Singaporeans have finally found out the candidates for the upcoming Presidential Election, as Mr Ng Kok Song, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Mr Tan Kin Lian have received the coveted Certificates of Eligibility.
While Mr Ng has said he’ll give his very best, Mr Tan is bullish about his prospects, saying he’s “confident” he can win the election.
Mr Tharman, however, demurred when asked about his chances.
He only said that he’s not making calculations in that way and hopes for a dignified contest.
In a blog post on Friday (18 Aug), Mr Tan, 75, said he was happy to get the Certificate of Eligibility.
Source: Tan Kin Lian
Sharing the contents of the letter from the Presidential Elections Committee (PEC), he revealed that they noted his experience as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NTUC Income for more than three years.
Thus, they were satisfied that he had the experience and ability to carry out the President’s functions.
Mr Tan also thanked the PEC for releasing their decision early.
It was earlier reported that the list of eligible candidates would be released only on 22 Aug, which is Nomination Day.
This early release would enable him to prepare for his campaign earlier and with greater certainty, Mr Tan said.
Source: Tan Kin Lian PE2023 on YouTube
He further said that if elected, he’ll work with the Government on ways to improve the lives of the people, particularly:
In a statement to the media during a visit to Kovan on Friday (18 Aug), Mr Tan reiterated this campaign platform, adding that he would pay particular attention to the younger generation’s needs.
He especially addressed voters below 30 years old, saying they have “a long future ahead” and will be around “for at least 50 years, maybe longer”.
He urged them to take the opportunity to vote for the right person that can influence Government policies to give them a better future.
Source: Tan Kin Lian PE2023 on YouTube
For example, for those who’re thinking of starting a family, he pledged to do his best to make it affordable for them to do so.
In a subsequent interview with The Straits Times (ST) at home, Mr Tan said he was hoping to get more than 1.5 million votes.
However, he would be very happy as long as he gets more than the other candidates.
He also described himself as someone who represents the middle ground, as with Mr George Goh’s failure to qualify, he will now be standing against two candidates from the establishment — i.e. Mr Tharman and Mr Ng.
Thus, he was optimistic about his chances, adding,
I don’t want to be arrogant, I’m somewhat confident I can win the election and be your next president.
On Mr Goh, Mr Tan said he was “personally disappointed” that the 63-year-old entrepreneur wasn’t eligible.
Mr Tharman has expressed the same sentiments, with the former Senior Minister saying he was “very sorry” that Mr Goh didn’t make it.
He said this to ST and other media at the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore (CPAS) charity dinner held at the Marina Bay Sands.
Source: @tharman.sg on Instagram
He feels this way as Mr Goh “put a lot of effort into the whole journey that he began several years ago”, adding,
I have a lot of respect for him for his life story. But I hope he remains in public life in some way, and continues to contribute to Singapore.
Mr Tharman, 66, was also asked what his chances of being elected were, now that Mr Goh isn’t running.
He replied that he’s not making calculations “based on exactly who is contesting and so on”.
Rather, he’s running based on his track record, purpose in life and what he feels he can bring to Singapore at this time.
He entered the race not for himself, he added, but because “things are changing” and Singapore’s future development will need “a different character to the presidency”.
Mr Tharman also said that he’s looking forward to the election, and hopes it’ll be a “dignified contest”.
This is in keeping with the dignity of the office, he added.
Thus, he encouraged all the candidates “to make a positive case for themselves” because each of them brings “something of value” to Singapore.
Here’s wishing the three remaining candidates the best, and may the best one stand the chance to lead Singapore as President.
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Featured image adapted from Tan Kin Lian on Facebook and Tharman Shanmugaratnam on Facebook.
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