Statement - Participating in a 4 corner contest

My supporters and I had expected a contest of 2 or 3 candidates for the Presidential election. The issuance of the certificate of eligibility for 4 candidates has changed the landscape for the contest.

Some friends suggested that I consider stepping down to avoid splitting the votes of Singaporeans who prefer to elect a person who is truly independent of the PAP Government. They suggested that I would gain “political capital” for making this sacrifice.

Having thought over this matter, I am making full preparation for a 4 corner contest. My decision is consistent with the personal values that have brought me to this contest. These are the values of honesty, fairness, positive attitude, courage and public service.

I first articulated these values several years ago. I published these values in my blog and also teach the values to my students in a local university.

Earlier, I entered the Presidential contest to give a chance for the people to vote for a President and avoid a walkover. I also wanted them to vote for the values that will guide our country in the future.

My first goal of giving a chance for Singaporeans to vote has now been achieved, as there will still be a vigorous contest, if I decide to withdraw. But the second goal has still not been achieved.

As a public service, I had pledged to donate at least half of the salary to charity and other worthy causes. None of the other candidates have made any pledge on this kind.

As the voice of the people, I will convey the concerns and aspirations of the people to the government and work constructively with the government to find solutions that are best for the people.

Reflecting the value of fairness, I want to see Singaporeans enjoy a better quality of life, a lower cost of living and a narrower wage gap. I want to influence government policies to achieve this goal.

The Law Minister has said that these activities of the President are unconstitutional. I disagree. I have said - The constitution does not require the President to be dumb. By speaking out, the President will also be doing what is right for the people and the country.

It takes courage to argue against the Law Minister and other key ministers, and even to face the prospect of being removed from office. I am willing to speak up on what I believe to be right.

Being positive, I believe that my participation in the election is useful, as it gives the chance for people to think about this election from a different perspective – and to vote for person based on the values that he can bring to the country.

I also value honesty and wish to express my intentions clearly to the people of Singapore.

My friends have suggested that I shift my position either to the right to win the votes from the PAP camp or to the left to win the votes from the opposition camp. I prefer to avoid politics altogether and to approach this contest from a truly non-partisan angle.

I appeal to all Singaporeans, regardless of the political party that you support, to consider - Do you want to elect a President based on politics or on values that will guide our society and our country in the future?

I have served the people of Singapore in many capacities during my past 35 years. I was active in the grassroots movement and in working with trade unions, cooperative societies and in many government committees.

Many grassroots leaders, trade union leaders, cooperative leaders, civil servants and ordinary Singaporeans know me. They know the kind of person that I am and know that I have always been more concerned about the welfare of other people, rather than my personal gain.

I hope that the people who know me will give me your support – if you think that our country and our future can be better guided by a President with character and clear values and a heart for the people.

Tan Kin Lian

How to invest $100,000

Someone asked me, "how can I invest $100,000". I wrote this article to provide some tips.

A Child Support Payment Calculator to Calculate Child Support Payments | Divorce in Virginia

Each state will have it’s own child support payment calculator to help you ascertain your support entitlements or obligations so the best place to look is the website of whatever state you live in. Some states provide a computer program or software package by way of a child support calculator but many states provide a free spreadsheet online which allows you to calculate child support payments.

Check out West Virginia child support and divorce in Virginia.

 

Child Support Enforcement Act

The Child Support Enforcement Act sets out the parameters by which each state should calculate child support payments and the state’s legislature will give effect to the guidelines in it’s laws. Each state Court will then apply these guidelines in coming to it’s decisions as to child support to be paid.

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Pivatisation of NTUC Income

STATEMENT FROM NTUC INCOME

The media had recently reported on Mr Tan Kin Lian's comments regarding his departure from NTUC Income. While it is not the policy of NTUC Income to publicly comment on staff matters, an exception has to be made in this instance so as to set the record straight.

In addressing his departure from NTUC Income in September 2006, Mr Tan had reportedly said that he 'fought suggestions (by the Board) that NTUC Income be privatised' and alluded to this as the reason for the Board asking him to leave.  The Board had no intention then and has no intention now to privatise NTUC Income.

Suffice to say, Mr Tan was asked to leave for other reasons. We do not think that it would be appropriate to disclose these reasons in the public domain.

STATEMENT BY TAN KIN LIAN
I welcome the statement by the board of NTUC Income that they do not intend to privatise NTUC Income. In my earlier statement, I had said that there were a few occasions during the past 15 years, when this issue was raised and discussed. As to the reason for my departure, NTUC Income had earlier issued a statement that the board wanted "to professionalise" the managment. It is the prerogative of the board to decide on the business strategy of the cooperative and I wish them all the best.

Statement by Tan Kin Lian - Getting the certificate of eligibility

I am pleased that the Presidential Election Committee has granted me the Certificate of Eligibility. From now on, all arrangements will proceed as planned, leading up to Nomination Day. At this juncture, I wish to assure the public and all concerned that my campaign will be run in a clean and dignified manner, as befitting the status of the office.

I will be collecting the certificate from the Election Department at 11 a.m. on Friday.

Tan Kin Lian

Contribution to NTUC Income policyholders over 30 years

My most important contributions over 30 years in running NTUC Income were providing insurance protection at lower premiums and giving a better return to policyholders on their savings.

The payout from the maturity of life insurance policies and the cash values paid on terminated policies were much higher than similar policies taken with other insurance companies, in most cases reflecting a difference of more than 20%,

When a policyholder received a payout of $100,000 on his or her matured policy, a similar policy taken from another insurance company would have paid perhaps $80,000. The difference of $20,000 is a large sum for the policyholder from modest background. The yield earned in the past was likely to be more than 5% per annum.

The higher payout was possible as NTUC Income was managed frugally during my tenure, and expenses were kept low. Furthermore, a larger portion of the investment gains were given to the policyholders in the form of high rates of bonuses.

For motor and health insurance, policyholders would remember that they paid lower rates of premiums compared to similar policies in the market and claims were generally settled promptly and fairly.

Many policyholders had seen the premium rates on their motor insurance increased significantly in the years after I have left. Although the increase was attributed to escalation of repair costs, the same difficulty was also faced during my tenure but my colleagues still managed to keep the premiums at a lower level.

My colleagues and I, who shared the cooperative principles, had done the best that we could over the 30 years to deliver to more than 1 million policyholders - the benefits that can be provided when an organisation is run with the values of honesty, fairness, positive attitude, courage and public service. I hope that the policyholders appreciate the contributions that we had made towards the welfare of their families.

I wish to bring these same values to the office of the President of Singapore. The government has done well but the people of Singapore will benefit even more when the policies of the government are also made and implemented on these values, especially the value of public service. I will use the soft power of the President and adopt a constructive and cooperative approach to influence the government to improve some of its policies, where appropriate, so that they can bring a better life for the people.

Tan Kin Lian


Video of my 30 years
Text of statement
National Day message

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