TR EMERITUS

Isn’t it weird that while many Singaporeans take pride in believing that we have arrived as citizens of an advanced economy, the irony is why are there still so many among us who could not think critically? Take the upcoming PE2023 as an example, isn’t it like an arranged marriage when all the candidates must be screened and approved by the PAP-led government before the people can get to decide? Does the PAP really think that it still has the moral authority to play the paternal role in the lives of Singaporeans? Like the elites of old who strive to arrange marriage among its own circle, the PAP is still trapped in this perverse thinking that only they can attract the best candidates and all their ministers are “whiter than white”. Truth is, the use of money politics to attract and retain its politicians and activists has started to backfire on the them as we can see from the endless scandals and extra-marital affairs that have been plaguing the PAP all these past years. Systemic Flaws In Qualifying Mechanism Used In PE2023: Like a bad karma, the endless scandals, and the erosion of trust and morality of the PAP has also magnified the systemic flaws in the qualifying mechanism used in our elections, especially in the upcoming PE203. While Tharman Shanmugaratnam may be self-qualified by his ministerial appointments to contest in PE2023, he can also be technically disqualified by the Presidential Election Committee “PEC”, who is vested with tremendous amount of “Discretionary Power” despite it not being mandated by the people, for the massive S$30.8 billion loss suffered by MAS when he was their chairman. This was rightly pointed out by Michelle Lee, who has put up a petition for Dr Tan Cheng Bock to stand in PE2023. The same is true for many of those PAP-elites who can simply just walk into any Presidential Election just because they were all given some kind of imperial seals. Do you know that Tan Chuan Jin, the disgraced Speaker of Parliament can still qualify for PE2023 if he decided to enter because he was not sacked by PM Lee Hsien Loong but was allowed to resign from his post, and as such, get to keep all his retirement perks and benefits, including his right to contest in PE203 or beyond? If he does, will the PEC dare to disqualify him based on the strong “circumstantial evidence” that his extra-marital affair proves that he is not a person of good character, and ended up also proving that the current qualifying criteria that favour politicians is flawed and should be scrapped? What if Chan Chun Sing, the Education Minister decides to stand in a Presidential Election and ended up unable to recite the National Pledge while hosting foreign dignitaries? The same is also true if Vivian Balakrishnan or S. Shanmugam, who despite the scandalous Ridout’s fiasco, decides to run in any of our Presidential Election. Of all the Tans who contested in PE2011, how many is aware that Tan Kin Lian is “technically” still qualified to contest in PE2023 despite being the only candidate to lose his election deposit? By now, can you see just how stupid and defective the current qualifying mechanism used in PE2023 really is? In a sick way, isn’t PE2023, in its current form, an arranged marriage where we, the citizens of Singapore, can only pick from one of the candidates that the PAP-led government has shortlisted for us? Is this even democratic or logical for a nation that is supposed to be a First World Country? If the people did not give the PEC its “Discretionary Power”, then where did they get their discretionary power from? By virtue of this discretionary power vested in the PEC, isn’t it at the service of the one who appoints them? The Power of One United People - The Democratic Way Forward As A Nation: It is time for Singaporeans to stand up as “One United People” if we want to end all these absurdities and stupidities that are plaguing our democratic system and election mechanisms to ensure that meritocracy will consistently triumph over mediocre, by having the best people among us to represent not just our parliament but also the highest public office in the country, which is the Presidential office. It is indeed karmic that the ways the PAP-led government tried to conduct its own investigations involving its own ministers and parliamentarians are only fuelling more political jokes that are being whispered at coffee-shops all around Singapore, and in the process, make the men in white look horribly dirty these days. But why is the PAP-led government, despite already having full control over all the estates of powers in Singapore still so adamant about keeping the Presidential Office to itself? Could it be that PE2023 is proving to be too important for the PAP to win so that some of its ministers can be assured that the Ridout’s Scandal will remain closed and shut for all eternity? Or that the office of the Elected President will never be allowed to direct the CPIB or convene any public inquiry against the PAP-led government or their ministers for any wrongdoing? Is there something that may have serious material impact to Singapore that the PAP-led government does not want us to know, and that is why they must win and control the Istana too? Against so many “troubling” unknowns and uncertainties that could be plaguing our country, both politically and economically, I find it both depressing and puzzling that the opposition parties in Singapore are still largely obediently following the playbook of the PAP in all our elections, from the general election to the presidential election. If the role of the Elected President should be non-political, then why is the PAP so massively vested in ensuring that only those that they have shortlisted get to stand in our Presidential Election? Are the opposition parties even aware that there is at least one candidate who contested in the last General Election who actually qualifies for PE2023? Yes, there