Spirited exchange between Tan Cheng Bock and Tony Tan

[PhuaTeKor]

See... the first two candidates in the picture are given the honour to raise the curtain for the EP performance.

Spirited exchange between Tan Cheng Bock and Tony Tan

By Elgin Toh

DR TONY Tan yesterday responded to criticism that he would not be able to perform his duties independently, should he become president.

It was put to him during The Straits Times roundtable that some people find it difficult to accept him acting as a second key to the nation's reserves as he is so closely identified with the Government.

Posing the question, ST editor Han Fook Kwang said: 'One criticism that has arisen is that... you've worked too closely with the Government and helped them in formulating their policies on the reserves and shaped their thinking on it.'

Dr Tan left the Cabinet in 2005. He later became deputy chairman and executive director of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC), stepping down on July 1 this year to contest the presidential election.

If elected president, he would be custodian of the nation's reserves, part of which is held in GIC. He also would have veto powers over key GIC appointments.

Dr Tan, in his reply, explained that it is the Government, not the president, that looks after the GIC: 'The president looks after the reserves and whether any call on the reserves under his custodial responsibility should be granted.'

He also said the GIC, as a fund manager, manages the reserves, which are owned by the Government.

And it is the Government that decides how the reserves are used, not GIC.

Later, Dr Tan Cheng Bock suggested that if Dr Tony Tan became president so soon after vacating senior posts at the GIC, there may be a conflict of interest.

He noted how in the corporate world, former senior executives sometimes had to wait three years before they could return to oversee the company, which in this case would be GIC, he added.

'Can you convince Singaporeans that after having left three months ago, you go back to be involved in GIC in whatever manner, is this independent enough? As a Singaporean, I want a clear answer,' said Dr Tan Cheng Bock.

In his response, Dr Tony Tan reiterated the distinction between the Government's oversight of GIC and the President's custodial responsibilities over the reserves. To which Dr Tan Cheng Bock replied: 'I think we let Singaporeans decide.'

In another lively exchange between the two former People's Action Party colleagues, Dr Tan Cheng Bock took issue with the former deputy prime minister's point that he was well-poised to work with the Government on the economy.

Dr Tony Tan had said: 'I believe that in the coming weeks and months whoever is president will have to be deeply involved in helping to manage the economic health of Singapore.'

The former Ayer Rajah MP retorted that he was confident the Government could manage the economy, adding: 'What is my role as a president in this crisis? I don't think I want to manage the economy. Tony gives me the impression that he wants to manage the economy.'

Dr Tony Tan shot back, in one of the most confrontational moments during the two-hour forum: 'I did not say that. You are putting words in my mouth.'

Dr Tan Cheng Bock countered: 'I don't think I'm putting words in your mouth. The audience here will be quite clear.'

He added that if the president worked so closely with the Cabinet, his independence may be compromised and he may not be able to make the right decision on approving a Cabinet proposal to spend reserves.

Replying, Dr Tony Tan said what he meant was that with his background and knowledge, he could give his views to the Prime Minister, who will make the decision. He added that 'with my knowledge of the world economy, I will be able to exercise my mind independently' in approving spending requests.

 

[red amoeba]

honestly speaking, i don't see how the president of singapore can be, err, help in managing the economy.

firstly, tks to TT for telling us, in the coming months / weeks - singapore's economy will be in a bad state - thats why there is a need for collaboration between government and the president to "manage" it. Yah, in a way, its correct, recession / depression is coming...

secondly, what can President do when he acts under the advise of the cabinet / Prime Minister. Heck, even the cabinet meetings are not held with him in attendance.

The president is just a mere figurehead to sign on recommendations. Be it policies, appointments, decisions, etc.

 

[Windsor]

See... the first two candidates in the picture are given the honour to raise the curtain for the EP performance.


In another lively exchange between the two former People's Action Party colleagues, Dr Tan Cheng Bock took issue with the former deputy prime minister's point that he was well-poised to work with the Government on the economy.

