Dr Tan Cheng Bock may turn out to be the winner

[CannonFairy]

I've watched theonlinecitizen's Part 1 "face with face event" video.

I noticed that Tony Tan is worming around not answering questions, Tan Jee Say is just a volcano who cannot control himself and, Tan Kin Lin is totally out of place. I cannot imagine Tan Kin Lian speaks in this manner to foreign royalties. But Dr Tan Cheng Bock's reply & composure left a deep impression on me.

Tan Kin Lian is already out of the race. We can put him out of the discussion. I feel the ones in contention are Tony Tan, Tan Cheng Bock & Tan Jee Say.

I believe there are old-timers Singaporeans like me who is surprised the Dr Tan Cheng Bock stood in the elections. Although Dr Tan Cheng Bock is a PAP man, he did not toe the party line and voice out what he feels is right for the people.

Correct me if my facts are inaccurate, till today we have not seen Dr Tan Cheng Bock boast about his past achievements and how he crossed swords within his own party. He came across to me as someone who does not wish to boast and prefer to work quietly in the background. He has also not seek any controversy so far and is seen as the moderate between the PAP & SDP, and I think he can swing votes from the pro-Opposition camp (i.e Workers Party supporters), who may feel TJS' fiery temper is not their cup of tea.

 

[jeesus]

Correct me if my facts are inaccurate, till today we have not seen Dr Tan Cheng Bock boast about his past achievements and how he crossed swords within his own party. He came across to me as someone who does not wish to boast and prefer to work quietly in the background. He has also not seek any controversy so far and is seen as the moderate between the PAP & SDP, and I think he can swing votes from the pro-Opposition camp (i.e Workers Party supporters), who may feel TJS' fiery temper is not their cup of tea.

That is inaccurate. TCB has been emphasizing his past clashes with the ruling party in order to show "independence", and has been repeating his past mandate percentages during GE as well as his proposals like the sunday free parking etc.

 

[The_Hypocrite]

I believe many others would say, anyone but Tony Tan

 

[Cestbon]

Quite agree TKL is in the last place out of the race.
TCB everyday gaining popularity from the lowest to now 2 most popular. Very soon only TCB and TJS will be in top 2.
Because citizen didn't trust TT.

 

[hairylee]

Any Tan except Tony Tan.

 

[scroobal]

What I thought was interesting was that everyone including Tony Tan took the position that he was the Govt. The questions, answers and dialogue also assumed that was the case. Agree with TS. TCB on the other was completely detached from the notion that he was ever associated with the Govt. If his background was not known, I am sure people would have thought he was just a doctor. TJS struck me as running for parliament. TKL looked like he was attending the wrong birthday party by mistake.

 

[Seee3]

Lets try to be as logical as we can. Of the 60% supporters, it should be quite fair to say at least 30% are in the category of die-hard fans, old folks who just follows and new citizens. The other 30% supported because they didn't wish their daily life i.e. estate to be affected by any change.

Therefore, TT can safely pocket 30%, leaving 70% to be shared by the other 3 candidates. From the responses seen in some other forums, the "internet savvy" community seems to prefer TCB. Many do not like TJS's aggression and most write off TKL. Therefore, it appears that if there is indeed a swing of 30%, this swing is likely to favour TCB more than the other 2. Therefore, if TJS can become even more anti-establishment and TKL can talk more nonsense, then there is a real fighting chance for TCB.

Lets hope they will do the necessary. Though it may make them look stupid, we will be most grateful.

 

[Varuna]

TCB appears more measured, composed and steady in his run. I think it is inbuilt in his character and his style all along. For, TT the more he speaks, the stronger the smell of a typical PAP upper echelon. Not surprisingly, he appears to be detached from the ground and struggles to connect with the people. For TJS, he addresses burning issues straight on without fear. Even if he loses this PE, his popularity and exposure would be useful for the next GE. TKL appears to be losing steam.

 

[scroobal]

That is why I suggested that TJS is playing bad cop and TCB playing good cop and screwing TT. I smell a rat. TJS whacks TT while TCB collecting points. Could be criminal conspiracy.

Lets try to be as logical as we can. Of the 60% supporters, it should be quite fair to say at least 30% are in the category of die-hard fans, old folks who just follows and new citizens. The other 30% supported because they didn't wish their daily life i.e. estate to be affected by any change.Therefore, TT can safely pocket 30%, leaving 70% to be shared by the other 3 candidates. From the responses seen in some other forums, the "internet savvy" community seems to prefer TCB. Many do not like TJS's aggression and most write off TKL. Therefore, it appears that if there is indeed a swing of 30%, this swing is likely to favour TCB more than the other 2. Therefore, if TJS can become even more anti-establishment and TKL can talk more nonsense, then there is a real fighting chance for TCB. Lets hope they will do the necessary. Though it may make them look stupid, we will be eternally grateful.

 

[PhuaTeKor]

Yes, the govt will be happy with this result.

 

[Khun Ying Pojaman]

TCB appears more measured, composed and steady in his run. I think it is inbuilt in his character and his style all along.

TCB appears more measure and composed simply because all this while he has been sitting on the fence and not wanting to be embroiled in fighting for Singaporeans or the regime.

He doesn't want to talk about ISA because as Head of the Feedback Unit, he helped send innocent Singaporeans to Whitley Road.

