8/24/2016

Elected President – What is the truth?

Hsien Loong has said it many times. I did not say the govt said it many times because no one else seems to be saying anything about the impending changes to the process of electing the President. Hsien Loong gave three reasons for the changes to the rules. 1. The EP is not just ceremonial but has a very important function to guard the reserves and to approve senior appointments in the Civil Service and uniformed services. 2. The person qualified to be the President must be able to make difficult decisions on financial matters and a stringent set of criteria must be met like managing a multi million organization to the tune of $200m, top civil servants or ministers. 3. The system must be changed to allow minority Presidents to be elected.

The above are the official reasons for this big constitutional change to enshrine racial considerations and elements into the office of the EP when race will be a factor in choosing the EP. Racial politics enshrined into the constitution a good thing, a progressive or regressive thing?

The unofficial version or reasons for the changes to the EP process in everyone’s lips is about keeping Tan Cheng Bock out of the race. Whether one subscribe to this view, whether one believes this is the real reason, this is what everyone is talking about. True or not, depends on who you want to believe.  If the govt is to amend the rules to bar the majority Chinese from the next EP election, saying that it is recommended by the Constitutional Commission, and applies this, then Cheng Bock would be locked out from the race and it would only confirm what the people feared and believed in.

And to add another barrier to people like Cheng Bock, the bar was raised higher, that the person must have managed an organization of more than $200m instead of $100m to take in inflation and the increasing value of the reserves.  So Cheng Bock’s previous organization would not be big enough and thus not eligible. This reason may be too flimsy to hold water as the inflation should also applies to the value of organizations at different times. Thus Cheng Bock’s $100m organization then would be revalued to $200m at today’s value, if there is no nitpicking. He was eligible then and should be now.

So, what is the real reason for the changes to the EP process? It depends on who you are and who you want to believe. Oops, please ignore those jesters recommending that there should be more than one EP at one time. They think Singapore is their grandfather’s company and money is no problem, can anyhow pay. And they may also be thinking Singapore is the biggest country in the whole world, bigger than USA and China combined, so need a few flower vases in the Istana, and pay them by the millions because their jobs are more important and difficult than the PM and ministers running ministries.

I got this funny feeling when I think of these extraordinary criteria for a non executive president. Should not these criteria or more stringent criteria be applied to people wanting to be PMs and ministers, the people that really wield great powers in managing the affairs of the state? Or are the PM and minister’s jobs easier than the EP so anyone can become a PM or minister without having to run a $200m company, just manage a town council will do? Make sense?

Oops, I digress. How many of you believe in the Hsien Loong’s version for the need to change the constitution on EP? How many of you believe the talk of the town, that the changes are rushed to keep Tan Cheng Bock out of the Istana? This one not I say one, everyone is saying this is the real reason.

At this moment, one thing is looking quite certain. The new conditions would mean that Tan Cheng Bock would not be qualified to stand in the next EP. What are the bookies stand on this? 1000 to 1 that Tan Cheng Bock would not qualify?

I think the bookies would even chicken out on such a bet.

43 comments:

  1. Is TCB a good fren and classmate of Lao Goa during school days?

    ReplyDelete
  2. How abt suggesting lao goa become next candidate?

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  3. Racial politics enshrined into the constitution a good thing, a progressive or regressive thing?
    RB

    Depend on who you ask lah. If you ask male Sinkies is NS good for your career, what do you think will be the answer?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Many advantages of doing that?

    ReplyDelete
  5. From ex pm become president?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Putin from ex president become pm

    Then ex pm become president

    Is it correct?

    ReplyDelete
  7. How abt suggesting lao goa become next candidate?
    8:50 am

    lao goa is not from the minority race, so how to be candidate?

    I say if it is to be a Malay, most likely it will be a minister or ex minister. Few Malays qualify for the financial part of the #2 criteria and hold top positions in the govt or private sector. And even if PAP can find one, they may not be willing to be EP.

