Politics
Presidential Elections must not mirror general elections, advocates former PAP senior minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam
Former People’s Action Party Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, gearing up for the presidential elections, voiced concerns over politicizing the presidency, emphasizing its role as independent of politics.
He cautioned against treating the presidential election as a reflection of general elections, warning that such an approach would “weaken the system of the elected presidency.”
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SINGAPORE: Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, the former senior minister and potential candidate for the upcoming presidential election, cautioned against treating the presidential election as a reflection of general elections, warning that such an approach would “weaken the system of the elected presidency.”
Speaking at a dialogue with members and guests of Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan on Saturday, Mr Tharman stated, “If you look at a candidate and say this person is PSP, this person is maybe more Workers’ Party, this person is more PAP. If that happens, you might as well just have a general election and let the government who is elected appoint a president. We should not let that happen. Because the president is meant to be independent of politics and government.”
Having been associated with the People’s Action Party (PAP) since the 2001 general elections and representing Jurong GRC throughout, Mr Tharman took a significant step on 8 June 2023, declaring his intention to resign from all his governmental roles and his association with PAP by 7 July 2023. This move is in preparation for his candidacy in the presidential elections.
He emphasized the importance of assessing a candidate’s contributions to society, values, empathy, and international reputation instead of viewing them through a political lens.
In response to concerns regarding the adequacy of the present presidential setup in addressing contemporary domestic and global issues, Mr Tharman voiced his apprehension. “If the system of the elected presidency becomes so politicised, then Singapore will eventually need a new system,” he commented.
Adding, “Singaporeans are still very fair. And they understand that this must not be a political election… For politics, please wait for the general election. That’s the way the system is meant to operate.”
Delving into the nuances of safeguarding the nation’s reserves, Mr Tharman described it as a more intricate role than is commonly perceived. “It’s not simple, where you wait in the office and one day the Finance Minister comes and asks ‘Can we please draw?’ The president must have a profound comprehension of the nature of a crisis and the nation’s response strategy,” he explained.
Due to his extensive background in governmental and international roles, Mr Tharman believes he is well-equipped to apply independent judgment to these situations.
Drawing attention to the independence of his thought process, he noted, “Even the opposition knows that I am independent-minded.”
He underlined the importance of a president maintaining a balanced mindset and collaborating with civil society and the government, stressing that a “solo player” would not gain respect from the public, government, or international community.
Discussing the unifying role of the president in fostering social cohesion, Mr. Tharman clarified, “My role as president would be to support initiatives on the ground, not so much introducing new policies. But I believe there is a connection between the two. Because policies will only last if there is action on the ground and if there is a culture among all of us to want to support and empower others. That’s the way which we can succeed with policies for a fair and just Singapore in the long term.”
Case for Appointed Leaders and the Risks of Partisanship
In line with what Mr Tharman has mentioned, it might be better to have the president appointed rather than elected. It should not be forgotten that the PAP changed the president’s appointment to an election following a constitutional amendment in 1991.
Back in November 2016, during a debate on the amendment of the Singapore constitution, Mr Dennis Tan, a Workers’ Party Member of Parliament for Hougang SMC, expressed a similar view.
He said, “The Workers’ Party studied the Constitutional Commission’s report and we concur with the Commission’s alternative suggestion to return to an appointed ceremonial Presidency and to establish a separate body for the custodial role. This body should be elected directly by the people.”
“The custodial role of the President necessitates a national mandate. The Commission noted that such an election could become politicised and divisive. Running in such an election could compel one to adopt a partisan stance, which might conflict with the President’s role as a unifier.”
Expanding on the idea of the President as a unifier, Mr. Tan elaborated, “The President must possess, in the Commission’s terms, ‘a premium on inclusivity.’ This surely encompasses the capability to connect with Singaporeans of every background, race, age, and class.”
“The stringent eligibility criteria and role combination have restricted the pool to an elite group, including former political officeholders, high-ranking public servants, or heads of large corporations.” said Mr Tan, noting how this limitation seems unnecessary as world leaders hail from varied backgrounds.
