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SINGAPORE: The former CEO of insurance cooperative, NTUC Income, Tan Kin Lian, sent early signals in 2008 that he wants to be Singapore's next president.
And in June this year, he announced his intention to do so.
63-year-old Tan Kin Lian makes it a point to highlight his humble beginnings.
He was born to a poor family which eked out a living transporting fish from the Riau Islands to Singapore.
He prides himself as being independent - with no links to the ruling People's Action Party (PAP).
He was a member of the party until 2008, but said he was never a minister or a Member of Parliament (MP). And this, he declared, sets him apart.
"Many people said they want voice, they want to be heard. I think I probably represent the person who has got ears to listen and is able to think independently," said Mr Tan.
Mr Tan had submitted his application for the Certificate of Eligibility under a Special Clause - citing his experience as CEO of an insurance cooperative with a shared capital of $500 million and assets of $17 billion.
He said this is equivalent to the criteria which states that presidential candidates should have served at least three years as a chairman or CEO of a statutory board or company with a paid-up capital of at least $100 million.
He became widely known during the financial crisis, triggered by the collapse of Lehman Brothers. He spoke up for small-time investors who had lost their lifesavings on toxic financial products and wrote on his own blog about issues.
Mr Tan thinks the role of the Elected President should be expanded, and has suggested for example, having the President's Office produce an annual report detailing the country's reserves.
"I recognise that the President cannot be a second centre of power but that does not mean the President cannot do anything, because in order to make good decisions it's better to have several points of views," he said.
Mr Tan, a former student of Raffles Institution, has pledged to donate a significant part of the annual $4 million presidential salary to charity.
He is married with three children.
- CNA /ls
And in June this year, he announced his intention to do so.
63-year-old Tan Kin Lian makes it a point to highlight his humble beginnings.
He was born to a poor family which eked out a living transporting fish from the Riau Islands to Singapore.
He prides himself as being independent - with no links to the ruling People's Action Party (PAP).
He was a member of the party until 2008, but said he was never a minister or a Member of Parliament (MP). And this, he declared, sets him apart.
"Many people said they want voice, they want to be heard. I think I probably represent the person who has got ears to listen and is able to think independently," said Mr Tan.
Mr Tan had submitted his application for the Certificate of Eligibility under a Special Clause - citing his experience as CEO of an insurance cooperative with a shared capital of $500 million and assets of $17 billion.
He said this is equivalent to the criteria which states that presidential candidates should have served at least three years as a chairman or CEO of a statutory board or company with a paid-up capital of at least $100 million.
He became widely known during the financial crisis, triggered by the collapse of Lehman Brothers. He spoke up for small-time investors who had lost their lifesavings on toxic financial products and wrote on his own blog about issues.
Mr Tan thinks the role of the Elected President should be expanded, and has suggested for example, having the President's Office produce an annual report detailing the country's reserves.
"I recognise that the President cannot be a second centre of power but that does not mean the President cannot do anything, because in order to make good decisions it's better to have several points of views," he said.
Mr Tan, a former student of Raffles Institution, has pledged to donate a significant part of the annual $4 million presidential salary to charity.
He is married with three children.
- CNA /ls
