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TKL: Elected President Can Be Voice Of The People


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From ST Forum:

 

Elected president can be voice of the people

 

ASSISTANT Professor Wan Wai Yee ('Don't politicise role of president'; last Thursday) argued that the president should stay within the powers of the Constitution and avoid 'politicising' its role. However, she did not explain what she meant by 'politicising'.

 

If someone offers a view that is different from the stand taken by the Government, will it be considered 'politicising'? To find solutions that are best for the people, it is better to openly discuss issues and consider various points of view, before coming to a decision.

 

The Government and the president are elected by the people to perform their duties as stated in the Constitution - but the ultimate aim is to improve the lives of the people. The president is required to carry out certain specific duties that are intended to act as a check and balance on the Government, primarily to prevent abuse of power and corrupt practices.

 

To exercise this power effectively, the president needs to be in touch with ordinary people who are affected directly by these issues. In doing so, the president may hear views that fall outside of his constitutional duties but are still important to the people.

 

I agree with Prof Wan that it is the primary duty of Parliament to discuss these issues and pass the necessary laws to implement the solutions. We should, however, be aware of the structural weaknesses in our current governance where, for a variety of reasons, many of the hot-button issues affecting the livelihoods of the people were not actively debated in Parliament. It was only days prior to the last general election that the Prime Minister realised the extent of the people's unhappiness and apologised twice for the shortcomings of his government.

 

It is likely that the newly elected Parliament will continue to face the same structural issues and obstacles.

 

The elected president can play a useful role in being an additional channel for the people to bring legitimate issues to the attention of the Government. To regain the trust of the people and restore pride in our country, the Government has to show that it is willing to hear the voice of the people and consider their views. The elected president can help in these tasks.

 

Tan Kin Lian

 

FORUM NOTE: The writer has submitted his application forms for a certificate of eligibility to run in the upcoming presidential election.

 

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... We should, however, be aware of the structural weaknesses in our current governance where, for a variety of reasons, many of the hot-button issues affecting the livelihoods of the people were not actively debated in Parliament. It was only days prior to the last general election that the Prime Minister realised the extent of the people's unhappiness and apologised twice for the shortcomings of his government.

 

It is likely that the newly elected Parliament will continue to face the same structural issues and obstacles....

 

TKL's tone here is likely to set for a showdown with the ruling party.

 

But I admire the man's conviction.

 

+1 for TKL...

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Really he seems to be getting more vocal about what his idea of a EP will be.

 

Very sure the powers that be will be coming out strongly in response.

 

A very strong rebuttal is bound to be in the pipeline as we speak...

 

From CNA:

 

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/sin...1143435/1/.html

 

President can be alternative channel to Parliament: Tan Kin Lian

Posted: 27 July 2011 2301 hrs

 

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More coming...

 

From ST Forum:

 

http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/...ory_695534.html

 

Presidential hopeful's contradictions

 

MR TAN Kin Lian argues that the elected president (EP) should seek to represent the views of the people and engage actively in public debate with the Government ('Elected president can be voice of the people'; Monday).

 

He cites 'structural weaknesses in our current governance' as the reason for his views.

 

While he says this, he also accepts that the EP can have powers and perform duties only as set out in the Constitution.

 

Mr Tan's views appear self-contradictory.

 

Under the Constitution, the EP has neither the power nor the duty to publicly express his views on day-to-day issues and engage in public debate with the Government on those issues.

 

If Mr Tan accepts that, as he seems to, then there is no basis for saying that the EP should take on additional roles.

 

And if the EP publicly advances a position for or against the Government, that would be taking a partisan stand on an issue. This would politicise the institution of the EP.

 

The appeal to 'structural weaknesses in our current governance' cannot be used as a reason to get around these two points.

 

Singaporeans elect their MPs to represent the views of the people, debate those views in Parliament, and review and pass the necessary laws. That has been the bedrock of our legislative system.

 

But people elect the EP to play a different role; one that is set out clearly in the Constitution, which confers on him the power to check the Government, if necessary, under specific circumstances.

 

It is not for the EP to engage in day-to-day politics and weigh in on debates that are the province of elected parliamentarians - matters that, by Mr Tan's own definition, 'fall outside of his constitutional duties'.

 

Like any other key public institution, the EP is expected to exercise powers within legal limits.

 

The EP should also not undermine the dignity of his office by engaging in public discussions on highly politicised matters.

 

Eric Tin

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Another perspective...

 

From ST Forum:

 

http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/...ory_695563.html

 

Hard to confine an elected president to his custodial role

 

MR TAN Kin Lian thinks that the elected president (EP) can be an additional channel for the people due to 'the structural weaknesses in our current governance' ('Elected president can be voice of the people'; Monday).

 

While I may not agree with his view, it is almost impossible to confine the president to his constitutionally custodial role.

 

The anomaly of the elected presidency is that although the EP has a much wider mandate, as he is elected by the nation, he has far less power than an elected MP, who is picked by an average of 20,000 voters from a single constituency.

