SINGAPORE: Former GIC chief investment officer Ng Kok Song, former NTUC Income chief executive Tan Kin Lian and former Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam have qualified as candidates for Singapore's Presidential Election, the Elections Department (ELD) announced on Friday (Aug 18).
Businessman George Goh was however unsuccessful in his application for a Certificate of Eligibility... CNA 18 Aug 23
The most dreaded 4 corners fight is not going to happen. Still, a 3 corner fight is not going to do much to prevent Tharman from becoming the next PR in the Istana. Both Ng Kok Song and Tan Kin Lian are the hopefuls, more like the dark horses trying their luck against hot favourite Tharman. It would take many accidents and unexpected events, and many ifs for either one to cause an upset.
Between Kok Song and Kin Lian, it is difficult to say who has a better edge to come up against Tharman. Kok Song is totally new in the ring. Kin Lian has been around, and was a contestant in the last EP, and for losing his deposit. This puts his chances not too favourable to win. But the game has changed.
Beating Tharman is the game. It is about putting someone outside the PAP as the EP. By now, everything else, qualification, popularity, experience, likeable etc etc, is not important. It is with the PAP or against the PAP. Both Kok Song and Kin Lian were part of the establishment and were closely related to the PAP in one way or another except being a party member. This point is not disclosed and could be proven otherwise. Who then would the people choose to win in this game?
Other than the PAP issue, there are several other factors that may affect the voters' choice. One is ethnicity of the EP. Some may be saying that Nathan had two terms, Tony Tan one term, Halimah also has one term, so they are looking for a Chinese turn now. If Tharman were to win, he would serve another 6 years. This means that for a 30 year period, the Indians would be president for 18 years, ie equivalent of 3 Indians, 1 Chinese and 1 Malay presidents. Some may consider Halimah as Indian according to her IC, so the Indians' share would be 24 years and Chinese 6 years. But this way of looking at ethnicity is controversial.
The voters are left with 2 candidates against a PAP candidate and they have to choose one in a choice of the devil and the deep blue sea. If the votes are evenly split between the two, it is unlikely anyone would voluntarily opt out unless by an act of God, Tharman would win. Would the voters be wise enough, assuming that they want someone outside the PAP, would they be able to think and pick the same candidate, one from the two, and throw in everything for their chosen candidate? This is no easy task.
The opposition camp is closing ranks and has been championing for Kin Lian, and calling the people to vote for him. How are they going to make this happen without proper rallies and the communication channels to do so?
If Kin Lian, or even Kok Song were to win, Kin Lian, for losing his deposit in the last EP, would be the biggest come back of all time, the biggest upset to happen. It is almost unthinkable as everything is in favour of Tharman.
Can the impossible really happen? Are the forces for a non PAP candidate be so strong, and the people somehow manage to pick the same choiced candidate, to make the impossible happen? Can 1 Sep be a day for a black swan event?
PS. This is my post for Sat. Leaving early morning for a durian tour in Johore.
17 comments:
RB don't overeat at your age sort of make your money worth. I am not cursing u but over eating durian as it can be fatal at your age.
Mr RB if only u stay in MP I.e. Marine Parade earlier and had your that Tan Chuan Jin as your Member of Parliament to have a Durian Party in JB.
Wow crossed the Tuas Checkpoint like a breeze.
Marine Paraders Wow Special Class of Sinkies.
Stay Stay at that time also WP aiya Workers lah had also their Durians Party and same time also back at the Checkpoint.
Wow, had to queue like Workers bees to go thru.
No special Class treatments.
When that WP MP complained that unfair treatments they gave an excuse that they had to have the PAP Delegation Party thru first as they had Special Branch Officers with arms and needed fast clearance.
Wow, go into another Sovereign Country and can carry arms with you.
Wow special arrangements?
So there you have it. That's why Sinkies always voted the Papies. Not Opposition.
They afraid that so many benefits and special treatments gone with the winds when you voted Opposition.
