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GE2025: Stunning victory for PAPGE2025: Stunning victory for PAP I refer to the CNA’s report, “GE2025: Stunning victory for PAP, winning 87 of 97 seats with higher national vote share in PM Wong's first electoral test” (May 4). GE2025 has clearly delivered the following key messages/notes from the vast majority of voters: The Workers’ Party (WP) has done a fantastic good...

This is not a game of cardsThis is not a game of cards I can appreciate parties wanting to hold their cards close to their chest, but the smoke and mirrors games on nominations day, the shuffling of the DPM from a seat he had openly been declared to be defending, and other ministers shuffling constituencies leaves one feeling the PAP thinks it is playing a game of cards. Constituency...

Is a Parliament full of PAP MPs really better for Singaporeans?Is a Parliament full of PAP MPs really better for Singaporeans? I refer to The Online Citizen GE2025 news report, “Lee Hsien Yang: Is a Parliament full of PAP MPs really better for Singaporeans?” - (April 14), and “The Straits Times’ report, “GE2025: Singaporeans will go to the polls on May 3, Nomination Day on April 23” (April 15), and The Online Citizen GE2025 report,...

𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝... Is the PAP of today exceptional, with unmatched competence and delivery? Afterall, that is their justification for the highest salaries in the world. Let’s look at its more recent track record. Large numbers of NRIC numbers were recently unmasked, leaving Singaporeans exposed to identity theft, fraud, abuse and scams....

GE2025: Red Dot United to contest in Holland-Bukit TimahGE2025: Red Dot United to contest in Holland-Bukit Timah I refer to the CNA news, “GE2025: Red Dot United to contest in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC but may make way for Singapore Democratic Party” (April 10), “More opposition 'star catches' are emerging. Is Singapore's political scene maturing?” (April 10) and “PSP says government response to Trump tariffs 'overblown',...

GE2025: Why Singapore's high-flying bureaucrats are recruited into politicsGE2025: Why Singapore's high-flying bureaucrats are recruited... I refer to CNA’s news, “GE2025: Why Singapore's high-flying bureaucrats are recruited into politics” (Mar 28). It is not surprised to notice that in recent weeks, two NMPs and top ministry officials have resigned, fuelling speculation they could be fielded as potential candidates for the ruling People's Action...

More than 2.75 million Singaporeans eligible to vote in GE2025More than 2.75 million Singaporeans eligible to vote in GE2025 I refer to The CNA’s News, “GE2025: More than 2.75 million Singaporeans eligible to vote” (Mar 25). As Singapore’s General Election is due to be held within this year, the following factors will more or less influence the election situation this year: A)The general mentality of voters Voters are generally...

How the end of Ukraine war could be secured, even with waning US supportHow the end of Ukraine war could be secured, even with waning... I refer to the CNA’s commentaries, “How the end of Ukraine war could be secured, even with waning US support” (Mar 4), “Lessons from the Trump-Zelenskyy meltdown- for friends and foes” (Mar 1) and “Will Trump tariffs push China to change economic tack?” (Mar 3). Foremost, we need to recognise the reality...

Singapore Army Recruits Deserve a Minimum WageSingapore Army Recruits Deserve a Minimum Wage Singapore Army Recruits Deserve a Minimum Wage: National Service Should Not Come at the Expense of Opportunity Costs Singapore’s National Service (NS) has long been a cornerstone of the nation’s defense, requiring young men to dedicate two years of their lives to military, civil defense, or police service. While...

Trump-Putin deal on Ukraine will be Europe’s moment of reckoningTrump-Putin deal on Ukraine will be Europe’s moment of... I refer to the CNA’s Commentaries, “Trump-Putin deal on Ukraine will be Europe’s moment of reckoning” (Feb 20) and “Ukraine can survive with the ‘least worst’ peace” (Feb 22). Now, In the eyes of European Union, they have lost trust and confidence in the United States, it is solely due to the flip flop...

