Ng Kok Song confident in mounting a good challenge againstTharman
August 11th, 2023 | 
Author: 
I refer to The Independent Singapore News, “Ng Kok Song confident in mounting a good challenge againstTharman”. (Aug 2)
Recently, many Singaporeans like you and me can see three presidential hopefuls work in full swing, walking through the streets, various foodcourt and wet markets to visit voters in order to get their popularity.
A lot of people wonder why didn’t any one of them do it prior they throw their hats into the ring?
Would the elected presidency do the same after being sworn into the prestigious office? Or, while they do their walkabouts during the presidential election period merely to secure the votes?
Besides other specified duties, would the elected president only attend events upon invitations or by mandatory requirements such as attending the NDP, President’s Charity Gala, attend meetings and banquets for foreign heads of state?
All of them claim that if elected, they want to be the people’s president. This clearly means that the president would like to live in the hearts and always reflects in the minds of all the people.
Supposedly the president only attends events upon official invitation, how would all the presidential hopefuls effectively walk their talks to be the people’s president?
Firstly, pertaining to formerly the Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s walkabouts and visiting his constituents at the Jurong GRC while he was a MP surely have added advantage over his rivals at this presidential election campaign. But, don’t forget that it is part and parcel of the entrusted duties and responsibilities of a member of parliament (MP), and a MP is paid to carry out these activities for the purposes of knowing the grounds, life and the sentiments of his constituency as well as his constituents/voters.
It is the undeniable fact that – Even Tharman has resigned from the People’s Action Party, he will still be remembered for his service as a Jurong GRC Member of Parliament and his various roles in the Cabinet. So, supposedly Mr Tharman is later being elected as the President, many people still wonder how independent would he be when interacting and dealing with his former PAP’s cabinet or colleagues?
Therefore, it is quite true for Mr Ng Kok Song to say this, “Independence of mind, that’s a sophisticated point. I think we are who we are. Our present is related to our past. We cannot easily separate our present from our past”. In due course, many Singaporeans still worry about, how would Tharman go to get rid off his political baggage (being aligned with PAP for decades) and keep a distance away from all his political connections.
Secondly, with regard to Ng Kok Song’s long-standing diverse background and his working experiences in the government establishments, such as Ministry of Finance, MAS and GIC have also raised doubts about his independence of mind, actions and decisions. In short, voters need to seriously assess whether he is really ‘above politics’.
Anyway, NKS is generally being perceived by many netizens as an “establishment pawn” to split the votes between the establishment figure – Tharman Shanmugaratnam and non-establishment candidate – George Goh.
Nonetheless, we have to wait till The Presidential Elections Committee assesses the eligibility of each candidate to stand for election prior to continuing observe and assessing their political views, visions and beliefs, as well as individual charm and behaviours.
Despite all, due to Singapore’s unique political system and structure, our elected president still has limitations or constraints of power.
For example, under the Constitution, the President is required to act on the Cabinet’s advice in exercising his functions, except in specific areas where the Constitution empowers the President to act in his discretion. For example, the President is generally required to act on the Cabinet’s advice in assenting to Bills passed by
Parliament.
Teo Kueh Liang (Mr)
Posted in 
An illusion of choice for Singaporeans.
Nothing more.
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Sick Loong says CPIB has to answer to someone because it is impossible to answer to God.
Fine! If it proclaims to carry out independent investigations, then it is politically neutral. If it is political neutral, why should it answer to the PM?
My bright idea–one which only I, out of 8 billion people, can come up with in this world–is it should answer to the President.
Wait, is the sitting president not politically savvy or astute enough to make state-level judgment? S/he has a whole council of presidential advisers to back him/her up.
Judicial processes should no longer be cannibalized by political entities. Same goes with appointment of of AG. Our institutions have become a reflection of the one who controls them: SICK!
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“Great minds discuss ideas.
Average minds discuss events.
Small minds discuss people.”
