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Akan datang: NTUC backs Tharman Shanmugaranam for presidency
- Thread starter LITTLEREDDOT
- Start date
He do this and do that local and on international stage... and finally kenna laid down by CAQ to do cut ribbons only...
Sure or not? Got cancer siboh... dieing soon and hope to get a presidential funeral wake send off...
The PAP-controlled labour union making clear who it is not supporting.
SingaporeScene
10 August 2011
Tan Kin Lian defends the decisions he made in his 30 years at NTUC Income. (Yahoo!)
Presidential hopeful Tan Kin Lian has said that he has been "unfairly criticised" for some business and investment decisions he made in his 30 years heading Singapore insurance cooperative NTUC income.
In one of his blog posts on Wednesday, Tan cited examples of bad investments, in particular NTUC Income's involvement in the now-defunct overseas resort chain Club Nuansa and Ciputra Mall in Jakarta.
Both ventures led NTUC Income to write off some $30 million. However, Mr Tan said this amount was "more than offset" by over $1 billion in gains from other property and equity investments.
In defence of NTUC Income operating some businesses unrelated to insurance, Tan said that these involved small sums of money and were meant to improve policyholders' lifestyles.
He said, "With the help of colleagues, we grew the assets 600 times; from $28 million in 1977 to $17 billion when I left in 2007."
In addition, he said that in running NTUC Income to benefit policyholders, he had adopted two key strategies -- he used cooperative principles and he kept operating expenses low.
Tan said that under the cooperative principles, the dividends paid to shareholders, restricted by law, averaged 6 percent a year.
He also said that in the second half of his time at NTUC Income, these cooperative principles started to diminish as more directors were taken from outside for their management and professional experience.
"Coming from the private sector, they are not likely to understand the cooperative principles so passionately," he said.
Also, in order to keep operating expenses low, Tan highlighted that NTUC Income paid insurance agents lower commission rates than the market industry and that his own salary was half that of his counterparts in the industry.
He said that he chose not to spend "large sums of money on computer systems, on expensive management consultants and large-scale advertising" even though they may have contributed to running the cooperative in a "more professional way."
His comments come in light of NTUC Income revealing last week that Tan was asked to leave because it needed to "move to the next level" and "professionalise" itself.
"The ultimate test is as follows -- will a 'more professional' approach give better return to policyholders, charge lower premiums for the insurance and provide better service to the policyholders?" Tan asked.
I was unfairly criticised: Tan Kin Lian
SingaporeScene
10 August 2011
Tan Kin Lian defends the decisions he made in his 30 years at NTUC Income. (Yahoo!)
Presidential hopeful Tan Kin Lian has said that he has been "unfairly criticised" for some business and investment decisions he made in his 30 years heading Singapore insurance cooperative NTUC income.
In one of his blog posts on Wednesday, Tan cited examples of bad investments, in particular NTUC Income's involvement in the now-defunct overseas resort chain Club Nuansa and Ciputra Mall in Jakarta.
Both ventures led NTUC Income to write off some $30 million. However, Mr Tan said this amount was "more than offset" by over $1 billion in gains from other property and equity investments.
In defence of NTUC Income operating some businesses unrelated to insurance, Tan said that these involved small sums of money and were meant to improve policyholders' lifestyles.
He said, "With the help of colleagues, we grew the assets 600 times; from $28 million in 1977 to $17 billion when I left in 2007."
In addition, he said that in running NTUC Income to benefit policyholders, he had adopted two key strategies -- he used cooperative principles and he kept operating expenses low.
Tan said that under the cooperative principles, the dividends paid to shareholders, restricted by law, averaged 6 percent a year.
He also said that in the second half of his time at NTUC Income, these cooperative principles started to diminish as more directors were taken from outside for their management and professional experience.
"Coming from the private sector, they are not likely to understand the cooperative principles so passionately," he said.
Also, in order to keep operating expenses low, Tan highlighted that NTUC Income paid insurance agents lower commission rates than the market industry and that his own salary was half that of his counterparts in the industry.
He said that he chose not to spend "large sums of money on computer systems, on expensive management consultants and large-scale advertising" even though they may have contributed to running the cooperative in a "more professional way."
His comments come in light of NTUC Income revealing last week that Tan was asked to leave because it needed to "move to the next level" and "professionalise" itself.
"The ultimate test is as follows -- will a 'more professional' approach give better return to policyholders, charge lower premiums for the insurance and provide better service to the policyholders?" Tan asked.
