Will SM Tharman have competition in Singapore presidential election? | To The Point

[@123-h5i5y]

At this rate, the elected presidency should be renamed the PAP presidency. For Singaporeans' sake, they should have a real independent president with no connection to the ruling party to ensure the counter check mechanism works effectively.

[@EasternKalogeros]

​@@vincecarlo you mean WP?

[@yvyvieyl]

Hope can raise Singaporean salary , and per hour rate for Prs and Singaporean like Australia. That’s all I’m asking ,secured our job not just anyhow ask us for voluntary resign after few weeks, where is the probation rule ? Hope can personally check SME company’s accepting mid career pathway program , after they list down PR or local on the list of employees for show off and record to submit to government then after that replace by Foreign talent and sooner kick out PRS or locals, by stating reason that unfit or unprofessional etc… How to survive, we want to upgrade but just judging after 1 - 2 weeks they are doing funny thing to find fault for local and PRS intentionally. 😢

[@turlochanmalhi3130]

PAP should stop the drama, Singaporean understand you better today.

[@AB-cg2tc]

But still coward to vote them out

[@123-h5i5y]

I don't dislike the man but with the local media already going into full propaganda fawning on his candidacy, its really offputting .

[@Utube1024]

Even understand, understood or understooded what can sinkies do? LL

[@iwdws]

SAME SCRIPT DIFFERENT CAST. NEED TO PUT A STOP TO THIS CRAP.

[@MartinHao19]

Mr Goh clarified that the Government’s reluctance to support Mr Ong’s re-election was solely due to concerns over his health rather than any perceived inadequacy in his performance or exercise of his custodial powers. In a 1999 Asiaweek interview after he stepped down as president, Mr Ong revealed he wasn’t given a full accounting of Singapore’s reserves until five years into his term, despite his constitutional responsibility to protect them. “As president, I have to safeguard them and they can only be drawn upon with my permission. So I said to Mr Goh: It’s already halfway through my term, but until today I still don’t know all these figures about the reserves.” said Mr Ong.

[@philz3ro823]

Stop your bullshit, after 3 years he got everything.

[@franciscody9622]

A good reason for regime change.

[@pr0newbie]

As good as asking whether the bungalow rentiers be charged or at least held morally accountable, and made to donate all profits to charity 🤑

[@JoeLee18]

Former PAP cadre Tan Cheng Bock’s narrow defeat to the ruling party’s “preferred candidate” in the 2011 presidential election - followed by the inability to run for presidential office as a result of the Malay-reserved election in 2017 and his subsequent formation of the Progress Singapore Party to bring back the ideals PAP used to espouse - also served as an example of “intra-elite divisions”.

[@JoeLee18]

The president, rather than acting as an independent check and balance on government power, may instead be relegated to a largely ceremonial role, rendering them little more than a rubber stamp for the ruling party’s decisions. It could even be wondered whether opinions expressed by Mr Ong to the PAP Government during his tenure led to these amendments to the Constitution in 1996.

[@noprob7820]

Already is. No one can tell if the president is doing any work or really for ceremonial purposes. The only time we get to see him or her is when they have to make a statement or speech, which are all crafted by someone else. Nothing personal here... literally.

[@philz3ro823]

president Ong created lots of trouble for the government and south east asia countries during his era as president, please get your facts right and not using half outdated facts.

[@lolipopi503]

Non-PAP Competitors are not scared of Tharma, they scared of PAP playing punk to them.

[@wolf-insheepclothing23]

Yes. When they massage the rules😂 in their favour.

[@YeaVerily]

For a show called "To The Point", it would be nice if you actually made one we didn't all already know

[@alantew4355]

As mentioned, the President serves as a check on the government, so is it good for Singapore to have a PAP guy as President or is it better to have an independent person who isn't from the PAP to be the President?

[@philz3ro823]

it’s good to have a honest and clever person to be president regardless of race, language or religion even political parties.

[@KSKS-jh1fb]

The pap party always play this game, own self choose own self 's presidential.

[@thatone8085]

Can tan cheng bock slay the giant killer tharman ?

