Actually, before I begin, I would like to observe that this election is somewhat like an election of the "Tans". Notwithstanding the uncertainty surrounding the result, one thing is for sure, we will have a "Tan" President ya?
On a more serious note. Although the influence on the overall political arena may not be as impactful as the Parliamentary Election in May 2011, there are still groups of people who are hopeful that through the Presidential Election 2011, they send another clear message to the Government of Singapore. This group of people tend to choose an "unorthodox" President. The President who will appeal to this group of people will be Tan Jee Say and Tan Kin Lian. Of these two, Tan Jee Say stands a higher chance. Tan Kin Lian has quoted our ex-President Ong Teng Cheong on some occasions. So, naturally, this will swing the people who were ardent supporters and admirers of Ong Teng Cheong in his favour. Similarly, there is also possibly a group of people who had wished for a higher percentage of representation by opposition in Parliament. This group of people will either vote for Tan Jee Say or Tan Kin Lian.
There are groups of people whom I know, who did not vote for the opposition, strongly believe that they may jeopardize the political stability of Singapore, if they inadvertently, let in people who are "untested" and "unbranded" into Parliament. To this group of people, voting is basically a choice for the status quo. For this group of people, Mr Tony Tan and Dr Tan Cheng Bock would stand a higher chance.
There is also a hilarious side to this whole election. I must say all four nominees are pretty like-able and popular. One thing that I would like to mention is that the most hilarious President-to be is Mr Tan Kin Lian. You know, every time I watch him speak over the internet, I can't help it but I'll burst out laughing. So, if the punters have started their "punting", I do not know if they are placing the highest bet on Mr Tan Kin Lian. After all, the role of the President being mainly non-executive, intelligent Singaporeans may after all vote him in. If they want a "people President", he may after all, be the best person to fit the bill.
Singapore is limited in physical space. The only space the government can provide to the people is some political space. In order for the nation of Singapore to stay healthy, there must be an outlet somewhere. If the political strength that has been built over the years is established enough to withstand the shock of an "unorthodox" President who is prepared to accept a lower pay (which will definitely appeal), then the people of Singapore may, for all you know, shock the world once again with an unexpected result. Will it be a result that people around the world would sit up and look at Singaporeans and Singapore differently?
Your bet is as good as mine.
On a more serious note. Although the influence on the overall political arena may not be as impactful as the Parliamentary Election in May 2011, there are still groups of people who are hopeful that through the Presidential Election 2011, they send another clear message to the Government of Singapore. This group of people tend to choose an "unorthodox" President. The President who will appeal to this group of people will be Tan Jee Say and Tan Kin Lian. Of these two, Tan Jee Say stands a higher chance. Tan Kin Lian has quoted our ex-President Ong Teng Cheong on some occasions. So, naturally, this will swing the people who were ardent supporters and admirers of Ong Teng Cheong in his favour. Similarly, there is also possibly a group of people who had wished for a higher percentage of representation by opposition in Parliament. This group of people will either vote for Tan Jee Say or Tan Kin Lian.
There are groups of people whom I know, who did not vote for the opposition, strongly believe that they may jeopardize the political stability of Singapore, if they inadvertently, let in people who are "untested" and "unbranded" into Parliament. To this group of people, voting is basically a choice for the status quo. For this group of people, Mr Tony Tan and Dr Tan Cheng Bock would stand a higher chance.
There is also a hilarious side to this whole election. I must say all four nominees are pretty like-able and popular. One thing that I would like to mention is that the most hilarious President-to be is Mr Tan Kin Lian. You know, every time I watch him speak over the internet, I can't help it but I'll burst out laughing. So, if the punters have started their "punting", I do not know if they are placing the highest bet on Mr Tan Kin Lian. After all, the role of the President being mainly non-executive, intelligent Singaporeans may after all vote him in. If they want a "people President", he may after all, be the best person to fit the bill.
Singapore is limited in physical space. The only space the government can provide to the people is some political space. In order for the nation of Singapore to stay healthy, there must be an outlet somewhere. If the political strength that has been built over the years is established enough to withstand the shock of an "unorthodox" President who is prepared to accept a lower pay (which will definitely appeal), then the people of Singapore may, for all you know, shock the world once again with an unexpected result. Will it be a result that people around the world would sit up and look at Singaporeans and Singapore differently?
Your bet is as good as mine.
TT has a vote bank of die-hard PAPist voters but is plagued by a herd of alleged white horses and the perception that he would be completely compliant with the PAPist gaman’s idea of what the Presidency should be. As the campaign draws on, more and more of his ”historical baggage” (previous speeches and policy decisions) would tumble out of the past to haunt him. Worse, he is seen as one of ”them” – the Old Privileged, monied and establishment class, raking in zillions and perceived to have long since lost touch with the grassroot and unfeeling of the people’s plight. Clearly, as a great pal of MM, he’s been there, done that, but is he also a Has Been? TT is so unhip, its tragic. It remains to be seen that after all the downward sliding, he still has enough votes to get into Istana on 28 Aug.
ReplyDeleteTCB – is generally seen to be sincere, honest and sure footed. But he is also seen to be ultimately compliant, lets-not-rock-the-boat-too-much sorta guy. He’s The Vanilla flavoured guy, the mild-mannered neighbourhood GP you can trust. But does he have the glam, glitz, schutzpah and panache it takes to make it into the IStana? Boy oh boy he needs an image consultant and a total make-over, and that ain’t gonna happen in mid-campaign. I think he faces the longest and worst odds in making it into Istana. Between TCB and TT, people would choose TT.
TKL is the dark horse here. Energetic, enthusiastic, knowledgeable, savvy, street-smart, and clearly commanding a feel for the people and the common touch. I luuurve his pure Singlish accent, so cute! TKL bears some watching. However, he is an underdog in this fight, and may draw votes away from TJS than actually going on to win the election himself. IF he becomes the Prez – and that’s a huge IF – life could become VERY VERY interesting for us and the Gaman.
TJS is qualified, passionate, smooth, polished, worldly, and a lightning rod for the people’s deep disaffectation and frustrations with the looong PAPist domination of Singapore’s political scene. He’s the one to watch, the one true counter-weight against TT’s formidable candidature, someone with sufficient and real gravitas and personal bearing to hold the Presidential post. Interestingly, TJS also has a vote bank: those 40% who voted against the PAPists (but remain unrepresented in Parliament) will choose TJS. If TJS gets the job, mark my words, the Constitution would be drastically amended by the PAPists to DEFANG this dude.