No contest for Singapore's Presidential poll

[koniyakutz]

Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/sin.../163011/1/.html

SINGAPORE : Singapore won't get a contest for the Elected Presidency, after the Presidential Elections Committee issued only one Certificate of Eligibility to contest the poll -- to incumbent President SR Nathan.

Three other applications for the certificate were rejected.

Mr Nathan received a walkover on Nomination Day, 18 August 1999, for his first Presidential Election.

It is a scene that will be replayed this Wednesday, when Mr Nathan returns to the same nomination centre as the only one to receive a Certificate of Eligibility to contest the polls.

In issuing the certificate, the Presidential Elections Committee said Mr Nathan has all the credentials for the office.

Not only is Mr Nathan well regarded and respected for his public service, he is also a man of integrity, good character and reputation.

The Committee also gave its reasons for rejecting the other three applications for the same certificate.

One of them, Mr Ooi Boon Ewe had claimed to be the sole proprietor of a realty business.

But his business licence had expired when he applied for the certificate.

Another, Mr Ramachandran Govindasamy Naidu, had retired from the Commonwealth Forces as a senior storekeeper in 1987.

The Committee said both of these candidates' career histories clearly showed they did not hold any similar or comparable position of seniority and responsibility in any organisation of equivalent size or complexity, as spelt out in the Constitution.

The third applicant, Mr Andrew Kuan, also failed to get a Certificate of Eligibility on these grounds.

Mr Kuan has been under the microscope lately for his employment record at JTC.

The Committee says Mr Kuan's seniority and responsibility as JTC's Group Chief Financial Officer were not comparable to those required under the Constitution either.

A presidential candidate is required to have experience as chairman or chief executive officer of a statutory board or a company with a paid-up capital of at least S$100 million.

All three unsuccessful applicants have been informed of the Committee's decision.

Responding to Channel NewsAsia's queries, Mr Kuan said he was surprised at the Presidential Elections Committee's decision, and would like to appeal.

He said JTC Corp is a statutory board with S$11 billion in assets and its Chief Financial Officer is mentioned in the JTC Act as being responsible for financial administration of the corporation.

Under the Presidential Elections Act, the decision of the Presidential Elections Committee in awarding the Certificate of Eligibility is final, and is not subject to an appeal or review in court. - CNA /ct

[minsmarine]

1st I am so happy, cause I don't need to go down and vote.

2nd I am so sad, because

He is already old and because of his health, he could not able to achieve anything for past 6 years And still have to hold PRESIDENT OFFICE because

we don't have much people ( so called QUALIFIED ) that can be a PEOPLE PRESIDENT.

See, even our PM's wife also work day and night to generate our future, rather than supporting her husband full time.

Old person still have to go for president again.

May be our goverment needs retirement age changed up to 85. Because we don't have good people to lead the country.

Hmmm, sad story.

We either work harder to become smarter and quailified or pray all these GOOD LEADER to be in good health.

[limbssg]

==========================================

SINGAPORE, Aug 12 (Reuters)

In a corner of Andrew Kuan's three-bedroom, book-cluttered apartment hangs a photo of him, grinning as he receives a trophy from former Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong. ''That was in 2002 when I scored a hole-in-one in a golf tournament,'' said the 51-year-old chartered accountant, who has created a stir by seeking to run for president in the city-state, a largely ceremonial but potentially powerful post.

The political establishment has turned decidedly less cordial after Kuan, a member of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP), emerged last week as a possible contender in what had been seen as a second-term shoo-in for the 81-year-old government-backed incumbent, S R Nathan, a former internal security chief.

An unknown before his surprise bid, Kuan has come under attack for his employment record. This week, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong called on him to be ''completely open'' about his past.

Yesterday, the government agency that employed Kuan as chief financial officer for three years issued a public statement saying that he was asked to resign after an ''unsatisfactory'' performance. It would not give details.

The pro-government media have also cited the unhappiness of another former employer, water treatment firm Hyflux , over not knowing of Kuan's ''ambitions'' when it hired him.

