Presidential Elec 2023 My life story - Tan Kin Lian
I came from a family of 6 children. We lived in rental rooms, and had to move from place to place on expiry of the lease. My father lost his livelihood during the Indonesian confrontation in 1965. I left school after secondary 4 to work to support the family. At that time, I was among the top students in Raffles Institution.

I worked for 12 years in various jobs and qualified as an insurance actuary. I was recruited to run NTUC Income insurance in 1977 and worked there for 30 years. The assets of Income was $28 million when I joined and increased by 600 times to $17 billion when I left in 2007 at the age of 59 years.

I enjoyed working in Income because it was a cooperative society. Most of the profits that it made were plowed back to give higher bonuses to its policyholders. They did not go to pay big dividends to shareholders or to pay high salaries of the board and top management.

I also run Income frugally and kept the operating expenses low. This helped to keep the premiums low, so that the policyholders paid less.

During my time, there were over 1 million policyholders who were insured by Income. They know that I run Income for the benefit of the policyholders and were happy with the benefits from their insurance policies. I hope that these policyholders will support me in this presidential election and ask their children to support me also.

I fully met the criteria to contest for the presidential election, as the shareholder equity of Income exceeded $500 million during the last three years of my service there.

I believe that the same principle should apply to running a country. The government should keep its expenses low, including the salaries of the ministers, so that the people enjoy a lower cost of living and pay less taxes. For myself, I lived a frugal life and encourage other people to do the same.

I was active in serving the community. I helped the MP to start the first residents' committees in Singapore in 1979 and led the fund raising for its first community center, raising funds mainly from the residents (not business tycoons). I continued the grassroots work for 20 years.

After I left Income, I continued to be involved in social issues in Singapore. I started a business in computer software and also traveled regularly to provide insurance consultancy in Indonesia.

My wife has been a homemaker after our marriage. She took care of three children and now helped to look after five grandchildren.

Tan Kin Lian

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https://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/unfairly-criticised-tan-kin-lian-051155638.html It sounds like you paid lower commissions to staff and even personally received lower remuneration to maximise returns to customers. Wouldn't that talent retention and having better minds become an issue? Shouldn't there be more balance to business decisions? It therefore suggests Income was right to retire you and shift to professionalisation.

SuperFrugal  20 Aug 2023  

I am quite disappointed that Mr. Tan did not win in the previous election despite being sincere and helpful. Nevertheless, the failure did not dampen this good man, and I hope he will be successful in this upcoming election. All the best.

Monica Lee  10 Aug 2023  

When I first started as a sales man for networking equipment , Income was my first customer. When internet arrived in Singapore , Mr Tan had the vision to equipment every agent with a laptop and email address . For those who could not afford it. Income provided a interest free loan . Those are days of dail up modem. ISP were just starting . Email was precious and not free. This is a man of great foresight . Growing up in a rental house is what a majority of Singaporea came from . BLK 7 North Bridge.

Larry Leong  02 Aug 2023  

I appreciate Mr Tan and his consistent support for the special military operation unfolding on the territory of the former 'Ukraine'. With your support, local support for the special military operation is successfully proliferating. I extend thanks.

Mr Lee Joon Wei  02 Aug 2023  

I will vote for yyou this time eventhough i stay in Taman Jurong, will try to persuade more people to vote for you.I have known you for 38 years when i was a part-time Income Organiser selling insurance for your company.your frugal style of living and your ideas ,comments have a help in my understanding of things in SG.

Simon Chua B.G.  02 Aug 2023  

I came across an article about Mr. Tan Kin Lian who is than a CEO of NTUC Income insurance who helped his policyholder who miss payments of a NTUC insurance premium because he was doing NS and the pay is very small, maybe $90 a month but lost his life during NS services and the deceased's brother appeal to him for help and he helped the family to get the death insurance pay out within a few days ! That was touching ! That was one of the Tan Kin Lian's character He deserves to be our Singapore President

Jeff Chan  02 Aug 2023  

(Part 2/2) Mr Tan stands out from the rest of the other candidates as he remained down-to-earth despite his wealth. I admired his frugal lifestyle, frequently opting to eat out at hawker centers and using public transportation. It showed that he understood the challenges faced by the less privileged and is aware of the burden of high living costs. With these qualities in mind, he will be a true champion for the people, representing their interests and make a positive impact. Vote he for a People's Presiden

ST Koh  02 Aug 2023  

(Part 1/2) I remember the Presidential Election of 2011 when I cast my vote in your favor. My desire was to elect a president who truly understood and related to the struggles of ordinary people, someone who came from a humble background and faced hardships but still achieved success through their own determination. I sought a leader who didn't come from a privileged upbringing, who wasn't simply handed opportunities due to family connections or elite education.

ST Koh  02 Aug 2023  

I followed Mr Tan a few years ago, he is a really nice guy according to his daily post, he spreads love and kind, help others, everyone online asked help, most ppl may be alert but he just show his kindness, he said I gave a hand if that person really need help. I really support Mr Tan be our president, his good faith can teach us do things with love, this is a good quality that everyone should take.

Cheung Yee  01 Aug 2023  

I am a complete stranger to Mr Tan Kin Lian but I will definitely support his candidacy for President IF He eventually decides to go ahead with it. I noted that Mr Tan Kin Lian is a very Caring, Humble, Honest, Sincere and also a Frugal Person. With his overall personality, I am sure Mr Tan Kin Lian will make An Excellent President for All Singaporean, both the Young and the Elderly.

Ray Yap  01 Aug 2023  

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