SINGAPORE - Former Member of Parliament Tan Cheng Bock has indicated that he may be a candidate in the coming Presidential Election.
The 71-year-old confirmed he had quit the ruling People's Action Party earlier this month. Aspiring Presidential candidates are not allowed to belong to any political party.
Speaking to 938LIVE, Dr Tan said: "Many Singaporeans have been urging me to stand for the Presidential Election. I'm really honoured by them urging me to stand.
"I would say it's a recent decision.
"You know, you always think about what you can do for the country - what sort of role I can really play with my past experiences as a Member of Parliament, in the corporate world also.
"So I probably would have some feel as to how I would like to contribute in my role as a President in looking after the Reserves, and also in the appointment of all the top people in the Government service."
Asked if the results of the recent General Election, in which the PAP garnered about three-fifths of the vote, played into his thought process, he said: "The results affecting my decision? I don't think so. It was already in my mind."
Dr Tan added: "It is not a political contest, you know. It is not a political contest. There is no political agenda in the Presidential contest."
The Presidential Election must be held before Aug 31 this year. It is thought that the race will officially be kicked off next week, with the Elections Department likely to announce that candidates can pick up forms to apply for certificates of eligibility then.
Once the writ of election is issued by the Prime Minister, candidates will have up to three days to apply for a certificate of eligibility.
Potential candidates must meet a raft of criteria to be declared eligible for the post of Elected President. These include being a Singapore citizen, of at least 45 years old. They must have served for at least three years in a key appointment -such as a Minister, Chief Justice, Auditor General or Permanent Secretary - or been the chairman or CEO of a statutory board or a company with a paid-up capital of at least S$100 million.
The Presidential Elections Committee will also screen potential candidates to ensure that they are of integrity, good character and reputation.
In the previous Presidential Election in 2005, three aspiring candidates did not meet the criteria, which meant President S R Nathan was returned unopposed. Mr Nathan, who has held the position since 1999, has not yet said if he will seek re-election for a third term.
Said Dr Tan: "I think a contest is important. In the last two Presidential Elections, there were no contests. I think that Singaporeans need to know how the Presidental Election is being contested, so we need a lot of choices for them.
"I want to offer myself as one of the choices, if I qualify.
"I hope to see more people coming up to contest. I would be sad if there's no contest, because it's only through a contest that you feel that you are legitimately there because you have the support of the people." 938LIVE
http://www.tanchengbock.org
Profile
1. Personal Profile
Professional : Medical Doctor, Corporate Chairman
and former Member of Parliament.
Gender : Male
Date of Birth : 26 April 1940
Place of Birth : Singapore
Nationality : Singaporean
Race : Chinese
Dialect Group : Hokkien
Religion : Catholic
Marital Status: Married to Lee Choon Lain
Children : 1 Son and 1 Daughter
Grandchildren : 2 Boys and 3 Girls
2. Educational Background
Date Educational Institutions
1954 - Radin Mas Primary School
1960 - Raffles Institution
1968 - MBBS (University of Singapore)
3. Present Occupation/Corporate Appointments
* Medical Director – Ama Keng Medical Clinic (1971)
* Chairman – Chuan Hup Holding Ltd (12 Feb 1991)
* Chairman - Dredging International Asia Pacific Pte Ltd
(22Apr1997)
* Director - PCI (18 Mar 1992)
* President - Jurong Country Club (2006).
4. Past Corporate Appointments
* ING Asia Private Bank Ltd (15 Feb 2008 – 2009)
* M&C Reit Management Ltd (22 May 2006 – 2010)
* M&C Business Trust Management Ltd (22 May 2006 – 2010)
* Jurong Health Services (up to Mar 2011)
* Jurong Medical Centre (up to Mar 2011)
5. Political Career Profile
General Election Constituency Scorecard
1980 Dec Ayer Rajah 83.4%
1984 Dec Ayer Rajah 75.4%
1988 Sep Ayer Rajah 69.6%
1991 Apr Ayer Rajah 75.2%
1997 Jan Ayer Rajah 73.2%
2001 Nov Ayer Rajah 88.0%
1987 – 1996 Elected Member,
PAP Central Executive Committee
6. Past Appointments
Feedback Unit – Ministry of Community Development
* 1st Chairman (1985 – 1989)
Town Councils
* Chairman Jurong East Town Council (Aug 1989 – 1991)
* V. Chairman Jurong East Town Council (Aug 1991- 1996)
* Chairman West Coast-Ayer Rajah Town Council
(Nov2001-Dec2004)
* Vice Chairman, Bukit Timah Town Council (Jan 1997)
Community Development Council (CDC)
* Chairman, Bukit Timah CDC (Dec 1997- Nov 2000)
* Vice Chairman, South West CDC
7. Parliamentary Appointments
Government Parliament Committee (GPC)
1987 – 1988 : Co-ordinating Chairman for all GPCs.
1987 – 1990 : Chairman, GPC for Education
1991 – 1995 : Chairman, GPC for National Development
1995 – 1997 : Chairman, GPC for The Environment
1997 – 2000 : Member, GPC for Communications
2001 – 2006 : Member, GPC for Defence and Foreign Affairs
Leader, Parliamentary Group,
Singapore-European Parliamentary Group (1991 to 1996)
Singapore SEA Parliamentary Group (1997 to 2006)
8. Transport
Board Member/Director of:
* Provisional MRT Transit Authority (1983 – 1983)
* Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (1983 – 1985)
* S.M.R.T (1987 – 1995)
* Land Transport Authority (1995 – 2005)
9. Charity Organisations
* Tsao Organisation (2000 – 2009)
* Centre for Third Age Ltd (2007 – 2011)
* Disabled People’s Association (1985 – 2006)
* Handicap Welfare Association (1986 – 2006).
10. Past Advisers
* Singapore Bank Officers Association
* Enterprise Promotion Centre
* Credit Counselling Singapore
* Food and Beverage Industrial Union (FBIWU)
* Bukit Timah CDC (2001)
* Jurong Football Club (now defunct).
11. Other Medical Appointments
* Assist Secretary, Society of Private Practice (1976 – 1977)
* Chairman, Society of Private Practice (1978 – 1980)
* Committee Member, Council of the SMA
* Chairman of the SMA Trust Fund
* Board Member, SMA’s Ethics Committee and SMA’s
Representative on the Ministry of Health’s Committee on the
Regulation of Medical Clinics
* Council Member, College of General Practitioners
* Part-time clinical teacher in General Practice at National
University of Singapore
12. Awards and Decorations
* Singapore Medical Association(SMA) Sreenivasan Orator
* Orator, Obstetrics & Gynaecology Society
* Fellow, College of Family Practitioners
* Honorary Member, Singapore Medical Association
* Honorary Member, Republic of Singapore Yacht Club
* Governor, Tower Club
* Honoured – 100 Rafflesians (1823 – 2003)
13. Hobbies
* Music (Ukelele)
* Gardening
* Golf
* Keeping Koi
