Don’t judge presidential candidates’ independence on past links to political party? George Goh, Ng Kok Song say they differ with Tharman
Mr Goh (left) and Mr Ng speaking to reporters on July 27, 2023 at separate events.
SINGAPORE — A day after presidential hopeful Tharman Shanmugaratnam said he is “non-partisan” and voters should not judge a candidate’s independence based on his past link to a political party and the Government, his two potential rivals argued otherwise.
Mr Ng Kok Song, 75, said on Thursday (July 27) that one’s present is related to one’s past and cannot be easily separated, while Mr George Goh, 63, said it would be difficult for Mr Tharman to establish political independence “overnight” given his history of service in the public sector and Singapore politics.
Mr Tharman had, at the launch of his election platform on Wednesday, emphasised his “independence of mind” and highlighted the difference between that and an “independence from any past affiliation with a political party”.
He added that voters should not evaluate presidential hopefuls’ independence based on their past links with the Government, as such “artificial distinctions” would risk putting off good candidates and weaken the system in the long run.
To this, Mr Ng noted that one’s present could not be easily separated from one’s past, though he acknowledged that Mr Tharman’s point about having an “independence of mind” was a “sophisticated” one.
Fielding questions from the media after a visit to Geylang Serai Market and Food Centre on Thursday morning, former GIC investment chief Mr Ng said: “I think we are who we are. Our present is related to our past. We cannot easily separate our present from our past.
“My father used to advise me: When drinking water, do not forget the source. In other words, we should not forget our past, we should not forget our origin.
“And my past is that I was in the public service — 45 years in public service. And Mr Tharman served many years in the political leadership. You draw your own conclusion,” said Mr Ng, who also spent an hour speaking with vendors and stall owners on both floors of the two-story food centre and market on Thursday morning.
On Thursday afternoon, Mr Goh also spoke with reporters after his visit to social enterprise food court Dignity Kitchen, where he helped to pack lunch treats for elderly beneficiaries living in nursing homes.
When asked about his response to comments Mr Tharman had made at the launch of his presidential bid about being “non-partisan” by nature, Mr Goh said: “For me, if I look at the candidate — if you are 20 years in the public sector, for 20 years, you’re already in the political system for so long.
“You’re inside the box for more than 20 years. If you resign, let’s say for a month or two, then you declare you become an independent candidate — for me, I think it's quite difficult. I can’t do that.”
Mr Goh added that had he been “in the box and the system” for 20 years, he thinks it would be “very hard” for him to declare “overnight” that he would be independent.
NG BUILDING ‘HEART-POWERED’ LIST OF ASSENTERS
On Thursday morning, Mr Ng also responded to questions about his assenters, and sought to clarify comments he had made in earlier interviews with national daily The Straits Times.
Mr Tharman had on Wednesday introduced his slate of backers, comprising a proposer, seconder and eight assenters.
They include businessman and hotelier Ho Kwon Ping, National Trades Union Congress president Mary Liew and Mr Lim Siong Guan, a former head of the Singapore Civil Service, as well as filmmaker Royston Tan and members of civil society.
When asked if he had decided who his supporters for the nomination would be, Mr Ng said he was “working on (his) list of assenters”, though he cannot announce them until he is certified eligible to stand for President.
He said that Mr Tharman’s list of assenters was “very impressive”, and added that while his list would not be “as impressive in terms of brain power”, he believes they will still be “high powered in terms of being heart powered”.
Mr Ng added that it had “not been easy” for him to assemble the list, as some people he approached had told him they liked both him and Mr Tharman.
“They’re in a dilemma, because signing up for me has got no upside (but) there is some downside. So the people who have come forward on my list, they are people of courage... to support me, the underdog.”
He added that he would share the names of his assenters on Nomination Day.
Mr Ng also sought to clarify his remarks in earlier interviews with The Straits Times — including justifying why he had chosen his late mother, his late wife Patricia, and Chinese President Xi Jinping as individuals he would dine with if he could.
In an earlier interview with The Straits Times, Mr Ng had also remarked that Mr Tharman was “a very good friend” of his, and that he was “running for president because (Mr Tharman) wants it”.
Addressing this, Mr Ng said he had made that comment in the context of remarks Mr Tharman had made about welcoming a good contest.
“Now, you will remember that when Tharman announced that he was going to stand for president, he said that he would welcome a good contest, so that when he is elected, he’s elected with a mandate from the people.
“So I have come forward so that there will be an election, so that Singaporeans have a chance to choose the president. And I’ve come forward so that there’s a good contest if I’m certified eligible.
“So that’s what I mean, when I say I’m standing for election because Tharman wishes.”
GOH ON THARMAN’S POINT ABOUT ONG TENG CHEONG
On Thursday afternoon, Mr Goh addressed questions from the media about his campaign and backers, the presidential election possibly being a two-man race, and what Mr Tharman said about former President Ong Teng Cheong.
On the election possibly being a contest between Mr Tharman and Mr Ng, Mr Goh said that nothing is confirmed yet and that he would like to “encourage” more private sector candidates to step forward in the meantime.
“I think competition is healthy. I think we should allow this society to progress.”
“We cannot live in the old legacy, so we should move forward (and have) more good people come forward, especially (from the) private sector.”
Responding to questions about Mr Tharman’s platform launch and whether he would be able to provide a preview of his own bid, Mr Goh said: “I’m an independent candidate, as everybody knows, because I came from the private sector. I am not involved in any grassroot activities, or any partisans or any parties involved.”
“At the same time, you know I do not sit in any of the GIC or MAS (Monetary Authority of Singapore) or government-linked corporations. I don’t do that.”
He added that he is “independent” and that he would “do (his) own thing and do (his) own campaign well”.
When asked if he has a list of backers in mind, Mr Goh said he would put forward his list of assenters after the presidential election committee had endorsed him.
“One step at a time. Let them welcome me, then I will definitely put in the proposal (of assenters).”
Reporters also asked Mr Goh about his thoughts on comments Mr Tharman had made about former President Ong.
Mr Tharman had on Wednesday cited the example of Mr Ong, when saying that there is a “big difference” between independence of mind and being independent of a political party, adding that people did not see the late Mr Ong as less independent due to his previous roles in the Government and PAP.
To this, Mr Goh said: “I think Ong Teng Cheong is a very special man.”
Mr Goh added that before Mr Ong joined politics, he had about five years of “private sector experience” in setting up architecture firm Ong & Ong and understood “how difficult (it is) to build from nothing to something”.
After he became President, Mr Ong understood the need to be independent; to be a “check and balance”; and to know his balance sheets when it came to the nation’s reserves, said Mr Goh.
Mr Goh added that “none” of the Presidents he sees today is like Mr Ong.