 

An EP's constitutional duty is custodial, not executive. But while an MP plays an active role in politics in passing Bills, debating policies or questioning a minister, the president, with a much larger representation, can exercise only his custodial role when required.

 

Such a disparity in power between an elected MP and an EP does not square with the convention of a democratic system.

 

So an EP has the mandate of the entire electorate to be their voice, regardless of whether it is within his constitutional duties.

 

It will be almost impossible for the government of the day to shut him up.

 

An EP is not a member of the Cabinet, so he cannot be removed at the prime minister's pleasure.

 

Unlike a recalcitrant MP, he does not belong to a political party and cannot be expelled.

 

The only way to remove an EP is to impeach him by passing a motion with a two-thirds parliamentary majority.

 

And Parliament can do that only with good reason, such as the commission of a major crime by the president.

 

Removing a dissenting but popular president with the mandate of the entire nation may evoke a backlash no ruling government will want to bear.

 

So the question confronting a ruling party remains: Is it ready for a president who may exert his influence over policy and execution and become a separate power centre?

 

Can a ruling party live with such a president?

 

Liew Shiau Min

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Kena counter...

 

From ST Forum:

 

http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/...ory_695535.html

 

People's voice

 

'If Mr Tan wanted it his way, he should have stood in the GE.'

 

DR GWEE KIM LENG: 'Mr Tan Kin Lian mentioned finding solutions that are best for the people in his letter on Monday ('Elected president can be voice of the people'). It is precisely to find solutions for the people that we have elections to appoint our political leaders into Parliament. It is not the duty of the elected president to do this. If Mr Tan wanted it his way, he should have stood for parliamentary elections in the General Election (GE) in May. While on this subject, I fail to see why any of the candidates should distance himself from the People's Action Party (PAP). It is the PAP that has made Singapore into what it is today. There is no shame if any of them chooses to be endorsed by the PAP.'

 

Stick to Constitution

 

'State what contributions they would render in the purview, if elected.'

 

MR NG YA KEN: 'I agree with Mr Tan Kin Lian that an elected president can echo citizens' opinions ('Elected president can be voice of the people'; Monday). But there is a potential danger if presidential hopefuls amplify this minor role out of proportion in campaigning. Many people would then vote according to who has made the biggest promise to be their voice. A president who wins office through this tactic would eventually become another political pillar. This is politicising. Presidential hopefuls should concentrate on the purview provided by the Constitution and state what contributions they would render in the purview, if elected.'

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Another strike...

 

From ST Forum:

 

http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Online...ory_695390.html

 

Be clear about president's role

 

UNLIKE presidents in other countries who hold full executive powers, Singapore's elected president (EP) is largely a custodial head of state with limited executive oversight.

 

The power of the head of government is vested in the prime minister.

 

The EP's role is clearly defined, despite the misperception that he can challenge the ruling government of the day on all and sundry matters.

 

Constitutionally, the Government and Parliament are collectively accountable to the people for matters, including the financial reserves.

 

The perception of the institution and its co-relation with government must be clearly understood. Although the EP has been constitutionally empowered to take care of the reserves and appoint key office holders, he can act only within the law and is subject to the decree of the legislature.

 

Former presidents such as the late Mr Wee Kim Wee have endeared themselves to Singaporeans, and that is a tradition that must be upheld. The former presidents have performed their functions well. In our search for the next EP, we should judge the candidates individually on their merits and withhold undue expectations.

 

Singaporeans should accord the presidency with the respect and dignity that the office deserves. The EP is a head of state who holds an office that must be revered as the highest in the land.

 

Richard Goh

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TKL will probably NOT win with TT, TCB and TJS on board.

 

So he make noise at this point.

 

If he gets COE - he will be a potential nightmare for the ruling party.

If he does not get the COE - they will need to justify why they exclude him, and they might be forced to exclude the rest - making TT the only eligibile one and hence public uproar. And of course TKL will save on campaign costs since he will probably not win anyway.

 

Lose-lose it seems for MIW, win-win for TKL...

 

 

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So if TKL wins there will be "Meet the President Sessions"..... siao bo. He has to potentially open up his time to over 4 million people then...Good Luck.

 

Anyway, the EP claiming to be the people's voices sounds like a textbook case of principal agent problem. If the ruling party with all its receivers and MPs on the ground finds it hard to listen to the people and accomodate their requirements, what can be said of one single person? This person will almost certaintly have to cherry pick the causes he wishes to campaign, and this is surely not representative of the people's voice. I think there is something inherently dangerous about such a perception when being an Elected President. In fact, it is worrying.

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So long it not Tony Tan who wins, I am ok.

 

Some bros brought up the fact that prior to the last GE, forums and Internet postings all pointed to the ruling party having to contend with more of their incumbent/new MPs being unseated but ended up 60.1% still gave them the vote of approval.

 

Knowing where he came from, I am not sure you will be comfortable with the final result.

 

And from the signs so far, he is likely to accomplish the feat...

 

Not that I like it but....

 

Bo Bian... [:(]

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so is this the samelike the GE?

 

if i don vote, i will not be able to vote anymore. no fines for not voting?

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