are quality candidates among the opposition parties and more will follow if the few key opposition parties stop acting subserviently to the PAP’s playbook and start challenging them where it matters most. And if the opposition parties in Singapore truly want to be or form the Alternative Government to the PAP, then they must start thinking more strategically and acting more decisively, and show themselves to be able to come together when it matters most by standing with the people as “One United People”, beyond their political divides and differences . To do that, they must stop trying to qualify themselves along the PAP-dictated guideline but must start challenging them democratically and creatively. People’s Choice - The Democratic Way Forward: In this aspect, Michelle, the creator of the petition for Dr Tan to stand in PE2023 is right in pointing out the fact that Dr Tan is indeed the People’s Choice for PE2023. That is why we must ask ourselves why the PAP-led government is so afraid of this 83-year old man who was once their former cadre. Unless they got some horrible skeletons in the closet that they do not want anyone to see, then there is really no reason for the PAP to fear him right? After being so close to winning PE2011 and then deprived from contesting in PE2017 when the PAP-led government reserved it for the Malay community, why don’t the people stop all these “arranged marriages” by democratically telling the PAP-led government and their appointed PEC that we want to be able to vote for the candidate of our choice? Looking at the candidates arranged by the PAP-led government thus far, and if Dr Tan’s Certificate of Eligibility for PE2011 is acknowledged and accepted for PE2023, do not be surprised if PE2023 turns out to be a fight among the potential First Ladies. There is no denying that if this come to pass, then Mrs Tan will surely win hand down, no? Whether the PAP-led government and their PEC want to accept or reject the people’s choice for PE2023, it is their call to make. But the biggest fear of the PAP will be if another titan, who is qualified and can lead the people if he decides to return to take part in PE2023, knowing well that this titan can play a more major role in shaping the future of our country in a more decisive manner, and in the process, will strategically curtail their power and moral standing. That is why the Singaporeans must play our part by being active in encouraging and supporting those who can play a decisive role in shaping our future as a nation, beyond party politics or political divides. Yes, we need the best men and women to step forward and help lead Singapore out of the terrible mess caused by the 4G PAP-led government. But if all democratic avenues to effect the change by the people are to be systematically blocked by the PAP-led government, then the next General Election is definitely going to be the end of the PAP-led government. If that comes to pass, we just have to wonder who among the 4G PAP will be so stupid to be deceived into leading the PAP in the next general election and get recorded in history as the worse performing Prime Minister of Singapore, and save PM Lee from this international disgrace. Still think that there is no political play involved in the upcoming PE2023? As such, politics in Singapore will get more dirty and messy because when the PAP is at its weakest, it is also at its most dangerous, and this is most evident as we can see from how conveniently the whole marital scandal at Workers’ Party is timed to make the PAP look whiter than white, no? That is why for those who are still stupidly talking about keeping Dr Tan for the next general election, do not be surprised that they may end up drawing Dr Tan and his legacy into the booby-trap set up by the PAP, no? Singapore is indeed in a crisis of a generation and we all need to go beyond selfish endeavours and party politics if we are all sincere about saving our country from further embarrassments and scandals. I hope more Singaporeans will step up and play their part by decisively rejecting these “arranged marriage” if we still believe that Singaporeans deserve better.   Joseph Nathan      Read More →

Tharman Has Been Long On Rhetoric But Always Short On Action! Can Tharman be the “President for a new era” as he boldly claimed yesterday at the launch of his presidential campaign? I suggest not. Tharman has always been good at presentation but he does not possess the independent streak in him to go against the establishment,of which he has been part of for many years. His attempt to distinguish between an independent mind and being an independent is a fallacy and should be seen through by voters and rejected comprehensively. I cannot think of a single occasion in his long career in government where he had the courage to stake out his position in public which was different from that of his colleagues in the PAP. In fact,he became very much the silent stalwart of the PAP in his later years as a PAP politician. Churchill said that he judged a man not by his words but by his deeds.Voters should apply the same test when they judge whether Tharman can really be ”independent” from the PAP as President. My conclusion is that he sadly cannot. In the immortal words of Thucydides, the great Greek historian, human nature does not change. It is the one great constant. And nothing in Tharman’s nature suggests he can be that “independent” President which Singaporeans crave for. The candidates which have come forward for President have all been disappointing. It is not too late for other more worthy candidates to step forth to serve our Nation as Head of State. One thing is for sure- No more PAP President.   * Facebook post by Lim Tean      Read More →

