Writing in a Facebook post on Sunday, entitled, “Singapore’s interest must always come first”, Dr Tan Cheng Bock shared some thoughts and clarifications on his presence at the opposition meeting on Saturday (28 July) and him taking up a leadership role in the opposition camp.

Dr Tan noted that he was invited as an observer in the meeting that was attended by seven opposition parties. Namely; Singapore Democratic Party, the People’s Power Party, the Democratic Progressive Party, the Reform Party, the National Solidarity Party, the Singaporeans First Party and People’s Voice Party(unregistered). He noted, “These parties have something in common: they are all political veterans without a single seat in parliament for the last decade.” 

Dr Tan was a former People’s Action Party Member of Parliament from 1980 to 2006 at Ayer Rajah SMC and candidate in the Presidential Election 2011 who merely lost by 0.35% of total votes casted. He had earlier expressed intention to stand in the Presidential Election 2017 but he was barred from doing so after the PAP government passed amendments to the Constitution to raise the criteria for candidates from the private sector and paving the way for a walkover election for the current President, Mdm Halimah Yacob.

Dr Tan wrote that the seven parties had proposed an opposition coalition and asked him to lead them.

And in a somewhat cryptic tone, he wrote, “They know they have fallen short at the last GE. Wanting to do better, they sought my thoughts. I told them that to do better, Singapore’s interest MUST ALWAYS come first – ahead of self and even their own party’s interest. To be fair, many from the 7 parties stood in past elections because they believed they acted in Singapore’s best interests. But I think some may also need to stand down and serve from the backroom if it is for the good of the country.” Perhaps Dr Tan is hinting to some who turned up at the meeting that they should not contest for the interest of the oppositions?

But in defense of criticism against him turning up at the meeting and that the seven political parties are 3rd, 4th and 5th rate politicians, he wrote, “I’m curious what yardstick the commentator has used to measure these men. I know men like Paul Tambayah is a 1st rate human being and doctor who cares for the country. I find it hard to label him otherwise. I believe that the men and women I met yesterday, were more than willing to make way for better men and women who would stand in their place. They have guts. They have put themselves out there. That is sufficient for the moment.”

In a politically mature manner befitting of a former politician, Dr Tan affirms that he will participate in one way or another in the upcoming election.

He wrote, “Right now, the 7 parties have asked for my help. They are not the only ones who have spoken to me. I think I must help but in what capacity, I have not decided.”

“I am now 78 years old. I may only have a short time to mentor a team to work for the good of the nation. This is a small window of opportunity, a moment for ubah (change in Malay). I want to put my last years to good use. I want to pass all that I have acquired and learned in the political arena to the next generation.”

“I would regret it if I had the chance to make a difference, but did nothing.”

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