IMDA “DOES NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY”: TAN KIN LIAN
Speaking to reporters before a visit to Senja Hawker Centre on Thursday morning, Mr Tan said that he recorded his first broadcast on Wednesday and provided his script to IMDA in advance.
“IMDA asked for three paragraphs to be removed,” he said, adding that these were the “most important paragraphs” of his campaign message.
The three paragraphs, which Mr Tan reproduced for media, cover his advice on the investment of Singapore’s reserves and his repeated pledge to “influence” government policies in three areas of cost of living, housing and job security.
“They asked for it to be removed on the grounds that it is outside of the President’s prerogative. I do not agree with that decision, but I have no choice,” he said.
“I consider the IMDA does not have the authority to interpret the Constitution in their way and ask for the statements to be removed.”
Elaborating on how he was notified, Mr Tan said that he was attending to other matters when his campaign team tried to contact him about IMDA’s request.
“I only received the message after the IMDA deadline. I was not able to respond within the deadline,” he said, adding that he would use “other avenues” to convey the messages in the excised paragraphs.
“Anyway, my campaign person used his initiative and I commend him. He did what needs to be done on the spot. He couldn’t reach me, so he did what has to be done, he removed those three paragraphs.”
PROMISES TO VOTERS
Political analysts have previously said that Singapore’s President does not shape policies, and that Mr Tan’s aim to “influence” government policies is unrealistic.
Responding to these views, Mr Tan told reporters: “I am not misleading the people. I made it clear in many statements that I will be using the office of the President to convey to the government about the hardship faced by the people and about their aspirations.
“I remain hopeful that I would be able to persuade the Prime Minister and the ministers to modify some of their policies, that will give a better life for the people.”
Mr Tan said he would start by advising the Prime Minister and Finance Minister to suspend the planned rise of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to 9 per cent in 2024.
“I know that the government has already announced that they are going ahead with the increase. I advise them to reconsider,” he said.
The former NTUC Income chief executive added that he would “convey these views in private in my regular discussions with the Prime Minister” if elected President.
“I believe that many people will vote for me knowing that I do not have the executive authority on these issues. They will vote for me to do what I can to realise the vision and the three goals.”
Analysts have highlighted that the President has custodial powers but not executive powers. That means the President can veto or block government actions in specified areas, but has no role to advance his or her own policy agenda.
Mr Tan also said he hopes to have a “good relationship” with the Prime Minister, when asked about comments by Mr Tharman that the President will be able to advise the Prime Minister if there is respect between the two.
Asked about the funding for his campaign, Mr Tan said it was largely self-funded and that he has to be “frugal”. He thanked supporters who have donated to his campaign.
He estimated that he has spent under S$100,000 (US$74,000) on campaigning so far, excluding the S$40,500 election deposit. His campaign materials include 5,000 posters and an initial 100,000 flyers.
Mr Tan also said that he has cancelled plans for a physical rally, saying: “It was one of the challenges that we faced. Costs, approval, et cetera.”
He will hold an online event on Zoom, which he plans to livestream on social media, on Aug 30 instead.
Singaporeans will go to the polls on Sep 1 for the country’s first contested Presidential Election since 2011.
