Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam Vs Mr Tan Kin Lian
August 28th, 2023 | 
Author: 
I would like to share my personal experiences with the two Presidential Candidates.
A. Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam
Mr Tharman is a well-liked person by many Singaporeans and the general consensus is that he would make an Excellent Prime Minister instead of being a largely Ceremonial President . He would also be a Great Statesman as he has the depth & breadth of Ministerial Experiences behind him.
However, my personal experience with Mr Tharman was less than desired. I’ve been in the Stockbroking industry for almost 30 years & way back in January 2015, I had written a letter to Mr Tharman, together with an unprecedented support of more than 1,200 signatures from the industry, to urge the then Deputy Prime Minister & Finance Minister to take urgent corrective measures to revive our moribund Stockmarket which has been languishing for too long a time. We’ve put-in considerable time & effort to draft this 7 page letter identifying the issues affecting the Singapore Stockmarket and our sincere recommendations to resolve them.
We were keenly expecting a response from him & maybe even have a short meeting with him so that he can understand the issues better and undertake urgent corrective actions to rebuild the much-needed confidence in our markets.
Sadly, there was no response from him & it was akin to throwing our considerable time & effort letter to the wastepaper basket. It broke our hearts!
Our moribund stockmarket continued to languish & billions of dollars have been wiped-out from our markets due to pretty low valuations. The listed Small & Medium Enterprises are also having a very tough time raising capital from the markets and some of the better ones have been privatised resulting in the hollowing-out of the Singapore Stockmarket.
Strangely, even our very own GIC is investing many hundreds of billions all over the world except our dear Singapore Stockmarket which has been floundering for quite some time. Our markets have been in the doldrums for too long a time & the Government doesn’t seem to care on the sorry state of our markets due to severe lack of liquidity & market confidence.
Normally Governments in many parts of the world constantly monitor the state of the markets as it is a good barometer & catalyst for the economy but in Singapore’s case it may not seem to be so. Take the case of how China is now actively seeking to revive the fortunes of the Chinese Stockmarket as it affects the wealth of millions of Chinese citizens. The Hongkong Government has just announced yesterday that it is looking at injecting liquidity into the Hongkong Stockmarket. Sadly, on Singapore side there’s deafening silence!
So, based on my personal experience, Mr Tharman’s Election Tagline “Respect for All” doesn’t ring a resounding bell for me & many of my colleagues in the industry and several hundreds of thousands of Singaporean investors who have been suffering in silence!
B. Mr Tan Kin Lian
Mr Tan Kin Lian has been the General Manager (now renamed as CEO) of NTUC income for many years. I have been a NTUC Income shareholder for more than 30 years. NTUC Income shares were priced at par of $10. When Mr Tan Kin Lian was GM, besides the annual dividends of about 6%, the Board would propose 15% bonus shares every 5 years to take into account the reducing purchasing power of money as the Co-operative shares could only be redeemed at $10 no matter how long the period you hold. Mr Tan Kin Lian was aware that many of the shareholders are retirees who are dependent on the dividend income to maintain their standard of living & so he & his Board made this conscious Bonus Issue policy. However, after he left, this Bonus Share declaration was discontinued.
Mr Tan Kin Lian cared for the Mom & Pop investors then and he continued to speak-up for them during the Global Financial Crisis Days in 2008 & he continues to champion the cause on the ever rising cost of living for the middle class, lower middle class and poor Singaporeans.
There are 3 reasons why I feel Mr Tan Kin Lian would be a more suitable President for Singapore.
1. One of the most important criteria for being a President is to be Independent. Mr Tan Kin Lian will probably be much more independent as he does not have any Political Affiliation for a very long time as compared to Mr Tharman who has just left the Establishment only about 2 months ago. Any reasonable person would tell you that it’s very difficult to severe ties that were established for over 2 decades! The Government of the day plays the Executive Role whilst the President plays an important Custodial Role. Both these Roles are distinct & seperate and having a truly Independent President is critical.
2. Mr Tan Kin Lian has spoken up for the underdogs many times at Hong Lim Park & many other forums. He’s frank & sincere and has a heart for fellow Singaporeans.