“There must be individuals from diverse professions who can unify Singapore without being a major company’s CEO or having prior political involvement. Potential leaders could emerge from charities, education, medicine, or journalism. President Sheares was a doctor, and President Wee Kim Wee a journalist. Neither would qualify under current regulations.”
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He can be a Laughing Stock to the International Community if he say Presidential Election is or can be Non-Political. Voting IS POLITICAL activity. He is blur and confused. He is a politician. Why he has been politician for decades if politics is a dirty word? Knn, this type the more he opens his mouth the more he proves Not Independent of ruling elites. He was fined by the law? For honesty? Can we trust him?
“If that happens, you might as well just have a general election and let the government who is elected appoint a president.”
Tharman Sir best thing you have said so far. May be get out of the race now. And tell friend PM to dissolve parliament and call for a GE. The makeover is long over due.
Notwithstanding what the election department under the office of the PM has said about the appropriateness of having rallies in the impending PE😁😁,SG voters would be delighted to be given the opportunities to attend rallies to decide on which candidate they should cast their deciding vote to.Each Presidential hopeful can also rely on rallies to reach out to SG voters converging from all corners of Singapore to our stadiums 🏟️ to hear what they have to say.
Tharman: ” …. (1) If that happens, you might as well just have a general election and let the government who is elected appoint a president. We should not let that happen….. …..(2) If the system of the elected presidency becomes so politicised, then Singapore will eventually need a new system,” Tharman must be getting senile, or flip-flopping in his APPOINTED role to be the next president by his boss. (1) Wasn’t our last president APPOINTED by the gov without an election??? (2) Wasn’t the Reserved President policy a politicized one, based on so-called racial/minority-tokenism (aka BS), rather than meritocracy?… Read more »
This botak TarMan also has integrity and character problem. He thinks ParLeeMan belongs to his grandfather, suka suka like ask for mandate in GE, also suka suka relinquish seat for higher post. Is he loyal to his GRC constituency voters who voted for him or he had betrayed them? If he becomes Pricksident, who knows he may also betray the country and relinquish same for something better along the way. No? If our PM LeeTheShit can make arrangements to have TarMan duties covered within this short duration after knowing his intention to resign, isn’t it very telling why he need… Read more »
Mr T parroted Mr Loon in saying that someone with $1000 dollar salary can afford to buy an affordable HDB flat …. bwah ha ha.
Some of us when leaving to join another company were legally bonded not to disclosed any key informations of the former company. Can TS confirm it so with his previous engagements?
He towers over all the rest be it be the PAP or the Opposition. He makes us proud internationally but he contradicted himself in supporting the appointment of HY who has no capability of evaluating a raid on the reserves by the PM or the Finance Minister. He was in the govt. appointing her. Now he says, we must have a person of his capacity and capability to be President. He also says the Presidency should not be politicised so he and NKS should withdraw as both are from the establishment and are perceived as the PAP representatives. He should… Read more »
Problem after Problem
I didn’t have a chance to vote Mdm Milo
Why ?
Then the president should also not mirror pap which tharman is ..therefore don’t vote for tharman
Isn’t it ironic that it is the PAP who is the only one endorsing their preferred candidates each and every PE, non of the alternative parties has done so. And when things is not going according to plan, they throw in a NKS just because GG has gotten traction.
We should scrap this PE altogether and revert to the days before 1991. The ruling elite has demonstrated enough times that they shall have no qualms to amend the Constitution in order for their preferred candidate to have an upper hand. No different this time round.
Given the substantial loss of S$30,800,000,000.00cents and S$7,000,000,000.00cents by MAS(Chairman -TS)and TH (Director– TS)respectively within the financial year ending 2023 and the alarming deteriorating governance which continue to infest our beloved SG,all voters will welcome someone not associated in whatever form or substance with the old “rotting mold” as SG newly minted President to assist in stopping the rot.In the coming PE should that were to be permitted ,let us all SG voters including those new citizens do the needful to ensure the start of a new era!!!
Nothing will change anyway… any idiot will do.. just a matter of choosing which of the
4..
I am just unhappy with the amount of money being spent and paid to have idiots.