Presidential Elec 2023
My participation in PE 2023 is caused by Fate
My participation in the Presidential Election 2023 is caused by events outside my control. It is probably predetermined by a supernatural power. It is called "Fate".
Let me explain why.
In 2011, the constitution required a private sector candidate to have met the requirements within the previous 15 years. I left NTUC Income in 2007 and in 2011, which was 4 years prior to the election and easily met the requirement.
By 2023, I would have left NTUC Income for 16 years and would have been ineligible under the 15 year requirement.
To my surprise, the requirement was extended from 15 to 20 years. Why did the government and Parliament increased this qualifying period? I searched and could not find the answer. I found it strange.
Due to this change to 20 years, I became eligible again.
Even though I was eligible for this election, I wanted to stay out from the contest initially. Several friends urged me to step forward to provide the choice for the people to vote for a president who is independent of the ruling party.
When George Goh expressed his interest to contest this election, I was happy to step aside and allow him to be the standard bearer for the people who preferred an independent president. I only submitted my application for the Certificate of Eligibility when it became clear to me that George Goh was not likely to qualify. It turned out to be correct.
It was fate that determined that I should go forward as the standard bearer for an independent president.
In this campaign, I faced many daunting challenges. I will cover them in a separate media release within the next few day.
In the media doorstop at 10 am today, I will update the media about my plans for the rally. Please come.
In the first TV broadcast of the following statements from my speech, on the grounds (as decided by IMDA) that it was outside the power of the president.
I will highlight this overall investment strategy (i.e. to invest the reserves soundly) to the professional investment managers to achieve the desired results.
The actual monitoring will be the duty of the board of directors, but they will receive my advice and guidance on the approach to be taken.
Beyond these constitutional duties, I have a vision - to use the president's office to influence policies that will make a better life for the people of Singapore. I will focus on three fundamental areas, crucial to the well-being of our citizens: bringing down the cost of living, ensuring affordable housing for all, and securing jobs that provide a sense of stability and a path to progress.
I considered these statements to be the most important parts of my speech and that IMDA did not have the authority to interpret the constitution in a narrow way and asked for these statements to be removed. I did not have the time to argue about the removal of these paragraphs. I will bring it up to IMDA separately.
Some people suggested that I was misleading the people by promising them goals that I did not have the executive authority to deliver. I am not misleading the people. I had made it clear, in many statements, that I would be using the office of the president to convey to the government about the hardships faced by the people and about their aspirations.
I remain hopeful that I would be able to persuade the prime minister and ministers to modify some of their existing policies that will give a better life for the people.
At the start, I would certainly advise the prime minister to suspend the 1% increase in the GST rate that is scheduled for 2024. I know that the government had already announced that they are going ahead with the increase. I advise them to reconsider. I am not being political. I am expressing the view of a large segment of the people. Their voices should not be ignored.
I am aware that, if I were elected as the president, I would convey these views in private in my regular discussions with the prime minister. I had pledged to abide by it.
I believe that many people will vote for me, knowing that I do not have the executive authority on these issues. They will vote for me, to do what I can, to realize the vision and the three goals.
Tan Kin Lian
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It is indeed Providential. You are godsend to the people of Singapore and I hope many will come to realise that as I have . All the very best !
TBC 24 Aug 2023
All the best Sir
JH 24 Aug 2023