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Tan Kin Lian: Show me the 100,000 signatures

sinren67

Alfrescian
Loyal
I think it's TKL's mental game. He will runs, anyway. I guess he wants all ppl to bond together and get confidence against PAP. I'll vote for him and will ask my family members, relatives, friends and colleagues to vote for Tan Kin Lian.

Change It. Enough Is Enough.


ST, Nov 23, 2008

Tan Kin Lian eyes presidency
Ex-NTUC Income's chief will run if he has 100,000 people willing to support him
By Nur Dianah Suhaimi

HE HAS become a familiar face addressing the crowds of investors at Speakers' Corner.

Standing before Singaporeans and asking for their votes at an election could well be next on the agenda for Mr Tan Kin Lian.

The 60-year-old former chief executive officer of NTUC Income told The Sunday Times he is considering standing as Singapore's next elected president or contesting in the next general election as an independent candidate.

He made no bones about his political ambitions in an interview with the paper.

But first, this king of petitions wants to see at least 100,000 signatures and names of Singaporeans who are willing to give him their support.

'I will only do it if enough people want me to lead. If Singaporeans want change, they must have a stake in it and show their commitment by putting down their names. I cannot do this without strong support,' he said.

Such a petition should be put together by those who are keen to see him become a leader, and not by himself, he added.

Mr Tan was just 29 when he became the CEO of NTUC Income in 1977. It was a position he would hold for 30 years until he left in April 2007.

Since he retired 18 months ago, he has been making headlines for his consumer activism.

The latest role he has taken on is that of advocate for the rights of investors affected by the collapse of Lehman Brothers-linked financial products.

In the past two months, he has organised no fewer than five investor rallies at Speakers' Corner in Hong Lim Park and sent three petitions to the Monetary Authority of Singapore, calling for the Government to investigate the matter.

In May this year, just 14 months after his resignation from NTUC Income, he mounted an online protest over a move by his former employer to cut annual bonus payouts for life policies sold after 1993.

The move would affect two NTUC Income policies that he owns. Three weeks later, he called a truce with the insurer.

Sipping a frappucino at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf outlet at Raffles Hospital last Friday, Mr Tan said the idea of becoming the next elected president was first broached by someone, whom he refused to name.

Under the Constitution, a candidate for the presidency must have senior management and financial experience in a large organisation, plus be of good character and reputation. Mr Tan, having been CEO of NTUC Income, could fit the bill.

And he is no stranger to politics. He told The Sunday Times that he was a People's Action Party member for 30 years but quit about three months ago because he was no longer active and, over the years, increasingly did not agree with the PAP's value system.

But when he was with the PAP, Mr Tan could be described as a party stalwart.

In the 1970s, he served as the party's branch secretary at Marine Parade. In 1977, he was hand- picked by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong - then a new MP - to test a pilot scheme for setting up block committees, now known as residents' committees.

He was also known to be a regular attendee at the annual PAP conference.

So why would a former PAP stalwart suddenly jump ship?

Mr Tan said he was active in Marine Parade GRC only in the first 10 years. He was largely inactive for the next 20 years, when he moved to Yio Chu Kang.

'When I joined the PAP, it was the party of the people. It carried out many remarkable projects, such as building HDB flats, and created a transparent economy,' he said.

'But as the years go by, I think the party has lost touch with the ground.'

He pointed to the widening income gap in the country and the high salaries of Government leaders. He also finds it unfair how a disproportionate number of the academically successful come from higher-income families.

It is the Government's job to correct these problems, said Mr Tan, who calls himself an egalitarian.

'How many of our leaders take the MRT and bus like me? If they do, they will know that the MRT is crowded even at 10pm.'

Since he began organising investor rallies six weeks ago, there have been many queries about the possible motives behind this role as investor advocate.

Some people have wondered if he was trying to pave a route towards a future political career.

Last Tuesday, a reader wrote to The Straits Times to question if Mr Tan's protest against local banks and MAS, instead of US investment bank Morgan Stanley, was an attempt at politicising the matter.

Asked about this, Mr Tan strongly denied having an agenda beyond fighting for the rights of misled investors.

He said he had taken an instant dislike to the Lehman-linked structured products from the time they were launched because of the misleading advertisements and confusing prospectus.

When the products collapsed, he was 'horrified' that such unstable products had been approved in the first place.

'I felt it was very unfair that so many people have been misled. That is why I want to help them. Some people call me a troublemaker. But I know the majority appreciate my efforts.'

He said that it is 'quite discouraging' that a conclusion has yet to be reached after six weeks. He also hopes the Government will take up his petition.

And as for his political ambitions, they are not for himself, but for Singapore, he claimed.

