BREAKING: Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam announces intention to run for Singapore's presidency.

[Carbon82]

On 6/12/2023 at 5:02 PM, Fcw75 said:

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/george-goh-run-presidential-election-candidate-harvey-norman-ossia-3555876?cid=internal_sharetool_iphone_12062023_cna
 

Got PH liao!

I’m voting for this guy. 👍🏼

@Kb27

Don't be so excited yet, he might not be able to get his COE (Certificate of Eligibility). Bloody h*ll COE again... 

To qualify, the prospective candidate must have held a senior public office or helmed a company that has at least S$500 million (US$370 million) in shareholders' equity for at least three years.

Mr Goh is the chairman of Ossia International, an SGX-listed company with a market capitalisation of about S$45 million (US$33 million) as of Monday.

[Windwaver]

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/george-goh-run-presidential-election-candidate-harvey-norman-ossia-3555876

George Goh, founder of Harvey Norman Ossia, to run for President in Singapore

Mr Goh, a former non-resident ambassador to Morocco, is the second person to step forward as a prospective candidate for the Presidential Election after Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

SINGAPORE: George Goh, the founder of Harvey Norman Ossia, on Monday (Jun 12) announced his intention to run for the Singapore presidency, becoming the second person to step forward after Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

A statement from his media team said Mr Goh will contest as an "independent candidate".

"He has no political party affiliations - past or present. He has no political baggage. He was never in the public sector. He is an entrepreneur who started working at the age of 16, and has since built a business empire spanning 14 countries," it said.

Mr Goh - who brought Australian electronics store Harvey Norman to Asia - had been floated as a possible presidential hopeful in recent days.

The 63-year-old is chairman of Ossia International, an SGX-listed investment holding company.

Married with four children, he also co-founded the charity Border Mission and is a council member at the Red Cross Society, among other roles.

He was in 2017 appointed as Singapore's non-resident ambassador to Morocco.

To contest the Presidential Election and to "maintain his independence", Mr Goh tendered his resignation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Jun 9, the statement said.

President Halimah Yacob's six-year term ends on Sep 13 this year. The 68-year-old announced on May 29 her decision not to seek a second term. She is the country's eighth President and first female President. 

DECISION TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT

According to Mr Goh's team, he made the decision in 2017 to stand for election, after the eligibility requirement for private sector candidates was raised - from those helming corporations with at least S$100 million (US$75.6 million) in paid-up capital to corporations with at least US$500 million in share equity.

“He was concerned that the more stringent conditions might lead to another uncontested election, as was the case in 2017 with President Madam Halimah Yacob, a former Speaker of Parliament. Although there are 1,200 such companies, not many are helmed by citizens. Most would also rather remain 'private' citizens," the statement read.

“This time, the establishment has endorsed Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam as its candidate. Mr Tharman has been with the People’s Action Party since 2001. He is a long-time Cabinet minister and has, since his civil service days, been closely involved in public finance policies and institutions."

Mr Goh questioned if Mr Tharman was “the right man to become President”, given his close alignment with the ruling political party.

“This is especially so, given the President’s role in checking the government in the two important areas concerned with the national reserves and key public office appointments. To maintain the integrity of the office, the President must not only be above politics but be perceived as such," the statement read.

It added that Mr Goh is equipped with the financial and technical skills to "scrutinise the government's books", and that he has "considerable managerial and leadership expertise, acquired both here and abroad, to make judgments about a person’s suitability for an important post".

"All four of Singapore’s past elected presidents were political appointment holders or from the public sector. It is time to have a truly independent person with a pair of fresh eyes to play the role the elected president was created for," the statement read.

Mr Tharman announced his intention to run for President last week, saying he will resign from the People's Action Party and retire from all his positions in government.

The former Deputy Prime Minister told reporters on Sunday that it is important for him to have a contest in the upcoming Presidential Election, saying he would “much rather win or lose with a contest”. 

Potential candidates can apply for a Certificate of Eligibility from Jun 13 - the first step in order to enter the presidential race. Prospective candidates must also submit a community declaration.

[Windwaver]

How come no female candidate?

[Kb27]

On 6/12/2023 at 5:02 PM, Fcw75 said:

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/george-goh-run-presidential-election-candidate-harvey-norman-ossia-3555876?cid=internal_sharetool_iphone_12062023_cna
 

Got PH liao!

I’m voting for this guy. 👍🏼

@Kb27

I think they will try to find some dirt on him.