Kuan told Reuters he was unperturbed by the adverse publicity as he was ''physically, mentally and spiritually prepared''.

''I believe in the letter of the Singapore Constitution and the spirit of the national pledge,'' he said. ''It's for all of Singapore to see if we are a truly democratic society based on justice, equality and meritocracy.'' POWER OVER 116 BILLION DOLLARS Kuan is one of three candidates seeking to enter the race against the incumbent. But he is the most likely to meet the strict requirements for the post, which has custodial powers over the city-state's vast reserves of $116 billion.

Before facing Singapore's 2.1 million eligible voters, candidates must display experience in heading a state body or a firm with minimum capital of S$100 million ($61 million).

Kuan, an avid reader of political biographies and motivational books, said he decided six years ago to run for the post, which has been uncontested since 1993.

Singapore's constitution was modified in 1991 changing a government-appointed post to an electoral one and giving the office veto power over government budgets.

Garry Rodan, Director of Murdoch University's Asia Research Centre in Australia, said the government's response to Kuan's bid throws into question its promise for greater openness.

''If he is deemed ineligible for the contest in spite of a lack of any wrongdoing on his part, then the government displays a complete lack of confidence in the Singapore people to judge for themselves,'' he said.

This could have consequences for the ruling party in the next general elections, expected later this year, he said.

Kuan, however, insisted he was not interested in testing political limits in the wealthy Southeast Asian state.

''I'm just doing what the Constitution allows me to. I am pro-Singapore and not anti-PAP ... Let the people see if we really walk the talk,'' said the father of two adult children.

CONSULTING FIRM Prior to his government stint, Kuan ran his own business consulting firm for more than 13 years and worked in foreign multinational companies.

The eighth of 15 children, Kuan said his father became a locksmith to support the family after he lost his goldsmith business. ''I have known hardship,'' he said.

Kuan said he joined the ruling party six years ago to better understand its inner workings ahead of his bid: ''They are very well-organised. It's a systematic and well-oiled machine. I've learnt from the best.'' The first directly elected president, Ong Teng Cheong, was openly critical of the government, complaining that information about Singapore's national reserves was withheld from him in spite of his custodial role.

His successor, former civil servant Nathan, has had a more harmonious relationship with the government since his tenure began in 1999.

A government-appointed committee will determine by August 17 if Kuan or the other two applicants can run. If the presidency is contested, the election will be held on August 27.

==============================================

[uyopong]

so,no public holiday issit?

[Phewbacca]

1st I am so happy, cause I don't need to go down and vote.

2nd I am so sad, because

He is already old and because of his health, he could not able to achieve anything for past 6 years And still have to hold PRESIDENT OFFICE because

we don't have much people ( so called QUALIFIED ) that can be a PEOPLE PRESIDENT.

See, even our PM's wife also work day and night to generate our future, rather than supporting her husband full time.

Old person still have to go for president again.

May be our goverment needs retirement age changed up to 85. Because we don't have good people to lead the country.

Hmmm, sad story.

We either work harder to become smarter and quailified or pray all these GOOD LEADER to be in good health.

buddy,

wake up and smell the roses. there are tonnes of capable people in singapore but they will not go into politics.

who would?

not when your PM ask for "all talents to step forward" and then when they do, their "dirt" will be dug up for all to smear just because they are not on the right side.

real talents will just stay in the business world and migrate...

[cyclop]

Kuan said he joined the ruling party six years ago to better understand its inner workings ahead of his bid: ''They are very well-organised. It's a systematic and well-oiled machine. I've learnt from the best.''

Obviously, there are many he has not learnt too!!!!

[FuEl]

Garry Rodan, Director of Murdoch University's Asia Research Centre in Australia, said the government's response to Kuan's bid throws into question its promise for greater openness.

''If he is deemed ineligible for the contest in spite of a lack of any wrongdoing on his part, then the government displays a complete lack of confidence in the Singapore people to judge for themselves,'' he said.

Oh well...I guess we are all rather brainwashed in a way. Speaking out in a "democratic" society can have consequences. I salute Kuan for his bravery to run for presidency.