'I don't need to be president. I have enough money and I lead a simple life. I travel by bus and MRT even though I can afford a car. So what's the point? I don't need this kind of trouble,' said the father of three.

He bought a Toyota Camry for his wife four years ago and now shares it with her.

His wife, a housewife, fearing a political backlash, is also against the idea of him running for elected president and has even called him 'mad' for harbouring such an interest.

While he has to respect his wife's wishes, it is his dream that Singapore has leaders who represent the people and their aspirations.

'They don't have to be very highly educated. They just need to be the voice of the people.'

Which ward does he plan to contest in at the next general elections as an independent candidate, I asked.

Get the 100,000 signatures first, he replied.

'I need to know that people want the change. If not, then there is no point.'

The signatures of support will also help him convince his wife that he has enough backing to embark on a political career.

Said Mr Tan: 'Actually I prefer to take it easy. I've been working for 40 years. But if enough people want me to lead, then I will.'

[email protected]

Do you think Mr Tan Kin Lian has what it takes to be Singapore's next president or a Member of Parliament? Send your comments to [email protected] and have your say at straitstimes.com

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Not for myself

'I don't need to be president. I have enough money and lead a simple life. I travel by bus and MRT even though I can afford a car. So what's the point? I don't need this kind of trouble.'
Mr Tan, on his political ambitions, which he says are for Singapore
 

ahbengsong

Alfrescian
Loyal
His wife, a housewife, fearing a political backlash, is also against the idea of him running for elected president and has even called him 'mad' for harbouring such an interest.
[unquote]

this is one of the many proof that the pap singapore is a police state... where in the world except police states that people are afraid to come forward and correct the ruling party's mistakes ??...
 

cobragold

Alfrescian
Loyal
Can someone start the ball rolling by setting up a poll on-line to get the number of votes to change his mind. I do not mind voting for him, though he might be a mole, but at least it is better then getting some fat anneh collecting millions doing nothing. TKL might even donate his salary to the poor to make sure that his name goes down in history as the best pres we had, it will come as a breath of fresh air after prataman.
 

sinren67

Alfrescian
Loyal
His wife, a housewife, fearing a political backlash, is also against the idea of him running for elected president and has even called him 'mad' for harbouring such an interest.
[unquote]

this is one of the many proof that the pap singapore is a police state... where in the world except police states that people are afraid to come forward and correct the ruling party's mistakes ??...

To TKL, it's not only "an interest", but also a need in passion to involve in politics, and to change, to influence, to educate the ppl. PAP has failed, so someone has to take over the jobs - whom no longer interested to run, but ruin the country.
 

myfoot123

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
Can someone start the ball rolling by setting up a poll on-line to get the number of votes to change his mind. I do not mind voting for him, though he might be a mole, but at least it is better then getting some fat anneh collecting millions doing nothing. TKL might even donate his salary to the poor to make sure that his name goes down in history as the best pres we had, it will come as a breath of fresh air after prataman.

I insist TKL should come foreward not only to prove he can make the change, but also to show how useless that fat prataman in istana was.
 

theblackhole

Alfrescian (InfP)
Generous Asset
Mr Tan, why are you so humble?

Why President and MP?

Why not go all the way...become a Minister..if not PM and have your own Party and take on the incumbents.

You'll certainly have more than 100,000 supporters.

Good Luck Mr Tan...but learn how To Catch A Tartar first and also you must read SunTze Warfare. You're good in managing money.So you are the right person to manage a kosong safe.Good Luck to you.
 

Ramseth

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
The 60-year-old former chief executive officer of NTUC Income told The Sunday Times he is considering standing as Singapore's next elected president or contesting in the next general election as an independent candidate.


I think that it's more likely that he'll stand, if he eventually stands, in the General Election with an opposition party that manages to persuade him to join.

A man of his disposition and temperament, as far as I know him, should prefer bringing up issues and debating them than to be a keykeeper and tending the garden when the keymaster is not calling for the key. As an actuary with decades of experience, he should know the numbers and probabilities of success - independent or with party.
 

theblackhole

Alfrescian (InfP)
Generous Asset
I thought he had no political ambitions? Why the sudden U turn to stand for Presdient and for Parliament?
 

sinren67

Alfrescian
Loyal
I think that it's more likely that he'll stand, if he eventually stands, in the General Election with an opposition party that manages to persuade him to join.

A man of his disposition and temperament, as far as I know him, should prefer bringing up issues and debating them than to be a keykeeper and tending the garden when the keymaster is not calling for the key. As an actuary with decades of experience, he should know the numbers and probabilities of success - independent or with party.

