‘I want to be a unifying figure for all S’poreans’

Presidential hopeful Dr Tan Cheng Bock said that his decision to contest is because he would like to be the unifying figure for all Singaporeans.

The former People's Action Party MP for Ayer Rajah turned up at the Elections Department along Prinsep Street on Wednesday to collect and apply for a Certificate of Eligibility.

Officially announcing his candidacy for the post of President of Singapore , the 71-year-old told media present he believes he can make a good president.

"You must believe in what you want to do and you must have this feel that you really want to rally Singaporeans together," he said.

"I'd like to play that role, and as I've said before, I would like to be the unifying figure for all Singaporeans whether they are of different political affiliations, race, new citizens, old citizens. We want to make sure we build a home for Singapore."

Upon arriving at the Elections Department at 2.45pm, Dr Tan — who was accompanied by his wife and daughter — was immediately greeted by his supporters, numbering around more than 20 people.

His daughter Tan Ming Li, a former lawyer turned housewife, said he is the "right man" for the job and that she fully supports his bid for the presidency.

"I think he's the right man for the job because he has a heart for the people and it's something that I've grown up and witnessed."

While Ms Tan said it's still too early to say how she will assist her father in his campaign bid, she said she will provide assistance in any way that she can.

A supporter who wanted to be known as Mdm Tan, 42, said that she has known Dr Tan since 2004 when he was an MP for the Ayer Rajah constituency.

Describing the presidential hopeful as a caring person, Mdm Tan who is a self-employed said, "He did a good job when he was an MP. Most importantly, he really cares about the people, very caring."

Taxi driver G.K. Singam, 73, said that his relationship with Dr Tan goes way back to more than 40 years ago during his years in the air force. That was when he first met Dr Tan who was then a medical doctor with the SAF.

Saying that it was a "good choice" for Dr Tan to run as the country's seventh president, Singam said that he is very rooted to the ground.

"He is very straight-forward talking man and never hides anything. So, I think it is a good choice for him to run as president since he has his legs on the ground.

"He is rooted to the concerns of residents and he doesn't care what race you are. He just helps people," said Singam.

Supporting Dr Tan's statements, Singam added that the former could play a unifying role to unite the people especially after the recent general election where some Singaporeans have showed bitter sentiments towards the Government.

The ELD also saw two other hopefuls collecting forms.

First up to collect the forms was 70-year-old Ooi Boon Ewe who came around 11.15 am. He said he had applied to contest the 2005 presidential elections but was later deemed ineligible as he did not meet the required criteria.

The self-employed man, who is also the chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) said that he has resigned from his party post yesterday.

Still, he said that there are two hurdles which impede him from contesting; the $45,000 election deposit which every presidential candidate is required to submit and also the eligibilty clause which states one must have been a chairman or CEO of a registered company with at least $100 million in capital.

Saying that the presidential committee "must get somebody from the private sector", he added that the afore-mentioned clause is "archaic and far-fetched".

Ooi told Yahoo! Singapore that he also intends to sell his Chevrolet car and one-storey home in Tanjong Pinang — which he has owned for the past 12 years — to raise funds for the election deposit.

Despite acknowledging he may not meet the strict eligibility criteria, he said he was just "hoping".

Over an hour later, a man dressed in a black shirt was also seen collecting the forms but he said that he was merely acting as a "despatch" for a prospective candidate with the surname of "Lee".

When asked why "Mr Lee" wanted to run as president, the man -- who said he is self-employed and in his 30s -- said that Mr Lee "wishes to serve the country and to serve the people".

He also revealed a press conference will be held later this week to announce the identity of the candidate.