George Yeo clashed with Tan Cheng Bock over FT issue in 1999

[CPT (NS) BRANDON]

Interesting to note that these two actually had a major disagreement back in 1999 over the FT issue. This saga ended with then-SM Lee Kuan Yew publicly rebuking Dr Tan Cheng Bock, in what sounded more like a rant.

I wonder if they will make known their stand on the FT issue during the upcoming Presidential election campaign? That is provided that George Yeo is a candidate, of course. If he isn't, then it won't be relevant at all.

http://thesatayclub.net/2011/06/flashback-tan-cheng-bock-george-yeo-clash-over-immigration/

 

[annexa]

I go read the tanchengbock.org

He say he campaign is Singaporean First. So this is say he as President is for Singaporean. FT is there only to serve sinkies. This one is good. I hope he mean it.

Interesting to note that these two actually had a major disagreement back in 1999 over the FT issue. This saga ended with then-SM Lee Kuan Yew publicly rebuking Dr Tan Cheng Bock, in what sounded more like a rant.

I wonder if they will make known their stand on the FT issue during the upcoming Presidential election campaign? That is provided that George Yeo is a candidate, of course. If he isn't, then it won't be relevant at all.

http://thesatayclub.net/2011/06/flashback-tan-cheng-bock-george-yeo-clash-over-immigration/

 

[borom]

...... make known their stand on the FT issue during the upcoming Presidential election campaign? That is provided that George Yeo is a candidate....If he isn't, then it won't be relevant at all.

The pro- FT policy is the main cause of most of the sufferings and anger of locals today.
So a candidate's stand on this remains highly relevant.
I will vote for the person who is pro local and put Singaporeans interest first.

Nathan's tenure is tainted with the pro-FT policy and he will go down as the person who pocketed millions in salaries doing nothing while the man on the street suffers more and more.

 

[Rogue Trader]

I had posted the following excerpt from Dr Tan's blog. I hope he carries out what he believes in.


--
Dr Tan Cheng Bock’s Stand on Foreign Talent
Question: Your name crops up each time the Foreign Talent issue is raised. Why is that?

Answer:

During the recession, my call to think Singaporeans first during the debate on Foreign Talent was rebutted very strongly by Ministers including then-SM Lee Kuan Yew. I was even accused of being anti-national for my stand.


Singaporeans come first

Our message to Singaporeans must be clear and loud. We will take care of their basic needs. We will have schemes for our citizens to upgrade their skills training and education and they will get priority over others, including Permanent Residents .Now this is more important priority call than foreign talent. I can understand the rationale and need to inject such talent into our society. But many still don’t and especially in this time, such a call makes them feel threatened, bearing in mind that a good number of jobs are lost from the middle management level. I feel that it this juncture, this call for foreign talent might be a bit misplaced. Let’s think Singaporeans first.’ —Dr Tan Cheng Bock, MP for Ayer Rajah, on how the Government should tone down its calls for the recruitment of foreign talent and reassure Singaporeans that they came first



AND REBUKE BY THEN-SM LEE

So, when I heard Dr Tan Cheng Bock, I decided I would stand up and tell him he’s wrong… you have to decide whether you think he knows more or I know more.

You have to decide whether he will give you the answer to Singapore’s future — or that I am likely to give you the better road to the future.

.. Then SM Lee – 14 August 1999

(Extracts from Ayer Rajah 25th Anniversary Magazine)
--

 

[CPT (NS) BRANDON]

The question is, can the President actually do anything to counter-act the government's immigration policies?
As we all know, the President does not have a direct administrative role but rather a ceremonial one.

If he starts to make comments on what the government should or should not do, will that be seen as overstepping the boundaries and acting outside the scope of his powers? Could this potentially cause a 'Constitutional Crisis'?

 

[sirus]

The question is, can the President actually do anything to counter-act the government's immigration policies?
As we all know, the President does not have a direct administrative role but rather a ceremonial one.

Never mind about that, let's vote the bugger in first then he has 6 years for us to realize. he...he...

 

[annexa]

For me is, will you vote the bugger who is obviously pro-sinkie or someone who tell you it is not in presidential power so he has no stand?

I vote the pro-sinkie guy anytime.

The question is, can the President actually do anything to counter-act the government's immigration policies?
As we all know, the President does not have a direct administrative role but rather a ceremonial one.

If he starts to make comments on what the government should or should not do, will that be seen as overstepping the boundaries and acting outside the scope of his powers? Could this potentially cause a 'Constitutional Crisis'?

 

[karmabear]

The question is, can the President actually do anything to counter-act the government's immigration policies?
As we all know, the President does not have a direct administrative role but rather a ceremonial one.

If he starts to make comments on what the government should or should not do, will that be seen as overstepping the boundaries and acting outside the scope of his powers? Could this potentially cause a 'Constitutional Crisis'?

Don't worry. I am sure the ISD can arrange to have accidents happen to a disobedient and unruly president. Falling down staircase, drown in the Istana pool, tree branch drop on him, hit by a "stray" golfball etc...

 

[Varuna]

The question is, can the President actually do anything to counter-act the government's immigration policies?
As we all know, the President does not have a direct administrative role but rather a ceremonial one.

If he starts to make comments on what the government should or should not do, will that be seen as overstepping the boundaries and acting outside the scope of his powers? Could this potentially cause a 'Constitutional Crisis'?

Agree. The role and constitutional rights of a president is limited. I do not pin much hope on presidents to do wonders.

 

[Narong Wongwan]

Don't worry. I am sure the ISD can arrange to have accidents happen to a disobedient and unruly president. Falling down staircase, drown in the Istana pool, tree branch drop on him, hit by a "stray" golfball etc...

Then next question will be....

Got state funeral bo?

 

[annexa]

I don't think our gahmen or ISD is terrorist.

Don't worry. I am sure the ISD can arrange to have accidents happen to a disobedient and unruly president. Falling down staircase, drown in the Istana pool, tree branch drop on him, hit by a "stray" golfball etc...

 

[borom]

The question is, can the President actually do anything to counter-act the government's.....

President is empowered to veto government budgets and key appointments to public office. The President must, however, consult the Council of Presidential Advisers before he takes a decision on some of these matters.

http://www.istana.gov.sg/content/istana/thepresident.html

The Elected President has the power to veto budgets and key appointments.
By exercising his veto powers, he can have a major influence on the direction of public policies.
An example is the Thai Constitutional Monarch.
The Thai King has on many occasions refuse to give his signature on polcies that were unpopular with the public-and the govt have to back down.

As a President elected by the people , he clearly has the mandate as well as moral authority.
N _ _ _ _ _ was not elected by anyone as it was a no contest(and we all know the reason why).A guy who win by default has no moral authority whatsoever.

If the elected President has a very strong mandate and is highly popular with the people, he will act as an effective balance to any tyrannical govt or one that sacrifices local for foreign interest.

 

[annexa]

If this one is true, I vote Tan Cheng Bock for being pro-sinkie!

The Elected President has the power to veto budgets and key appointments.
By exercising his veto powers, he can have a major influence on the direction of public policies.
An example is the Thai Constitutional Monarch.
The Thai King has on many occasions refuse to give his signature on polcies that were unpopular with the public-and the govt have to back down.

As a President elected by the people , he clearly has the mandate as well as moral authority.
N _ _ _ _ _ was not elected by anyone as it was a no contest(and we all know the reason why).A guy who win by default has no moral authority whatsoever.

If the elected President has a very strong mandate and is highly popular with the people, he will act as an effective balance to any tyrannical govt or one that sacrifices local for foreign interest.