Presidency not as powerless as it seems: Tan Jee Say
Presidential candidate Tan Jee Say believes the Elected President does not play a role as powerless as what many would think.
In addition to holding veto power in five key areas, "it is also a centre of moral power as well," said Mr Tan at his walkabout outreach in Chinatown on Thursday evening.
"One shouldn't be confused that the President is just Head of State… a nice looking guy, steady guy, wise guy."
"If that was the purpose then they didn't have to amend the Constitution to allow the President to be elected. Then you might as well continue the old situation where you have the President appointed by the Prime Minister," he said.
Mr Tan also plans to keep his message to voters consistent throughout the election campaign to avoid confusing the people.
Accompanied by his wife and some 40 volunteers, the 57-year-old investment adviser said he was in Chinatown to soak in the atmosphere of the Mid-Autumn Festival. His campaign team was also seen seeking donations from the public.
Mr Tan hopes to make himself more visible to boost his popularity.
He said he will not neglect the younger voters as well.
"The cost of living has really pushed them away from forming families early, to have a proper family life, to have a proper career… Something must be done about it. They must be given time, they should not be so stressed in life and they should be given time to form families and have babies."
He stressed that the root of the problem remains the unhappiness "that has not been accommodated by the General Election (GE) results".
Receiving support from ex-MPs
Mr Tan also revealed that he has received support from former grassroots members and ex-Members of Parliament from the ruling People's Action Party (PAP), but declined to reveal them.
He said, however, that he has been told of "a diversity of opinion even within PAP".
"They were very unhappy that the PAP has deviated from its original ideology… of public service, of not bring motivated by money or high salaries, and being divorced from the common man."
When asked why his proposals are parallel to some of those of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), Mr Tan said that his economic ideas are also shared by a lot of parties.
"I need a platform to argue," he explained. "I've got a strong ideology, and they (SDP) supported my ideology. I do not see that as being a vehicle for the SDP. This is a vehicle for ideas, and this is a free market of ideas. And you just pursue your ideas; it's not the monopoly of any party."
Endorsement by Temasek Review Emeritus
Mr Tan also does not see a conflict between online socio-political website Temasek Review Emeritus' (TRE's) support for him and his idea of a "dignified contest".
"The online mechanism is open to all, so you cannot really control much on views," he said.
"I think people will see the reasons why they support (me). And if they agree with them, they will not be frightened away (or) put off…. It's not just Temasek Review but a lot of people have sent me (their support) on Facebook (too)."
Said Zeng Guo Yuan, an enthusiastic supporter of Mr Tan, "I think he's talking sense, I think this is the right man. I supported Tony Tan, I put up a big poster to support him, and I thought he was the right person, but now I found a better person."
The 58-year-old, who tore up his Nomination forms at the last GE in May, showed up for Mr Tan's walkabout on Thursday with 2000 copies of flyers he designed, printed and distributed. Zeng only obtained the candidate's permission yesterday.
Mr Tan has applied to stage his night-time rally on August 23. He said this will allow him more time to address any remaining doubts citizens may have, before the Cooling-off day takes place three days later.
