We Don’t Have A Truly Independent Presidential Candidate
This isn’t surprising.
All three candidates have been trying to convince Singaporeans that they are independent when they are all far from it. An independent candidate means any candidate who claims not to be affiliated with a political party.
Tharman Shanmugaratnam says voters can count on him to act with “independence of mind”. However, his affiliation with the PAP is the clearest. After all, he is the party-endorsed candidate.
Ng Kok Song said that he is the only truly independent candidate due to him not being affiliated with any political parties. However, he has had very close ties with the late Lee Kuan Yew, and he has been working with PAP party members as a GIC’s chief investment officer.
Tan Kin Lian has been trying to say that he will be the “truly independent” president. However, his level of “independence” is on par with Tharman, as he is closely affiliated to the opposition parties. His bid for presidency is backed by opposition party leaders like Lim Tean, Prabu Ramachandran, Tan Jee Say, and Goh Meng Seng.
Moreover, Tan Kin Lian was also once a PAP member himself. Hence the rumour that he was sent to dilute Tan Cheng Bock’s votes in 2011, allowing Tony Tan to win the presidency by a margin.
However, it really isn’t surprising.
Candidates from the public sector must have held office for at least three years as a minister, speaker of parliament or other senior roles.
From the private sector, an applicant must have served as the chief executive of a large company (>$500million) for at least three years, among other rules. To be that successful as a Singaporean, surely an individual must have rubbed shoulders with the country’s leaders.
Moreover, for someone to be interested in running for presidency, they must have a level of interest in Singapore politics. What is the likelihood of someone interested in politics not having rubbed shoulders with either the ruling party or the opposition?
