Presidential Elections Committee 'not aware' of Tan Kin Lian's social media posts before issuing eligibility certificate

SINGAPORE: The Presidential Elections Committee (PEC) was not aware of Mr Tan Kin Lian's social media posts before a certificate of eligibility was issued to him, and it is "not legally entitled to revisit its earlier decision".

The committee also said on Monday night (Aug 21) that the issuing of the certificate was not an endorsement of Mr Tan's social media posts.

Earlier on Monday, the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) voiced concerns over Mr Tan's participation in the upcoming Presidential Election, given his "history of objectifying women". A viral TikTok video showed several posts by the former NTUC Income chief executive about "pretty" girls.

The women’s rights group said the decision to grant Mr Tan an eligibility certificate "suggests a systemic endorsement”.

In response to media queries, the PEC said on Monday night that it was not aware of Mr Tan's posts before the certificate was issued.

"Hence, the issuing of the certificate could not have amounted to an endorsement of Mr Tan’s social media posts by the PEC," said the committee.

After an eligibility certificate has been issued, the PEC is "not legally entitled to revisit its earlier decision".

"Any additional facts regarding a candidate which come to public attention after the candidate’s certificate has been issued, would be for the electorate’s consideration and assessment before casting their votes," it said.

The committee does not go through every applicant’s past social media posts before issuing or declining a certificate of eligibility, the PEC added.

If comments made by an applicant are brought to the committee's attention before a decision is made on an eligibility certificate, the PEC would consider them in its assessment, it said.

AWARE's statement was posted on Facebook after a CNA report on Mr Tan's response to the viral TikTok video.

He said on Monday morning that a "small minority" of people are uncomfortable with his social media posts and that most people find it "quite fun".

"Most of the people say it is quite light, it's quite enjoyable. That's how I build my people to be interested," he told reporters before his walkabout at a hawker centre in Clementi West.

Checks by CNA confirmed that the posts in the TikTok video were legitimate. The video has racked up hundreds of thousands of views.

AWARE said: "Consistently posting about 'pretty girls', recording videos of women in public without their consent, or commenting about their appearance isn’t merely a matter of personal preference or light 'amusement'.

"It's an act of objectifying women, reducing them solely to their appearances for their personal entertainment. Such behaviour from anyone in or aspiring to a position of influence suggests that it's acceptable to trivialise women and overlook their myriad abilities and contributions."

The group urged the PEC to "thoroughly consider" the broader implications of such endorsements in future.

In a press release last Friday, the PEC said it was satisfied that Mr Tan is a "man of integrity, good character and reputation".

Mr Tan is due to submit his nomination papers on Tuesday. Former Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam and former GIC chief investment officer Ng Kok Song also qualified to contest the upcoming Presidential Election.