Tan Kin Lian should stop blaming others and concentrate on his own strength

Tan Kin Lian should stop blaming others for his lack of support from Singaporeans. Each candidate has his own strengths and weaknesses, and they should showcase their strengths to the voters, instead of hitting at his opponents all the time. It is his choice to enter the Presidential race, and he shouldn't blame anyone for his campaign failure. Even before the campaign started, he is already accusing TCB's supporters of "smearing" him online. Now he is accusing TJS for his low popularity among the voters. Other than the argument with TT, so far I have not heard TJS utter any unkind words against his opponents, unlike TKL. Indeed TJS has conducted his campaign in a dignified manner as promised. I hope that TKL can do likewise.

If he had lost his confidence after seeing TJS joins the race, then he should withdraw. Afterall, we have 2 others alternative candidates - TCB and TJS - to vote for. Since he has decided to joined the 3-corner fight with TCB and TJS, then he should stop complaining and buckled up on his campaign to win more votes.

PE: Tan Jee Say being granted eligibility cert was Tan Kin Lian's low point
By Tanya Fong | Posted: 25 August 2011 1646 hrs

SINGAPORE - Presidential candidate Tan Kin Lian, asked about his high and low points in his campaign so far, said there were two low points - and both involved fellow candidate Tan Jee Say.

Said former NTUC Income CEO Tan: "The first low point was when Tan Jee Say applied for the Certificate of Eligibility, after I invited him to be part of my think tank", referring to his strategic team behind his presidential bid.

Mr Tan Kin Lian, speaking at a media conference at his campaign headquarters on Thursday afternoon, said that Mr Tan Jee Say had turned up for one meeting and added that "there was a disruption" after the former Singapore Democratic Party's General Election candidate decided to proceed with his own presidential campaign.

Mr Tan Kin Lian added that he thought he lost the support of much of the online media as a result.

He said his second low was when Mr Tan Jee Say was granted the Certificate of Eligibility to run for election. Said Mr Tan Kin Lian: "The criteria is you need a person who has run a company with S$100 million in capital. To my common sense, Tan Jee Say does not qualify."

His high points, he added, were seeing "many people come forward to help and volunteering their time" after he had announced his candidacy, as well as when he and his campaign team decided on his slogan, "Voice of the People".

A third high point was when his daughter, Ms Tan Su Ling, made a speech at his rally on Wednesday night.

- TODAY/ir