Ng Kok Song is telling Singaporeans that the only person standing in his way to Presidency is Tharman.
Nothing more, nothing less.
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NKS is the compromised Candidate…
Well qualified to look after the reserve since he claimed he is the one that build it…
Not so sure about that …maybe it is the blood and sweat of the Pioneer and Merdeka Generation.
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NKS — See beh Heng (4D)
If Elected will be See beh Hor (Good)
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Does Sick Loong answer to God?
No wonder he looks sick. Maybe reporting letter to be sent out soon.
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Whats his name?
PETER (NKS).
So,he holds to KEY TO THE GATES OF HEAVEN ,as in the Bible.
This Peter ,if voted,HOLDS THE *KEY* TO OUR RESERVES.
Umm,sounds OK IF,AND ONLY IF,*NKS* STANDS FOR *Never Kill SingaPOOReans*.
Can this PETER NKS commit to that?
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Participating in a farce by voting for actors who only aim is to give a false impression that there is a choice. Yet, the dafts are still clueless about the pathetic situation they are in.
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@Light The Way
I think this Edwin is more sick than the Supremo lor. By his own admission, he has a very serious clogged artery to the heart, which means that he would need Angioplasty and stenting lor.
Once done, he will have to take a lot of medicine to ensure that the body don’t reject the stents, a lot of side effects like fainting spells, weakness, cannot think straight, etc etc etc. I should know because my brother (wife’s elder sis hubby) recently has such an ops and after one month, he is still resting at home feeling faint and weak, unable to drive his truck with a clear mind.
Wonder if Edwin will be fielded again come next GE bo, since he medically cannot be said to be very fit (at least for 6 months to a year)? Hm…
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The person who seems to be holding the longest pole away from the PAP is TKL. We may not agree with his manifesto but we should vote for him to deny the PAP, a HY.
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I think this Ng is saying is that unlike the previous co-actor that went against Ong Teng Cheong, he will put in more effort and act better in the wayang kulit. lol
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Tharman wins with 40-45 pct.
NKS-25/30PCT.
TKL-20/25PCT.
GG-10-15 PCT.
My bet.
Tharman wins.
Wayang goes on.
Still more FTs,higher GST.
MORE of the same.
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What would we do without these staged events to entertain us?
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@xoxo
I disagree that Tharman will win. He will get 30% to 35%. NKS, 15% to 18 % and TKL 45% to 48%. This is thanks to the outgoing unelected President who has done nothing in Public interest but to serve her boss.I don’t think Singaporeans will vote in anyone close to the PAP. Public is angry at Ridout,the hiding of TCJ’s affair, Iswaran,the increase in GST but the lavish spending on National Day and the support for foreigners giving them student grants while Singaporeans have to pay for their children in the universities. Tharman has lost $30b under his care and NKS seems to have thrived because of the monies from TH.He is with the establishment. So there is no way, he can win. Anger is at boiling point so TS and NKS will be voted out. It will be a new beginning for Singaporeans with TKL unless he is disqualified then it is no point to vote.
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He’s only a CIO. Constitution very clearly specified CEO.
There was a CIO who was disqualified.
The committee is bound by the Constitution and a precedent. If they let this CIO through, what will people think of them?
Tech: Actually, the $500m and whatever CIO, CEO, applies to non-establishment candidates only that the party don’t like. Although one would expect that the PEC keeps strictly to this, but we know that the PEC can selectively exercise discretion to allow those that who do not qualify through to ensure voted splitting. For example, during the 4 Tan’s, Jee Say was strictly speaking not qualified, but they allowed him through, else Cheng Bock would have been the President. So technically, if the PEC decides to let Beggar Tom, Rapist Dick or Robber Harry through, they can. The criteria set is for show only, to be used against non-establishment candidates. Who disagree?
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Best man is TS but TKL will win…not the smartest or best qualified but most independent of the lot.(Perception)
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Lau Kok Kok, now telling people he wants to mount this mount that. Hahaha.