[@jen5138]

@@vincecarlo TCB is no David

[@123-h5i5y]

@@thatone8085 Giant killer? He only been tested in Jurong GRC and the.msm amplified it as being popular in whole od Sin with silly people jumping on the bandwagon to parrot fhe same. Let there be a contest and the.reality may surprise these supporters .

[@noprob7820]

Just curious... how is a president considered not in politics esp. with all the affiliation?

[@00-_-_-_-00]

Simply because he/she is required by the constitution not to be affiliated with a political party when contesting the election and during the tenure of his/her presidency (hence why SM Tharman is resigning from all his political posts and as a member of the PAP). But if you look at the constitutional requirements for someone to be eligible to run for the presidency (being a former minister, speaker, chief justice or other key office holders in government and in government), it's quiet unrealistic to expect someone that has never been in a political position to assume the presidency. Plus, because Singapore has ever been ruled by one party, you can also expect that the president is going to be a former PAP politician or someone who was appointed by a PAP government into a key position in the public service

[@wayfaringstranger5808]

He throw hat, everybody throw towel.

[@hipposamadesu]

He will be the winner. Walkover or not 😎

[@ivanteo1973]

If there are no competitor, then he is not the winner. But no worries, PAP will disqualified the rest since Tharman is assigned to take over President.

[@MartinHao19]

How effective and independent can Tharman be in providing a check and balance to the PAP-led government as an elected president? An examination of the tenure of Singapore’s first elected president, the late Mr Ong Teng Cheong, who is fondly remembered as the ‘People’s President’, may provide some perspective.

[@deschan2246]

Singapore 3 pillars 1. Government 2. Judicial System 3. President Must be independent of each other. President candidate must not be from or linked to Government.

[@MartinHao19]

To what extent has the experience of the reserved presidency negatively altered perceptions of the PAP and could it put a dent in public support for the ruling party during the next general election? Has the reserved presidency, intended to guarantee racial inclusion through a minority representation in government, actually had a negative effect on race relations in Singapore?”

[@alexmathews5582]

What about his Osa case. Public need d to know

[@emperor270353]

I'm shocked that he chose not to be in the PM race and opted to contest in the upcoming Presidential election - 🤔🤔🤔 My guess is maybe PAP has no confidence with the next generation of ministers and hence Tharman is there to ensure that kitty is not squandered away. Furthermore, with Tharman's popularity with Singaporeans, it will be tough to find an Opposition to challenge him

[@oldy0960]

I am shocked that you still living in stone age 🤔🤔🤔

[@kwangahsan9501]

Tharman has nonono courageous being as DPM. 😢😢😢

[@fahkong7938]

Will anyone challenge Tharman? It depends on whether PAP will send candidate B from the private sector. This time, it's unlikely to be an uncontested election. It is a chance to gauge the voters' sentiments before the PAP finalises its plan for the next General Election.

[@JoeLee18]

The historical context of Mr Ong’s presidency is crucial as we consider Tharman’s potential candidacy. Since Mr Ong’s tenure, PAP has amended the constitution in 1996 to necessitate presidential consultation with the Council of Presidential Advisers (CPA) on matters concerning past reserves and key public appointments. If the president’s decision diverges from the CPA’s advice, Parliament can override it with a two-thirds majority vote. This amendment, coupled with the substantial parliamentary majority of PAP, arguably renders the purpose of an elected president moot.

[@StMarc-ow4wz]

It was changed in 1990/1991 even before Ong TC became president. No one knew why it was changed.

[@MartinHao19]

People’s Action Party (PAP) has touched a raw nerve in its push to achieve its intended goal to secure its preferred candidate as the elected President through the use of race. By leveraging on the Malay minority as a reason why there is a need to deem the PE2017 as a reserved election, and insinuating Singaporeans are deep-down racists with questionable polls, PAP has undone fifty years of nation-building.

[@bell-xk5dd]

Blah blah blah..verbal diarrhoea 🤮

[@LonganLee]

Halimah is an elected president right? So why can Tharman not also be Elected unopposed?😅 english is english right?

[@JoeLee18]

Why bother with rubbish SG elections

[@mkang666]

Maybe you may consider going for the Taiwan election or the US election.

[@WTHH2]

Hope so.! Otherwise it's another appointment not election.