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  8. don't play play....don't play play

    the ep is very very very important to the survival of singaapore

    you don't know that meh

    so.....don't play play.....don't play play

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sometimes I wonder if the minority person elected (or rather appointed) for EP will feel good about it because of the perception (and also the truth)that he/she is there because of race.

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  10. Alfian Saat said he is there because of a pretext.

    Easier solution, only ex PM and ministers qualified to stand for EP.

    ReplyDelete

  11. l said it and shall repeat it;
    there is never the Need for a useless Sin President. Flower
    vase is not any useful item.

    One thing is clear, raising the
    Bar/Criteria will only make it
    much more difficult for our largest
    minority Malay Countrymen. Other than those who are or had been Cabinet Members from PAP, how many
    Malay Citizens fit into the Criteria
    or are qualified to be a Sin President?

    Ultimately, it is the Purpose and Usefulness of the Appointment that matters.
    ln the Case of Sin, the President
    is just a dressing piece ornament
    for show only.

    And it is toocostly a piece of USELESS ornament.


    patriot



    ReplyDelete
  12. //And it is toocostly a piece of USELESS ornament.


    patriot//



    Useless meh?

    Costly meh?

    Useless + Costly but how come have ........ now?

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  13. Aiyah, the real reason is to let someone like the will-be other race or other super power ex-US President Obama to come & be the president of this tiny red dot mah..see ah long very worried that if other minority race can never become president than a potential terrorist threat of being hantam by the IS would be greater Lah..probably ah long may even allow a rotation of minority race to be president ..to keep out TCB may be 1 reason...the real reason is to have a puppet that look like flower to them ( & an expensive one)..which gahmen on earth want that...u know I know...

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  14. He ( ah long) wan a BFF to be his kaki president Lah so that he can take selfie with..he don't wan someone that play pokemon go with him 'cos it would mean no fun to him..simple as that.

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  15. Are they planning for a new citizen in DBS to be the next President?

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  16. For 51 years since independence, there are only 3 surviving ex cabinet ministers who are Malay.

    1. Othman Wok - too old to be EP

    2. Ahmad Matter - quite old too

    3. Abdullah Tarmugi - younger than Ahmad Mattar and also has Chinese wife.

    So most likely Abdullah Tarmugi. He is also ex Speaker of Parliament. If EP on leave, the Speaker will act as EP.

    It is unlikely that current ministers will be EP because that will trigger by election for a SMC and more work for the other MPs in a GRC.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There is one more .....?

      Albeit junior minister?

      In "King-see-town constituency" formerly?

      Delete
    2. Go watch 2015 incumbent SG50 1st rally?

      He sitting on the left side but a bit to the middle?

      See how ardently he spoke, despite retiring for many years already?

      Delete
  17. This race thing, eh, if you really believe it, you must apply it to
    1) The President
    2) The Prime Minister (This guy is even more important than the President. He gets more pay.)
    3) The Chief Justice (This guy is, well, the guy having a big say in the courts.)
    4) The top civil servant
    5) and a few more.

    If you apply this race thing to only the President, who can believe you?

    ReplyDelete
  18. If you apply this race thing to only the President, who can believe you?
    10:42 am

    Of course no one believe but does it matter?

    If I were Hsien Loong, what really matters is PAP will win again next GE because the opposition is not ready to be govt, tio bo?

    ReplyDelete

  19. l say just dont waste time on the Shit.

    lf they are serious and sincere, rotate the Premiership amongst all
    the Races.

    That's it.

    Please STOP making a mountain out
    of a molehill and a storm in a tea
    cup.

    Full of nonsense.


    patriot



    ReplyDelete
  20. It used to be a rotation basis for the :head of state. Then old fart changed it to be elected to a powerless position. This mode of selection by majority votes would have ruled out the chance of minorities, if, there are many keen to be the :head.
    So far, all those sitting there are pap appointed.

    However, the background change was significant. This part was not mentioned by RB or any post. Put it this way: there used to be 123 by ranking in numbers based on demographic nature. The pap might have changed the demographic nature to other combinations already seen on street.

