Tan Cheng Bock will be President

[kingrant]

Good point. So altho the post does not give him much leverage or power, the use of social media can indeed act as a pressure point. All he needs to do is for his facebook to become a honeypot for grouses, grumbles, grievances and complaints, and he may not even have to do anything - just let it ride on the publicity and circulation on the Net and get picked up by the MSM.

In these days of social media, what is to prevent a president from having a social media blog. How about " talk to the Pres". Nothing to stop him from using that position to sound out his views. No doubt he is powerless but he is still elected by the people so there is some form of mandate, especially if he wins with a 75% margin.

 

[kingrant]

I hope he can be someone like Wee Kim Wee, a people's President, and not one who stays locked up behind high Istana walls. Cannot TCB adopt his own style and walk with the people more, get on the ground, like what the Thai king does? LHL can well tap his drawing power to act as a lightning rod to calibrate his policies and implementation practices, something that the PAP MP may not be able to do as well now with the loss in confidence shown in last election. LHL's feedback needs a lot of reform areas and the Presidential route could be just one of the novel ways.

Watch this guy. He was given a warning before when he refused the whip's instructions. I am aware that many PAP MPs felt that the govt had gone overboard on a number of occasions and could not do anything. He will be getting support from people like these.

The only thing is that the post does not give any opportunity to do anything meaningful policy wise. It is merely a custodial role and even then if the govt does not ask to draw down the reserves, there is no opportunity at all.

I don't see him holding back assent to legislation to unpopular laws as it would have been voted in parliament and he would be going against a democratic process.

He would have been better off running as an opposition candidate if he feels a second wind blowing.

 

[Thick Face Black Heart]

Porfirio, there is no way GY can "transform" SG's pol scene as EP. The EP is merely a limited custodial and largely ceremonial role. No exec powers. No pol influence beyond the reserves and giving the TOKEN NOD to key public service appt holders. I don't see how the EP can possibly do anything.

GY would not be wise to throw his hat in. He will be stick in a lobo job for 6 years and miss out on the chance to see the world, to engage activists who are keen on reform, and so on. If GY really wants to do something good, the EP is not the way to do it.

on the contrary i think GY may well throw his hat in, to carve out a role for himself in this so called transformation of the singapore political scene...n i think he stands a pretty gd chance of winning agst tan cheng bok notwithstanding tan cheng bok's support...i get the feel that GY has sorta struck a chord wif a large segment of singgies after conceding defeat n his st interview later after the defeat..also .pap may ostensibly not endorse any pe candidate this time rd in light of the stink being attached to pappie links...

btw any one hv any info on the mysterious chap who got his his teochew kaki to collect a set of the pe application forms?...in this regard i am not referring to that idiot bo liao publicity seeker crackpot ooi...

 

[scroobal]

Excellent point. Never considered that and he is indeed a keen blogger. This might be interesting.

In these days of social media, what is to prevent a president from having a social media blog. How about " talk to the Pres". Nothing to stop him from using that position to sound out his views. No doubt he is powerless but he is still elected by the people so there is some form of mandate, especially if he wins with a 75% margin.

 

[scroobal]

After the OTC incident, there were a number of amendments. They also cut lose Temasek in contributing to the consolidated fund on a regular basis. when these changes were occurring some people were grinning over the irony as they were clearly trying to protect the funds from the Presidency and certainly gong against the spirit of having an elected office.

Do agree that he making a scene as President will take it toll on the PAP. The question is will they give the opportunity to find fault.

With how the presidency is controlled by PAP via the cabinet, it will not take a rocket scientist to figure out what a president, elected or not can do or cannot. In this case Scroobal, you might be missing the point of how the wind will blow now. The question is who is asking the question now, the Head of State vis-a-vis the man on the street.

Let me give you an example: TCB once again ask how much reserves we have, since one of the key highlight of the job is to guard the reserves. How can one guard something he doesn't know where it is and how much it is worth? PAP stonewalls once again, TCB cries foul via FB/Blogs and anything but the MSM. Guess how much popularity points PAP will retain in 2016? They can at best deny him a state funeral like OTC, but that would shave off more points.