Sinkies are pragmatic lots?
Not on your lifes..They don't give a damn for Country.
Just make sure that your own, ie. Your Constituency is taken care off first.
To Hell with others you idiots wanted to vote Opposition.
That's why LKY is smart to have divide of different Town Councils etc as he knew the selfishness of all Sinkies.
Definitely they will have a majority as most Sinkies behaved thus.
You died your business.
That wording "Suay, suay" not"Stay stay" lah.
Google dont understand Singlish lah.
Cheers.
All I can say is the coming PE is all a show to prevent another default. But it is a show that must be put up. All are PAP related candidates, one way or another. Enough said.
If the opposition camp wants TKL, he would not have lost his deposit the last time. Just think about that!
At GE2020, PAP won 61%. At PE2011, votes distributed into PAP TT (35.2%), PAP TCB (34.85%), OPP TJS (25.04%) & TKL (4.91%). Some logical explanations were PAP got 70% and OPP got 30%. PAP hard-core maybe 61%, OPP hard-core maybe 25%, remainders 14% maybe the floaters. TKL would still have a chance to win if he can get all floaters votes and hoping that the PAP voters split there vote between TM & NKS. PAP may nailed the coffin by withdrawing NKS.
Nah, PAP is putting TKL in to make the show more presentable. There cannot be another walkover, right? People will not be convinced and skeptical. Even by withdrawing NKS, whose participation is also suspected to be for show, what chance does TKL honestly have against the PAP selected candidate? TKL may be able to save his deposit if all the floaters support him this time. That is unlikely. He could make another appearance in later PEs, hoping it could be 'third time lucky'.
Hi don't think they will withdraw NKS.
The more the Merrier to spilt the Votes for their Tarman.
TCB actually Last time had a chance if not for these two other Tans to spilt the Votes for TT.
Actually, it is an exercise in futility for NKS and TKL. Just to have a show for appearance sake and prevent a walkover. That is all there is to it!
Yes u right Anon 1.48
They cannot stage walkover again..so they just wayang have a Charade.
Both of them also aiya ex Papies Elites Brahmins class.
Just to show Sinkies that Demo Crazy is here.
TKL is a spoiler whereas that Sing Song and Talk Cock just for show.
Die die must have their own to keep their lids shut.
Just like must have their own ex Ministers in the Medias yo be their Mouth pieces for their propaganda and pulling wool over the eyes of daft Sinkies.
Just back and they white washing painting my next block void deck for the Election.
I resent the fact that people keep saying TKL lost his deposit the last PE. What is the purpose of this history statement which I see over again? The circumstances are totally different. I'm thinking we should not cause mental block to the electorate with such dare I say irresponsible remarks, digging expired issues.
Of the 3 candidates, only Tan Kin Lian is truly independent and not beholden to the PAP. He has for many years been speaking up on issues such as GST increase, immigration open floodgate, etc at Hong Lim park. From his speeches you can tell that he is sincere and has a heart for Singapore and Singaporeans. He also comes across as a man who is prudent and non confrontational but has the courage and determination to speak up and do what is right. He will make a great President for Singapore.
They may think Tan Kin Lian is a write off. So happily qualified him. In the case of George Goh, he is untested. Safer to have Tan Kin Lian than George Goh.
But don't rule Tan Kin Lian out. He could be the dark horse that everyone rejected but destined to upset the apple cart. Nothing is sure until the votes are casted.
Kin Lian is a clear and present danger this time. The IBs are out to get him.
Hi Anon 9:16am. Thanks for the concern. Ya, over ate quite a bit. Got a bloated tummy. Not good for the body.
Would not do it again.
By the way, would Singapore have another Indian President in Tharman and for once have a First Lady with a Japanese name Ittogi?
And the presidential race may turn out to be a direct fight between Tharman and Kin Lian. Two camps are taking shape with Kok Song like looking out of place.
I am just wondering is there any law against Polical party contribution to a pE candidate?
Is any other political party involved?
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