S
suicidalpap
Guest
S'poreans might prefer a President 'not so closely related' to PAP: Lim Boon Heng
By Ng Jing Yng, TODAY | Posted: 30 May 2011 0621 hrs
SINGAPORE: Given the current sentiment among the electorate, Singaporeans might prefer a President who is not so closely linked to the People's Action Party (PAP), retired minister Lim Boon Heng said on Sunday when asked about former PAP MP Tan Cheng Bock's bid to run for the Elected Presidency.
The former Minister in the Prime Minister's Office said he read the news of Dr Tan's intention with "very, very mixed feelings".
Both Mr Lim and Dr Tan were first elected to Parliament in the 1980 General Election (GE). They were parliamentary colleagues for 26 years before Dr Tan stepped down from politics prior to the 2006 GE. Mr Lim retired from the political scene before the recent GE.
Speaking at the sidelines of a People's Association event, Mr Lim said: "My sense is that people would prefer if there were someone who can be a strong unifying symbol for Singaporeans, who's not so closely related to the PAP."
While there could be exceptions, he added: "I don't know whether Dr Tan Cheng Bock, in spite of his independent streak of thinking and expression of views, fully meets the bill."
Mr Lim said he hopes that other capable Singaporeans will come forward so that the country could pick the "best person for the current climate that we have". - TODAY
By Ng Jing Yng, TODAY | Posted: 30 May 2011 0621 hrs
SINGAPORE: Given the current sentiment among the electorate, Singaporeans might prefer a President who is not so closely linked to the People's Action Party (PAP), retired minister Lim Boon Heng said on Sunday when asked about former PAP MP Tan Cheng Bock's bid to run for the Elected Presidency.
The former Minister in the Prime Minister's Office said he read the news of Dr Tan's intention with "very, very mixed feelings".
Both Mr Lim and Dr Tan were first elected to Parliament in the 1980 General Election (GE). They were parliamentary colleagues for 26 years before Dr Tan stepped down from politics prior to the 2006 GE. Mr Lim retired from the political scene before the recent GE.
Speaking at the sidelines of a People's Association event, Mr Lim said: "My sense is that people would prefer if there were someone who can be a strong unifying symbol for Singaporeans, who's not so closely related to the PAP."
While there could be exceptions, he added: "I don't know whether Dr Tan Cheng Bock, in spite of his independent streak of thinking and expression of views, fully meets the bill."
Mr Lim said he hopes that other capable Singaporeans will come forward so that the country could pick the "best person for the current climate that we have". - TODAY