3. Mr Tan Kin Lian is also frugal and he has stated publicly that he takes the Public Transport most of the times. This is an important trait for the President as he can relate to the daily lives of fellow Singaporeans & would make a Great Goalkeeper for our Hard-earned Reserves as he’ll treat it like his own & at the same time have a heart for the less-privileged.
Now, come 1st September 2023, Singaporeans have to decide who will be the 9th President of Singapore.
We truly need an Independent President & my dear fellow Singaporeans this is your critical moment to seek your “One Chance For Change” to make your very important contribution at the Ballot Box and the time has come which is NOW!
We shall stay United in multi-racial Singapore & the Progress and Wealth we’ve amassed thus far should benefit all Singaporeans & not only a select few at the Top!
S Nallakaruppan
* The author is one of the founding members of the PSP.
Posted in 
..”Tharman made his political debut in the 2001 general election…On 8 June 2023, Tharman announced his intention to run for the 2023 presidential election and scheduled resignation from all his positions in the government and as a member of the People’s Action Party (PAP) on 7 July 2023.[3][36]”
So Tharman was in Papigs for over 22 years at least.
Only resigned last month from papigs.
Papigs blood flow in every vein in his body.
Every drop of blood in his body is tainted with papigs scent.
”Tharman urges candidates to avoid politicising Presidential Election”
And…. he want candidates to avoid politicising when …up to 7 July 2023 he was with papigs.
loading...
The contents of this contribution is very meaningful to know more about the two candidates.
Surprised that TS didn’t follow up on such a letter nor speak to them……..too atas?
loading...
Strangely,NKS,though Son of Kangkar ,doesn’t give me the feeling of a kampong boy.
Instead,TKL did so.
The CNA debater of 2023 PE is NKS but words are still just words.
TS has been in G.
And,surely he will not be as independent as he claims.
The only person to be most independent would be TKL。
I go for TKL as EP after considering all angles.
The 3 are The Good,the Better and The Best.
The best man to safeguard sgs’ interests with regards to our sgs’ reserves and ensure good sgs get appointed to top public posts.
Tech: I understand from sources that Ng has a hired a very expensive and professional media company as his media team, so all his BS may be scripted. lol
loading...
The higher up they are, the richer they are, the further away they are from the ground. They are not able to empathize fully with the struggles and hardships of the common people. For e.g. $1,000 income which is barely enough to live on in the most expensive city in the world can afford you to own a HDB flat! TKL lives closer to ground level. He takes public transport, eats at hawker centers, speaks up for the plight of common people at HLP, and engages in issues that affects them. He would be better able to empathize with common people when they complain of the high cost of living or the squeeze in crowded trains and buses. TKL may not be the ideal (he is not as handsome as TS, NkS or GG; he is not a scholar although he came from a good school; he does not speak fluent English, LOL!) but he can be a voice to Parliament for the people if the MPs are unwilling to do their job. The choice between a PAP President and the People’s President is clear.
loading...
A man takes good care of his German Shepherd for two years. The puppy gets the best food, best health care, and accompanies the man for long walks and hunting trips.
One day, the man tells the puppy to stand guard outside the house, and must not acknowledge him as the master. A German Shepherd is a smart puppy. He understands.
loading...
The Elected President supposed to be non Partisan…
Look more like GE now…between two candidates from Parties.
Unless underdog NKS create a surprise and upset…
loading...
Tharman is saying,”take me, take me,” I have the personality, experience and knowledge for a world performance. TKL, “I will try to make the walk easier for you.” Who to vote for should be clear to all. Tharman is selling himself as a world performer. TKL is saying, he is standing with the people of Singapore. I have already voted for President Tan Kin Lian in my mind, will do so physically on Friday.
loading...
This gov try very hard to draw a small box around the President. 2 candidates are very happy with the box. 1 candidate is not. That’s the one we need for President — a person who can think outside the box, a person who refuses to be on a leash.
According to the news, the election department draws these lines: President must not be political, President cannot comment on gov policies, and others. BUT these lines are not in the Constitution. Is the election department imposing its own wills on the President?
The election dept is overstepping its own authority.
loading...
TS is the best and most qualified.
Only problem is too close to the Government…
TKL not bad but too close to the Opposition.
So how ?
Maybe no fish prawn also can ?
