The four Presidential candidates share their toughest career decisions at a forum. (TV image)
The four Presidential candidates shared their toughest career decisions and their experiences in mediating difficult situations at a forum aired on Tuesday.
Dr Tan Cheng Bock, 71, Tan Jee Say, 57, Dr Tony Tan, 71, and Tan Kin Lian, 63, were speaking at a forum organised by Channel NewsAsia.
They were interviewed by Professor Tommy Koh, chairman of the Centre for International Law at the National University of Singapore, Janadas Devan, director of the Institute of Policy Studies and Debra Soon, managing director of CNA.
Former Member of Parliament for Ayer Rajah, Tan Cheng Bock, shared his difficulties resettling a 100-year old temple, under the direction of the Land Transport Authority.
"It's very difficult because there's a lot of cultural elements there," said Dr Tan. When the process was over, "they even had my name engraved there to thank me for re-settling them."
His toughest career decision was voting against the People's Action Party government on the Nominated Member of Parliament scheme in 1989 even though the whip was not lifted.
Investment advisor Tan Jee Say drew his experiences from the corporate world.
Faced with the "problem of acceptance" when he first joined an investment company as chief executive, Tan said he engaged with his immediate subordinate constructively and did not let personal differences interfere in the investment process.
Likewise, he would embark on "constructive engagement" if he is elected as President, said Tan.
Former deputy prime minister Tony Tan said he had to bring "very capable people" with "strong differences of views" together in the area of entrepreneurship.
Different ministries have different points of view, he shared, citing the Finance Ministry which "wants to make sure that no money is ever wasted" and the Ministry of Trade and Industry which "wants to build a more viable economic ecosystem".
Acknowledging that the differences are "not entirely resolved" today, he said, "But I think we have progressed, people are more inclined to take on enterprise."
His toughest call was for the review, and eventual abolishment, of the Graduate Mothers Scheme in 1985 when he became Education Minister. "It was a difficult decision because it means admitting a mistake had been made," he said.
Former NTUC Income chief Tan Kin Lian outlined how he helped people who were cheated of their money or badly treated when seeking help from relevant agencies.
His toughest decision was to speak out for the 10,000 people affected by the Lehman Brothers' minibonds crisis.
"My family and friends say don't get into trouble," he recalled. "It was difficult; it was popular with some people but quite unpopular with others in the establishment," he added.
Candidates question Dr Tony Tan twice
During the one-hour forum, the candidates also debated over the role of the President, with each having different interpretations of the role.
They spoke on how they would use the President's moral authority to build Singapore and what they would say to leaders from China, US, India and Indonesia.
Dr Tan Cheng Bock, noting the importance of these countries to Singapore, said he would proceed very cautiously and under the advice of the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Tan Jee Say said he would consult the Prime Minister and deliver a specific message to each leader, while Dr Tony Tan said he had the same message of preventing an economic crisis for all four leaders.
Tan Kin Lian, who said he would seek advice from the government and share Singaporeans' aspirations and values, turned to Dr Tony Tan and asked, "You mentioned the things you would do. What struck me was, shouldn't that be the job of the Finance Minister?"
"Aren't you taking the executive role in the office of the President?" he questioned.
Dr Tony Tan replied: "I am absolutely not. The President does not make decisions. The Prime Minister and Cabinet makes the decisions but the President, who has the background and the experience I think has the responsibility to warn, to give his views."
"But it is up to the Prime Minister to decide what to do. I think it is very clear in the Constitution (what) is the responsibility of the President, what is the responsibility of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. I see no conflict between the two," he stated.
Earlier in the forum, Dr Tony Tan and Tan Jee Say clashed over whether the President could speak out on issues he disagreed with.
Said Tan Jee Say, "I'm just wondering Dr Tony Tan, you've aired your views on the casino in Parliament which are contrary to the government, has that immobilised the government in any way?"
Dr Tony Tan replied he was not President then. "As a President, I have to be very careful and I think that I'd respect the Constitution."
"But you were the deputy prime minister," Tan Jee Say challenged.
"The deputy PM, Mr Tan Jee Say, is different from the President," responded Dr Tony Tan.
Last week, Dr Tony Tan and Tan Jee Say clashed over the Internal Security Act during another forum.
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