Baal Supersonic February 21, 2014 Share February 21, 2014 http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/tan-cheng-bock-talks-politics?page=0%2C0 Tan Cheng Bock talks politics 210214_ST_tanchengbock(edited).jpg SPEAKING HIS MIND: Dr Tan noted that the PAP Government has got itself into "a very tight situation" by letting in too many foreigners in the past. He added that the Government may now be "overdoing it" in tightening labour flows. Tessa Wong MyPaper Friday, Feb 21, 2014 SINGAPORE - The People's Action Party (PAP) Government may be trying hard to fix problems caused by the large inflow of foreigners, but it has got itself in a tight bind, said former presidential candidate Tan Cheng Bock. {C} RELATED STORIES Dr Tan and his packed calendar PA withdraws Istana party invite to Tan Cheng Bock {C} Its difficulties could help the opposition Workers' Party (WP) in the next general election, he said. The former PAP MP for Ayer Rajah spoke on the future of both political parties in an hour-long interview with MyPaper at his home. Since the watershed 2011 General Election, the Government, especially its younger ministers, has been "trying very hard" to resolve issues - like immigration - that contributed to its loss of votes, he said. In 1999, when he was still an MP, he had called on the Government to tone down its talk on attracting foreigners, earning rebukes from ministers, including then Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew. "Now, (the Government) has a quota system for foreigners in HDB," noted Dr Tan, 73. But they have got themselves into "a very tight situation" by letting in too many foreigners. "The original lax policy has created a lot of problems. If you suddenly pull the brakes too hard...you titrate wrongly, you have a big, big problem, because the companies will suffer," he said, adding that the Government may now be "overdoing it" in tightening labour flows, as businesses are facing a manpower crunch. This means there is "a very likely chance" the WP could win more seats at the next election, given that some wards in the last election were won narrowly by the PAP. "I think it's good because the WP can make the Government work harder, and also I think debate on issues will be much better," he said. Asked what he thought of PAP's criticism that WP often sits on the fence or does not voice out its position on several issues, Dr Tan said: "They don't have to put forth an alternative every time an issue comes up. You can always wait. Timing is very important in politics... So they will know when to push their agenda. RELATED STORIES Dr Tan and his packed calendar PA withdraws Istana party invite to Tan Cheng Bock "I think the PAP is the same, because (when rolling out) some of their policies they will wait." With next year marking 50 years of independence, "if I were the Government, I would capitalise on it". One thing working for the party now is its renewed vigour in fighting for votes, he noted. But despite efforts to communicate more with citizens, "I don't think they have really nailed it yet...there is still a lack of trust" in the Government and its leaders, he said. They have also yet to solve the "divide" in the party, where grassroots activists can feel snubbed after "they work like hell but they don't get to be MP" when the leadership parachutes elite "prefectorial, army, navy types" who are not in touch with the ground. One exception is Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, whom he praised as "down to earth". "Tharman is the type of person we should look for, and if we can get many people like him, I think the PAP will win (future elections) hands down," he declared. "I think Tharman is a very practical chap, he knows how to move the ground...he's got the charisma to convince me that I want to go along with him," he said. [email protected] ↡ Advertisement 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJX Turbocharged February 21, 2014 Share February 21, 2014 The people's president of Singapore. I hope he will stand for the next presidential election. A man who truly cares for the people. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Relagsingh 4th Gear February 21, 2014 Share February 21, 2014 The people's president of Singapore. I hope he will stand for the next presidential election. A man who truly cares for the people. He used to be our area's MP. Very nice man, solves issues at ground level and always makes himself available during sessions. The guy who took over him? Never got to see him once in person in my neighbourhood. Lousy. Only appear during publicity events. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alheych 6th Gear February 21, 2014 Share February 21, 2014 Tan Cheng Bock's 88% victory in 2001 was legendary. One on one fight, the opposition slipper man also can lose deposit. Now that Singapore has seen how much votes he could garner in PE2011, if it's another 3 corner (or more) fight, I'm sure Singaporeans will vote tactically. In any case, Tony looks like he'll only be a 1-term president. It's best for him not to run anymore. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volvobrick Supersonic February 21, 2014 Share February 21, 2014 He was my family doctor in the kampong many many years ago! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neost 6th Gear February 22, 2014 Share February 22, 2014 He was my family doctor in the kampong many many years ago! Oh, we belong to same kampong Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voodooman Supersonic February 22, 2014 Share February 22, 2014 Too bad he is already 73. The old guard with one hand on the ground will be gone soon and we will have clever, super elite scholars who think that $2.50 can get you a nasi padang with bandung meal running the country very soon. