Stop the fear mongering tactics

I like to disprove the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) recent statement urging Singaporeans to “send a strong message on stability and economic rationality” when electing the next President of Singapore. This strong statement has the effect of suggesting that Tony Tan is the only suitable person that can bring stability to Singapore’s political system and thus insinuating that Tan Cheng Bock, Tan Kin Lian and Tan Jee Say’s election as President will cause instability to Singapore and will affect investors decisions to invest in Singapore. I must say that this is a totally false and irresponsible statement, coming from the SBF chairman and its executive committee, which has directly endorsed Tony Tan and thus has contravened its own constitution. This has also shown itself to be prejudiced against the three other presidential candidates. The SBF’s executive members and its chairman should be questioned on its motivations to release this partisan and fear-mongering statement and the person(s) responsible for this piece of propaganda should be brought to task. This tactic is akin to “hitting below the below the belt” of the opponent in boxing jargon.

How on earth can the election of any one of the other three candidates, all of whom are true sons of Singapore and who have the peoples’ interests in their hearts and had been cleared to run for the Presidency by the Presidential Elections Committee, cause instability to Singapore’s political system and economy? For the first time in Singapore, a healthy and robust competition for the Office of the President has given Singapore and the people a choice and a better deal; in fact, it will boost Singapore’s standing in the international arena as an aspiring democratic system and could even encourage more international investments. It is really beyond my understanding how the SBF, some clan associations, some trade unions, some top business executives, some well -known local personalities, even an ex-MP stating he fears a ‘freak result’ which is essentially divisive remarks, can all come out to support only Tony Tan with their fear-mongering statements.

Singapore today is bigger and stronger than who becomes the next President or, for that matter, whether the present PAP ruling party becomes the Opposition in the future. We have and will live, with no regrets or repentance, for the next 6 years with whomever the people elects amongst Tan Cheng Bock, Tan Kin Lian or Tan Jee Say to be the President of Singapore. Do give the other candidates a chance; after all, we have had a PAP- endorsed President for the last 12 years and he has remained largely ineffective, even if he had wanted to take a stand against some unpopular PAP policies. Since all the powerful organisations and personalities have openly endorsed Tony Tan thereby creating an unfair playing field, I would throw in my support with Tan Jee Say, whom in my personal opinion is the better person who can keep the ruling PAP government on its toes and therefore gives better value for your votes and money – he is contented with $500,000 salary - and Singapore in general will be the better for it!

George Tan