 

[scroobal]

Cheng Bok power is immense and not only his western stomping ground but I think he has a following for his dissenting views in parliament. GY is a nice guy and a gentleman but he did not dissent and it will hard for him to get rid of the image.

on the contrary i think GY may well throw his hat in, to carve out a role for himself in this so called transformation of the singapore political scene...n i think he stands a pretty gd chance of winning agst tan cheng bok notwithstanding tan cheng bok's support...i get the feel that GY has sorta struck a chord wif a large segment of singgies after conceding defeat n his st interview later after the defeat..also .pap may ostensibly not endorse any pe candidate this time rd in light of the stink being attached to pappie links...

btw any one hv any info on the mysterious chap who got his his teochew kaki to collect a set of the pe application forms?...in this regard i am not referring to that idiot bo liao publicity seeker crackpot ooi...

 

[scroobal]

Excellent view point.

Porfirio, there is no way GY can "transform" SG's pol scene as EP. The EP is merely a limited custodial and largely ceremonial role. No exec powers. No pol influence beyond the reserves and giving the TOKEN NOD to key public service appt holders. I don't see how the EP can possibly do anything.

GY would not be wise to throw his hat in. He will be stick in a lobo job for 6 years and miss out on the chance to see the world, to engage activists who are keen on reform, and so on. If GY really wants to do something good, the EP is not the way to do it.

 

[GoldenDragon]

I have no doubt that PAP will have plans for TCB. If he turns out to be an obedient dog, all is well. If he dares to be an unruly cur, the party will whack him. Retired still have family mah... SID will be digging up dirt on the entire family to gather ammunition.

Bro, SID covers 'areas' outside S'pore. Internally, it is ISD.

 

[wikiphile]

After the OTC incident, there were a number of amendments. They also cut lose Temasek in contributing to the consolidated fund on a regular basis. when these changes were occurring some people were grinning over the irony as they were clearly trying to protect the funds from the Presidency and certainly gong against the spirit of having an elected office.

Do agree that he making a scene as President will take it toll on the PAP. The question is will they give the opportunity to find fault.

The first 100 days are not yet over and we have seen some gaffes already - Irene Ng, Lim Wee Kiak and so on. I am just waiting for Singapore's favourite punching bag - TPL to make the next mistake

 

[Thick Face Black Heart]

Bro, SID covers 'areas' outside S'pore. Internally, it is ISD.

i thot ISD supposed to cover terrorism internationally? Hmm ... no wonder they couldn't find MSK at JB....

 

[groinroot]

i thot ISD supposed to cover terrorism internationally? Hmm ... no wonder they couldn't find MSK at JB....

ISD has no power to act beyond the borders of Singapore. It has to rely on the goodwill of the country the wanted fugitive is in. But some countries have defied Singapore, like UK in the cases of Tan Wah Piow and Ho Juan Thai and USA in the case of Francis Seow.

 

[scroobal]

ISD handles everything that is a threat to the country including those who are based overseas. SID's remit is to penetrate foreign countries, entities, supranational entities and even MNCs to glean sensitive intelligence and information to benefit Singapore or to provide leverage to reduce exposure to inherent threat. Unfortunately, we have reared quiet and compliant citizens that they have moved towards research and technicals to avoid taking risks and more importantly looking silly trying to look suave while perspiring as the confidence factor is not there.

Give you a good example. Foreign intelligence operatives using false passports all the time n the course of their work are second nature to them. A Singaporean Intelligence operative will sweat profusely the moment he holds a false document because of the country's strict upbringing. How to walk out the door and look suave and go into the world of high intrigue. There was a chap in Singapore Embassy in Washington that behaved with such fear within the embassy that he stood like a sore thumb to all the staff. There was however exceptions like the late Lim Hang Hing who was gregarious, confident and could blend in another gathering foreign or local. So the natural bent is to move toward research for convenience. Naturally the output is a report that came to the conclusion that Obama is unelectable.

i thot ISD supposed to cover terrorism internationally? Hmm ... no wonder they couldn't find MSK at JB....

 

[karmabear]

Bro, SID covers 'areas' outside S'pore. Internally, it is ISD.

Sorry, I am a total newbie to these matters. Basically, ISD/SID... the main design is to fuck singaporeans backside.

 

[wikiphile]

ISD handles everything that is a threat to the country including those who are based overseas. SID's remit is to penetrate foreign countries, entities, supranational entities and even MNCs to glean sensitive intelligence and information to benefit Singapore or to provide leverage to reduce exposure to inherent threat. Unfortunately, we have reared quiet and compliant citizens that they have moved towards research and technicals to avoid taking risks and more importantly looking silly trying to look suave while perspiring as the confidence factor is not there.