From Deepseek to Huawei, US tech restrictions on China are backfiringFrom Deepseek to Huawei, US tech restrictions on China are... I refer to the CNA’s Commentary, “From Deepseek to Huawei, US tech restrictions on China are backfiring” (Jan 31). Would it be practical, useful and effective for the United States to continually pursue an aggressive containment strategy to hobble China’s tech push? Undoubtedly, the answer is obviously not. There...

Don't get distracted by Trump's outlandish Cabinet picksDon't get distracted by Trump's outlandish Cabinet picks I refer to the CNA’s Commentary: “Don't get distracted by Trump's outlandish Cabinet picks” (Nov 25), and “'No one will win a trade war’, China says after Trump tariff threat” (Nov 26). As everyone knows, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will return to power on January 20, 2025. Trump has dismissed...

Putin escalates Ukraine warPutin escalates Ukraine war I refer to The CNA’s Commentary: “Putin escalates Ukraine war by a step, not a leap, with missile experiment” (Nov 23). Foremost, Zelenskyi’s intention to join Nato has greatly threatened the security and survival of Russia. Hence, Zelenskyy has offended Putin and Putin has no choice but to launch a war with...

Will PM Wong address the astronomical ministerial salaries?Will PM Wong address the astronomical ministerial salaries? I refer to The TR-Emeritus opinion article, “Will PM Wong address the astronomical ministerial salaries” (June 14) by Mr Yoong Siew Wah. It has always been a controversial topic which concerns about our top political leaders who receive their salaries that are many times higher than those foreign political leaders. Our...

Supporting Chee Soon Juan's caféSupporting Chee Soon Juan's café I refer to The Independent Singapore’s news, “Singaporeans urged to support Chee Soon Juan's café despite their political preferences” (July 16). The underlying objective of doing any business is to ensure it is viable and profitable. Otherwise, there is no point of undertaking risk for it. It is natural for...

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Editorials
Strong hailstorm strikes China's Xi'an causing airport...

Strong hailstorm strikes China's Xi'an causing airport...

On the evening of May 8, Xi’an, the capital city of China’s Shaanxi Province, was struck by a powerful...
Four parties lost their election deposits in GE2025

Four parties lost their election deposits in GE2025

A total of four opposition parties, the Singapore United Party (SUP), People's Power Party (PPP), People’s...
Level 16 super typhoon devastates multiple cities in...

Level 16 super typhoon devastates multiple cities in...

Northern China was hit by an extreme weather event on Thursday as a massive cold front swept south, colliding...
Level 15 winds destroy buildings rooftops and cause...

Level 15 winds destroy buildings rooftops and cause...

On April 30, northern China was struck by an extreme weather event as a massive cold vortex surged southward,...
TR Emeritus to 'shut-up' on 2nd May 2025

TR Emeritus to 'shut-up' on 2nd May 2025

Please be informed that TR Emeritus (TRE) will shut down its comment function site-wide at 0000 hours...
Chaos in China as extreme storm destroys homes and...

Chaos in China as extreme storm destroys homes and...

Beijing’s 22 million residents were asked to stay indoors on Saturday, as powerful winds swept across...
China, Thailand, and Myanmar in ruins after devastating...

China, Thailand, and Myanmar in ruins after devastating...

On March 28, 2025, a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar near Mandalay, causing...
Myanmar 7.7 earthquake collapses buildings in Thailand,...

Myanmar 7.7 earthquake collapses buildings in Thailand,...

A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on March 28, 2025, causing widespread panic...
Beijing shocked by earthquake and mega sandstorm

Beijing shocked by earthquake and mega sandstorm

Since March 24, 2025, northern China has been battling extreme weather as a massive sandstorm swept through...
Mega hail causes mass destruction in Fujian and Guangdong

Mega hail causes mass destruction in Fujian and Guangdong

An unexpected and severe hailstorm struck multiple cities in Guangdong and Fujian between March 3 and...
Extreme weather struck multiple regions in China

Extreme weather struck multiple regions in China

On March 2, 2025, extreme weather struck multiple regions in China, with parts of Henan province experiencing...
Happy Chinese New Year 2025

Happy Chinese New Year 2025

Wishing all our Chinese readers:     Team@TR Emeritus  
Huge snow caused numerous disruptions on China's major...

