But ... why he said earlier that he recognised that the Presidency must not be a centre of power? Does physical separation mean independent of the two offices?
Cheng Bock: Move PMO out of Istana
AsiaOne
Friday, Aug 19, 2011
SINGAPORE - Dr Tan Cheng Bock says he will ask the Government to shift its operations from the Istana grounds to another location if he is elected President.
In his Presidential broadcast last evening, he said that familiarity breeds the potential for compromise, which works against Singaporeans' interest.
In order to strengthen the independence of the Presidency, he said the PMO and Cabinet offices should not be housed in the same compound as the President to ward off unwanted suspicion of undue influence.
He explained: "This physical separation will further assure the people that the two institutions are independent of each other."
Dr Tan told reporters at a later forum organised by The Online Citizen that this was not an issue of cost, but about looking at the bigger picture.
Tan Cheng Bock responds to Shanmugam
by Leong Wee Keat
Updated 09:09 AM Aug 09, 2011
Singapore - Presidential hopeful Tan Cheng Bock has questioned Law Minister K Shanmugam's most recent comments that the President's influence on the Government in areas outside his constitutional powers would depend on his experience, knowledge and wisdom.
Writing on his Facebook page, Dr Tan said the President would have been deemed to have the necessary qualities "by virtue of his being issued the Certificate of Eligibility". "This is further endorsed by the people of Singapore who have voted for him," he added. "Is the Minister questioning the decision of the Presidential Elections Committee and the choice of the voters?"
Dr Tan, who is former Member of Parliament for Ayer Rajah, argued the Law Minister has "set the stage of confrontation" between the President and the Prime Minister (PM) when he speaks of the different level of respect the Prime Minister will give. Dr Tan added, "Is he saying the choice of the voters of Singapore matters little? This is a very judgmental approach to the office of a Presidency elected by all Singaporeans. It amounts to "I will hear you if I respect you and if I like you". I hope this view is not shared by the PM."
On Sunday, Mr Shanmugam reiterated that the President's influence on the Government in areas outside his constitutional powers would depend on his experience, knowledge and wisdom.
Dr Tan said he recognised that the Presidency must not be a centre of power and work with the government in the interest of Singapore. "This is important or both offices will always be in a state of tension and the country suffers. This is the stage that should be set for the future relationship of the two offices especially in the light of the current world economic climate," Dr Tan added.
The Presidential hopeful felt there "must be mutual respect" for the Government and Presidency as both are elected by Singaporeans. Otherwise, Dr Tan warned of "a high level of suspicion between the two".
Cheng Bock: Move PMO out of Istana
AsiaOne
Friday, Aug 19, 2011
SINGAPORE - Dr Tan Cheng Bock says he will ask the Government to shift its operations from the Istana grounds to another location if he is elected President.
In his Presidential broadcast last evening, he said that familiarity breeds the potential for compromise, which works against Singaporeans' interest.
In order to strengthen the independence of the Presidency, he said the PMO and Cabinet offices should not be housed in the same compound as the President to ward off unwanted suspicion of undue influence.
He explained: "This physical separation will further assure the people that the two institutions are independent of each other."
Dr Tan told reporters at a later forum organised by The Online Citizen that this was not an issue of cost, but about looking at the bigger picture.
Tan Cheng Bock responds to Shanmugam
by Leong Wee Keat
Updated 09:09 AM Aug 09, 2011
Singapore - Presidential hopeful Tan Cheng Bock has questioned Law Minister K Shanmugam's most recent comments that the President's influence on the Government in areas outside his constitutional powers would depend on his experience, knowledge and wisdom.
Writing on his Facebook page, Dr Tan said the President would have been deemed to have the necessary qualities "by virtue of his being issued the Certificate of Eligibility". "This is further endorsed by the people of Singapore who have voted for him," he added. "Is the Minister questioning the decision of the Presidential Elections Committee and the choice of the voters?"
Dr Tan, who is former Member of Parliament for Ayer Rajah, argued the Law Minister has "set the stage of confrontation" between the President and the Prime Minister (PM) when he speaks of the different level of respect the Prime Minister will give. Dr Tan added, "Is he saying the choice of the voters of Singapore matters little? This is a very judgmental approach to the office of a Presidency elected by all Singaporeans. It amounts to "I will hear you if I respect you and if I like you". I hope this view is not shared by the PM."
On Sunday, Mr Shanmugam reiterated that the President's influence on the Government in areas outside his constitutional powers would depend on his experience, knowledge and wisdom.
Dr Tan said he recognised that the Presidency must not be a centre of power and work with the government in the interest of Singapore. "This is important or both offices will always be in a state of tension and the country suffers. This is the stage that should be set for the future relationship of the two offices especially in the light of the current world economic climate," Dr Tan added.
The Presidential hopeful felt there "must be mutual respect" for the Government and Presidency as both are elected by Singaporeans. Otherwise, Dr Tan warned of "a high level of suspicion between the two".