Vote for no party man ?
loading...
I have not good impression of TK Lian, but in the end I have no choice but to vote for him.
Making a statement to PAP that you are hired by the People and you should be more responsible for the wellness of the People and NOT just looking after your pockets and your own INTEREST!!!!
loading...
After listening to Ng Kok Song, I will never vote for him. I believe KS was was inserted into the Presidential race by “someone” who things that Tharman is out to no good and may expose GIC/Temasek stuff which has been a state secret. Tharman knows too much. He has published some sensitive data and was charged in court before. To avoid this from happening, KS was parachuted by someone. I also think PM Lee had someone else in his mind and least expected Tharman to quit as an MP and join the race. I smell something fishy.
Back to KS, in my personal view, he is not independent as he claims to be. He has started to shit in his pants after Tan Jee Say and Tan Cheng Bok gave their complete support for Tan Kin Lian. I believe KS must be under pressure to grab the Presidency from both Tharman and Tan Kin Lian, by the “someone” who is sponsoring him. Readers will decide who is this “someone”, if you believe what I’m saying.
Bottomline, I hope all Singaporeans will vote for Tan Kin Lian. Its about time PAP gets the message that people want a truly independent President and one who speaks the ground and not an elitist like KS or Tharman. We want Kin Lian to be the next President.
loading...
@Outside the box President
Agree with you.Why should a committee that is not elected by the citizens but appointed by the PMO have so much power to dictate terms and to also vet their speeches? Isn’t this an insult to the candidates?
loading...
@TRE Tech
Oh,thanks for info.
No wonder,so impeccable.
Engrish damn tua kong.
And,keep blaring about success rate of his ” Social media”?
Ah so neh…
loading...
Believe you me, there are still so many people out there are infatuated with Tharman.
Wanting him as PM, now supporting him to be President.
These stupid people behaving like a calf not aware that there is a tiger.
These stupid people are also blogging in TRE praising him like a demi god without thinking hard esp Tech and so many other regulars here.
As for my reasons :
1) We Pioneer, Merdeka and Majulah generations are not ready for a non chinese PM. Ever.
2) For the GE I will vote PAP as long as it is of the view that the PM is not ready to be a non chinese.
There are so many of us holding this view too.
Don’t forget 75% citizens is chinese. A PM must be able to relate to its people.
Look at USA Barrack Obama. USA has gone down the drain when he took office. Same sex marriages, Black lives matter instead of Asian Lives matter. Huge Influx of low live immigrants and the ugly list goes on…
Tech: Damned, TRE must be doing something right, all of a sudden the traffic for TRE has spiked, with soo many newbie coming here to discredit Tan Kin Lian. Welcome newbie! lol
loading...
And,that $500M QUESTION ON HOW TO BE MORE UNIFYING?
BOTH TS and NKS spoke about philisophical concepts if I heard correctly.
Getting inter-communities engagements ,etc
Tot sgs have been like that already?!
Except things like SINDA,CDAC,MUIS,all govt-led?
Only TKL says it honestly n sincerely.
DECENT JOBS TO PUT FOOD ON TABLE AND A FAIR SHELTER?
This will le$$en undue worries for BASIC NECCESSITIES and free up sgs to ASPIRE FOR HIGHER LEVELS such as doing good and helping others?
Seems $500M types forgot about MASLOW HIERARCHY OF NEEDS?
So,WHAT COMPASSION ARE WE SPEAKING ABOUT HERE?
All I could remember is that WHEN TS was still minister,MANY NEEDY N DESERVING CITIZENS RECEIVED A GRANT OF $600 OUT OF A CLAIMED $23.5K SUM WHEN HALIMAH GAVE THE KEY TO H$K TO TAKE OUT THAT $100B.
AND,EVEN INTRA-COMPANY FT-TRANSFEREES GOT MUCH MORE THAN THE $23.5K WHEN THEY HAVE NOT EVEN STARTED PAYING A SINGLE CENT OF INCOME TAX AS THEY BASICALLY JUST ARRIVED WHEN HSK STARTED DI$HING THE MONEY OUT?!!
AND,NOT TO MENTION PLENTY OTHER FTs,etc.
So that is BIG TALK ABOUT COMPASSION?