[@玪玪-v2m]

Can we have Heng & Tan Cheng Bock to challenge this important role?

[@lolipopi503]

Should be Lee Hsien Yang but he and his family are asconded due to a frame set up by somebody.

[@玪玪-v2m]

Nevermind let Singapore fall down together with the west then we can have better life 😜

[@danieltan2270]

Not sure if Tan Cheng Bock qualifies. I doubt so. He was just a MP and not an office holder and was never a CEO.

[@SoranPryde]

This time round: "Indian Only" Next time round: "Eurasian Only" All to make sure Tan Cheng Bock is either too old, too dead or too senile to ever run for President

[@ivanteo1973]

If needed, Tharman can be Eurasian. Everything is ok for PAP.

[@markfish1113]

Should just fight 1v1, dr tan cheng bok cant beat tharman, gct or george yeo. Only this 3 person currently can block him.

[@thatone8085]

Tharman will serve 3 to 4 terms as our president and by then tan cheng bock is in heaven.

[@thatone8085]

@@markfish1113 Tan cheng bock only knows about panadol and diarrhea medicine.He is only your neighbourhood medicine man. But tharman is a world leader and speaks perfect english . A quality leader is there.

[@lolipopi503]

Surely, his P.A.P colleague will be his competitors..

[@c.r.6172]

No contest..no talk.

[@clancywong]

😅 Competition? What competition? Its a waste of public funds. Just nominate him as Pres. Even a chimp can predict the outcome.😅

[@MartinHao19]

Ong also expressed frustration with the lack of transparency from the government regarding key decisions. Despite constitutional provisions granting him access to all cabinet information, he was often left in the dark about matters concerning the nation’s reserves, learning of significant decisions like the sale of the Post Office Savings Bank (POSB) to DBS Bank from newspaper reports. “Even in my last year as president, I was still not being informed about some ministerial procedures. For example, in April last year, the government said it would allow the sale of the Post Office Savings Bank POSB to DBS Bank. In the past, when there was no elected president, they could just proceed with this kind of thing.

[@山下奉文-n8n]

I will not vote one who is once related.

[@AB-cg2tc]

I’m more interested to know what will happen to the milo aunty since she already RESIGNED as an MP. Going to secretly put her back to Marsiling?

[@2wwwilly]

Won oredy .Game over . Deposits can go to charity ..😂😂😂

[@joekerr2879]

I trust Straits Times as much as I trust MSNBC, CNN and NBC on news about Trump. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

[@yut576]

Probably Jamus should run as well. Economist vs Economist

[@franciscody9622]

This did not age well. The question should be why is Tharman running at all. He will likely end his career as a defeated EP candidate.

[@liewjames2852]

Walk over and even if no walkover, he will still win. Its pre-ordained by the stars.

[@Jamesngb]

Yes he is a good man good leader good character i think he will win uncontested

[@lolipopi503]

Should be vacated since it is democracy system not communist system. I think you are their b***h very long time.

[@wolf-insheepclothing23]

I don't think good is the right word to describe him.

[@sgfuture7114]

Just Walk Over please 🙏🙏🙏 Don't waste our time... Don't waste the efforts... Don't waste our resources... Most importantly, don't waste our money...!!!

[@wolf-insheepclothing23]

You choose wrong president, you see no money😅.

[@KSKS-jh1fb]

Only the pap party will play such trick

[@shirleytam2248]

God Bless You

[@wolf-insheepclothing23]

Not on this one.

[@yangjianguo1848]

I am quite sure that Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam will be elected as the president of the Republic of Singapore. I don't think anyone will be foolish enough to contest against him.

[@wolf-insheepclothing23]

Not all people are as cowards as you paint them to be.

[@extremelycreativeusername]

Proud to announce that I will be challenging SM Sharman Thanmugaratnam in the presidential elections

[@extremelycreativeusername]

*Tharman Shanmugaratnam

[@StMarc-ow4wz]

Good luck to you. If win, you get the equivalence of winning 5 Toto Group 1 draw for 6 six years.

[@AB-cg2tc]

Like the chinese say, “Rules are dead, humans are alive” if you know what it means

[@oldy0960]

Why are you proud to announce?