Huge snow caused numerous disruptions on China's major...

As the Chinese New Year approaches, millions of people across the country are making their annual journey...
The rapidly spreading HMPV virus you haven’t heard...

The rapidly spreading HMPV virus you haven’t heard...

Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is making headlines as cases surge, especially among children and vulnerable...
4.1 magnitude earthquake shakes Shanxi's Linfeng city

4.1 magnitude earthquake shakes Shanxi's Linfeng city

On the evening of January 10, 2025, Linfen City in Shanxi Province was struck by an earthquake. The tremor,...
7.8 magnitude earthquake devastates Tibet

7.8 magnitude earthquake devastates Tibet

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake has hit Tibet, in the region of Shigatse, which is near the border with Nepal. According...
Outbreak of mystery virus in China

Outbreak of mystery virus in China

China is r eportedly facing a new health crisis as the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) outbreak rapidly...
Unknown Virus Rampages in China; Hospitals Utterly...

Unknown Virus Rampages in China; Hospitals Utterly...

A blogger in China has shared a video, claiming that this isn’t China’s Spring Festival travel rush;...
Opinions
Cutting down reliance on US military equipment

Cutting down reliance on US military equipment

There is a rampant rumor going around that claims Egypt has ordered 48 J10C with a price tag of USD$25B...
2025大选—明确授权,变化中的政治格局

2025大选—明确授权,变化中的政治格局

2025年大选结果无可争议,政府再次赢得了强有力的授权,稳固了其在新加坡政治格局中的主导地位。尽管选举结果并不令人意外,但胜利的过程却并非没有争议和复杂性。 值得注意的是,选区划分的变化在本次选战中发挥了重要作用。陈清木医生与徐顺全医生等资深反对派人物,因选区重划而受到显著影响——传统支持基础被分割或并入他区,无疑左右了某些关键选区的最终结果。虽然选区调整在新加坡选举历史上并不罕见,但其公平性与透明度仍持续引发讨论。 工人党虽稳守东北区的传统堡垒,但未能在本届大选中攻下新的选区。不过,该党仍获得两个非选区议员(Ncmp)席位,虽属安慰性质,却在象征意义上维持了国会内多元声音的存在。 更值得关注的是,本届大选所处的人口背景正经历剧烈变化。新加坡人口从2000年的约300万增长至2025年的超过500万。考虑到多年来出生率持续偏低,这一增长几乎可以肯定主要归因于移民流入,尤其可能在华人群体中增长显著。这一趋势对国家的社会结构和政治生态产生了深远影响。 展望2030年大选,各政党不仅要面对一如既往的选区调整与突发的全球事件,更需正视一个不断演变的社会结构。随着越来越多新移民成为国民,选民构成日益多元,政党在政策制定与信息传递上必须更具包容性与前瞻性。他们必须同时争取老一代公民与新加坡新公民的认同,回应共同关切,并跨越代际与文化差异的鸿沟。 在新加坡持续向前迈进的过程中,其政治也必须与时俱进——反映日益多元的人口现实,同时坚守国家的核心价值观:团结、韧性与务实。 Cwc-Ai
A jaw-dropping election

A jaw-dropping election

This is a jaw-dropping election. For the opposition. SDP’s Dr Chee and PSP’s Leong were deeply disappointed....
The Nation has rejected multi-party Parliamentary representation

The Nation has rejected multi-party Parliamentary representation

Our party suffered great losses and I personally have suffered the greatest hit. But these personal losses...
A False Analogy That Insults the Intelligence of Singaporeans

A False Analogy That Insults the Intelligence of Singaporeans

Minister Ong Ye Kung’s recent assertion that a “co-driver” bears no responsibility if a car crashes...
There is a cost to losing

There is a cost to losing

There is a cost to losing. At least in PAP’s books. And one of the costs is a policy of priority. That...
Hougang Belongs to the People

Hougang Belongs to the People

Thank You for the Reminder, Mr Marshall Lim. It is with no small measure of amusement that one reads...
Its all about trust

Its all about trust

Dr Ng Eng Hen from PAP has pointed out the most important key point about this General Elections, it...
Misunderstanding What Singaporeans Truly Expect from...

