affordable compared to previous generations.

The comment emphasised the importance of the 2011 election results, which they believe compelled the PAP to reassess its policies, especially concerning foreign labor and job security.

He suggested that to retain voter support, the PAP must continue to ensure a good material standard of living.

“Then, I ask you, vote PAP for what? They deserve to lose a supermajority. Or else why would they continue to deliver the same promises they delivered to our parents? What else would get a bunch of clueless bureaucrats to recognise their problems?”

Emphasising Government Accountability to the Public

Another Redditor argued that it is the government’s responsibility to be accountable to the people.

He further challenged SM Lee’s assertion about having less political space to do the right things, questioning his authority to define what is “right” for Singapore.

The comment criticised initiatives like the Founder’s Memorial and the NS Square, suggesting they may serve to boost the egos of a few rather than benefit the broader population. The Redditor also questioned the justification for GST hikes amid rising living costs.

“Policies should always be enacted to the benefit of the people, and it should always be the people who decide what is the best course of action for our country. No one should decide that other than us.”

The comment called for an end to narratives that present the PAP as the only party capable of rescuing Singapore from crises, stating that the country has moved past the existential challenges of its founding era and that innovative ideas can come from beyond a single political party.

Another comment echoed this sentiment, noting that by stating this, SM Lee seemingly expects Singaporeans to accept the PAP’s assumption that they—and by extension, the government and public service—will generally do the “right things.”

“What is conveniently overlooked is that the point of having elections is to have us examine for ourselves if we accept that very premise, and vote accordingly.”

A comment further argued that simply losing a supermajority does not equate to a lack of political space for the government to make the right decisions.

The Redditor express frustration with SM Lee’s rhetoric, suggesting that he is manipulating public perception to justify arbitrary changes to the constitution.

Concerns Over PAP’s Supermajority in Parliament

Another comment pointed out that the PAP’s supermajority in Parliament enables the passage of questionable and controversial policies, bypassing robust debate and discussion.

The comment highlighted the contentious constitutional amendments made in late 2016, which reserved the elected presidency for candidates from a specific racial group if no president from that group had served in the previous five terms.

A comment highlighted the contrast: in the past, the PAP enjoyed a wide electoral margin because citizens believed they governed effectively. Now, the PAP claims that without a substantial electoral margin, they cannot govern well.

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Tan Kiat How: Police called after resident ‘became aggressive’ at meet-the-people session

Senior Minister of State Tan Kiat How shared on TikTok that police were called to his meet-the-people session (MPS) in Bedok on Monday (17 Sept) evening after a resident ‘became a little more aggressive’, reportedly over a job issue. While the PAP MP emphasized the efforts made to assist residents, some netizens questioned the volunteers’ handling of the situation and urged more proactive measures from the MP.

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SINGAPORE: Police were called to a meet-the-people session (MPS) in Bedok after a resident became aggressive, causing a disturbance, according to Member of Parliament (MP) for East Coast GRC Tan Kiat How.

Mr Tan, who represents the Kampong Chai Chee ward, addressed the incident in a TikTok video posted on Monday (17 September).

In the video, Mr Tan, who is also Senior Minister of State for National Development, emphasised the need for mutual respect at these sessions, which are intended to be safe spaces for both residents and volunteers.

“It was unfortunate that the police had to be called to MPS today when a resident became a little more aggressive,” Mr Tan said, acknowledging the incident that occurred during the Monday MPS session at Block 408 Bedok North Avenue 2.

Mr Tan expressed empathy for the challenges faced by residents but urged individuals attending MPS to remain respectful towards volunteers.

“Sometimes you see such cases at MPS, where one of the residents get more aggressive and can be a little bit more violent,” he noted.

He added that while efforts are made to assist residents, certain matters are beyond their control.

“For example, we can’t write to a government agency to demand the agency to offer a job to a person … but we can facilitate and make sure that opportunities are available for our residents,” he explained.

@tankiathow

It was unfortunate that the police had to be called to #MPS today when a resident became a little more aggressive. We always do our best to help #KampongChaiChee residents, but some things are beyond our control. Let’s work towards mutual respect and ensure MPS remains a safe space for both residents and volunteers. #caringeastcoast

♬ Future – Official Sound Studio

Netizens Question Volunteers’ Handling of Situation and Call for Greater Action from MP

The incident drew numerous responses on TikTok, with some expressing support for Mr Tan and others sympathising with the unnamed resident.

One comment suggested that the individual may have been “desperate” for a solution to their issue, while another urged patience, noting that not all cases can be resolved immediately.

Separately, Mr Tan responded to one user by confirming that he had previously helped the resident’s parents.

Some questioned whether the issue arose from a lack of tact by certain volunteers in handling the situation, suggesting that they receive proper training to address residents’ concerns effectively.

In response, Mr Tan emphasized that his volunteers always do their best and that empathy is crucial in such situations.

Another user noted that empathy should be mutual, suggesting that while residents are trying their best, they may feel they have no other solutions, urging Mr Tan to show greater understanding.

One comment pointed out that something significant might have affected the resident, possibly leading them to drastic actions, and called for more proactive measures from the MP rather than just expressing empathy.

This is not the first time an MPS has been marked by aggression.

In 2018, Jurong GRC MP Tan Wu Meng was assaulted by a 32-year-old man, leaving him with injuries.

The assailant was arrested after rushing into the MPS area and attacking Dr Tan.

Similarly, in 2009, Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Seng Han Thong was attacked when a resident doused him with paint thinner and set him on fire. Mr Seng survived but required extensive medical treatment.

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