Tan Cheng Bock will be President

[scroobal]

The 6 individuals which the Govt approached are not keen to run after hearing that TCB is running. GY is just screwing around. He knows very well who is popular among the two and he is not stupid to get whack twice. Everyone knows that Ong only got 58.7% against a total unknown who did not even campaign.

Here is the best part - ex PAP MPs have offered to help TCB and will be calling their supporters to help. These are guys who were not happy with their own party.

Wait for nomination day.

 

[longbow]

When is nomination day? Agree about GY. He is too closely related to PAP. He was a minister just a few weeks back and was actively contesting in the elections.

So how is MM going to handle TCB? Or can he?

 

[kingrant]

I wouldnt worry too much abt Old Man now. He's fatigued, weary and probably doesnt have the will to bother. He's already in control of the basic buttons-GIC, Temasek Holdings, so I dont think his mind is on things like the EP now.

Scro, I wonder if TCB will keep pushing the envelop beyond where OTC has gone? If he does it, the ground sentiments will be much stronger now.

 

[Nik1971]

When is nomination day? Agree about GY. He is too closely related to PAP. He was a minister just a few weeks back and was actively contesting in the elections.

QUOTE]

Foregone Conclusion. He has the support of PAP and SM Goh C T

 

[Narong Wongwan]

If PAP does not even send someone to try then confirm TCB is the approved choice and all these are just wayang. It's not like PAP to roll over and play dead.

 

[thefarside]

Lurker here... my own observation is that PAP has no candidate to offer. At least, none of the establishment types are willing to run, from what scroobal had already hinted. Given that their party's political capital has been totally wiped out, anyone they back must be able to stand on his own merit. They have none with such stature unfortunately - GY might just have some capital of his own but against TCB he will probably lose.

 

[annexa]

I still view TCB contesting with a bit of suspicion that he is pappy backed. But he has track record to show that he is not a good puppet so pappy will not want his kind to create more trouble now that there are 6 oppos in Parliament and the ground is so polarised.

 

[karmabear]

I have no doubt that PAP will have plans for TCB. If he turns out to be an obedient dog, all is well. If he dares to be an unruly cur, the party will whack him. Retired still have family mah... SID will be digging up dirt on the entire family to gather ammunition.

 

[MightyMouse]

I have no doubt that PAP will have plans for TCB. If he turns out to be an obedient dog, all is well. If he dares to be an unruly cur, the party will whack him. Retired still have family mah... SID will be digging up dirt on the entire family to gather ammunition.

The reason why TCB is such a thorn is that he is both independent and CLEAN. He has kept on the straight and narrow path and maintain an above board approach to his public as well as private conduct. No hanky panky. A very generous man and not motivated by financial gains.

 

[scroobal]

I actually was surprised that he said that he was considering especially after TCB said that he was planning to run. I suspect that it was tongue in cheek or to agitate the govt as he was in cabinet and knew full well that the Govt had approached some Singaporeans.

When is nomination day? Agree about GY. He is too closely related to PAP. He was a minister just a few weeks back and was actively contesting in the elections.

So how is MM going to handle TCB? Or can he?

 

[scroobal]

Watch this guy. He was given a warning before when he refused the whip's instructions. I am aware that many PAP MPs felt that the govt had gone overboard on a number of occasions and could not do anything. He will be getting support from people like these.

The only thing is that the post does not give any opportunity to do anything meaningful policy wise. It is merely a custodial role and even then if the govt does not ask to draw down the reserves, there is no opportunity at all.

I don't see him holding back assent to legislation to unpopular laws as it would have been voted in parliament and he would be going against a democratic process.

He would have been better off running as an opposition candidate if he feels a second wind blowing.

Scro, I wonder if TCB will keep pushing the envelop beyond where OTC has gone? If he does it, the ground sentiments will be much stronger now.

 

[scroobal]

Actually anyway this is played out, the PAP still comes out a winner. The old man and PAP were chewing on their nails to avoid this position becoming a true lame duck as the previous 2 elections were walk-overs and Nathan is obviously is a crony and a yes man. Now they have a person who is claiming to be a dissident and is popular in man quarter and does have a record of being contrarian.

Because Presidency had undergone some corrections after OTC affair, there is very little that anyone can do let alone Tan Cheng Bock. If people are looking for fireworks they are going to be disappointed. Not that he will remain compliant, it is more a case of having no opportunity to do anything that will rock the boat.

I suspect that TCB is going to be bored and regret putting his name up.

If PAP does not even send someone to try then confirm TCB is the approved choice and all these are just wayang. It's not like PAP to roll over and play dead.