Misunderstanding What Singaporeans Truly Expect from...

The government's repeated assertion that it is "easy for the opposition to ask the government to give...
Punggol GRC

Punggol GRC

Punggol GRC is without question one of the most hotly watched, followed and contested constituency in...
Should Singapore Be Concerned About David Neo’s “Action-Takers,...

Should Singapore Be Concerned About David Neo’s “Action-Takers,...

Singaporeans should pause and reflect on the recent remark by PAP candidate David Neo, who said that...
Why Singaporeans Must Reconsider the Dismissal of SDP’s...

Why Singaporeans Must Reconsider the Dismissal of SDP’s...

The Singapore government’s blunt assertion that the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP)’s proposals...
Expect the exchange of barbs in politics

Expect the exchange of barbs in politics

In a political contest, expect the exchange of barbs. And we do not lack any of it in the rallies held...
Don't Be Swayed by the Noise—Think Critically Before...

Don't Be Swayed by the Noise—Think Critically Before...

In recent weeks, the political buzz in Singapore has reached a new high. Massive crowds at opposition...
We vote whoever is deserving of our vote

We vote whoever is deserving of our vote

I am surprised that Lee Hsien Loong chose to remind us of the 1997 shameful episode when he, his father...
The Case for a Diverse and Balanced Parliament

The Case for a Diverse and Balanced Parliament

The Singapore government has recently stated that "Good government needs good people" and cautioned against...
None of the PAP labour MPs rose to speak when Parliament...

None of the PAP labour MPs rose to speak when Parliament...

I was truly flabbergasted when I learned from one of Pritam Singh's (PS) recent rally video clips that...
A Regrettable Incident and a Timely Call for Reform

A Regrettable Incident and a Timely Call for Reform

The recent racial slur made by a Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) member during the General Election...
Letters
GE2025: Stunning victory for PAP

GE2025: Stunning victory for PAP

I refer to the CNA’s report, “GE2025: Stunning victory for PAP, winning 87 of 97 seats with higher...
Is a Parliament full of PAP MPs really better for Singaporeans?

Is a Parliament full of PAP MPs really better for Singaporeans?

I refer to The Online Citizen GE2025 news report, “Lee Hsien Yang: Is a Parliament full of PAP MPs...
GE2025: Red Dot United to contest in Holland-Bukit...

GE2025: Red Dot United to contest in Holland-Bukit...

I refer to the CNA news, “GE2025: Red Dot United to contest in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC but may make...
GE2025: Why Singapore's high-flying bureaucrats are...

GE2025: Why Singapore's high-flying bureaucrats are...

I refer to CNA’s news, “GE2025: Why Singapore's high-flying bureaucrats are recruited into politics”...
More than 2.75 million Singaporeans eligible to vote...

More than 2.75 million Singaporeans eligible to vote...

I refer to The CNA’s News, “GE2025: More than 2.75 million Singaporeans eligible to vote” (Mar...
How the end of Ukraine war could be secured, even with...

How the end of Ukraine war could be secured, even with...

I refer to the CNA’s commentaries, “How the end of Ukraine war could be secured, even with waning...
Singapore Army Recruits Deserve a Minimum Wage

Singapore Army Recruits Deserve a Minimum Wage

Singapore Army Recruits Deserve a Minimum Wage: National Service Should Not Come at the Expense of Opportunity...
Trump-Putin deal on Ukraine will be Europe’s moment...

Trump-Putin deal on Ukraine will be Europe’s moment...

I refer to the CNA’s Commentaries, “Trump-Putin deal on Ukraine will be Europe’s moment of reckoning”...
Snippets
Singapore’s Sports Industry: A Rising Powerhouse...

Singapore’s Sports Industry: A Rising Powerhouse...

