Dr. Tony Tan is well known as the PAP spin doctor. He was Chairman of the Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) and was in fact the propaganda chief of the PAP Government. In addition he was the Deputy Chairman of the Government of Singapore Investment Corp (GIC). Not to mention he was at one time chairman of the PAP. So when he announced on 23 June that he was stepping forward in the presidential election as an "independent" candidate, it was greeted with great incredulity bordering on the comedy or ludicrousness.
Dr. Tony Tan is not apolitical and could not be unaware of the political ground situation where the electorial mood is said to be inimical to the PAP. He is a smart Aleck and knows that as a PAP-endorsed candidate he will be disadvantaged by the considerable anti-establishment votes. So he hits on the idea of presenting himself as an "independent" candidate and hopes by this masquerade he can get the support of the anti-establishment voters. To give substance to his declaration as an "independent" candidate, he divests himself of his positions of deputy chairman of GIC and chairman of the SPH hoping in this way to convince the electorate of his "independence".
Dr. Tony Tan can succeed only if he thinks that Singaporeans are so naive as not to be able to see through his scheme. The voters are not going to believe that divesting himself of his PAP positions is going to make him any more independent than a PAP wallah. Emeritus SM Goh Chok Tong has openly stated that Dr. Tony Tan is eminently suitable for president. PM Lee Hsien Loong has asserted that Dr. Tony Tan will be a unifying figure for all citizens and will bring honour and credit to Singapore. So to all intents and purposes, these PAP leaders have endorsed Dr. Tony Tan as a PAP candidate, however tacitly, but nevertheless an endorsement. So where is the independence?
So willy-nilly Dr. Tony Tan will go into the presidential election not as an independent but a PAP-tacitly-endorsed candidate. He will have to contend with two so-called independent candidates in the persons of Dr. Tan Cheng Bock and Mr. Tan Kin Lian. Of the two contenders Dr. Tan Cheng Bock has shown to be an independent-minded person with better credentials. The electorial mood now is to shun the white (白色忌讳）(the white meaning the PAP) and Dr. Tan Cheng Bock should be able to garner the anti-establishment votes. But he may not have a smooth passage because of the candidature of Mr. Tan Kin Lian who may inadvertently act as a "spoiler". The pro-PAP votes, as expected, will go to Dr. Tony Tan and any votes for Mr. Tan Kin Lian can only come at the expense of Dr. Tan Cheng Bock's anti-establishment votes with disastrous effect on the latter's election success. The civilised thing for Mr. Tan Kin Lian to do, in the higher interest of the political unity of the people, is to withdraw from the contest so that it becomes a straight fight between Dr. Tony Tan and Dr. Tan Cheng Bock. Mr. Tan Kin Lian will win the gratitude of the people of Singapore in this way.
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13 comments:
There are many who would disagree with your viewpoint. TCB is NOT as capable as TKL.
TCB is all hot air and he has been a pap man for far too long to be able to do a paradigm shift of mindset. He could be quite easily manipulated by the pap playing on his long party affiliation and conditioning.
The pap would actually heave a sigh of relief if he is the only opponent. I also think the people are clever enough to look beyond the cosmetic smile of TT. He has yet to come up with anything concrete about what he would do. This is the present mood of the people who has laso seen how voting AGAINST the pap for once have reap them benefits never before seen in previous GE.
I think TKL should really give it a shot and let the best man wins, unless PAP decides to play dirty and disqualify TKL.
For all we know, the 60% PAP vote may be split between TCB & TT and may give TKL a better edge.
In fact for such an election, the more choice and competition the healthier it will be. In the long run, it will encourage more better and qualified candidates to come forward to serve.
I disagree.
Of the three, TKL proves to be the most independent.
For what he's said, TCB has been a MIW for most of his life.
A possible outcome could be TT and
TCB to split the pro PAP votes for TKL to roam home with the anti PAP and outdecided votes.
In the absence of established opinion polls, all 3 stand a good chance of getting elected
anyone who is "anti-establishment" will not vote for either tony tan or tan cheng bock lah LOL.
Have you read this post?
You may want to reconsider your view of TCB's efficacy.
Mr Yoong, speaking for myself, I’m fine if either one, whether Tan Cheng Bock or Tan Kin Lian, comes in to run against the so-called, PAP-endorsed Tony Tan. But if both come in, then I think Tony Tan will likely win as the oppo votes will be split between TCB and TKL.
For the sake of the nation, I hope TCB and TKL can come together to work things out. One will have to leave the race if they don’t want TT to win…
Perhaps, Mr Yoong, if you know both of them well, you can persuade them to work things out?
/// Dr. Tan Cheng Bock should be able to garner the anti-establishment votes.... ///
Wouldn't TKL be in a better position to corner the anti-establishment votes?
/// The civilised thing for Mr. Tan Kin Lian to do, in the higher interest of the political unity of the people, is to withdraw from the contest so that it becomes a straight fight between Dr. Tony Tan and Dr. Tan Cheng Bock. Mr. Tan Kin Lian will win the gratitude of the people of Singapore in this way. ///
Turn it around. How about Dr TCB withdrawing? TCB will win the gratitude of Singaporeans.
Please tell us please why you think TCB is the better candidate that TKL should bow out for him
Looks more like TKL is a better candidate.
I have NEVER heard of TCB until the naming of the Jurong hospital episode.. where has he been all these years?
Thanks Mr. Kojakbt, but I am not acquainted with either Dr. Tan Cheng Bock or Mr. Tan Kin Lian, at least not yet.
Mr. Sojenn.
Political experience wise, Dr. Tan Cheng Bock seems to have an edge. However, in view of foregoing comments,it's really up to the voter's wise judgement to decide between TCB and TKL.
TT independent of PAP?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Come-on the question, "How independent..? is absolutely redunctant.
--PAP Ministerships, DPM, GIC; SPH ..you name it.
If there is a blood group called "PAP", TT has it 100% pure.
TKL is a loose cannon. He does not know when to speak or when to shut up. NTUC income was his little kingdom. Every letter to the press was signed by him. He trusted nobody and nobody was good enough to reply on behalf of NTUC Income. He was and is still power-hungry, and that will be very dangerous should he be elected as President. TKL did not volunteer that he was a PAP man until it was exposed. At least TCB was an open book. He did not like what he saw and decided enough is enough. I will not trust TKL to be President. I will vote for TCB. The surprise will be when both TKL and TCB are given their Certificate of Eligibility to stand for election. That will surely split the anti-PAP vote and victory to TT on a platter. TKL should step aside and let there be a straight fight between TCB and TCB.
TMT
I am surprise you even need to ask.
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