The NTUC will be directed by the PAP to make an announcement to officially endorse Tharman as a Presidential candidate.
The same way as was done for Halimah Yacob in 2017.
NTUC backs former speaker’s presidential bid
Mdm Halimah during the NTUC National Day Observance Ceremony yesterday. Photo: Koh Mui FongThe labour movement yesterday threw its support behind former Speaker of Parliament Halimah Yacob’s presidential bid, noting her contributions in her three decades as a unionist. TODAY file photo
Mdm Halimah during the NTUC National Day Observance Ceremony yesterday. Photo: Koh Mui FongThe labour movement yesterday threw its support behind former Speaker of Parliament Halimah Yacob’s presidential bid, noting her contributions in her three decades as a unionist. TODAY file photoMdm Halimah during the NTUC National Day Observance Ceremony yesterday. Photo: Koh Mui Fong
AMANDA LEE
Published August 9, 2017
The labour movement yesterday threw its support behind former Speaker of Parliament Halimah Yacob’s presidential bid, noting her contributions in her three decades as a unionist.
“We are very proud of her achievements over all these years, we have always known her to be a champion for the workers, especially the less-privileged workers,” said labour chief Chan Chun Sing. He spoke to reporters yesterday on the sidelines of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) National Day Observance Ceremony 2017, held at Our Tampines Hub. When asked whether NTUC will support Mdm Halimah in her presidential election campaign, Mr Chan said: “... I think many people will be very ready to help her in whatever ways that they can.”
NTUC president Mary Liew, describing Mdm Halimah as a “very good candidate”, reiterated that many unionists have previously worked with her “on the ground”. Mdm Halimah, 62, started her career as a legal officer at the NTUC and worked her way up to become its deputy secretary-general.
“(She) is very compassionate towards the workers and (contributed) in many different capacities,” said Mrs Liew. For example, when Mdm Halimah was director of NTUC’s legal services department, “anyone can just come to her” and she would provide them with legal counselling. “She has helped many workers on the ground,” Mrs Liew added.
Mdm Halimah attended the ceremony in her capacity as former NTUC deputy secretary-general and an honorary fellow of Ong Teng Cheong Labour Leadership Institute. She did not speak to the media.
The Presidential Election is slated to be held next month. Mr Chan was also asked if there will be a by-election now that Mdm Halimah has stepped down as a Member of Parliament for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC.
Mr Chan noted that the issue had been discussed in Parliament before. “Under the law, there’s no need for a by-election, but any decision on a by-election is the prerogative of the Prime Minister,” he added.
Senior Minister Tharman has John Tan's endorsement too! We've already started the catering for President Tharman's victory dinner.
Just show this data to convince voters: average income or ntuc members and income of Ng Chee Meng
eurasians are pretty much extinct. most of them have migrated
Akan datang... in 2 days' time, the NTUC labour union and the People's Association will announce their endorsement of Tharman Shanmugaratnam for the Presidency.
https://www.aware.org.sg/2023/08/statement-on-the-presidential-elections-2023/
We share the public’s concerns that a candidate, who has a history of objectifying women, has been cleared to participate in the upcoming Presidential Elections.
Consistently posting about “pretty girls”, recording videos of women in public without their consent, or commenting about their appearance isn’t merely a matter of personal preference or light “amusement”. It’s an act of objectifying women, reducing them solely to their appearances for their personal entertainment. Such behaviour from anyone in or aspiring to a position of influence suggests that it’s acceptable to trivialise women and overlook their myriad abilities and contributions.
But here’s a more systemic worry: The granting of a Certificate of Eligibility to such an individual doesn’t only reflect on him but suggests a systemic endorsement. It signifies that these views and behaviours are not just acceptable, but perhaps even acceptable enough for a potential presidency.
Do we want a society where behaviours that objectify half its population get a tacit nod? Or do we push for a nation that evaluates every individual beyond the surface level, acknowledging their full worth and potential? Our President should embody the values, ethics, and principles that reflect the nation we want to be.
We urge the Presidential Election Commission to thoroughly consider the broader implications of such endorsements in the future. The assessment process should not only take into account financial and management qualifications but also wider societal impacts to ensure our leadership truly upholds the values of respect, equality, and dignity for all Singaporeans.
Statement on the Presidential Elections 2023
August 21st, 2023We share the public’s concerns that a candidate, who has a history of objectifying women, has been cleared to participate in the upcoming Presidential Elections.