I agree with you. I prefer Tan KL to contest GE so he can debate and raise questions in the parliament every month, rather than holding dinners for the VIPs, and then says - "I would very much want to secure our reserve, but i REALLY don't have the power."
 

jw5

Moderator
Moderator
Loyal
I agree with you. I prefer Tan KL to contest GE so he can debate and raise questions in the parliament every month, rather than holding dinners for the VIPs, and then says - "I would very much want to secure our reserve, but i REALLY don't have the power."
I won't sign the petition.
If he decides to stand for elections and shows that he will be willing to stand up and speak up for the rights of ordinary Singaporeans, especially the poor and the weak, I will support him.
But I won't be endorsing him before he decides to make the commitment.
It's like asking the candidate to confirm that he will accept the job before making the offer. Is it a fear of rejection or embarrassment?
If he feels that he can afford to relax and lead an easy life without the hassle of being a politician, so be it.
 

Porfirio Rubirosa

Alfrescian
Loyal
This move by TKL is not new or novel but practical and clever nonetheless.

Cory Aquino did the samething in 1986 with regards the Filippino Presidential Elections against Marcos. I recall Cory said she required 1 million signatures before she would consider running for President. Her supporters got this and more in less than a month. The rest as they say is history.
 

lockeliberal

Alfrescian
Loyal
Dear Porifirio

100,000 signatures is a hell of a lot of work, of course I am talking 100,000 off line and not 100,000 on line petitions. :_)) Anyways if he can get 100,000 of line signatures he should be looking to set up a political party and gathering people to challenge the PAP for its rule over Singapore.



Locke
 

siloti

Alfrescian
Loyal
To TKL, it's not only "an interest", but also a need in passion to involve in politics, and to change, to influence, to educate the ppl. PAP has failed, so someone has to take over the jobs - whom no longer interested to run, but ruin the country.

Sir, Please understand the importance of uniting behind our great and dear leaders. Our country do better with one A-team, dont spread thin our tiny country resources. In unity we can faced foreign invasions.

Now, will you join in my chorus of "Hail, Hail, Hail our great and dear leaders," and, soon you will reach enlightenment. This really helps, i vouch by that, and i can issue you a personal guarantee which holds true all times.

Hail, Hail, Hail our great and dear leaders, (3 folds)
 

masgnoeL

Alfrescian
Loyal
I won't sign the petition.
If he decides to stand for elections and shows that he will be willing to stand up and speak up for the rights of ordinary Singaporeans, especially the poor and the weak, I will support him.
But I won't be endorsing him before he decides to make the commitment.
It's like asking the candidate to confirm that he will accept the job before making the offer. Is it a fear of rejection or embarrassment?
If he feels that he can afford to relax and lead an easy life without the hassle of being a politician, so be it.

You should reconsider JW5. Here is why. Only in Sinkiepore that a politically opposing person can be made a bankrupt through some frivolous civil suit in the name of defamation of one's reputation. Also, when you oppose, your own background is fair-play and it will be dug deep. If you had an infraction in your life when you are three years old, it will be made public and politicized. But if you are not in the opposing party, such are buried and never made known. This is the way the game is played here. So, it is necessary that TKL tread carefully. Even though he is clean, he must be seen to be clean and not follow the risky approach of Dr. Chee, whom everyone knows very well how he ended up now.

Politics are best played subtly in Sinkiepore. The desperate characters who have no better option in life but to run for power are usually demolished easily. Only those that have been with the party and knowing how the party functions will be able to take the party on. The rest are wasting their time. Finally, you have to look at the motivation and general character of the person.
 

Avantas

Alfrescian
Loyal
Hi Porf,

This is a gimmick. TKL is a wily old fox. Why did he quit PAP only 3 months ago ? And now he wants to run for presidency when previously he has been playing down the suggestion ?

Knowing how politically naive Singaporeans are, it will be impossible to get 10,000 signatures, let alone 100,000. At the end of the day, if TKL wants to run, he will still run regardless of the number of signatures gather.

The question is: can he win over the hardcore opposition camp which constitutes 20% of the electorate ?

This move by TKL is not new or novel but practical and clever nonetheless.

Cory Aquino did the samething in 1986 with regards the Filippino Presidential Elections against Marcos. I recall Cory said she required 1 million signatures before she would consider running for President. Her supporters got this and more in less than a month. The rest as they say is history.
 

chongb

Alfrescian
Loyal
TKL has a good repute in the insurance industry and turns NTUC insurance into a formidable one competing with large foreign insurers and beating them in our home ground. Obviously, he can manage well and are able to attract good staff to join him. He must be a very good organiser and a leader and this is very lacking in the opposition camps now. Perhaps he should take over Mr Chiam See Tong , leads the party and try to secure the ward in the next GE.

Let cheer him on. Where to sign the petition ?? can someone starts the online petition.
 
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