Singapore’s sports industry is on the cusp of greatness, leveraging cutting-edge infrastructure and...
What are the most popular hobbies in Singapore in 2025?

What are the most popular hobbies in Singapore in 2025?

As work-life balance remains a constant talking point in the fast-paced city-state of Singapore, residents...
10 Most Popular Mobile Games in Singapore

10 Most Popular Mobile Games in Singapore

Singaporeans can't get enough of their phones these days, spending tons of time battling opponents, building...
Langkawi to Koh Lipe Ferry: Complete Travel Guide

Langkawi to Koh Lipe Ferry: Complete Travel Guide

Planning a tropical escape from Malaysia to Thailand? The journey from Langkawi to Koh Lipe offers a...
This is not a game of cards

This is not a game of cards

I can appreciate parties wanting to hold their cards close to their chest, but the smoke and mirrors...
𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝...

𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝...

Is the PAP of today exceptional, with unmatched competence and delivery? Afterall, that is their justification...
The sleep science revolution in elite sports

The sleep science revolution in elite sports

Professional sports have entered a new era where recovery science directly impacts performance outcomes....
Sports Betting in Online Casinos as a Way to Improve...

Sports Betting in Online Casinos as a Way to Improve...

In today's world, online sports betting has become not only a popular form of entertainment but also...
Sticky & Recent Articles

Is that what we want for an Elected President?

Is that what we want for an Elected President?

Tharman will become a Lame Duck President eventually, regardless whether there is a contest or not. This is No Elected President but just Selected Presidency. The selection is already done by PAP appointed President Selection Committee. George Goh claims he is "Independent" but we know PAP Govt won't anyhow appointment ambassador to any country without any "connection". It's just a matter of relative "closeness" to PAP, so to speak. Most importantly, Mdm Ho Ching aka Mrs Lee HL has openly confirmed what I have said is absolutely right. PAP is not interested in getting an Elected President who is Independent and they don't want the President to perform Checks and Balances on them! They don't even want the President to know how our sovereign funds are invested or managed but just a insurance against opposition kicking PAP out of power, so to prevent opposition to use the reserves for anything. It's about keeping PAP political interests and definitely, it has nothing to do with separation of powers. They would definitely prefer someone who is PAP, not anyone who is "Independent"! Is that what we want for an Elected President?   Goh Meng Seng      Read More →

Will Sheng Xiong get a pass for breaching listing rules?

Will Sheng Xiong get a pass for breaching listing rules?

The Business Times carried this article buried deep in its ‘market-companies’ section. Straits Times, I believe, reported nothing. Not surprising. SS operates the Shengsiong chain of supermarkets. The company is listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange. SGX listing rules require companies to have Independent Directors (IDs) and Non-Executive Directors make up a majority of the Board. SS Annual Report for y/e 31 Dec 2022 indicated it has 5 IDs and 5 Executive Directors and expressed an opinion the Board has adequate independence and does not require additional IDs considering the company size. On Jun 8 SGX wrote to SS advising the breach of Board rulings. SS has responded to explain the non-compliance, insisting they have confidence their Board has independence and they have already explained this in the 2022 Annual Report. Which means what exactly? That SGX should go pound sand? After parliament, are we now to accept “ownself check ownself” in the corporate world? Market watchers surely understand the SS snub of SGX isn’t an empty challenge but came with the sheen of authority rubbed onto those close to the Emperor. Will SGX produce some new lexicon in classical Singapore Inc fashion to allow SS continuation of its breach of ruling? Or will SGX demand compliance and show us external regulatory mechanism wins over “ownself check ownself”? Will SGX chair Koh Boon Hwee show his mettle, or slink away like an eunuch? Time to go buy some popcorns from Shengsiong and watch the next move of SGX. I remember the early days of SS when their shop was a mess. An acquaintance once told me an insider friend narrated how disorganized the operation was back then. Credit to them for coming a long way and establishing themselves today as a household brand. SS is so much a part of our daily life that it gets into the background of our mundane routines. There are two things about SS that trigger quick recall for most folks. One is the 2014 kidnapping of the CEO's 79 year old mother. The police were super efficient. The 2 kidnappers were arrested within 2 hours of $2m ransom being dropped off. Mom was unhurt. The other is the Prime Minister’s daughter is married to the scion of the owners of SS. Inevitably, gossip there always will be when such relationship exists. There is much disquiet about SS’ ability to secure many HDB retail space. Such talk is unfair and prejudiced since we know HDB, URA and SLA let out their properties by public auction. Currently SS has 68 stores island-wide. Two of these seem incongruous – the one at Woodlands Industrial Park E7 and Serangoon North Ave 5. These 2 are located in industrial parks. Is there a reason why SS is allowed to conduct commercial business in an industrial park? It is very highly unlikely there was a rezoning for change of use. Is there some special process to obtain change of use? In 2001 department store operator Mustafa Centre had a 6 storey warehouse at Aljunied Industrial Park. URA turned down Mustafa's 2004 application to change the building's use to a wholesale centre for household goods and appliances. Mustafa proceeded without aproval to operate a department store on the first level and a supermarket on level two for a few weeks in 2009. Within weeks, URA shut down the operation and Mustafa was fined $10,000. Commercial activiies are not allowed in an industrial park.   Patrick Low * Article first appeared on Down The Rabbit Hole.      Read More →

