Tan Jee Say applies for eligibility to run for President

Former civil service high-flyer Tan Jee Say on Wednesday submitted his application for the Certificate of Eligibility to run in the coming Presidential Election.

He arrived at the Elections Department at around 12.20pm and was accompanied by his wife Patricia Khoo, 50.

Upon arrival, he was greeted by around 20 supporters, including members from the opposition Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) and the National Solidarity Party (NSP).

Speaking to reporters after he had submitted his forms, Tan expressed confidence that he will obtain the eligibility certificate.

He noted that he had applied under the clause which stated that applicants must hold a "comparable position of seniority and responsibility in any other organisation or department of equivalent size or complexity in the public or private sector".

This however, is subject to the approval of the Presidential Elections Committee.

Explaining his credentials, Tan said he had been a regional managing director of AIB Govett (Asia) -- an asset management company -- from February 1997 to March 2001. He added that the Singapore company is registered under the Companies Act.

He pointed out that his management position in the company fulfilled the criteria that he will be applying under.

Although the company did not have a paid-up capital of S$100 million, as required under the eligibility criteria, he said that he was responsible for its assets under management (AUM) which was in excess of $100 million.

Tan added that the certificate of eligibility should not be limited to a select group of candidates whose qualifications might meet the criteria stipulated in the Constitution.

But rather, it should allow good candidates to step forward so that the public can exercise an informed choice.

Thus far, four presidential hopefuls — including Tan Jee Say — have submitted their application forms. The others are former Deputy Prime Minister Dr Tony Tan; former NTUC Income chief Tan Kin Lian; and former PAP MP Dr Tan Cheng Bock.

Despite failing to qualify as a candidate in the 2005 Presidential Election, former JTC Corporation group chief financial officer Andrew Kuan has also collected forms for the eligibility certificate on Wednesday last week, signalling his bid to stand as a candidate in this year's contest.

Kuan said in a post on his Facebook page that he will be filing his application this Friday morning.

The Presidential Election must be held by 31 August. Application for the certificate of eligibility will be closed on the third day after the Writ of Election is issued.