..Singapore’s next President… a very different one
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SingaporeScene – Wed, Jun 29, 2011
By P N Balji
Don't be surprised if the coming presidential election turns out to be a non-event. The entry of former Deputy Prime Minister Dr Tony Tan into the ring will take care of that: He has the stature, credentials and temperament to smile his way into the Istana. Surveys and newspaper reports show that he is definitely the front runner.
The press conference announcing his candidacy was like a slick political commercial. He took on the mantle of a responsible citizen when he posed this question to himself: Why should I give up the stimulating work in the Government Investment Corporation, National Research Foundation and Singapore Press Holdings and take the risk of going into the unknown?
His answer: How could I remain a spectator when the country faces complex challenges?
You can't get more politically-astute than this.
Dr Tan declared that he was not being endorsed by the PAP government, will unify Singaporeans and will look at ways to help the poor.
You can't get more politically-correct than this.
His service in the important ministries of finance, education and defence, and his work at OCBC and GIC will give him the gravitas to become the next president.
There is also a great likelihood that he will be a very different president, if elected.
The presidency to be redefined
An important clue popped up when he was asked about the president's role as defined by the constitution: "Obviously, no constitution is set in stone for ever, and I would expect the government of the day to review it from time to time and to make changes where necessary, with the approval of parliament."
Dr Tan is known to be careful, measured and purposeful with his words. Every statement he issues, every quote he gives and every answer he sends out is thought through with precision.
So why did he make that point about the constitution?
For the answer, one needs to analyse what President S R Nathan said while on a visit to Bahrain. Reflecting on his 12 years in office and the feedback he has received, Mr Nathan said he will respond in a book that he is writing.
And one of the items in the book will be his thoughts on how the presidency should be redefined.
Then there is a genuine public desire for the president to play a more active role in shaping the future of Singapore.
Connect these three dots and one can come to the conclusion that the role of the next president, with the help of the government and parliament, will be a different one.
That role will be a major debating point in the next elections. The other two Tans -- Dr Tan Cheng Bock and Mr Tan Kin Lian -- are likely to be forced to join the debate on this. And there is no way you can effect this important change without the co-operation of the government.
Who is that Tan who has the cache, implicit or otherwise, with the government to make the presidency a different and more purposeful one that will reflect the new Singapore?
You don't need to be a rocket scientist to know who that person is.
P N Balji is the director of the Asia Jouralism Fellowship, a joint initiative of Temasek Foundation and Nanyang Technological University.
Follow Yahoo! News on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.
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SingaporeScene – Wed, Jun 29, 2011
By P N Balji
Don't be surprised if the coming presidential election turns out to be a non-event. The entry of former Deputy Prime Minister Dr Tony Tan into the ring will take care of that: He has the stature, credentials and temperament to smile his way into the Istana. Surveys and newspaper reports show that he is definitely the front runner.
The press conference announcing his candidacy was like a slick political commercial. He took on the mantle of a responsible citizen when he posed this question to himself: Why should I give up the stimulating work in the Government Investment Corporation, National Research Foundation and Singapore Press Holdings and take the risk of going into the unknown?
His answer: How could I remain a spectator when the country faces complex challenges?
You can't get more politically-astute than this.
Dr Tan declared that he was not being endorsed by the PAP government, will unify Singaporeans and will look at ways to help the poor.
You can't get more politically-correct than this.
His service in the important ministries of finance, education and defence, and his work at OCBC and GIC will give him the gravitas to become the next president.
There is also a great likelihood that he will be a very different president, if elected.
The presidency to be redefined
An important clue popped up when he was asked about the president's role as defined by the constitution: "Obviously, no constitution is set in stone for ever, and I would expect the government of the day to review it from time to time and to make changes where necessary, with the approval of parliament."
Dr Tan is known to be careful, measured and purposeful with his words. Every statement he issues, every quote he gives and every answer he sends out is thought through with precision.
So why did he make that point about the constitution?
For the answer, one needs to analyse what President S R Nathan said while on a visit to Bahrain. Reflecting on his 12 years in office and the feedback he has received, Mr Nathan said he will respond in a book that he is writing.
And one of the items in the book will be his thoughts on how the presidency should be redefined.
Then there is a genuine public desire for the president to play a more active role in shaping the future of Singapore.
Connect these three dots and one can come to the conclusion that the role of the next president, with the help of the government and parliament, will be a different one.
That role will be a major debating point in the next elections. The other two Tans -- Dr Tan Cheng Bock and Mr Tan Kin Lian -- are likely to be forced to join the debate on this. And there is no way you can effect this important change without the co-operation of the government.
Who is that Tan who has the cache, implicit or otherwise, with the government to make the presidency a different and more purposeful one that will reflect the new Singapore?
You don't need to be a rocket scientist to know who that person is.
P N Balji is the director of the Asia Jouralism Fellowship, a joint initiative of Temasek Foundation and Nanyang Technological University.
Follow Yahoo! News on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.