You can mount anything you want against anybody. The people will not vote for you. But they are also not playing into your hands to give their votes to Tharman. They will give it to the candidate who needs it most and appreciate the people’s vote. The man of the moment is Tan Kin Lian. For better or worse, in him, we trust. To the Establishment, don’t need you to teach us how to vote. We know how to vote wisely, and many are beginning to learn how to vote bravely. The Wokes are woken.
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Like the good old days of watching the TV ‘Bonanza’ where 4 cowboys strut off magnificently into the sunset.
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@SINGAROAR
Hope you r right.
me just looking at it from my gut feel.
NKS hard to win.
Probably asked to partipate?
GG relatively unknown.
He wud be a good OPPO MP.
TKL is not really popular even among sgs of the 40 pct?
But i hope he will do much better this round.
me stand by my guestimates.
me thinks Tharman will emerge as the victor.
Among the 60 pct sgs,more will vote for TS n some for NKS.
Lets wait n see if TKL can do magic.
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See the voters so excited for nothing.
They think things will suddenly change because someone new enters the D*ghouse.
They will learn (again) that the joke’s on them. The new one is just as bad (good?) as the old one.
In five years’ time they will forget and become all excited again.
Daft.
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@Harder Truths
Must have some hope and things are not looking good for the PAP at present.
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Waiting for magic. Whether TKL, TCB or someone (remote LHY?) can create the magical TKL+TCB TEAM.
This TEAM will gather >50% vote.
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Keep dreaming. It really has nothing to do with selecting the “best” candidate. This reminded me of a couplet. “Democracy is a form of government in which you count but not weigh the voters”. That’s the dirty little secret of every campaign. Citizens play the blame game, but when we look at poor leadership we are merely looking at mirrors.
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They all have past/present connections with the PAP. It is just a matter of degree – how closely connected they are to the Establishment. From the most to the least connected would be:
1. Tharman S. – Cabinet Minister until recently
2. Ng Kok Song – Former Chief, GIC
3. George Goh – past or current Ambassador (?)
4. Tan Kin Lian – former CEO, NTUC Income
Of the four, TKL has been a vocal critic of some of PAP’s policies. The same can’t be said of the others. That’s only because TKL has left the PAP a long time ago (like TCB) and has found his independent voice. The “umbilical cord” has been severed. Whether or not he can function “independently” if elected as President is not certain because he will be constrained by Parliament and the Constitution. Is there a possibility that the “umbilical cord” will be re-connected when his circumstances change? LOL!
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Among all four candidates, looks may play an important part!
George is a handsome old chap, much better looking than NKS and TKL. GT may garner votes based on his good looks despite his handicap in spoken English!
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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!!!!
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Interesting to see the symbols can be used in election – pen, flower, dove, bell, magnifying glass, tree…
The ‘flower’ suddenly reminds me of hongkong drama 书剑恩仇录(the book and the sword) and 红花会 (red flower society), and its motive of 反清復明 (overthrow of the Qing dynasty and restoration of the Ming dynasty).
The ‘pen’ is to rewrite history (改写历史)?
When dove flys, it is sunset (白鸽起飞日欲斜)?
Bell is 金钟罩 ( impenetrable defence)?
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@Harder Truth
@SINGAROAR is right.
We MUST have HOPE,even in the midst of darkness.
Else,we might as well *vanish*?
HOPE IS THE HARDEST TRUTH WE MUST BELIEVE IN.
Else,why *remain*?
Either we have hope or we *self-exile* like some heroic sgs have done.
If we choose to stay n live life,we must have HOPE.
CHEERIO!
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Who qualify or not also don’t know, why is every candidate walking around? PEC very powderful one, can disqualify anyone no need to gib reason one.
Why ar?
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The last time with election there were four candidates and this time also likely four candidates………..coincidence?
More like splitting votes for their “nominated guy” to win, not someone who can be more “independent”…….