THEY HAVE NOT EVEN BEEN EQUITABLE!
ROB THE POOR TO GIVE TO THE RICH?
AND,INDRANEE COMING OUT TO DEFEND ,SAYING FOREIGNERS CONTRIBUTE A LOT TO OUT RESERVED?
So,you see,All N.A.T.O.
Any lame guy csn do the same?
loading...
Tharman having depth and experience is over exaggerated. He has brought nothing new to the table despite his breadth depth of experiences
loading...
Listening to the TRIO,I gather that NKS says he is the right man for “safeguarding” the reserves as he helped build it up at MAS and at GIC .
TKL says he built INCOME to 600 times its original size.
So,just wondering if TKL was tasked with samd roles as NKS,would TKL have outperformed NKS?
NOW,SAFEGUARDING IS NOT THE SAME AS “MANAGING OR BUILDING” such reserves.
Safeguarding may require more independence from the govt.
That,I think TKL is more suitable.
loading...
Many years ago,I met Late Presiden Nathan along my morning walks at ECP as I was unemployed then.
I explained to him how FTs were “recruiting” their own village boys and girls on a member-get-member scheme.
I told him of such unfair practices.
He told me to write to MOM.
I left it at that as I was thinking why couldn’t the EP whose Office is just next door to the PM ,casually bring this up over kopi-see kosong.
Subsequently,they institute TAFEP and for what?
We are not suggesting EP to interfere in governance,that is seriously out of step.
We just hope our ELECTED president could represent us in friendly ways with the PM or ministers.
That is not intrusion,right?
It is COLLABORATION.
loading...
Just thinking,if TKL gets to be elected as bext EP,would the PM tasked him to go on more “overseas” OFFICIAL VISITS*(trips) so as to keep him busy and away from Istana?
It seems our ELECTED PRESIDENT is the MARKETING DIRECTOR reporting to the CEO?
loading...
Think.
1. Th says Sg ready for Indian PM (PM!)
2. Th is out, to President job for 6 years.
3. Shan and V almost in trouble. Reputation lowered nevertheless.
4. Iswaran in CPIB trouble.
5. To balance, TCJ+ thrown out.
6. TH emphasize willingness to work with next PM. Boss, no worry.
I smell something.
loading...
I tell you solemnly, that if Tharman gets into office, the CECA appetite will only set to grow.
During those 12 years of Mr. Roti Prata time, we saw a huge influx of his fellow kind swarming our employment and social landscapes.
Then this phonomena from Hyndya continued to this day through Milo’s time.
Do we want a repeat of this ?
Tharman for all his baby charms is nothing but a hogwash to the KIASU generation.
How far have we progressed ?
From Pioneer generation to Merdeka to Majulah to now Hentak-Kaki and Kiasu generation.
Don’t fall for democratic liberal ideals like Obama in USA. His continuance of Globalisation brought massive unemployment in America until Trump took over to reverse it.
Likewise red dot must choose its PM and President to maintain the racial composition status quo.
loading...
are you guys in TEeEmeritus Grab Divers? Especially XOXO? ahhhahaha
loading...
These are not newbies, but paid Regime trolls. They surface from time to time to discredit the majority of the people here. We have all been their victims from time to time. Pay them no attention, like old turd, and they will go away. What they want is for people to respond to them – don’t give them the satisfaction. If we ignore them they will not get their yearly bonus.
loading...
Harder Truths:
August 29, 2023 at 8:58 pm (Quote)
Ugly States of Afromerica (USA: Tech: Damned, TRE must be doing something right, all of a sudden the traffic for TRE has spiked, with soo many newbie coming here to discredit Tan Kin Lian. Welcome newbie! lol
These are not newbies, but paid Regime trolls. They surface from time to time to discredit the majority of the people here. We have all been their victims from time to time. Pay them no attention, like old turd, and they will go away. What they want is for people to respond to them – don’t give them the satisfaction. If we ignore them they will not get their yearly bonus.
That’s what I had been telling TECH all along sometime long ago to not respond to IBs especially “Singaporeans Are Free Riders”. Don’t know why TECH loved to respond to it thereby giving this IB satisfaction. Ignore them and over time they will leave without any accomplishment.
loading...