[RadX]

On 6/12/2023 at 6:15 PM, Kb27 said:

I think they will try to find some dirt on him.

Or throw a diluter 

[Tkseah]

Yeah.. vote George for president!!!

[Windwaver]

Courts and Gain City also considering? 

[Windwaver]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Goh_Ching_Wah

On 1 June 2017, Tony Tan, the President of the Republic of Singapore, appointed Goh as Singapore's ambassador to Morocco.[11]

[Confusedboi]

hmm how about PSP leong mun wai, he used to be in charge of OCBC  securities correct?.😁

That should allow him to qualify and maybe contest against tharman, although tharman is touted to be fan favorite.

[Benarsenal]

On 6/12/2023 at 6:01 PM, Carbon82 said:

Don't be so excited yet, he might not be able to get his COE (Certificate of Eligibility). Bloody h*ll COE again... 

To qualify, the prospective candidate must have held a senior public office or helmed a company that has at least S$500 million (US$370 million) in shareholders' equity for at least three years.

Mr Goh is the chairman of Ossia International, an SGX-listed company with a market capitalisation of about S$45 million (US$33 million) as of Monday.

Exactly. They might just say this Georgie Goh not qualified, then walkover again. 🙄

[Benarsenal]

On 6/12/2023 at 7:21 PM, Confusedboi said:

hmm how about PSP leong mun wai, he used to be in charge of OCBC  securities correct?.😁

That should allow him to qualify and maybe contest against tharman, although tharman is touted to be fan favorite.

I don't think LMW will want to step away from PSP to run for Pres. The risk factor too high.

At least in Parliament he still got voice to KPKB. President he highly likely won't win then he lose his platform, no point.

[Confusedboi]

where is Lee hsien yang ah, oh wait exiled overseas thanks to dragon prince lee internal familee feud.

Some brother you have man🤬😡

[inlinesix]

On 6/12/2023 at 6:01 PM, Carbon82 said:

Don't be so excited yet, he might not be able to get his COE (Certificate of Eligibility). Bloody h*ll COE again... 

To qualify, the prospective candidate must have held a senior public office or helmed a company that has at least S$500 million (US$370 million) in shareholders' equity for at least three years.

Mr Goh is the chairman of Ossia International, an SGX-listed company with a market capitalisation of about S$45 million (US$33 million) as of Monday.

Shareholders equity > Market Cap

[inlinesix]

On 6/12/2023 at 7:21 PM, Confusedboi said:

hmm how about PSP leong mun wai, he used to be in charge of OCBC  securities correct?.😁

That should allow him to qualify and maybe contest against tharman, although tharman is touted to be fan favorite.

I don’t think he qualifies.

 

[Tohto]

On 6/12/2023 at 8:26 PM, inlinesix said:

Shareholders equity > Market Cap

Too far off, how to even qualify. Pappies set the ceiling in flavor for themselves. 

No need to have any PE lah, waste money and people time. Just appoint one easier. 

I give up hope for my extra PH already.

Edited June 12, 2023 by Tohto

[inlinesix]

On 6/12/2023 at 8:33 PM, Tohto said:

Too far off, how to even qualify. Pappies set the ceiling in flavor for themselves. 

No need any have PE lah, waste money and people time. Just appoint one easier. 

I give up hope for my extra PH already.

President is “guardian” of reserve.

500m shareholders’ equity is not that high, comparatively.

[Playtime]

On 6/12/2023 at 7:58 PM, Benarsenal said:

Exactly. They might just say this Georgie Goh not qualified, then walkover again. 🙄

No... the more they allow in, the more we will get another KFC meal. A meal no one wants, but will get in because it's a big corporation. 

The system is flawed to favour the govt choice... which is the pap choice. 

If no one wins 50% outright. 

A second round with the 2 top winners should be run.

Otherwise,  divide the vote enough and even tin tin, umbrage,  no dignity pay etc will win and become "people's choice".

 

[13177]

On 6/12/2023 at 6:01 PM, Carbon82 said:

Don't be so excited yet, he might not be able to get his COE (Certificate of Eligibility). Bloody h*ll COE again... 

To qualify, the prospective candidate must have held a senior public office or helmed a company that has at least S$500 million (US$370 million) in shareholders' equity for at least three years.

Mr Goh is the chairman of Ossia International, an SGX-listed company with a market capitalisation of about S$45 million (US$33 million) as of Monday.

This is so sad. 😤