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Boy, it is like watching a “BDSM foursome” porn. The ONE that is furthest from the master, SURVIVES!
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@TRE Tech
*PEC VERY POWERFUL ONE…*
WHY ARE?
Becos PEC stands for Presidential ERECTion CON-mittee*.
Note the *R* in place of L.
Same for *N* in lieu of *M*.
This is the *OFFICIAL* spelling n meaning of *PEC* in case some among us not aware lah.
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Agree, just another 4 ex-Regime actors laughing all the way to the bank.
Notice they are ALL ex-Regime? I wonder why……
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@with all respect to @xoxo and @SINGROAR, to me this is like a drowning man clutching at straws in the vain desperation that he will somehow be saved.
it is not HOPE, but desperation. Because HOPE died a long long time ago.
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If for PM…TS will win.
If for President …TKL will win.
Not the most qualified or capable but most independent guy to do a good job.
Vote for TKL…
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@Harder Truths
bro, any non-regimented knows it is a Kamikaze undertaking. On top of that, it is cretinous to “wrestle with pigs” and sacrificing for ungrateful dafts. So we can disregard those ‘bullcraps’ from the four. Either they are in it for “Power or Money” But it is both for TWO of them. Don’t need to name them.
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Most of the recent scandals involve a certain race and also TS lost $30b in MAS so I don’t think he will win.
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Kiasu. Election but no rally allowed.
What a kiasu system.
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This is my personal opinion. Pinky is too soft. That’s why all the Indians are farking around. Wake up Singaporeans.
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I heard now PEC says no rally, no walkabouts.
So I wonder how are the ‘new’ candidates going to introduce themselves? Only via facebook and word of mouth?
All these new regulations only benefit one candidate, which is Tharman, because he is already well known.
MSM will surely carry al the news about him and forget about the rest, no?
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Notwithstanding what the election department under the office of the PM has said about the appropriateness of having rallies in the impending PE
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Ng Kosong no chance.
TS high chance.
No difference,both kaki nang.
GG lowest probably.
TKL,hopefully gets back his deposit.
Hahaha,all decided.
Some still roar and roar for nothing.
Others talk KOK sing SONG.
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@ No rally allowed.
Not explicitly forbidden.
The most ideal location would be the same old place, in Hong Lim Park.
If approved, Tan Kin Lian’s rally would attract a huge overflowing crowd equal to the Population protest a few years back.
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So come 1st September 2023, 4 Punters are vying for the Holee Rights to CLAIM TOTO 1$t Prize without paying a SINGLE CENT and also the LEGITIMATE Rights to squat onto the FamiLEE Imperial Throne at the I$tana! My whole family, relatives and friends are VOTING FOR Tan Golden Chain! Jia Yu!
Heaven has eyes. Hopefully, Tan Golden Chain will WIN. And Botak, Ng Cock SeePeh Song and GG will be shown the Rude Extended Middle Finger!
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If Tan Golden Chain WIN. It will Heaven extra punishment on the already too daft to wake up.
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All four will qualify PE 2023. The PEC won’t dare to disqualify anyone this time. The PEC overkilled and disqualified two candidates who on paper are much better qualified than Halimah Yacob on the finance criteria. Letting her strolled into the Istana unopposed. A walkover cannot be repeated
There are two questionable Presidential candidates, namely Tharman and George Goh. The two are questionable to qualify for their different reasons. No need to iterate here, everyone knows by now, why. The PEC cannot disqualify George Goh without disqualifying Tharman who is the ex-DPM of the PAP.
Sure, the PEC can be trigger-happy and disqualify both. That leaves Tan Kin Lian and Ng Kok Song standing. Hahaha. Ah Loong will prefer to die than to see this happen,
The Show must go on. No one will be disqualified by design, not default.
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Bet one TOTO ticket that won’t happen. The approval process will be c**k up. Or some disabled charities will book the place for 10 days.
