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Tan Cheng Bock not backing down from Presidential bid

Dr Tan Cheng Bock (left) has no plans to step out of the Presidential race even if approached by Tan Kian Lian (right). (Yahoo/AFP photo)
Dr Tan Cheng Bock (left) has no plans to step out of the Presidential race even if approached by Tan Kian Lian (right). (Yahoo/AFP photo)

Former People's Action Party MP Tan Cheng Bock has stressed he will not abandon his plans to contest the Presidential Election.

"I am never more determined to contest this Presidential Election," wrote Dr Tan in a Facebook posting on Tuesday morning.

"I want Singapore united in transparency, integrity and independent thinking. I will not back off," he stated.

On Saturday, former NTUC Income chief executive Tan Kin Lian flagged the possibility of either one of them stepping aside so it could be a straight fight between either of them and latest entrant to the polls, former deputy prime minister Dr Tony Tan.

Dr Tony Tan announced last Thursday he would contest as an independent candidate.

Responding to Tan Kin Lian, Dr Tan Cheng Bock told The Straits Times on Monday the former had not contacted him. "But even if he did, I won't change my mind. I'm not open to the possibility of stepping aside. Nothing is going to change my mind about standing."

Tan Kin Lian told the paper, it is also his preference to stay in the contest, even if it means a three-way fight.

'People felt strongly that I should continue to contest the election as I am most independent of the PAP," he said.

Both he and Dr Tan Cheng Bock stressed that they stepped forward to allow voters a choice in the Presidential Election. They are focused on obtaining the Certificate of Eligibility first.

One contrast that appears to have arisen between the two already, however, is their fund-raising campaigns.

While Dr Tan Cheng Bock said he has no problems, Tan Kin Lian said he is having difficulty with getting donations.

Tan Kin Lian said in his blog, he aims to operate on a "modest" budget of $200,000 because of these difficulties. Several companies and individuals he approached for donations declined as they prefer to be "neutral".

"Support from ordinary citizens has also been slow," he added, describing his budget as a "modest, shoestring budget".

The fund raised will be used for printing and distribution of campaign material, outreach activities, rallies, rental of premises, logistics, contractors, sound systems, and the production of online videos.

He will also use $48,000 raised for the deposit in contesting the election.

He added," I can meet the expenses on my own, but I want the people to have the chance to contribute financially to the campaign as well. I do not wish to shoulder this arduous task and journey on my own with the help of a few supporters."

Dr Tan Cheng Bock, on the other hand, said he has received "quite strong support from the people".

"I do not think there will be a problem with the funding," he said. Although he declined to disclose details on his spending plans, earlier reports said his campaign budget could hit $500,000.

Each candidate is allowed to spend up to 30 cents per elector or $600,000 on election expenses, whichever is higher.

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