Why this picture of Tan Cheng Bock, Chiam See Tong went viral
Sometimes you wonder just what might have been.
A Facebook photo posted by former Presidential hopeful Tan Cheng Bock, 73, on Saturday has set the web buzzing.
The photo features Tan, who narrowly lost to incumbent President Tony Tan in the 2011 presidential race, paying a visit to former opposition figurehead and Potong Pasir stalwart, Chiam See Tong, 78, after he reportedly heard from a mutual friend that Chiam was recovering from a hip surgery at a nursing home.
Details on the cause of the opposition veteran's injury and when it happened, are not revealed by the Singapore People's Party, according to The Straits Times. But Tan said that Chiam was sitting up in bed and was able to walk with assistance.
During Tan's visit, the two, who served six terms in Parliament respectively, were reportedly chatting about the old days when they met.
Both of them also spoke of young people's aspirations for Singapore's future and what can be done going forward.
Also in the photo – which has received over 15,000 likes and close to 2,000 FB shares -- is Chiam’s wife, non-constituency MP, Lina, 64.
But it was what Tan wrote that perhaps got most people thinking.
Calling Chiam his “old parliamentary friend”, Tan – who was the PAP MP for Ayer Rajah from 1980 to 2006 – recalled how “We were on opposite sides but respected each other.”
“He kept saying I was a better debater than him but I said that was nothing compared to his voice representing the opposition in the House. His presence in the House changed the political scene in Singapore,” he wrote.
“He [Chiam] was extremely happy to see me… His speech was audible and measured but his thoughts were clear. I could sense that he still has a lot of fire in him despite his physical condition,” added Tan, referring to the stroke Chiam suffered in 2008 which has left his speech slurred and impaired his movement.
“I told him the next time I visit him, he must be up and about. He smiled and I knew he will do it. Get well soon Chiam,” he wrote before ending off with his note with, “YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION TO MANY SINGAPOREANS.”
