Dr Tan Cheng Bock, former People's Action Party Member of Parliament and Presidential Candidate in the Presidential Election 2011 has posted his congratulations to Mdm Halimah Yacob, who was announced President Elect today after no other candidates qualify to stand in the Presidential Election.
However, Dr Tan notes that Singaporeans are unhappy with the walkover which he attribute to the government action of taking away the people's right to vote. He gave a subtle warning at the end of his message, "PE 2017 has been a quiet affair. But there is now a deafening silence awakening the nation. We did not get a chance to speak with our vote this round, but the time will come. And when it does, it will be thunderous. Of this I am sure."
Below is Dr Tan's Facebook post in full.
My congratulations to President-elect Mdm Halimah Yacob. Today she returned unopposed and will occupy the most controversial presidency in the history of Singapore. I wish her well.
Singaporeans are, however, unhappy with the walkover as reported in the BBC: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-41237318
I think one reason is this: when the Commission recommended scrapping the Presidential elections and reverting to an appointed Presidency, the Government White Paper rejected the idea. They explained it was important for citizens to give the Presidency their “popular” and “direct” mandate.
In PE 2011, I stood for elections because I did not want a walkover.
In fact, I recall that in 1993, the Government’s preferred candidate was Ong Teng Cheong. Everyone knew he would win. But Dr Goh Keng Swee still went out of his way to persuade Mr Chua Kim Yeow to stand for elections. Why? To prevent a walkover and give citizens the dignity of expressing their choice.
But for PE 2017, the Government did not put up another Malay candidate aside from Mdm Halimah. Instead, 2 independent candidates, Salleh Marican and Farid Khan, valiantly stepped up. Everyone knew Mdm Halimah would win. Still, we looked forward to a poll to tell the Government what we thought about the elections. However, the PEC rejected the 2 men (contrast PE 2011 where the PEC permitted Tan Kin Lian and Tan Jee Say to contest via the deliberative track). As a result, we have a disappointing walkover.
People now feel muzzled and angry. Because when you take away our right to vote, you take away our political voice. You tell us that our choice does not matter.
PE 2017 has been a quiet affair. But there is now a deafening silence awakening the nation. We did not get a chance to speak with our vote this round, but the time will come. And when it does, it will be thunderous. Of this I am sure.
.
The Government can also have a human touch 
Three investments you need to make for online dating success 
Inquiry into NSF Dave Lee’s death too narrow 
NSMen’s inquiry: Need few more months, but already confirmed 2 improvements, policies ‘sound’? 
Paktor owner M17 Entertainment’s IPO trouble: Three questions that must be addressed 
Is the annual pay gap between junior Ministers and junior civil servants as much as 67 times? 
In the Lion City, politicians perfect the art of marrying well 
Cheap labour is a barrier to digital competitiveness 
The Singapore Summit: An exercise in confidence building 
Chief of Defence Force MG Melvyn Ong avoids answering questions on “tekan culture” in SAF 
Why are there so many “unknown” controversial CPF policies and how many more unknown? 
You’ve heard of "fake news", what about "fake awards"? 
MSF's response only heightens the notion that "CPF not our money" 
Dr M meets PM Lee for only 30 min but gives Jack Ma an hour 
MSF responds but fails to address core issue - why is CPF considered an income? 
Netizens amused over spelling error on UOB's "distinguished" credit card frame 
Fed raises key interest rate - SG homeowners expect to pay more interests for mortgages 
Elderly street hawker allegedly asked by authorities to pack stall and leave even though rent was paid 
US Treasury Department targets Singapore for money laundering 
Skepticism towards Speaker Tan Chuan Jin’s urge to employers, “Do not organise work activities that eat into family time” 
Dr Tan Cheng Bock: Walkover troubles Singaporeans
Dr Tan Cheng Bock, former People's Action Party Member of Parliament and Presidential Candidate in the Presidential Election 2011 has posted his congratulations to Mdm Halimah Yacob, who was announced President Elect today after no other candidates qualify to stand in the Presidential Election.
However, Dr Tan notes that Singaporeans are unhappy with the walkover which he attribute to the government action of taking away the people's right to vote. He gave a subtle warning at the end of his message, "PE 2017 has been a quiet affair. But there is now a deafening silence awakening the nation. We did not get a chance to speak with our vote this round, but the time will come. And when it does, it will be thunderous. Of this I am sure."
Below is Dr Tan's Facebook post in full.
My congratulations to President-elect Mdm Halimah Yacob. Today she returned unopposed and will occupy the most controversial presidency in the history of Singapore. I wish her well.
Singaporeans are, however, unhappy with the walkover as reported in the BBC: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-41237318
I think one reason is this: when the Commission recommended scrapping the Presidential elections and reverting to an appointed Presidency, the Government White Paper rejected the idea. They explained it was important for citizens to give the Presidency their “popular” and “direct” mandate.
In PE 2011, I stood for elections because I did not want a walkover.
In fact, I recall that in 1993, the Government’s preferred candidate was Ong Teng Cheong. Everyone knew he would win. But Dr Goh Keng Swee still went out of his way to persuade Mr Chua Kim Yeow to stand for elections. Why? To prevent a walkover and give citizens the dignity of expressing their choice.
But for PE 2017, the Government did not put up another Malay candidate aside from Mdm Halimah. Instead, 2 independent candidates, Salleh Marican and Farid Khan, valiantly stepped up. Everyone knew Mdm Halimah would win. Still, we looked forward to a poll to tell the Government what we thought about the elections. However, the PEC rejected the 2 men (contrast PE 2011 where the PEC permitted Tan Kin Lian and Tan Jee Say to contest via the deliberative track). As a result, we have a disappointing walkover.
People now feel muzzled and angry. Because when you take away our right to vote, you take away our political voice. You tell us that our choice does not matter.
PE 2017 has been a quiet affair. But there is now a deafening silence awakening the nation. We did not get a chance to speak with our vote this round, but the time will come. And when it does, it will be thunderous. Of this I am sure.