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‘Removing PMO from Istana shows President’s independence’

Dr Tan Cheng Bock defends his proposal to shift the Prime Minister's Office out of the Istana. (Yahoo! photo/Alicia Wong)
Dr Tan Cheng Bock defends his proposal to shift the Prime Minister's Office out of the Istana. (Yahoo! photo/Alicia Wong)

Presidential candidate Tan Cheng Bock believes removing the Prime Minister's Office from the Istana will help convince Singaporeans of the President's independence, while publishing an annual statement by the President will assure people he is doing his job.

Elaborating on his suggestions raised during Thursday night's presidential broadcast, Dr Tan said housing the Presidency and Prime Minister's Office in the Istana creates a "high degree of suspicion because of close proximity".

"And familiarity invariably will breed a lot of fear there will be compromise," said the former Ayer Rajah Member of Parliament. "This is the perception and I think we have to correct the perception."

Speaking to reporters at a coffeeshop in Commonwealth, he noted, over the years, people have asked him why the two institutions are housed in one place.

With the evolution of the Presidency from ceremonial to a custodial, "you must not remain static, you've got to change with the concept of the Presidency," said Dr Tan, noting that the "physical setting must mirror our political setting".

While he has not spoken to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Dr Tan believes he will be able to convince PM Lee to make the change.

Presidential candidate Tan Jee Say said he supports Dr Tan Cheng Bock's proposal. While the substance of the President is more important, the move "helps to improve perception".

Other Presidential candidates, however, have disagreed with Dr Tan's suggestion.

Dr Tony Tan said on Friday that it is only a matter of "geography" and it is more important for the President to think independently, while Tan Kin Lian said on Thursday that having both offices close to each other will facilitate regular consultation.

Dr Tan Cheng Bock shows off his new car decal calling for people to vote for him. (Yahoo! photo/Alicia Wong)
Dr Tan Cheng Bock shows off his new car decal calling for people to vote for him. (Yahoo! photo/Alicia Wong)

On his proposal of an annual statement, Dr Tan said, "It's to assure Singaporeans."

It will include details on the decisions the President has made, such as why he did not veto key appointments, whether the reserves were used, details on the causes he has promoted and activities he has participated in.

State secrets, however, will not be shared, stressed Dr Tan.

He hopes the statement will show that the President is connecting with the ground and encourage Singaporeans to participate in certain causes.

He also hopes the statement will help Singaporeans better understand the role and responsibilities of the President.

"Many Singaporeans do not know the Presidential role and I think it's important that all this must be slowly filtered out to Singaporeans," he said. "Then one day, the EP (elected president) will evolve into an institution, more stablised."

On Friday, Benjamin Pwee and Jimmy Lee of the Singapore People's Party endorsed Dr Tan in their personal capacities.

Pwee, who knows Dr Tan and his family, described Dr Tan as an "honest and upright man of integrity and heart with an independent and objective mind and boldness and courage to speak up privately and publicly" for what he believes is right.

Lee said, "Dr Tan Cheng Bock is the candidate who signalled his intention earliest. This demonstrates his commitment to transparency and accountability, giving me as a concerned citizen time to assess him and to grow comfortable with him as a candidate."