 

[Porfirio Rubirosa]

on the contrary i think GY may well throw his hat in, to carve out a role for himself in this so called transformation of the singapore political scene...n i think he stands a pretty gd chance of winning agst tan cheng bok notwithstanding tan cheng bok's support...i get the feel that GY has sorta struck a chord wif a large segment of singgies after conceding defeat n his st interview later after the defeat..also .pap may ostensibly not endorse any pe candidate this time rd in light of the stink being attached to pappie links...

btw any one hv any info on the mysterious chap who got his his teochew kaki to collect a set of the pe application forms?...in this regard i am not referring to that idiot bo liao publicity seeker crackpot ooi...

 

[Char_Azn]

Actually anyway this is played out, the PAP still comes out a winner. The old man and PAP were chewing on their nails to avoid this position becoming a true lame duck as the previous 2 elections were walk-overs and Nathan is obviously is a crony and a yes man. Now they have a person who is claiming to be a dissident and is popular in man quarter and does have a record of being contrarian.

Because Presidency had undergone some corrections after OTC affair, there is very little that anyone can do let alone Tan Cheng Bock. If people are looking for fireworks they are going to be disappointed. Not that he will remain compliant, it is more a case of having no opportunity to do anything that will rock the boat.

I suspect that TCB is going to be bored and regret putting his name up.

Tan Cheng Bock was a PAP man, if he wins the election, it makes no difference

 

[longbow]

In these days of social media, what is to prevent a president from having a social media blog. How about " talk to the Pres". Nothing to stop him from using that position to sound out his views. No doubt he is powerless but he is still elected by the people so there is some form of mandate, especially if he wins with a 75% margin.

 

[wikiphile]

Watch this guy. He was given a warning before when he refused the whip's instructions. I am aware that many PAP MPs felt that the govt had gone overboard on a number of occasions and could not do anything. He will be getting support from people like these.

The only thing is that the post does not give any opportunity to do anything meaningful policy wise. It is merely a custodial role and even then if the govt does not ask to draw down the reserves, there is no opportunity at all.

I don't see him holding back assent to legislation to unpopular laws as it would have been voted in parliament and he would be going against a democratic process.

He would have been better off running as an opposition candidate if he feels a second wind blowing.

With how the presidency is controlled by PAP via the cabinet, it will not take a rocket scientist to figure out what a president, elected or not can do or cannot. In this case Scroobal, you might be missing the point of how the wind will blow now. The question is who is asking the question now, the Head of State vis-a-vis the man on the street.

Let me give you an example: TCB once again ask how much reserves we have, since one of the key highlight of the job is to guard the reserves. How can one guard something he doesn't know where it is and how much it is worth? PAP stonewalls once again, TCB cries foul via FB/Blogs and anything but the MSM. Guess how much popularity points PAP will retain in 2016? They can at best deny him a state funeral like OTC, but that would shave off more points.

 

[Windsor]

Frankly, as a member of the public it really does not matter who will be the next President. Unless there is an iota of evidence to prove that he is not a stooge of the government, that he is his own man and he will be a President, not only in name but one who wields a certain amount of power. What power that he holds I am not exactly sire, but not one that is the mouthpiece of the cabinet. One who can say grant pardon to condemned criminals on a case by case basis and one who can sway certain policies that he feels may not be good for Singapore or it's citizens.

If it is not possible, we might as well have another stooge as what we have currently as President for he will be just like our Flag, a symbolic figurehead. And good luck to whoever is elected as the take home pay will ensure he will live the rest of his life in luxury.

 

[annexa]

With how the presidency is controlled by PAP via the cabinet, it will not take a rocket scientist to figure out what a president, elected or not can do or cannot. In this case Scroobal, you might be missing the point of how the wind will blow now. The question is who is asking the question now, the Head of State vis-a-vis the man on the street.

Let me give you an example: TCB once again ask how much reserves we have, since one of the key highlight of the job is to guard the reserves. How can one guard something he doesn't know where it is and how much it is worth? PAP stonewalls once again, TCB cries foul via FB/Blogs and anything but the MSM. Guess how much popularity points PAP will retain in 2016? They can at best deny him a state funeral like OTC, but that would shave off more points.

Have to give credit where it is due. PAP still is very good with ground surveys and are waking up after the erections. We are all guessing that the ground is rebellious. But we may be wrong. Afterall 60.1% still support PAP and 60.1% is not a small majority at all. Also, can the oppos get as good candidates next round? Nobody know. If look at the voting this time, voters vote for party brand name first, then candidate. Unless have super candidate like nicole, the party name can drag down even scholars and lawyers.

 

[kukubird58]

hahaha...really cannot stand all these BS....
6 individuals???
kukubird says 8 can or not......
Forummers beware......He who claimed to know all details must be bull shitting....no 2 ways about it.

 

[kingrant]

I also saw it that way. Good point.

Given that their party's political capital has been totally wiped out, anyone they back must be able to stand on his own merit. They have none with such stature unfortunately - GY might just have some capital of his own but against TCB he will probably lose.