Message from Goh Meng Seng

Goh Meng Seng told me that he has to go to Hong Kong for a job interview. If he is accepted, he will be working in Hong Kong. But he will try his best to continue to help in my campaign.

I appreciate the support that Meng Seng has given to me, and understand that he has to earn a living. I also appreciate his concern to help me in spite of the practical difficulties. I am somewhat saddened that he has to leave Singapore to work in Hong Kong. It is a big sacrifice to have to work overseas, due to lack of job opportunities in Singapore, for a person who is standing under a non-PAP ticket in the general election.

Here is a message from Meng Seng

Hi Kin Lian,

I am trying to negotiate with my potential employer (an NGO which deals with providing Pro Bono Legal Aid to refugees seeking asylum) to let me start work in September or at least mid August so that I could continue to help you. I will only know the result on 15 July but I will be away in Hainan Island to settle some family matters there.

I am writing a blog post with regards to this soon. I am very glad that you have taken up this daunting challenge of contesting in this Presidential Elections with the knowing that all establishment machineries will be gunning at you. I am also very grateful to your family, especially your wife, Mrs Tan, for giving you the full support in this thankless quest.

As I have said before, I have been involved in persuading a lot of people to get involve in our Nation's political process on the opposite side of the establishment for the past ten years. It is never easy to persuade good people to come aboard and take up the challenge of being part of the thankless Public Service as opposition members. It is even more difficult to find someone who could qualify the stringent criteria set by PAP to become a Presidential Candidate and yet who is truly courageous to stand up and be independent of the ruling party.

For such a person like you, would have the social status and financial foundation to live comfortably into retirement. Who would want to risk the wrath, personal attacks, smearing and public scrutiny by becoming the "non-PAP endorse" Presidential candidate? This is especially so when we have witnessed what previous non-PAP endorse contender has been treated in the past. Unless there is a high calling as well as sense of Public Service, nobody with such status would want to "trouble troubles".

Whatever the outcome of this Presidential Elections, I am proud to have become part of this little process to enhance true democracy of checks and balances. I am proud to be your friend as well. I have to thank you for allowing me to play my little role in this whole process.

Best regards,
Meng Seng