He doesn't want to talk about President's obscene salary because he too is attracted to the obscene salary.

Anyone in TCB's position would be wise to keep quiet and not be caught in the crossfire between TJS and TT.

 

[steffychun]

Yay! TJS you suck!

 

[byleftcan]

TCB appears more measure and composed simply because all this while he has been sitting on the fence and not wanting to be embroiled in fighting for Singaporeans or the regime.

He doesn't want to talk about ISA because as Head of the Feedback Unit, he helped send innocent Singaporeans to Whitley Road.

He doesn't want to talk about President's obscene salary because he too is attracted to the obscene salary.

Anyone in TCB's position would be wise to keep quiet and not be caught in the crossfire between TJS and TT.

TCB is smart playing the moderate, and would go far. But he can still slip and fall on his face.

 

[annexa]

I read this on TCB facebook. One of his sarporker post. Those die-hard oppo people who whack PAP for whacking PAP sake should read this.

‎"Some people still ask whether my long previous association with the PAP will stop me from acting independently [as the President]. The answer is no. My loyalty is first and foremost, to the people of Singapore. It has always been so, and will always remain so." - Our late President Ong Teng Cheong.

 

[sharingan83]

TCB appears more measure and composed simply because all this while he has been sitting on the fence and not wanting to be embroiled in fighting for Singaporeans or the regime.

He doesn't want to talk about ISA because as Head of the Feedback Unit, he helped send innocent Singaporeans to Whitley Road.

He doesn't want to talk about President's obscene salary because he too is attracted to the obscene salary.

Anyone in TCB's position would be wise to keep quiet and not be caught in the crossfire between TJS and TT.

What a load of misinformation.

He has already stated his views on the MC issue and have said that if new evidence are presented, he will look into it.
Link: http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/sing...-between-tony-tan-tan-jee-over-102136263.html

As for salary, he has stated that he feels the salary is high but will leave the decision up to the PEC. This is the same guy who said in 1999 that minister pays were high. The reasons he gave for not succumbing to populist pressure was that he felt donating his salary was no different from vote buying.
Link: http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/tan-cheng-bock-won-t-pledge-donate-pay-045514750.html
Link: http://www.tanchengbock.org/my-views/modify-method-of-pegging-salaries-say-some-mps

 

[byleftcan]

I read this on TCB facebook. One of his sarporker post. Those die-hard oppo people who whack PAP for whacking PAP sake should read this.

‎"Some people still ask whether my long previous association with the PAP will stop me from acting independently [as the President]. The answer is no. My loyalty is first and foremost, to the people of Singapore. It has always been so, and will always remain so." - Our late President Ong Teng Cheong.

Fucking good quote, and with that if more people read it, TCB zoomed ahead.

 

[Seee3]

TCB is smart playing the moderate, and would go far. But he can still slip and fall on his face.

Yes, he will fall flat on his face if he says more things such as, "PM office should be moved out of the Istana". Even though it is technically correct, it does not go down well with those whom he is trying to swing over to his side. Most of these people still have great respect for the old man. They don't like such insults to be hurled at him. It also kind of "childish" way to show that he is no longer with them.

 

[Khun Ying Pojaman]

Dr Tan Cheng Bok's position on ISA:

"I believed the information that was given to me from the government at that time. I saw that the people believed that they were conspirators as well. As Feedback Unit Chief, I could not let my own feelings dilute the general consensus, which I presented in Parliament."

Ah Bok, so what were your own feelings that could have had, in your own words, "diluted the general consensus" ?

Didn't you mention at the outset that you believed the information that was given to you ? If you had already believed the information that was given to you, of course you believed that they were guilty. So what "own feelings" that you were talking about ?

The truth is your own feelings helped send them to the gallows. You could have made simple and said: "I believed the information that was given to me; as Chief of the Feedback Unit, I too believed they were guilty."

The truth is you supported the 1987 detention as Chief of Feedback Unit.

 

[Khun Ying Pojaman]

I read this on TCB facebook. One of his sarporker post. Those die-hard oppo people who whack PAP for whacking PAP sake should read this.

‎"Some people still ask whether my long previous association with the PAP will stop me from acting independently [as the President]. The answer is no. My loyalty is first and foremost, to the people of Singapore. It has always been so, and will always remain so." - Our late President Ong Teng Cheong.

Try asking Tony Tan the same question. You think Tony Tan is going to admit that his loyalty is with PAP ?

 

[Khun Ying Pojaman]

As for salary, he has stated that he feels the salary is high but will leave the decision up to the PEC. This is the same guy who said in 1999 that minister pays were high. The reasons he gave for not succumbing to populist pressure was that he felt donating his salary was no different from vote buying.

Leaving the decision up to the PEC is as good as saying I want the money. Tony Tan said the same thing.

Populist measure ? No different from vote buying ? OIC, so TCB is against vote buying. So when he was MP with PAP, did he agree with the party's tactics of giving out share dividends before GE and offering SERS to precincts that voted for PAP ?

So it's vote buying for Presidential candidate to accept lower salary, but not vote buying when giving out share dividends ?

TCB, as usual, will talk and talk, but will not resign from the party he disagrees. He surely knows which side of his bread is buttered.