[@lolipopi503]

Random ppls : I am challenging for your next president...

[@oldy0960]

Did PAP nominated Tharman or he act on his own?

[@fengfeng9234]

ST going for the twitch streamer vibes? 😄

[@theadventurer1602]

My president.

[@Utube1024]

Suck his tongue...LOL

[@wolf-insheepclothing23]

You can have him 24/7 for eternity.

[@Utube1024]

Is not what you know but who you know is more important. Dun know how to drink never mind as long as know how to pour.

[@philz3ro823]

How to contest against him?😂 Nobody who want to risk the deposit to contest for a sure lose fight and maybe to lose totally😂

[@JoeLee18]

PAP’s “sidelining” of Mr Tharman, she argues, “reflects the racialist orientation of the PAP leadership”. “When pundits speculated about the possibility of Tharman succeeding Prime Minister Lee, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat exemplified this attitude by claiming, without clear evidence, that the numerically dominant Chinese community are not ready for a non-Chinese prime minister,” she said.

[@ivanteo1973]

Singaporeans are ready for non chinese PM, but PAP is not. This is why there are no election for PM. All their kindergarten lies.

[@pgobservers]

In Singapore PAP history, from LKY, to GCT, and to LHL, only party secretary general will be the PM of Singapore. Tharman has not been the party deputy secretary general at all. So it’s not possible he will be the next PM. In fact Heng Swee Keat was the deputy secretary general and everyone knows he will be the next PM. But he declined later due to health reasons. So next PM is LW, Understand?

[@ivanteo1973]

@@pgobservers Tharman will never be party secretary general, understand? Still don't get it? party secretary general is decided by a person with blood link to LKY. understand?

[@RonLarhz]

All so that he cant be PM???🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@Bella-wp7wz]

I like this format that ST is doing, I wish it was more conversational though

[@tankman20064]

Can give holiday bo ? Walkover give holiday lah

[@disiaosiao5931]

Not another from pap 😂

[@tankman20064]

Walk over😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@wolf-insheepclothing23]

No😂

[@biggusballuz5405]

Congratulations on your next selected president. I meant elected!

[@lolipopi503]

Another Walkover president..

[@naramoon2745]

Don't count chickens before they are hatch😊.

[@Samuel-qe9lj]

Nobody will waste their time competing with him

[@wolf-insheepclothing23]

Its not wasting time. Its the party playing mahjong with the rules to deter potential candidates.

[@agnesteo4549]

Fair n Square, SG should have a Chinese president.... In d past 1 Indian n 1 Malay

[@radhakrishnareddyparvatham702]

Suppose to be PM quality but because of Chinese dominance he could not get

[@rajagopal6467]

Must have Election

[@melwu7954]

He will have alot of vote for him cause people voice of one nation has been heard he has expected god calling to run for president

[@ivanlimzg]

No challenge

[@naramoon2745]

How you know?

[@ivanlimzg]

@@naramoon2745 who is Tharman and who is George Goh? George Goh is unknown but Tharman is ex-minister

[@wolf-insheepclothing23]

The challenge comes when a boy defeated a goliath with a sling shot.

[@angeluscorpius]

Uncontested.

[@sjv9147s]

Yes, Lee Hsien Yang.

[@LonganLee]

Ok, ok, we believe whatever you say Grace 😅

[@naramoon2745]

Speak for yourself😑.

[@LonganLee]

@@naramoon2745 How dare you not be a good gurl

[@naramoon2745]

​@@LonganLee🤪🤪🤪

[@jimw8615]

No election again

[@Hs5687]

Entire PAP may be Subordinated by Towering Giant of a Tharman Presidency … Finally ❤

[@wolf-insheepclothing23]

Giant can still be defeated by a boy with a slingshot😊.

[@Hs5687]

@@wolf-insheepclothing23 Why need Slingshot when We can rely on Experts at Moving Goal Posts from Behind the Curtains … PAP 💪

[@hiroyukishinichi9873]

No need to say much....✒✔😍🥰

[@ariaantoroatang7720]

You should be my next PM and not the President.

[@wolf-insheepclothing23]

You can have him forever😅.

[@dudelezz6446]

Singapore Chinese will never accept non Chinese prime minister