Former NMP Calvin Cheng Criticizes “Deplorables” Supporting Tan Kin Lian’s Presidential Campaign

SINGAPORE — Former Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) Calvin Cheng has openly criticized the supporters of Tan Kin Lian, who recently lost in Singapore’s presidential election, describing them as “deluded” and representing “the worst of Singaporeans.” Cheng expressed his views on Facebook shortly after Tharman Shanmugaratnam was elected Singapore’s 9th President with 70.4% of the votes, surpassing Ng Kok Song’s 15.74% and Tan’s 13.88%.

Cheng shared that he cast his vote for Ng Kok Song to prevent Tan from placing second in the race, explaining, “Only the most deluded people thought that Tharman would not win. It was always about the margin. So I voted for Mr. Ng Kok Song because I did not want Mr. Tan Kin Lian to come second. I have nothing against Mr. Tan. I genuinely think he is not a bad person and was competent as CEO of NTUC Income.”

Tan’s campaign faced controversy over past social media posts deemed inappropriate, prompting him to issue an apology. Despite these issues, Tan received notable support from several opposition figures, including Tan Jee Say, Lim Tean, and Prabu Ramachandran, along with endorsements from Progress Singapore Party chairman Dr. Tan Cheng Bock and People’s Power Party leader Goh Meng Seng.

Cheng criticized these opposition figures and Tan’s supporters, labeling them as “nativist, xenophobic, racist, inward-looking, angry, aggressive,” comparing them to the “deplorables” term used by Hillary Clinton in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. He urged governing party supporters, however, to avoid stereotyping all opposition voters, noting, “Hardcore PAP supporters should not gloat too much. Do not put all the opposition supporters in the same basket. Many centrist Workers’ Party supporters voted for President-elect Tharman and will continue supporting moderate opposition in the next General Election.”

Singapore’s last General Election was held in June 2020, with the Workers’ Party winning Hougang SMC, Sengkang GRC, and Aljunied GRC, and the Progress Singapore Party securing two Non-Constituency Member of Parliament seats. The next General Election is expected by November 2025.