I don’t want to defend myself: S R Nathan

Even President Ong Teng Cheong who had contributed so much,was denied a state funeral, we must not waste money again on state funerals for those who do not deserve.To say the least,President Ong Teng Cheong never put on the japanese military uniform and served those murderous short little man from the east who had tormented us, Singaporeans.

Mr Nathan reportedly you have declined comment on the ministerial pay cut. Please do be reminded that you have requested to be included in the Review even though you were excluded by the prime minister. How noble that gesture; next we shall wait that gracious action - refund the excess salary paid to you since May 2011 (date of new salary suppose to take effect) until the last day of your official appointment.

As a X S'pore president..this is all he is says about his role..he's supposed to be highly educated?Come on...I'm sure this guy can speak better then that!!What a Big Joke....might as well follow the beat...."I don't know what to says !!"...This guy been paid millions by our goverment...to sleep on the job! Money from all SINGAPOREAN taxs payers.

Nathan is still being recognised by PAP even after his retirement because he had served his master loyally as an obedient puppet president to PAP and never to his people.
Thats how it explained why our late president, Mr Ong Teng Cheong was not even given a state funeral because our Mr Ong had always wanted himself belongs to the people and never to PAP.

Quote :- {“The people in the heartlands, even though many are not very well educated, they see it as a symbol that is distinct from the government. But knowledgeable people seem to think you can do what you like,” he noted.}

Nathan... you're really very sarcastic ... I'm really very disappointed in you for making such silly and tactless remarks etc. I expect a person that drew $4 millions salary and as a President to have more brains etc. Do you know that most educated and knowledgeable Singaporeans live in heartlands? You are just like what our Mr LKY says " Singaporeans are educated, but not smart".

Nathan ... people don't expect you to do what you like etc. Singaporeans expect you to do what is/are right for all Singaporeans as our President. You were being voted by the people and you should understand this very well ... to serve your people.

Nathan, you are a rubbing stamping Kempetai serving absolute disgrace of the highest order. Shut up and take your ill gotten millions to the grave with you.

Yes, it is tough role to be a puppet president, that I can fully understand! and your daughter the CEO of ACCRA exercising her power also! beware the TOP is watching your lies!

JUST EXPLAIN TO US SINGAPOREAN WHAT IS SO HARD IN YOUR ROLE THAT U NEED TO BE PAID 4 MILLION A YEAR.????????
THATS ALL I WANNA KNOW

"I don’t want to defend myself: S R Nathan". I understand how he feels. It's really hard to defend for something that does not exist, for work that is not done and for respect that is never earned.

Question is, does his work justify with the humongous fat salary? I bet not.

Singaporeans are questioning the role of the president .... and you don't want to defend yourself? Or is it you don't know how to answer? Or is it you don't know the role also?
Quote: " How to educate them? I don't think you can" What do you mean by this? Is it because you think Singaporeans are a batch of idiots - beyond hope of understanding your tough and difficult role as a president?
Just because an accountant make certain conclusions about the role of a president, you come to conclusions (too) that even a degree holder is too stupid to understand your role? Let alone the man on the street.
For the amount of salary that you draw from the taxpayers, the least you can do is just explain your role. Or is it too hazy to define?
Since you don't want to define your role, many singaporeans would have to come to their own conclusions then.

How to defend himself when he himself also didn't know what his role was and what he had been doing for the past 10 years? However, he knows very well he has been paid a total of more than $25 million for his two terms by just followed instruction and did as told. None of us wish to hear the same joke anymore!

At least to let us know how you spend those amazing but ridiculous millions of dollars you have made all these years lah....we know we can't do anything about this but at least feel shiok to have a topic during coffee break mah.....how on earth can somebody who holds the highest office in a country can tell you his people are not educated enough to understand what he is doing?????

Compare your roles with the U.S President roles. Who has great responsibilities ?
Then how come you can earn $4 million doing a ceremonial role.

Hi Nathan, Why are you not transparent and open up on the roles and responsibilities of the president. If you find it difficult to expain, then how did you represent singapore during your days as a president. To tell you the truth, its either you dont know your job descripition or you are hiding something away from the public/singaporeans. If you are a TRUE president you will come out clean. No need to defend yourself in anything, just come out and expain what you have done during your presidency and dont lie and cover up for LKY. You know best.

Wow, our country paid SG$4 million per year to the man with a job that "cannot be defined easily or clearly". That's a wonderful JD.

what do we want people to remember us for after we have left this world? Ong Teng Cheong will be remembered as the People's President. Nathan would forever be remembered as The 4 Million Dollar Man.

"Nathan said that the role of Singapore’s president cannot be defined easily or clearly, "

This statement is pretty shocking.. After 2 terms (12 years) of presidency, he cannot even articulate or define the role of President clearly. Every working professional knows his/her job specification.

Not knowing clearly the role of President, how did the President do his job? What was he doing all these years? Don't blame Singaporeans who keep asking about the role of President because he don't even know the role clearly.

It is also perhaps why he don't how to defend because he did not even know what he was supposed to do...... disappointing....what a waste of taxpayers' money...

Is because of the cunning Papies that this President position is so highly paid. He only need to wayang here & wayang there, talk talk here & talk talk there !!! and he is being paid $4M !!!! Is so damn ridiculous !!!!

I still prefer our late president Mr Ong Teng Cheong.

When you don't speak, nobody will say you are dumb, now your statement is really really dumb. Singaporean are too well educated but our lives is everyday do the same thing, eat the same, dress the same, etc. but work more than other people in other country but is paid the lowest. So, mr ex-president, if only we have 10% of your salary, I think , we, singaporean will not be so negative about your role as a president.