Consistently posting about “pretty girls”, recording videos of women in public without their consent, or commenting about their appearance isn’t merely a matter of personal preference or light “amusement”. It’s an act of objectifying women, reducing them solely to their appearances for their personal entertainment. Such behaviour from anyone in or aspiring to a position of influence suggests that it’s acceptable to trivialise women and overlook their myriad abilities and contributions.
But here’s a more systemic worry: The granting of a Certificate of Eligibility to such an individual doesn’t only reflect on him but suggests a systemic endorsement. It signifies that these views and behaviours are not just acceptable, but perhaps even acceptable enough for a potential presidency.
Do we want a society where behaviours that objectify half its population get a tacit nod? Or do we push for a nation that evaluates every individual beyond the surface level, acknowledging their full worth and potential? Our President should embody the values, ethics, and principles that reflect the nation we want to be.
We urge the Presidential Election Commission to thoroughly consider the broader implications of such endorsements in the future. The assessment process should not only take into account financial and management qualifications but also wider societal impacts to ensure our leadership truly upholds the values of respect, equality, and dignity for all Singaporeans.
Presidential hopeful Tharman Shanmugaratnam submits his nomination papers; Thanks workers and the Labour Movement for their support
He joins two other candidates in a three-corner fight for the bid to be Singapore’s next President.By Ian Tan Hanhonn
22 Aug 2023
Ong Teng Cheong Labour Leadership Institute (OTCi) Chairman Tharman Shanmugaratnam expressed on Nomination Day his gratitude to the workers and union leaders who were lending their support to the presidential hopeful.
Nomination Day for the ninth Singapore President was held on 22 August 2023 at the People’s Association headquarters.
Mr Tharman said: “I'm very glad they're supporting me because I've been with the Labour Movement for a long time. Both chairing the Ong Teng Cheong Labour Leadership Institute for 22 years, in fact, but also supporting the Labour Movement through policymaking – the Progressive Wage Model, Workfare, and all the other efforts we're making to improve lives for ordinary Singaporeans.
“So, I'm running not on the basis of new positions and new statements but on the basis of a long-held purpose in my life that I believe in a fairer, more compassionate and more inclusive society. And my life is dedicated to that.”
Mr Tharman, 66, submitted his nomination papers for his presidential bid and two other presidential hopefuls – former GIC Chief Investment Officer Ng Kok Song, 75, and former NTUC Income CEO Tan Kin Lian, 75.
The presidential election is scheduled to be held on 1 September 2023. Incumbent President Halimah Yacob had earlier expressed that she would not seek re-election.
The new Singapore President must be sworn in by 14 September 2023.
A fair, dignified, and honourable contest
In his two-minute speech following the announcement of the candidates, Mr Tharman paid tribute to the two other presidential candidates.
“I look forward to a fair, dignified, and honourable contest – focused on what each of us brings to Singaporeans and what each of us brings for our future,” he said.
Mr Tharman said that as Singapore progresses into the future, it will face more difficulties and challenges. He added that he was running for office to offer his experience and capabilities to the nation nationally and internationally.
“Let’s look forward to a campaign that is fair and honourable and a campaign that itself seeks to unite Singaporeans and not divide us,” he said.
Union leaders show their support
On Nomination Day, some 250 workers and union leaders braved the scorching sun to show their support for Mr Tharman.
Union of Telecom Employees of Singapore (UTES) General Secretary Thuvinder Singh said that Mr Tharman had been a strong advocate for training local workers. He added that the presidential hopeful would bode well as a representative of Singapore on the international stage.
“He has been a public figure for us [Singaporeans], and many of us look up to him. On the international front, he is a very good economist and has done well to fly our Singapore flag high,” said Mr Thuvinder, an NTUC Central Committee member.
Supply Chain Employees' Union General Treasurer Jackie Leung came to show her support because she believes Mr Tharman had always advocated policies that benefit workers.
“Besides the Progressive Wage Model, he advocated policies enhancing social safety nets. We appreciate his commitment to improving the rights and welfare of workers,” she said.
The support announcement was already out in June 2023, on the same day as Tharman resigned and announced his bid for Presidency.
Surely the NTUC would have advance information before they can prepare and release the announcement.
Wayang
By Shukry Rashid
08 Jun 2023
Additional reporting by Nicolette Yeo
The Labour Movement wholeheartedly supports Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s intention to stand in the upcoming Presidential Election 2023, said NTUC in a statement on 8 June 2023.
The statement was signed by NTUC President Mary Liew and NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng.
