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.
.
Man lives in a tiny cabin inside Helsinki Airport for 30 days
There are no honest people in Singapore
The factors in getting your condo loan application approved
Singapore executives name terrorist and cyber attacks as biggest global risks for local companies
Support and unhappiness over Elected Presidency turns into a racial mud sling like no other
Tharman on state media, gutter politics
Digital transformation is key to redefining customer experience in Asia’s hospitality industry
Close to 2000 turn up at Hong Lim Park for protest against process of Elected Presidency
SMRT decides to stop announcing train delays: A blow-by-blow account of the EWL disruption
Experience the Future of “Imminent Commons” in Seoul
Madam President, it’s time to move out; either you suffer higher security risks or taxpayers must pay for costlier protection
Residents hardly inconvenienced by President Halimah Yacob's continued stay at her HDB flat
HDB/CPF tips for the cash-strapped or dead broke
Protest at Hong Lim Park against Elected Presidency was never about the person
Mdm Halimah's insistence to stay at her HDB flat as President will likely cause inconvenience to fellow residents
Religious or not, debate about the public good should be opened up to all, especially not just the PAP
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.