The problem is not who gets the job – its the job

The problem is not who gets the job – its the job

The big news in Singapore is that our Senior Minister, Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam (“Mr. Tharman”) has resigned from the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) and the Cabinet in order to run for President. Given that Mr. Tharman has been one of the most prominent members of the government, it seems all but assured that he will be Singapore’s next president. In a way, you could say this is a career highlight for a man who was once a student activist. Mr. Tharman is what you call that most unusual of Singaporean politicians – he’s a technocrat who has is in touch with the ground. Of all the Ministers produced in Singapore, he alone has been recognized beyond the shores of Singapore, having been appointed Chairman of the IMF’s International Monetary and Financial Committee, Chair of the G20s Eminent Persons Group on Global Financial Governance and Chair of the Group of Thirty. Yet, at the same time, Mr. Tharman has consistently been one of the most popular politicians in Singapore. Mr. Tharman is such a star that, he’s actually had to go out of his way to say that having a contest for this upcoming presidential election is important to him: [LINK] As if there was a magic political genie, the most recent announcement in the wake of Mr. Tharman’s announcement is the fact there will be another contender, who is Mr. George Goh, an entrepreneur who brought Harvey Norman to Singapore. Mr. Goh is in many ways a compelling candidate with a rags-to-riches story. He’s another gem in Singapore – a genuine private sector entrepreneur. However, nobody doubts that Mr. Goh will, at best pick up the protest votes – if he’s allowed to run. The problem here is not Mr. Tharman or Mr. Goh. Both have compelling stories that make them good representatives of the nation. While Mr. Tharman is undoubtedly the better known of the pair, both have carried themselves with a certain amount of gravitas that befits a head of state. The real issue here is the presidency. Ever since we broke away from colonial rule, it’s been very clear that the role of Head of State has been largely ceremonial, like that of the British Monarch. However, while the role has been largely ceremonial, it’s been a political football to be kicked around at the whims of the government. In his biography, Lee Kuan Yew made it very clear that he needed a Malay to be head of state because he needed to show the Federal Government in Kuala Lumpur that a Malay could rise to the top in Singapore. So, Yusof Ishak became our first head of state. For a while, this was the unspoken rule where ethnic minorities became president, whilst the Chinese majority ran the government. Suddenly this changed in 1993, when Ong Teng Cheong became Singapore’s elected president. The rules changed. The presidency was no longer about being a symbol of racial harmony but about looking after this thing called the “reserves.” The president is in theory the only office elected by every Singaporean (you vote for the individual not a party) and is in theory an impartial voice that is above the political fray (in theory the president MUST NOT be a member of any political party). Sure, the president is still pretty much like the British monarch – only able to act “upon the advice of the Prime Minister,” which in layman speak is “will do as I’m told,” but unlike the British Monarch, the Singapore’s President has in theory the ability to say no, especially if he or she thinks the government is going to steal from the proverbial cookie jar. However, whilst the theory is that the president has a separate democratic mandate in order to be an independent voice, the practice has been rather different. Of the four “elected” presidents that we’ve had, only two have actually faced a contest of sorts. Ong Teng Cheong ran against Chua Kim Yeow. Mr. Chua’s entire campaign was “vote for Mr. Ong, he’s much better than me,” and he still got 30 percent of the vote. There could not be a clearer message to the government that “the people” expected to use their mandate and were not going to give the government’s boy a free ride, even if the other guy