Are both of them saying that our President has no power centre? Does our President got power or not huh? 
PE: President is not separate power centre, says Dr Tony Tan
SINGAPORE: Presidential hopeful and former deputy prime minister Dr Tony Tan said candidates in the Presidential Election on August 27 should run for the office that exists, not for the one they wish to have.
He said one can, of course, imagine very different roles for the President that would require a constitutional amendment.
But the Presidential Election itself is the wrong forum for this.
Dr Tan, who made these points in a statement on Wednesday, said many people have pressed him for his thoughts on this issue.
He said his understanding of the role is that the President is not - and should not be - a separate power centre.
But the President can have influence.
Dr Tan said the President can - and should - address the concerns of Singaporeans and take them into account when exercising his or her powers.
He said these concerns can also be raised formally or informally through appropriate channels.
The choice of channels to pursue depends on the individual situation.
Dr Tan said the President must have a heart for all Singaporeans and must know how to reflect these concerns effectively in the context of national and international affairs.
Dr Tan said he attended the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) Forum on the Elected Presidency last Friday.
He said both the presentations by Law and Foreign Affairs Minister K Shanmugam, Professors Tommy Koh and Thio Li-Ann, as well as the questions from the floor, provided much food for thought.
He added that the ongoing debate has certainly set many thinking seriously about the role of the highest office in Singapore.
- CNA/cc
Tan Cheng Bock responds to Shanmugam
by Leong Wee Keat
Updated 09:09 AM Aug 09, 2011
Singapore - Presidential hopeful Tan Cheng Bock has questioned Law Minister K Shanmugam's most recent comments that the President's influence on the Government in areas outside his constitutional powers would depend on his experience, knowledge and wisdom.
Writing on his Facebook page, Dr Tan said the President would have been deemed to have the necessary qualities "by virtue of his being issued the Certificate of Eligibility". "This is further endorsed by the people of Singapore who have voted for him," he added. "Is the Minister questioning the decision of the Presidential Elections Committee and the choice of the voters?"
Dr Tan, who is former Member of Parliament for Ayer Rajah, argued the Law Minister has "set the stage of confrontation" between the President and the Prime Minister (PM) when he speaks of the different level of respect the Prime Minister will give. Dr Tan added, "Is he saying the choice of the voters of Singapore matters little? This is a very judgmental approach to the office of a Presidency elected by all Singaporeans. It amounts to "I will hear you if I respect you and if I like you". I hope this view is not shared by the PM."
On Sunday, Mr Shanmugam reiterated that the President's influence on the Government in areas outside his constitutional powers would depend on his experience, knowledge and wisdom.
Dr Tan said he recognised that the Presidency must not be a centre of power and work with the government in the interest of Singapore. "This is important or both offices will always be in a state of tension and the country suffers. This is the stage that should be set for the future relationship of the two offices especially in the light of the current world economic climate," Dr Tan added.
The Presidential hopeful felt there "must be mutual respect" for the Government and Presidency as both are elected by Singaporeans. Otherwise, Dr Tan warned of "a high level of suspicion between the two".
PE: President is not separate power centre, says Dr Tony Tan
SINGAPORE: Presidential hopeful and former deputy prime minister Dr Tony Tan said candidates in the Presidential Election on August 27 should run for the office that exists, not for the one they wish to have.
He said one can, of course, imagine very different roles for the President that would require a constitutional amendment.
But the Presidential Election itself is the wrong forum for this.
Dr Tan, who made these points in a statement on Wednesday, said many people have pressed him for his thoughts on this issue.
He said his understanding of the role is that the President is not - and should not be - a separate power centre.
But the President can have influence.
Dr Tan said the President can - and should - address the concerns of Singaporeans and take them into account when exercising his or her powers.
He said these concerns can also be raised formally or informally through appropriate channels.
The choice of channels to pursue depends on the individual situation.
Dr Tan said the President must have a heart for all Singaporeans and must know how to reflect these concerns effectively in the context of national and international affairs.
Dr Tan said he attended the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) Forum on the Elected Presidency last Friday.
He said both the presentations by Law and Foreign Affairs Minister K Shanmugam, Professors Tommy Koh and Thio Li-Ann, as well as the questions from the floor, provided much food for thought.
He added that the ongoing debate has certainly set many thinking seriously about the role of the highest office in Singapore.
- CNA/cc
Tan Cheng Bock responds to Shanmugam
by Leong Wee Keat
Updated 09:09 AM Aug 09, 2011
Singapore - Presidential hopeful Tan Cheng Bock has questioned Law Minister K Shanmugam's most recent comments that the President's influence on the Government in areas outside his constitutional powers would depend on his experience, knowledge and wisdom.
Writing on his Facebook page, Dr Tan said the President would have been deemed to have the necessary qualities "by virtue of his being issued the Certificate of Eligibility". "This is further endorsed by the people of Singapore who have voted for him," he added. "Is the Minister questioning the decision of the Presidential Elections Committee and the choice of the voters?"
Dr Tan, who is former Member of Parliament for Ayer Rajah, argued the Law Minister has "set the stage of confrontation" between the President and the Prime Minister (PM) when he speaks of the different level of respect the Prime Minister will give. Dr Tan added, "Is he saying the choice of the voters of Singapore matters little? This is a very judgmental approach to the office of a Presidency elected by all Singaporeans. It amounts to "I will hear you if I respect you and if I like you". I hope this view is not shared by the PM."
On Sunday, Mr Shanmugam reiterated that the President's influence on the Government in areas outside his constitutional powers would depend on his experience, knowledge and wisdom.
Dr Tan said he recognised that the Presidency must not be a centre of power and work with the government in the interest of Singapore. "This is important or both offices will always be in a state of tension and the country suffers. This is the stage that should be set for the future relationship of the two offices especially in the light of the current world economic climate," Dr Tan added.
The Presidential hopeful felt there "must be mutual respect" for the Government and Presidency as both are elected by Singaporeans. Otherwise, Dr Tan warned of "a high level of suspicion between the two".
