The Voice of the People

www.tkl2011.com


During the past two months, I have shared with you a wide range of issues that are of concern to Singaporeans, ranging from public transport, adequacy of CPF savings and national service. These were all drawn from my contacts with the people in recent years from my blog and other social media channels, my engagements through tiring weekends at Speaker's Corner, my letters to the Forum Page and a variety of other direct contacts.


If I secure the certificate of eligibility, I will campaign on the platform to be the "voice of the people".


If I am elected as President, I will use my President's Personal Council and other objective and enlightened engagement channels to help me identify other issues in due course. I will include relevant inputs from government officials and raise them in a constructive manner with the senior administrative officials and government ministers.


I am clear that the Elected President does NOT have the authority to directly effect the necessary changes and improvements. That does not matter as I intend to work in full co-operation with the government to find common ground on issues that the people feel strongly about. I believe that a good Government will be able to recognise a genuine call from the people and that the moral authority of the President will be sufficient weight for fair consideration.


Obviously, I will have to exercise discretion in raising the issues which are of greatest concern and urgency as well as those which are of real impact on Singapore. The rest will be left to the normal engagement mechanisms eg through the Grass-roots organisations and Members of Parliament. Most importantly, I will need to be genuinely independent of the elected Government of the day and will not hesitate to raise "adverse" issues. However, where there is need for confidentiality or discretion, I will know how to exercise this. I believe strongly that much can be achieved with a spirit of cooperation but it has to be both ways.


I know that almost every aspiring candidate is claiming to be Independent of the government. The people of Singapore is now much better educated and discerning. They can see who is truly independent and who simply cannot be!


We are going through a period of change where the views of the people are being genuinely sought and efforts put for the greater good. I give Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong full credit for articulating and starting this process. It is hoped that his entire government will progress in tandem with him and with the new Elected President.


As we enter into National Day month of August and the certainty of Presidential Elections, I ask the People of Singapore to judge me by my deeds and values and put your faith in me when they vote for the President.


Tan Kin Lian