was begging them to do so. The only other president who faced a contest was Tony Tan, who despite a track record of government service and having the full weight of the government machinery behind him, only got in with 0.34 percent of the vote. When came to the presidents of ethnic minority backgrounds, the government went out of its way, to borrow a phrase from our Prime Minister, “fix” the contest and both were selected. This was painfully obvious in the case of Madam Halimah. First, they conveniently changed the constitution to state that only a Malay could be president. Then a whole group of potential candidates were disqualified for not being Malay. Then, when it came out that Madam Halimah was actually an “Indian Muslim,” you had the then Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Mr. Chan Chun Sing proudly displaying a lack of cultural understanding, declaring “An Indian Muslim is a Malay.” Both Mr. Tharman and Mr. Goh would do well to study the fate of our presidents. Yusof Ishak and Benjamin Shears had the good fortune to die in office and only Wee Kim Wee managed to retire was from office with dignity and died at a ripe old age. Anyone who had any form of ground support was effectively neutered. Case in point is Devan Nair, who was a prominent trade unionist. The office took him away from his people in the unions and when he was humiliated for having a sip too much, nobody was there for him. Ong Teng Cheong was a successful Deputy Prime Minister who spearheaded the creation of our MRT. He had the tenacity to do the job as described in the constitution and to make matters worse, he mentioned that there were teething problems. His reward was to be told to shut up and when he died, there was no state funeral for a former head of state. The other Deputy Prime Minister to take the job was Tony Tan and had democratic legitimacy was effectively a silent president who was never really seen in public except for a trip to the UK where he and his wife looked like miniatures next to the then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The two most recent presidents from the ethnic minority communities, namely SR Nathan and Halimah Yacob have effectively towed the party line. In a way. Mr. Nathan is the luckier of the two. His career was in the civil service and had a track record of being loyal to the government. Whilst he was often lambasted by the online crowd, he wasn’t a threat and he didn’t come from a background of having “ground support,’ from any particular group. So, you could say the presidency was a good and lucrative retirement for him. Madam Halimah on the other hand is from the trade union movement. She was, prior to her climb up the ladder of politics, he respected enough figure. She is, unfortunately now a butt of jokes on the internet about whether an Indian Muslim is a Malay. Both Mr. Tharman and Mr. Goh will not be able to do much and in the case of Mr. Tharman he needs to study what has happened to people in the post. He has ground support. Polls have shown that people want him as Prime Minister, despite the constant reminders that Singapore is not ready for a Prime Minister from an ethnic minority. Mr. Tharman needs to tread very carefully as president. He will not be allowed to be independent even though the public expect him to be so. He needs to retain support from his people on the ground to get elected but at the same time he needs to assure the government of the day that he is no threat to them. Instead of being in a politically neutral office, Mr. Tharman may find that the presidency to be the most difficult political balancing act of his stellar career.     Tang Li *Although I’ve been based mainly in Singapore for nearly two decades, I’ve had the privilege of being able to meet people who have crossed borders and cultures. I’ve befriended ministers and ambassadors and worked on projects involving a former head of state. Yet, at the same time, I’ve had the privilege of befriending migrant labourers and former convicts. All of them have a story to tell. All of them add to the fabric of life. I hope to express the stories that inspire us to create life as it should be.      Read More →

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