Tan suggests new charity funded by Presidential salary
UPDATED
If elected, potential Presidential candidate and former NTUC Income chief Tan Kin Lian says he will use a "significant portion" of the Presidential salary to fund a new charity.
The charity will pay the school fees of needy primary and secondary students and foot the hospital bills for elderly people who cannot afford to pay the subsidised fees.
"Although there is a Medifund scheme to serve this purpose, some elderly people do not want to be a burden to their children who do not earn enough for their own family needs," said Tan in a statement released on Saturday.
The 63-year-old added, " I know that there are many charities and agencies that now provide these types of assistance, but most of them appeared to be burdened with bureaucracy and stringent rules that have to be met before the beneficiaries can get the financial assistance."
Tan, who on Monday has still not made clear whether he has decided to run for President, said he has ideas on how to simplify the process.
He indicated his interest in running for President on Friday after his friend Png Eng Huat collected the Certificate of Eligibility forms on his behalf.
He outlined some key messages he would campaign on, such as improving the transparency of the reserves, and launched a website titled, TKL for Elected President, after releasing the statement. He called for supporters to register their willingness to help him in the campaign or to share a few words to endorse his candidacy.
While he will be submitting the forms, the civil society activist is still undecided on whether to join the Presidential polls, due by 31 August, as his wife has "reservation about my participation".
She is worried about a "possible smear campaign in the media and the Internet" and whether Tan could fit the "ceremonial and diplomatic role of the Presidency" since he comes from a humble background and has lived a humble lifestyle, said Tan.
However, he does not think a smear campaign is likely. "I believe that PM Lee Hsien Loong is open minded and sincere about making changes to the political climate. I expect that the climate will be different this time," he said.
On the ceremonial and diplomatic role of the President, Tan said that his friends assured him he could "learn on the job".
The main reason Tan is considering running for President is "to respond to the call from many readers of my blog and friends".
More than 100 people have e-mailed him over the past few months to urge him to stand for election, he said.
Some feel he may have a better chance, compared to former Member of Parliament Dr Tan Cheng Bock, whom may appear "closely associated with the PAP (People's Action Party)", he added.
Outlining the messages he will convey if he enters the election, Tan said, "People expect the EP (elected President) to safeguard the reserves. It means asking questions."
"I know what questions to ask and how to deal with the answers. I believe that the Government is acting honestly in managing the reserves, but it would be good to improve the transparency," he said.
If elected, he would also share with the candidates for key appointments the "values that should hold the nation together".
Tan wants to promote the values of honesty, fairness, courage, positive attitude and public service.
For the election campaign, Tan said he would use blogs and YouTube videos as his main platforms.
In 2008, Tan announced he would seriously consider running for President if 100,000 signatures could be collected in a petition for him to join the polls. In 2009, he said he would not contest as only some 1,000 signatures were gathered.
Former Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo is also considering if he will enter the polls, while it is not known if current President S R Nathan, who has served two terms, will seek re-election.
