Tan Kin Lian: Leverage on president’s power to make changes

Press statement by Tan Kin Lian

If I am elected president, I intend to use the power of the president’s office to work collaboratively with the government to find alternative solutions to bring down the cost of living, ensure affordable housing for all, and secure stable jobs with a path to progress.

I will adopt a positive, constructive, and open-minded approach and will suggest to the ministers to try out the new approaches on a small scale before fully adopting them.

As the President of Singapore, I will influence government policies through various means:

Engaging with Elected Officials: I do not intend to be an adversary to the government. Instead, I plan to collaborate with them, engage in discussions and meetings with government ministers and share my insights and proposals for alternative approaches. By establishing a positive and constructive relationship, I can influence their decision-making processes.

Using My Veto Power: In Singapore, the President has certain veto powers, such as the ability to block certain appointments and the use of the country’s reserves. While these powers are limited, they can be used to ensure that government policies align with my vision and goals.

Encouraging Public Debate: I will encourage public debate and discussions on the issues that they care about and create a platform for various stakeholders to voice their opinions and propose solutions. A well-informed public can bring good ideas for the government to consider alternative approaches.

It’s essential to recognize that while the President can play a significant role in shaping the discourse and advocating for change, the actual implementation of policies lies with the government and other relevant institutions. Therefore, building effective partnerships and collaborations with various stakeholders will be crucial in realizing my vision.

Former presidential candidate, Tan Kin Lian, had earlier announced last Sunday that he has submitted his application for eligibility certification for the upcoming presidential election, although he remains undecided about his participation.

Mr Tan revealed his intentions to await the confirmation of the candidate list by the Presidential Elections Committee (PEC) before making a final decision on Nomination Day.

The 75-year-old former chief executive of NTUC Income, who ran in the 2011 presidential election, is confident that he fulfills the eligibility criteria outlined in the Constitution. Tan highlighted that during his last three years of service at NTUC Income, the company’s shareholder equity exceeded S$500 million.

Mr Tan also noted that Tharman Shanmugaratnam, a former senior minister who has declared his candidacy for presidency, is likely to satisfy the necessary requirements.

However, he expressed uncertainty regarding the qualifications of potential candidates George Goh and Ng Kok Song.

Tan acknowledged that the Presidential Elections Committee holds the authority to provide waivers for certain eligibility shortfalls.

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