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigerwoods Turbocharged February 22, 2014 Share February 22, 2014 Our SRN served until in his Eighties as Prezzie why not TT or TCB? But I really think TT stand only for one term as his reputation isn't good Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baal Supersonic February 22, 2014 Author Share February 22, 2014 Tan Cheng Bock's 88% victory in 2001 was legendary. One on one fight, the opposition slipper man also can lose deposit. Now that Singapore has seen how much votes he could garner in PE2011, if it's another 3 corner (or more) fight, I'm sure Singaporeans will vote tactically. In any case, Tony looks like he'll only be a 1-term president. It's best for him not to run anymore. Indeed, I have learnt my lessen. I was really daft during that event. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voodooman Supersonic February 22, 2014 Share February 22, 2014 Our SRN served until in his Eighties as Prezzie why not TT or TCB? But I really think TT stand only for one term as his reputation isn't good I hope he will run in next PE. He will probably win in a fair contest, his popularity has increased since the last PE. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
2BDriver Hypersonic February 22, 2014 Share February 22, 2014 Indeed, I have learnt my lessen. I was really daft during that event. You'd voted T T I don't friend you 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toothiewabbit Supersonic February 22, 2014 Share February 22, 2014 I hope he will run in next PE. He will probably win in a fair contest, his popularity has increased since the last PE.Well, let's not hold our breath waiting for that day to come. They will move heaven and earth i.e. throw in 1 or 2 clowns to take away the popular votes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alheych 6th Gear February 22, 2014 Share February 22, 2014 Well, let's not hold our breath waiting for that day to come. They will move heaven and earth i.e. throw in 1 or 2 clowns to take away the popular votes. I read a commentary by Han Fook Kwang about Punggol East BE 2013. He thought the voting trend was encouraging even though PAP lost. It showed maturity in Singaporean voting trends. Even when there were indeed 2 clowns to split votes the WP won anyway. Shows that Singaporeans not voting blindly anymore. Must have learned their lesson from TJS and TKL. Let's say the clowns come again, I'm sure the votes which would have gone to them will now go to the TCB. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJX Turbocharged February 22, 2014 Share February 22, 2014 I hope he will run in next PE. He will probably win in a fair contest, his popularity has increased since the last PE. "Fair contest"?? U think possible?? Sad to say but I doubt he can ever win. He is viewed as a threat and will continue the unfinished business of president Ong. U think they will let him win?? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voodooman Supersonic February 22, 2014 Share February 22, 2014 "Fair contest"?? U think possible?? Sad to say but I doubt he can ever win. He is viewed as a threat and will continue the unfinished business of president Ong. U think they will let him win?? Yes, if we have the contest tomorrow, ceteris paribus, there is a good chance TCB will win. Fair contest is just an assumption. My view is PAP won't be able to stop the trend and inspiration of the younger and educated voters to have more diversity and representations in their government, they can delay the day they lose their 2/3 majority but they can't stop it (even if the party were to shed its elitist (detached from the ground) mindset in the next few years). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJX Turbocharged February 22, 2014 Share February 22, 2014 (edited) I certainly hope there are more voters like u! Finally, There's some light at the end of the tunnel. But considering the damage TCB can inflict, I still think it is quite remote.... Let's hope for the best! I hope u r right. Edited February 22, 2014 by TJX 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toothiewabbit Supersonic February 22, 2014 Share February 22, 2014 (edited) I read a commentary by Han Fook Kwang about Punggol East BE 2013. He thought the voting trend was encouraging even though PAP lost. It showed maturity in Singaporean voting trends. Even when there were indeed 2 clowns to split votes the WP won anyway. Shows that Singaporeans not voting blindly anymore. Must have learned their lesson from TJS and TKL. Let's say the clowns come again, I'm sure the votes which would have gone to them will now go to the TCB. Agree, certainly hope so. Hope that the rest of the electorate are as enlightened as the ones in PE. Edited February 22, 2014 by Toothiewabbit Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alheych 6th Gear February 22, 2014 Share February 22, 2014 actually, my preferred candidate for the presidency is Professor Chan Heng Chee imagine, we will have a first woman president. she has been US ambassador for 16 years so US will respect her. she has no previous partisan affiliation so she can be seen to be more neutral. and with her academic background she's definitely an intellect. the presidential election has indeed become a proxy war between the PAP and the opposition. we need someone bigger than that. ↡ Advertisement 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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