Give you a good example. Foreign intelligence operatives using false passports all the time n the course of their work are second nature to them. A Singaporean Intelligence operative will sweat profusely the moment he holds a false document because of the country's strict upbringing. How to walk out the door and look suave and go into the world of high intrigue. There was a chap in Singapore Embassy in Washington that behaved with such fear within the embassy that he stood like a sore thumb to all the staff. There was however exceptions like the late Lim Hang Hing who was gregarious, confident and could blend in another gathering foreign or local. So the natural bent is to move toward research for convenience. Naturally the output is a report that came to the conclusion that Obama is unelectable.

Good point, Singapore intelligences operatives will be a sight to behold. A good number of them are your usual run of the mill local university graduates- they do their best to achieve good grades, ECA points and toe the line and when recruited think that they are going to be James Bond (hahahahhahaha). Nothing original or interesting comes out of them.

 

[lockeliberal]

Scroo

The power of the elected presidency lies in its moral and not its political authority. In so much as its political authority has been neutered and or limited, the moral authority of an ELECTED president versus an appointed president is as stark as night and day.

Can u imagine a Singaporean President inviting and hosting a GAY event in the istana or for that matter attending or being a patron. A SG president who take an active interests in the poor, etc etc who attends MUIS functions etc etc etc.



Locke

Cheng Bok power is immense and not only his western stomping ground but I think he has a following for his dissenting views in parliament. GY is a nice guy and a gentleman but he did not dissent and it will hard for him to get rid of the image.

 

[yinyang]

Psst.. (fact): TCB had harboured his ambitions years back before even N's 1st tour of duty. And endorsed by old goose then. But this was then seemingly blocked (read: opposed) by greater powers to be. Now he's using to his advantage that he's off PAP chains. And his helm at public company meets paper criteria.

 

[annexa]

Scroobal, off topic a bit. But my impression of spies or people who can move in and out of circles easily, hold fake passports and smile seem more to be people who don't study so well.

When they recruit only people with first class and second upper honours, they basically kill off the good spy material?

ISD handles everything that is a threat to the country including those who are based overseas. SID's remit is to penetrate foreign countries, entities, supranational entities and even MNCs to glean sensitive intelligence and information to benefit Singapore or to provide leverage to reduce exposure to inherent threat. Unfortunately, we have reared quiet and compliant citizens that they have moved towards research and technicals to avoid taking risks and more importantly looking silly trying to look suave while perspiring as the confidence factor is not there.

Give you a good example. Foreign intelligence operatives using false passports all the time n the course of their work are second nature to them. A Singaporean Intelligence operative will sweat profusely the moment he holds a false document because of the country's strict upbringing. How to walk out the door and look suave and go into the world of high intrigue. There was a chap in Singapore Embassy in Washington that behaved with such fear within the embassy that he stood like a sore thumb to all the staff. There was however exceptions like the late Lim Hang Hing who was gregarious, confident and could blend in another gathering foreign or local. So the natural bent is to move toward research for convenience. Naturally the output is a report that came to the conclusion that Obama is unelectable.

 

[kingrant]

Ouch! Scro, pls dont rub it in. My wife died already, and my son just got the worst GE result. Cut me some slack, will you? Or do you want me to crawl on my bended knees and beg for mercy?

Naturally the output is a report that came to the conclusion that Obama is unelectable.

 

[kingrant]

You might even succeed to con them with disinformation. Hehehe!

Good point, Singapore intelligences operatives will be a sight to behold. A good number of them are your usual run of the mill local university graduates- they do their best to achieve good grades, ECA points and toe the line and when recruited think that they are going to be James Bond (hahahahhahaha). Nothing original or interesting comes out of them.

 

[scroobal]

Here is an interesting tidbit. Apparently when OTC got only 58% against someone who was not interested and did not campaign, he was rightfully shocked. He began a routine of inviting 3 distinct group of people every 6 months for dinner/lunch. They were from NTUC, the PAP and Grassroots from his old constituency. He was determined to do better the next time and these were going to be his campaign team. Unfortunately his wife died and he just gave up even not going for his own checkup and paid the price.

This is the danger of elected office. Its damn hard to find someone distinguished and wants to be political. I am sure the PAP has been regretting from day 1 for even thinking for this. They even ensured that an elected President cannot be easily removed.

And he is entitled to invite anyone. I am sure Tan Cheng Bock is going to make sure that his profile remains and seeking attention would be top of mind.

Can u imagine a Singaporean President inviting and hosting a GAY event in the istana or for that matter attending or being a patron. A SG president who take an active interests in the poor, etc etc who attends MUIS functions etc etc etc.



Locke