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Notwithstanding what the election department under the office of the PM has said about the appropriateness of having rallies in the impending PE
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Rallies are divisive?
Says who?
PEC.
Presidential Erection CON-cil(pronounced as council)?
So,GE RALLIES will oso be divisive?
Oh come on,Mighty u$a oso have RALLIES for Presidential eLection mah?
Sg UNIQUE again?
What is divisive are WAYWARD PUBLIC POLICIES AND THATS THE TRUTH.
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NK$ says TKL N GG DO NOT UNDERSTAND INTRICACIES OF RESERVES,ONLY he n Tharman do.
So,do Halimah understand it better than TKL or doesnt she?
Nor Nathan?
So,why they took office at all?
Seriously,is NK$ SAYING NEITHER NATHAN NOR HALIMAH shud be EP then by his argument?
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They understand the intricacies and keep their mouth shut. They dare not expose themselves. Only OTC dare to ask for details. He was asked to wait for 50 years.
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Just because this Ng Cock SeePeh Song LJ Bugger was previously a Spiritual LEEder of Lee Kayu, he THINKS he is SOMEBODY $marter than most folks in SinKapore! Can anyhow say Tan Golden Chain and GG don’t know what the farking role of a Pre$ident in SinKapore should be and Only he himself and Botak KNOW BEST!
Looks like not only his Cock is SeePeh Song, his Brain and Big Mouth are also SeePeh Atas. Although he now goes around showing his FFace in Heartland Hawker Centres, basically this Pri*k is very arrogant and self-conceited and self-centered! Macham got eyes see no Tarzan(Tan Golden Chain)!
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NKS says that only he and Thama knows the intricacies of keeping the reserves safe and that GT and TKL do not know as they never had the experience working in such an environment!
It is an understatement and does he mean that our former Presidents like Wee Kim Wee, Nathan, and Halimah were also ignorant as they too never had that experience?
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Seems like meditation does NKS no good at all.
Where is the true humility?
Arrogance concealed in the guise of simplicity.
GIC also lost BIG before.
Make loose change,quickly claim.
Lost BIG,parked under LONG TERM investments like 20 years?
Liddat say,TKL did better.
Remember GIC bought ” too big to fail banks”?
Was NKS in charge?
Understanding RESERVES THEORY is not the same as PROFITABLY MANAGING RESERVES.
If THEORY,might as well go ask late Lim Chong Yah.
Looks like TKL is the candidate who can and will safeguard our reserves in our favour.
TS and NKS will SAFEGUARD their own interests.
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So,only NKS n T$ fully understand the WORKINGS OF OUR sgs’ RESERVES.
So,we presume even some of the ministerd,past n prrsent oso know zilch likr evrn EP OTC ?
So,WHO HAVE PRIVY KNOELEDGE of OUR sgs’ RESERVES?
QUITE DANGEROU$ ,right?
So,these FEW PERSON$ can SUKA SUKA DO ANYTHING they want?
Of course,i am not suggesting anything,only just saying.
WHAT WUD PAP,AS OPPO,DEMAND IF SAY,PSP/SDP, BECOMES THE GOVT.
WUD PAP DEMAND TO KNOW THE *STATE* OF OUR sgs’ RESERVES then OR CAN A NON-PAP G oso say *ITS SECRET* AND DO AS THEY WISH?
So,you see,THIS *RESERVES* MATTER CANNOT JUST A SECRET KNOWLEDGE OR *KNOWHOW* that is PRIVY TO PAP.
WHAT IF SOMEONE LIKE TEH CHEANG WAN BECOMES PM AND IS A PAP MINISTER?
JUST MUSING.
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How come a 75 years old man can have relationship with a 45 years old woman who is younger than his son ?
What kind of self respect and responsibility does he have ?
No way will we vote for this kind of man.
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NKS has run a good race inspite of difficulties in his way.
He should be proud of himself.
Thank you for giving Singaporean a chance to vote and a Holiday.
Now go and enjoy his life with his future wife…
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