If he gets elected, Ng Kok Song (NKS) says he will be the teh ko-song president (comparing to George Goh’s description of himself as the Mao Shan Wang president). He said: “I’d prefer to be characterised as teh ko-song, you know, Kok Song - ko-song. Teh kosong is tea without sugar, a healthier, better option than Mao Shan Wang.” Well, if it is a matter of taste, then the flavour of the coming presidential election would depend on the taste of the people. And the current swirling flavour to beat seems to be Typhoon Tharman. He came in and caused a storm. George and NKS will have to raise the tide in order to overpower the tsunami. Like what NKS said: “Mr Tharman is very well known in Singapore…I am relatively unknown because all my life, I’ve stayed out of politics. I just concentrated on my work in the GIC. I was an investment professional; I didn’t want to be in the limelight. That’s the way it was.” But that may be what the people want right? “I’m an underdog,“ added NKS. “It is a good situation to be in.” Though an uphill climb, NKS, at 75, is not letting the mountain before him stop him. In terms of qualification, well, he said it is not clear cut. He is currently the chairman of his own firm Avanda Investment Management, which he founded in 2015. Bloomberg’s estimation of the firm’s worth is around US$10 billion (S$13.3b). What’s more, he had dedicated more than forty years of his life to public service as GIC investment head, building and preserving our reserves. That should put him in good stead. He may be an underdog, but this is his comeback line: “…the president is not a toothless tiger. The president can bite - and should bite at certain times.” He is referring to unifying the people, protecting the reserves, and intervening at the right time to “uphold the integrity of key public service holders.” The president is not just a titular head. And this is one tireless dog that is determined to bite when it counts, and not let go until the goal is secured. Behind the scenes he has done just that, to grow what the people have painstakingly saved, and now, he is determined to do more in the public limelight. If he becomes president, the concern is, will he be another Joe Biden? Age has always been a challenge because the bias for younger candidates is understandable, even natural. NKS is more than one decade older than the other presidential hopefuls. Is he then over the hill or on top of it still? Mm…I think one thing about age that is forever golden is that the past accomplishments becomes your trailblazing credentials, and NKS doesn’t lack any. And with that locked in, you can always rely on the experiences and wisdom embodied over the decades to lead. Stripped of all complexities, every public office is about making the right choice at the right time for the sake of the people. And choices are always better made with the experience one has gained. As an added bonus, it also commands respect from the people serving under you. And that respect engenders trust and hope with every decision made. So, age for the presidency may just be a sublime advantage making the fragrant difference. What’s more, if elected, NKS will be a meditating president. He does it 25 mins a day. He said: “A lot of stress comes from our concerns about people’s opinions of us, what people think of us. A lot of our stress comes from our desire to control things, to have power, to have money.” He said meditation helps him to find direction amidst the storm, to anchor him against the restless pull of what is unimportant, and it “(shapes) his decision to stand for the presidency by helping him to examine and “purify” his motives.” He said that the benefit of meditation is that “I’m at peace” - elected or otherwise. I guess the final hurdle, in my view, is Sybil Lau, his fiancée. His late wife, Patricia, passed on due to stomach cancer in 2005. It was a marriage of 33 years built upon the enduring covenant of love and commitment. Now, the challenge is the image people may have with Sybil. There are two factors here to address when running for that presidential golden ticket; first, remarriage, and second, age gap. I guess the latter is more complicated than the first in our conservative society, with a certain fixed view about the pristine image of certain public offices, especially the presidency. They are 30 years apart. She is younger than his eldest child, 50. It was quite a whirlwind courtship of about 6 months before he proposed - and she agreed. He was overjoyed. And both are also financial juggernauts; NKS said, “…the reality is that she’s got more money than me,” in reply to talks that Sybil may be a gold digger. The reality is, Sybil sits on several boards including Well Health Technologies Corp, Canada’s largest owner and operator of outpatient health clinics. So, it’s not about the money. In fact, if combined, he may just be the wealthiest head of state if he wins the highest office in the land. I guess it’s true love then. While NKS said that he has experienced so much love from Patricia that it is enough to last him a lifetime, he is forgetting that the depth of the human heart is much deeper than a lifetime (or a few lifetimes). At times, when it comes to love, some people live a few lifetimes in a lifetime. That is why he quoted Pascal: “The heart has its reason and reason does not know.” Tbh, while I don’t know whether the heart of the people pinning for a president has reasons that are that inscrutable, I do however believe that NKS has a heart for the people. This is clear from the price he paid (or will be paying) for coming out at his age with a less than pristine recent past to run this race. He doesn’t need this, but saw the need and desired to bridge the gap. I thus wish him and family well in this gruelling race for the most unimpeachable office in the nation. And with so much exotic flavours in his cup, he may just be less of a teh ko-song president, if elected, and more of a teh si-gao, but siew dai.   Michael Han * The author is a Director at Hoh Law Corporation and blogs on Facebook.      Read More →