TR EMERITUS

Son: Dad, what is courage? Father: It’s heart talk, son. Son: What’s that? What language does the heart speak of? Father: It’s the common language we are all too familiar with. The heart speaks of love, joy, hope, sorrow, fear, anger, shame, guilt, forgiveness and it goes on. Son: That’s a lot to take in dad. How do I know whether I have courage or not? Father: Well, our heart is a symbol of who we are. We use it to describe ourselves. A good heart, a bad one or a divided heart. We are defined by it. So courage is a heart decided. Son: Decided? Father: Yes, son, when the heart speaks, you have a conference of conflicting sentiments. It can get quite rowdy in there. For hurt wails. Anger screams. Lust hollers. But hope lifts. Peace whispers. And love overcomes. Usually the empty vessels make the most noise. Courage is the end result of that conference, at the end of the day. And when a decision is finally made, settled. Son: Dad, you have to break that down for me. Is there a landing here? I thought they often say that courage is not the absence of fear, it is the overcoming of it? Father: Sure son, that’s right. But the heart is hobbled by so much more. I have lived my life long enough to know that the heart is a battlefield. And courage comes out of something. It’s the last man standing, so to speak. There are fears and uncertainties. Courage strengthens the heart against them. There are lust and greed, and courage redirects the heart to what is of lasting value. And there is pain, sorrow. Courage is the faithful companion, one who whispers, “Walk on. Keep moving forward”. Son: Well, courage needs to fill big shoes to do all that then. Father: Mm…our feet grow into it. Nothing is a perfect fit from the outset. It is a process of discipline of the mind and heart. As we keep walking, keep believing, we grow in size, hope and confidence. Courage is just like that. You make thousands of decisions a day. Not all of them are consequential. Few are. But, for those that matter, courage fills in the gap. It gives you that needed push, sometimes a timely nudge, to make a settled choice. You then flow with it. You keep making it in that settled direction, tweaking it as you go, until you finally arrive. Son: Wait, so dad, courage is the battle of wills? And it is a process that refines you? Father: Yes son. Well put. Isn’t that what’s life all about? When you are knocked down, you come right back up. When you are in the valley, keep moving towards the light. Every step is a choice made. It is a battle within. The heart is always bombarded. But, courage is what comes out of that refining process, where you emerge with clarity and hope. At times, you don’t even know where the road is taking you. You can’t see further than your physical sight can cover. But courage doesn’t call it quits just because the road ahead is a blur. Son: So, after all said, courage encourages? (smiles) Father: Haha, however corny, yes. Incidentally, “en” means “put into” or “cover with”. So, en-courage is to put on or be covered with courage. It is the strengthening of our heart, to speak of what leans us towards hope. It’s faith talk too. Uncertainty, like failures, are but opportunities hidden. Sometimes well-camouflaged. We need to press on even more and uncover them. God grants us u-turns so that the journey does not end with dead ends. Son: Thanks dad. It’s a lot of heart talk here. Will digest them as I take my own faith walk in this life. Love you. Dad: Love you too. Take heart, son. Take courage. Take care too.   Michael Han * The author is a Director at Hoh Law Corporation and blogs on Facebook.      Read More →

Many may wonder why I am here today, with my competitors from PE2011. Dr Tan Cheng Bock (left) with Tan Kin Lian and Tan Jee Say The answer is simple: today we share a common vision ….. to have an Independent President. So I am here in my personal capacity as a PE2011 candidate because Singaporeans want transparency and accountability. Having another establishment endorsed candidate as president will not provide this. Only a truly independent president can. This presidential election is very important to me. A president has two key roles. To review the use of our reserves and appoint key public appointment holders. So, this person must be independent from the government. But I'm very sad. I'm sad that the political landscape is in such turmoil. I'm sad that a highly qualified candidate like George Goh was not eligible. They raised the bar for private candidates by increasing the shareholders’ equity 5 times to $500M and certain management experience conditions. However no equivalent conditions are required for public sector candidates. And, it only resulted in all past Elected Presidents being endorsed by the establishment. This is not a healthy trend for Singapore. The government must give the people the choice to vote in a President who is independent. Today, I Tan Cheng Bock want to plead with you to stand for what is right. Love your country by supporting the cause for an independent president. Your one vote counts make it worth it.   * Facebook post by Dr Tan Cheng Bock.          Read More →

In a surprising twist of events that may be construed as earth-shattering, Dr Tan Cheng Bock, who in 2011 almost became Singapore's President losing by only 0.35% (7382 votes) to Dr Tony Tan has officially announced that he is endorsing Mr Tan Kin Lian for President. In addition, Mr Tan Jee Say, 69, who was also a candidate in the  2011 Presidential Election has also openly endorsed Mr Tan Kin Lian. Mr Tan had secured 25.04% of the valid votes, trailing behind Dr Tan Cheng Bock.  Mr Tan Jee Say is also Mr Tan Kin Lian's proposer on nomination day. Speaking to the media in a press conference after the trio's joint appearance at People’s Park Food Centre, Dr Tan, speaking in his personal capacity as a previous presidential contender, extended his endorsement to Mr Tan Kin Lian. He emphasized the need for an “independent president” and underscored the president’s crucial role in overseeing the nation’s reserves and ensuring the country’s competent governance, among other things. Dr Tan passionately appealed to the voters to choose wisely by saying, “So today I want to plead with you to stand for what is right. Love your country by supporting the cause for an independent president. Your one vote counts; remember, your one vote counts. Make it worth it.” Speaking in endorsement for Mr Tan Kin Lian, Mr Tan Jee Say said he had known the presidential candidate since the he was the CEO of NTUC Income, “I know he is bubbling with ideas all the time, what is good for the policyholders of insurance. That resonates with me, always customer-focused.” “And I think he brings to this presidential election, that personal touch of concern for people, for customers. All the voters, all the Singaporeans are his customers. And he will work for their interests.” Mr Tan Jee Say expressed his confidence in Mr Tan Kin Lian. Mr Tan Kin Lian also clarified that his campaign is independently financed, and both endorsing candidates were supporting “in their personal capacity.” When responding to media query about a potential role for Dr Tan Cheng Bock and Mr Tan Jee Say in the Council of Presidential Advisers (CPA) if elected, Mr Tan Kin Lian expressed confidence in their shared vision, stating that both would be “excellent candidates to the council.” “I’m glad that Cheng Bock and Jee Say have now endorsed my campaign. I will rely on their valuable advice to reach the people. I would like to express my sincere thanks for their support,” said Mr Tan Kin Lian.     * Video by The Online Citizen.  Read More →