I had a long tiring day at work tonight, but I'll stay up to do this piece on the Elected Presidency issue.
Dr Tony Tan has now cast his hat into the ring (on Thursday, after his return from an overseas trip). How has he distinguished himself from the other candidates? Perhaps I should use the device of the cast of characters in a play (dramatis personae):
Dr Tan (aka TT), the PhD man: He is obviously the ruling party's preferred candidate, as well as the elite's. But credibility is the name of the game, and he -- alone among the candidates -- has made several decisions which I am sure were not done lightly. He has not only resigned from his party, he has given up key appointments; it would be as good as impossible to return to these positions should he fail to secure the EP.
He says his strongest suit is his deep knowledge of how the reserves are managed, and that will be important in his custodial role. But why should such expertise be important? If that is the case, should not there be an elected president but an appointed one?
And why is it important that he be seen as an "independent" candidate? He says challenging times lie ahead for the EP of the day in the next few years. But I don't see a change of government in that time, or for that matter, for a long, long, time. Bottom line: I don't get any clarity from or about him yet.
But I accept that he is a serious candidate, the front runner in the race, the mainstream media say.
Dr Tan (TCB), the medicine man: He has built up a reputation as a forthright man, popular with the ordinary folk. His oratorical skills are very good, so I expect him to leverage on that in the "electioning" ahead. He has the best credibility to claim the mantle of a "people's president". He too resigned from the ruling party. But netizens will be looking into, or have already started looking into, his past record as an establishment man. Even bets on him.
Mr Tan (TKL), the Speaker's Corner (Hong Lim Park) man: He is a colourful personality, and if he gets into the Istana, I am sure he will not be a dour president. But, again, netizens will want to know more about his past, especially since he too was a member of the ruling party. So, is he the wild card in the race?
Well, it looks like we have the name of the next president already. His name is... TAN.
Oh, there is one last person... the incumbent (SRN). It seems strange that he -- having served two terms -- has not made it clear yet that he will not be contesting. I don't think even the ruling party wants to see the precedence of an elected president who has served three (or more???) terms. So, is he the dark horse in the race?
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