Former MP Tan Cheng Bock to run for President?
Former Member of Parliament Tan Cheng Bock has indicated that he might be running in the upcoming Presidential Election after quitting the People's Action Party earlier this month.
The 71-year-old told The Straits Times: "Many people have been urging me to stand as president, and I am very honoured. But there are rules I have to follow. One rule is I must apply for the certificate of eligibility first."
According to the constitution, potential candidates must meet stringent criteria and pass through a Presidential Elections Committee (PEC).
In the 2005 election, three aspiring candidates, one of whom was former JTC group chief financial officer Andrew Kuan, failed to fulfill the criteria, allowing current President S R Nathan to be elected unopposed for a second time.
The criteria includes being at least a 45-year-old Singapore citizen who does not belong to any political party.
It is compulsory for candidates to have served for at least three years in a key appointment such as a minister, chief justice, auditor general or permanent secretary -- or been the chairman or CEO of a statutory board or a company with a paid-up capital of at least S$100 million.
Dr Tan, currently a medical practitioner, was MP for Ayer Rajah single-seat ward from 1980 to 2006. He has also been since 1991 a non-executive chairman of Chuan Hup investment holding company, whose issued and paid-up capital according to annual reports stands at US$152 million (S$189 million).
In March, he started gathering support through his articles and videos about Singapore news and current affairs on his blog and Facebook public figure page. 'No More Blank Cheque for the PAP', a post on a Parliament speech he made in 1985, created internet buzz after the recently-concluded General Election.
Currently, there is even a Facebook page, which has received more than 500 likes in the past few days, to support Dr Tan running for President.
Former PAP MP Chng Hee Kok told The Straits Times that Dr Tan would make 'an excellent president'. "He's people-oriented, very level-headed, and has a heart for Singaporeans' well-being," he said.
Dr Tan told 938Live, "You know, you always think about what you can do for the country -- what sort of role I can really play with my past experiences as a Member of Parliament, (and) in the corporate world also.
"So I probably would have some feel as to how I would like to contribute in my role as a President in looking after the Reserves, and also in the appointment of all the top people in the Government service."
According to election rules, the Presidential Election must be held before 31 August this year and it is believed that The Elections Department will be making the announcement for potential candidates to pick up forms to apply for certificates of eligibility by next week.