Dr Tony Tan had said: 'I believe that in the coming weeks and months whoever is president will have to be deeply involved in helping to manage the economic health of Singapore.'

The former Ayer Rajah MP retorted that he was confident the Government could manage the economy, adding: 'What is my role as a president in this crisis? I don't think I want to manage the economy. Tony gives me the impression that he wants to manage the economy.'

Dr Tony Tan shot back, in one of the most confrontational moments during the two-hour forum: 'I did not say that. You are putting words in my mouth.'

Replying, Dr Tony Tan said what he meant was that with his background and knowledge, he could give his views to the Prime Minister, who will make the decision. He added that 'with my knowledge of the world economy, I will be able to exercise my mind independently' in approving spending requests.

Sometimes if one were to analyse what TT said, is it not better he remains in the government if his in-depth knowledge of managing the economy is so much needed? As a president dishing out wise advice to help the PM sounds quite odd. Is this what we want from a president?

 

[Psalm23]

It is interesting to note that TT still needs to be the President to have influence on the government. In fact, with his current connection, his past appointment in GIC, his past ministerial portfolio including as DPM, he can anytime pick up the call and speak to the PM and give his advice. Really, I don't think TT needs to be President to influence the government. He can do it anytime.

So, my point is that after all he is already doing this job - i.e. influence the government and presumably to bring better lives to people, so whether he is elected or not doesn't matter. But the point is that why do the state need to pay someone who is already doing the job? Isn't better to have TCB as president so that we can have "two presidents for the price of one" so to speak.

Among the three 'opposition presidential candidates - TCB, TKL, TJS - I really prefer TCB because I think he has deep knowledge of politics (not like the other two candidates - TKL and TJS), he has worked at the grounds for decades and he very familiar with the bread and butter issues, he is a kind medical doctor who understands the basic health needs of the poor, he has proved himself to be a worthy backbencher who has lambasted his own colleagues, he has been given opportunity to be minister but he refused because he felt that it was better to be the voice for the people rather than be the voice for the government. Really, he has all the ingredients to be our President, rather the People President of Singapore!

 

[Varuna]

If TT has the experience, expertise and foresight to help the nation tide over the looming dark economic clouds, and is not hard up for $4.2 mil a year, he can still render his most valuable advice to PM or his former colleagues. I believe they would be most glad to express deep interest in studying his views. After all, he is one of the more respected men in the old man's inner circle of trust. Imagine he was the top choice for PM post back then when old man was looking for successor. So it is not necessary to hog the host seat of Istana to do that most patriotic and noble undertaking.

 

[kingrant]

Agree with you, bro. I tend to see it that way too.

In fact, because TT is so familiar with his cronies in PAP, he may well open his ass wide long before the govt takes off its pants. In other words, he hands over the second key even before he was asked to. That comes from his being able to foresee the dark clouds and he'll open up the reserves ever so readily so his ex- PAP nepots, cronies, colleagues wont have a difficult time solving its economic problems.

It is interesting to note that TT still needs to be the President to have influence on the government. In fact, with his current connection, his past appointment in GIC, his past ministerial portfolio including as DPM, he can anytime pick up the call and speak to the PM and give his advice. Really, I don't think TT needs to be President to influence the government. He can do it anytime.

So, my point is that after all he is already doing this job - i.e. influence the government and presumably to bring better lives to people, so whether he is elected or not doesn't matter. But the point is that why do the state need to pay someone who is already doing the job? Isn't better to have TCB as president so that we can have "two presidents for the price of one" so to speak.

Among the three 'opposition presidential candidates - TCB, TKL, TJS - I really prefer TCB because I think he has deep knowledge of politics (not like the other two candidates - TKL and TJS), he has worked at the grounds for decades and he very familiar with the bread and butter issues, he is a kind medical doctor who understands the basic health needs of the poor, he has proved himself to be a worthy backbencher who has lambasted his own colleagues, he has been given opportunity to be minister but he refused because he felt that it was better to be the voice for the people rather than be the voice for the government. Really, he has all the ingredients to be our President, rather the People President of Singapore!