“Brother Tharman takes a keen interest in ensuring workers benefit from economic transformation. Brother Tharman’s extensive contributions to the Labour Movement encompass various workforce needs,” said NTUC.
NTUC’s statement came after Mr Tharman’s letter to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on the same day regarding his intention to put himself as a presidential candidate and his wish to retire from politics and all Government positions.
He will resign from the People’s Action Party and step down as Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies on 7 July 2023.
Mr Tharman has been the chairman of the Ong Teng Cheong Labour Leadership Institute (OTCi) Board of Governors since 2002.
He has supported doubling training placement for union leaders, management representatives and government officers at OTCi and introduced more flexible and accessible learning methods.
The institute also expanded its focus beyond industrial relations to a broader range of courses to meet the needs of union leaders in tandem with changing economic trends and conditions.
“Through it all, Brother Tharman believes that union leaders play an important role in helping enterprises grow and uplifting workers’ livelihoods,” said NTUC.
In a Facebook post, Mr Ng said: “Brother Tharman is a longtime friend of NTUC and our union leaders. His incredible vision and wisdom, coupled with a certain unassuming sense of warmth and humility, has benefitted union leaders and workers far and wide in the past few decades.”
In a separate Facebook post, NTUC Vice President Abdul Samad Abdul Wahab added: “He strongly supported leaders across unions, companies and Government agencies to invest in training and introduced new ways to learn. He held to his belief that leaders should walk the talk and be role models for workers and their employees."
OTCi Director Jessie Yeo added: “I was humbled by his deep concern for training of union leaders and how the institute could have more training not just for union leaders, but also industrial relations officers as well as management partners. He stressed that tripartism is important and we have to develop it and make it sustainable.
“He is the right candidate [for the presidency] with a heart for the people. He has no airs and is humble and always willing to listen.”
Mr Tharman has advocated the advancement of tripartism through key councils he chaired, the National Productivity Council, SkillsFuture Council, and subsequently, the Council for Skills, Innovation and Productivity.
Through his involvement in the councils, he has engaged NTUC and other tripartite partners to formulate and implement policies that promote sustainable economic growth, social progress, and labour rights and enhance workers’ training and lifelong employability.
Mr Tharman also played a significant role in developing and implementing the Progressive Wage Model (PWM).
As Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance when the PWM was announced in 2012, he actively supported and advocated the adoption of the PWM together with NTUC.
He galvanised the Government’s commitment to the PWM and emphasised the importance of fair wages and career progression for lower-wage workers.
Mr Tharman referred to the PWM as a “Minimum Wage Plus”, highlighting the importance of workers’ upskilling in tandem with wage improvements for sustainable career growth.
Leader amongst unionists
Mr Tharman has served as an advisor to two unions – the Singapore Industrial and Services Employees’ Union (SISEU) from February 2007 to March 2012 and the Chemical Industries Employees’ Union (CIEU) from April 2002 to January 2007.
During his tenure, his invaluable guidance led to the growth of CIEU’s membership.
His guidance also established a solid financial footing for SISEU and positioned it for further expansion.
SISEU General Secretary Richard Sim said the union is supportive of Mr Tharman's intention to stand for the Presidential Election. He called Mr Tharman a well-respected figure whom workers and business leaders look up to and added that Singapore will have a good standing among other nations should he be elected.
CIEU General Secretary S Tamilvanan said CIEU is also supportive of Mr Tharman's intention to run for the presidency.
He said: “Brother Tharman is very compassionate towards workers, and we appreciate the engagements he had with us to understand ground concerns. We are happy that he has indicated his intention to stand in the Presidential Election 2023 and we are confident that our workers will support him.”
NTUC added: “Brother Tharman sincerely listened to and understood the concerns of workers and the needs of management partners, contributing to the formation of policies that uplift their lives.”
NTUC conferred on Mr Tharman the Medal of Honour in 2017, the highest award of the year, for his outstanding contributions to the Labour Movement.
Surely the NTUC would have advance information before they can prepare and release the announcement.
Wayang
NTUC supports Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s intention to stand in the Presidential Election 2023
Tharman Shanmugaratnam will resign from the People’s Action Party and step down as Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies on 7 July 2023.By Shukry Rashid
08 Jun 2023
Additional reporting by Nicolette Yeo
The Labour Movement wholeheartedly supports Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s intention to stand in the upcoming Presidential Election 2023, said NTUC in a statement on 8 June 2023.
The statement was signed by NTUC President Mary Liew and NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng.