    The ranking change by immigration in demographic composition should be further affecting the power distribution of a certain race. This part is mentioned by many post here.

    So the EP insist on minority will cure the real concern of the losing minority race on power? I think it is a SWEETEN bitter pill only. Once the bite is over, the bitterness taste still will appear in the mouth. U get my whole message? This change of EP will further deepen the earlier mistake.

    Some post already pointed out here intelligently. The losing power minority can never have chance with the change. The immigrants enhance minority will grab the EP from now on.

    The risk will be far fetching when the EP and PM is grabbed by the same minority which has the tendency to multiply quickly by immigrating further more immigrants to enhance support. If this is the scenario, the potential damage to pap support is so clear. I as a non pap supporter will like to see such ending for the leeders. Not smart enough to create good wealth for the islanders, but keep doing peripheral policy to divert the poor economic policies by importing foreigners of certain races as majority. This island s future is chilling with this EP second major change. It can lead to further problems due to power distribution. Why?

    By importing adults as citizens can be damaging to the cohesiveness of the original population. To enhance support, the potential EP PM of non majority race will ensure they have the number. So they will resolve to importing more immigrants to beef up their long term support. This can be very damaging to cohesiveness development in future.
    Interesting to watch the shits created by father and son company.

    ReplyDelete

  21. Everyone can see through the Pretense.
    The President Post is a decorative
    or so-called ceremonial one.

    THE REAL POWER LIES IN THE PREMIERSHIP and this is what matters.

    IF POWER IS TO BE SHARED AMONGST
    THE RACES,
    ROTATE THE PREMIERSHIP.

    BE SINCERE ABOUT THE MATTER.


    patriot



    ReplyDelete

  22. Everyone can see through the Pretense.
    The President Post is a decorative
    or so-called ceremonial one.

    THE REAL POWER LIES IN THE PREMIERSHIP and this is what matters.

    IF POWER IS TO BE SHARED AMONGST
    THE RACES,
    ROTATE THE PREMIERSHIP.

    BE SINCERE ABOUT THE MATTER.


    patriot



    ReplyDelete
  23. Do you think a possible unspoken role of Singapore's President is to make it difficult for a non-PAP government to function?
    Just like it was difficult for WP's AHPETC to take over and manage the previous PAP Town Councils?

    ReplyDelete
  24. Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.
    John F. Kennedy
    Do you think a timely natural death makes peaceful change more possible?
    August 21, 2016 5:14 pm

    Should we pray for peaceful change?

    ReplyDelete
  25. The COL keep going up but real value (purchasing power) of salary keep going down?

    The JLBs haven't go see creator poor oldies go first liao?

    If cannot survive, other things don't matter anymore Lo?

    Like if dying or feel like dying, how many billions in bank or other assets no use liao Lo?

    But cannot survive due to poor oldies run out of money or high COL will likely be more cham than a very rich guy dying when all his wealth doesn't matter anymore?

    ReplyDelete
  26. Like if dying or feel like dying, how many billions in bank or other assets no use liao Lo?
    11:57 am

    Tiok. But still better than dying or feel like dying with no money, tio bo?

    Just like better vote PAP than opposition lo, according to the 70%.

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  27. I honestly did not even read the reports on EP commission s recommendations. Clearly in my mind, the final proposed solution will be giving special conditions to a minority race to win EP. It turns out to be within expectation.

    The question in mind is: are the quality of professionals of this very minority race required special assistance? I doubt so. Having worked with these minority professionals, except their proximity is always distance away, these minority can stand on their own and did the good jobs.
    Why must EP rules be changed to suit one particular minority?

