SINGAPORE — In the lead-up to the 2023 Presidential Election, Tan Kin Lian has garnered significant support from prominent opposition figures. His tea
SINGAPORE — In the lead-up to the 2023 Presidential Election, Tan Kin Lian has garnered significant support from prominent opposition figures. His team includes proposer Tan Jee Say, who ran with the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2020 General Election, and seconder Lim Tean, leader of Peoples Voice (PV). Prabu Ramachandran from PV has also been appointed as his principal election agent.
Facing a competitive field, Tan Kin Lian has encouraged Singaporeans to back him for the presidency if they seek an independent candidate detached from the establishment. The other candidates include former Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam and ex-GIC chief investment officer Ng Kok Siong.
Among Tan Kin Lian’s supporters is Dr. Michael Fang, a PV candidate for the Jalan Besar GRC. As a volunteer for Tan’s campaign, Dr. Fang is assisting with logistical preparations for the election. He believes that non-establishment supporters and undecided voters should rally behind Tan to elect a president who actively listens to public feedback.
Dr. Fang stated, “Alternative parties and the middle-ground voters should unite behind Tan Kin Lian. Tharman and Kok Song have strong ties to the establishment, but Tan Kin Lian has been away from NTUC Income for about 15 years.” He emphasized that the focus should be on accountability and transparency regarding the nation’s reserves, which are of public interest.
However, the dynamics among opposition supporters are complex. At a recent public forum, seasoned politician Jufrie Mahmood suggested to Dr. Tan Cheng Bock, chairman of the Progress Singapore Party, that he consider endorsing Tan Kin Lian in the presidential race. Jufrie, currently with the SDP, dismissed an audience member’s suggestion to spoil their vote due to George Goh’s disqualification from the election.
“I beg to disagree with your views that we should boycott the election. The PAP’s skin is too thick. They don’t care about your boycott. What we must do now is choose who we should support: either Ng Kok Song or Tan Kin Lian,” Jufrie asserted during the Friday Conversation event on August 18 at the Palms Bistro.
He believes that endorsing Tan Kin Lian could shift the political landscape, urging Dr. Tan and others not to miss this opportunity. “Tan Jee Say has endorsed Tan Kin Lian. Both of them have almost 30%. What we need now is an endorsement from Dr. Tan Cheng Bock. If you do that, the game is over. Bye-bye Mr. Tharman,” he added.
In the 2011 presidential election, Tan Kin Lian received the lowest votes at 4.91%, while Tan Jee Say garnered 25.04%. Dr. Tan Cheng Bock closely contested, securing 34.85% of the votes, with Tony Tan winning at 35.20%.
While Jufrie advocates for Tan Kin Lian, his party member Abdul Salim has opted to spoil his vote on polling day, scheduled for September 1. In a social media post, Salim expressed skepticism about the call for opposition unity behind Tan Kin Lian, emphasizing that he votes based on individual merit rather than party affiliation.
“Personally, during the Presidential Election, I do not vote along party lines just because I am in the opposition. I only vote for the candidate that I strongly believe can bring Singapore forward,” he stated.
Salim advocates for a symbolic blank vote to signal his dissatisfaction with the candidates, stating, “A Blank Vote Cast Is A Vote For George Goh!”
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