I want to give Singaporeans a chance to vote for a 'truly independent' president: Tan Kin Lian

SINGAPORE: Presidential candidate Tan Kin Lian on Tuesday (Aug 22) said he wants to give Singaporeans a chance to vote for a president “truly independent” of the government.

In a speech to supporters after being formally nominated as a candidate, Mr Tan said that if elected, he would carry out his duties as set out in the Constitution "diligently, honestly and to the best of my ability".

“These duties are to safeguard the reserves and uphold the integrity of the public service,” he added.

“I ask for your support so that I can do my best for the people.”

Former GIC chief investment officer Ng Kok Song and former Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam will also contest the upcoming election.

Singaporeans will go to the polls on Sep 1, which has been declared a public holiday.

Earlier in the day, Mr Tan claimed he was the target of a "smear campaign" in recent days over his social media posts about “pretty girls”.

Without citing names or producing any proof, he also claimed that his "top opponent" is involved, along with the "editors of the mainstream media" and a women's rights organisation.

However, a check by CNA on Mr Tan’s Facebook page at noon on Tuesday showed that the statement has since been amended to remove references to the "top opponent".

Responding to questions from reporters on this, Mr Tan reiterated that these social media posts were uploaded and viewed by "more than 100,000" over a period of 10 years.

"During that time, I don’t have any objection. Suddenly, somebody ... said 'I feel uncomfortable'. But there are more than 100,000 people who watch the posts over 10 years. Why do you feel uncomfortable now?

"Initially, I thought that it is someone who just want to create problems for me … Later on, I realise that it is a concerted effort to smear me," he said, adding that "the media (and) the editors are part of this arrangement". 

He added that there is a group of "malicious" people out to "attack and criticise" him on social media, and he thinks they are "most likely coming from (his) competitors".

Mr Tan said he spoke to Mr Tharman on Tuesday.

“(Mr Tharman) asked to speak to me, and Mr Tharman was quite gracious. He assured me that they are not from his team,” said Mr Tan.

Mr Tharman separately said he had "nothing to do with it", and that it "goes against everything" he represents.

Mr Tan said he does not think the “malicious” comments have anything to do with his other opponent, Mr Ng.

“I have been the subject of smears for more than 10 years. Mr Ng was not around and these smears, of course, come from one political party,” he added.

Mr Tan also said that he wanted to reach out to the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) but has "no way" to do so.

AWARE voiced its concerns on Monday over Mr Tan's participation in the upcoming Presidential Election, given his "history of objectifying women".

In response, Mr Tan said: “PIease, what exactly do you find offensive? I also want to say this, I did say there are some pretty girls but the pretty girls take the effort to dress up to be attractive.

“And when I say that they are attractive, most of them actually feel quite happy. I don’t know why somebody would want to use that as a negative point,” he said.

"But in case some other ladies, after reading this, think that they are uncomfortable, I want to apologise to them," said Mr Tan, adding that he has been portrayed by the mainstream media in an “unfair and dishonest” manner.

On his upcoming campaign plans, Mr Tan said he will be planning walkabouts around Singapore. 

He had originally made plans for a rally on Friday, but the venue was “too expensive” and he will be considering other options.