“Brother Tharman takes a keen interest in ensuring workers benefit from economic transformation. Brother Tharman’s extensive contributions to the Labour Movement encompass various workforce needs,” said NTUC.
NTUC’s statement came after Mr Tharman’s letter to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on the same day regarding his intention to put himself as a presidential candidate and his wish to retire from politics and all Government positions.
He will resign from the People’s Action Party and step down as Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies on 7 July 2023.
Mr Tharman has been the chairman of the Ong Teng Cheong Labour Leadership Institute (OTCi) Board of Governors since 2002.
He has supported doubling training placement for union leaders, management representatives and government officers at OTCi and introduced more flexible and accessible learning methods.
The institute also expanded its focus beyond industrial relations to a broader range of courses to meet the needs of union leaders in tandem with changing economic trends and conditions.
“Through it all, Brother Tharman believes that union leaders play an important role in helping enterprises grow and uplifting workers’ livelihoods,” said NTUC.
In a Facebook post, Mr Ng said: “Brother Tharman is a longtime friend of NTUC and our union leaders. His incredible vision and wisdom, coupled with a certain unassuming sense of warmth and humility, has benefitted union leaders and workers far and wide in the past few decades.”
In a separate Facebook post, NTUC Vice President Abdul Samad Abdul Wahab added: “He strongly supported leaders across unions, companies and Government agencies to invest in training and introduced new ways to learn. He held to his belief that leaders should walk the talk and be role models for workers and their employees."
OTCi Director Jessie Yeo added: “I was humbled by his deep concern for training of union leaders and how the institute could have more training not just for union leaders, but also industrial relations officers as well as management partners. He stressed that tripartism is important and we have to develop it and make it sustainable.
“He is the right candidate [for the presidency] with a heart for the people. He has no airs and is humble and always willing to listen.”
Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam (front row, centre, in blue shirt) at the Ong Teng Cheong Labour Leadership Institute Graduation Ceremony 2022.
Advancement of tripartismMr Tharman has advocated the advancement of tripartism through key councils he chaired, the National Productivity Council, SkillsFuture Council, and subsequently, the Council for Skills, Innovation and Productivity.
Through his involvement in the councils, he has engaged NTUC and other tripartite partners to formulate and implement policies that promote sustainable economic growth, social progress, and labour rights and enhance workers’ training and lifelong employability.
The Singapore Tripartism Forum 2012 featured a dialogue with Tharman Shanmugaratnam (second from left).
Development and implementation of the Progressive Wage ModelMr Tharman also played a significant role in developing and implementing the Progressive Wage Model (PWM).
As Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance when the PWM was announced in 2012, he actively supported and advocated the adoption of the PWM together with NTUC.
He galvanised the Government’s commitment to the PWM and emphasised the importance of fair wages and career progression for lower-wage workers.
Mr Tharman referred to the PWM as a “Minimum Wage Plus”, highlighting the importance of workers’ upskilling in tandem with wage improvements for sustainable career growth.
Leader amongst unionists
Tharman Shanmugaratnam received the Medal of Honour award at the May Day Awards 2017 ceremony.
NTUC calls Mr Tharman “an unassuming and approachable leader among unionists, one who makes a genuine effort to engage with, understand and address unionists’ and workers’ aspirations and concerns.”Mr Tharman has served as an advisor to two unions – the Singapore Industrial and Services Employees’ Union (SISEU) from February 2007 to March 2012 and the Chemical Industries Employees’ Union (CIEU) from April 2002 to January 2007.
During his tenure, his invaluable guidance led to the growth of CIEU’s membership.
His guidance also established a solid financial footing for SISEU and positioned it for further expansion.
SISEU General Secretary Richard Sim said the union is supportive of Mr Tharman's intention to stand for the Presidential Election. He called Mr Tharman a well-respected figure whom workers and business leaders look up to and added that Singapore will have a good standing among other nations should he be elected.
CIEU General Secretary S Tamilvanan said CIEU is also supportive of Mr Tharman's intention to run for the presidency.
He said: “Brother Tharman is very compassionate towards workers, and we appreciate the engagements he had with us to understand ground concerns. We are happy that he has indicated his intention to stand in the Presidential Election 2023 and we are confident that our workers will support him.”
NTUC added: “Brother Tharman sincerely listened to and understood the concerns of workers and the needs of management partners, contributing to the formation of policies that uplift their lives.”
NTUC conferred on Mr Tharman the Medal of Honour in 2017, the highest award of the year, for his outstanding contributions to the Labour Movement.
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