    The main reason is to pacify this minority whose number might not be more than other minorities due to immigrants granted citizenship.
    Many think that the EP change might target at TCB. I do agree. So it is a tricks to use the demand by one minority to shut the door for TCB.
    Is this a long term solution to the ever increasing immigrants to citizenship policy? I seriously doubt. On this part, voters have the responsibility to avoid future chaos caused by the pap s hidden agenda: using immigration to change the demographic composition. May be this usher the end of the so called republic, with Little India riot as the first warning. The future is very uncertain with race being the number one issue. It has already been settled in the past through common educational background. Yet the tweak in demographic factor has become a risky policy for the future generations living together without much common acceptance of each other as one single "race of a multi racial society". Voters please stay alert and exercise our responsibility for future generations, if you realize there are major risks behind the population policy.

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  28. Our national pledge, regardless of race, language and religion....
    It is crazy, dangerous and unacceptable to enshrine racial politics into the Constitution like what this EP is going to do.

    ReplyDelete
  29. It is crazy, dangerous and unacceptable to enshrine racial politics into the Constitution like what this EP is going to do.
    2:06 pm

    Not really. Crazy, unacceptable yes, but dangerous no, as long as PAP can win elections. Who will dare to protest on the streets, u tell me lah? Even Hong Lim Park is quiet nowadays.

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  30. Many greedy heartless corrupted bankers will fit his EP bill. I think most important is to look at a person heart. Whether there is a heart there or not and what colour is the heart. Other requirements are only secondary.

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  31. Other requirements are only secondary.
    August 24, 2016 5:11 pm

    Since we have a PAP majority in parliament.
    Do you think PAP's requirement is the only thing that matters?

    ReplyDelete
  32. @ August 24, 2016 5:18 pm

    And if LHL's loyalists dominate the majority in PAP.
    Do you think LHL's requirement is the only thing that matters?

    ReplyDelete
  33. Many greedy heartless corrupted bankers will fit his EP bill.
    5:11 pm

    But they may not be interested being EP lah. What for, tio bo?

    Perhaps most minority race folks who fit the EP bill may also not be interested being EP, except maybe ex politicians.

    ReplyDelete
  34. The fact that the late Nathan was the chosen one for 2 terms (12 years) says a lot about how many minority race candidates who fit EP bill are willing to be EP.

    Because firstly, PAP must want them too, even if they are qualified.

    And if PAP want them, they also must be willing too. So you see, after these hurdles, the selection will narrow down a lot. But PAP also have to fill up the post, so no choice and this may affect quality.

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  35. The Presidency is definitely a coveted post.
    Basically, the Sin President does
    nothing except ceremonial duties.
    Playing host to foreign dignitary,
    attend state function, enjoy oversea
    event, photoshoots with babes and babies etc.
    And they are paid multi-million Sin
    Dollars per term doing things that most educated folks are able to do.
    Collecting Gaji buta probably fits nicely forthe Sin President.

    Which Sin President has done anything for the People?

    Why the Need for a president when a panel of advisers that can be comprised of any racial proportions is in a better position to augment the Cabinet?

    And if the Cabinet Members are of impeccable and incorruptible Calibres, why the Need for a toothless ceremonial president to guide or advice them?

    Why is the Bloated Cabinet comprising of so many members lacks the Confidence of doing well?


    patriot


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  36. 不用傷腦筋,老天自有定安排.

    ReplyDelete
  37. True, one of the most important if not most important thing to consider is the heart of the presidential candidate. So far it is all about how clever is the person and not whether the person is good for the people.

    Powerful so what?
    High position so what?
    Got heart or no heart?
    If got heart, is the heart red or black?

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  38. Knowing when to say nothing and do nothing.
    Is this a very important requirement for the next President of Singapore?

    ReplyDelete
  39. One man's loss could be another's gain?

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  40. KNN, if no social media, may not know this thing ........... (stamp on the feet ala TPL?) ....... " dunno what to .............."(pls some oldies help fill in the blank)?

    ReplyDelete
  41. Singaporeans
    adore and respect
    powerful countries
    and villian.
    They prefer English
    over their own
    languages.
    They kowtow and
    worship strongmen
    who are traitors.
    Singaporeans also
    kiasi and like
    to bootlick and
    enjoy getting screws.

    ReplyDelete