In the dynamic landscape of presidential elections, Presidential candidate Tan Kin Lian, a seasoned 75-year-old candidate, has extended his well-wishes to his fellow presidential hopeful George Goh in a statement on his website earlier today, wishing him all the best for his future endeavours, according to AsiaOne.

It was earlier announced by the Elections Department that Tan had received his certificate of eligibility to run for the Singapore presidency earlier today, alongside former chief investment officer Ng Kok Song and former minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

He added that he was “disappointed” that George Goh didn’t qualify to run for the presidential election.

Didn’t qualify

Tan Kin Lian, in a statement featured on his official website, conveyed his personal disappointment over the fact that George Goh, a 63-year-old presidential hopeful, did not meet the qualifying criteria to contest the upcoming election.

Despite this, Tan conveyed his sincere well-wishes for Goh’s future undertakings, “I like to wish Mr. Goh all the best in his future endeavors,”

Expressing gratitude, Tan Kin Lian thanked the Presidential Elections Committee for their “favourable decision” and the early release of the announcement.

“Focus on your own election”

Notably, Tan Kin Lian had previously proposed the idea that either himself or George Goh should step aside to support “the other non-establishment candidate” in the event that both of them qualified to run.

Goh then responded and told Tan to focus on his own presidential campaign instead, saying:

“I would like to make one final comment about Mr Tan Kin Lian and what he has been saying. Running for the Presidential Election is a serious matter. Each candidate should focus on their campaign, get ready, and let the voters decide. It is true that the rules make it more difficult for an independent candidate to prepare for his campaign without knowing if he will be eligible but I have all my campaign materials ready. As an entrepreneur, I move forward confidently and don’t complain.”

The Elections Department announced that they have issued Certificates of Eligibility to Ng Kok Song, Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Tan Kin Lian to run for the Singapore Presidency.

Statement from Elections Department Singapore

ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2023

At the close of applications for a Certificate of Eligibility on 17 August 2023, 5:30pm, the Presidential Elections Committee (Committee) received a total of 6 applications. The Committee has issued a Certificate of Eligibility to the following:

(a) Mr Ng Kok Song;
(b) Mr Shanmugaratnam Tharman; and
(c) Mr Tan Kin Lian.

Ng Kok Song

2 Mr Ng Kok Song applied under Article 19(3)(c) of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (Constitution). Based on the information available to the Committee, it is satisfied that Mr Ng is a man of integrity, good character and reputation. The Committee noted that Mr Ng was the Group Chief Investment Officer of GIC Private Limited for a period exceeding 3 years. The Committee is also satisfied, having regard to the nature of Mr Ng’s office in GIC Private Limited and Mr Ng’s performance in the office, that Mr Ng has experience and ability that is comparable to the experience and ability of a person who satisfies Article 19(3)(b) of the Constitution. The Committee is also satisfied that Mr Ng has the experience and ability to effectively carry out the functions and duties of the office of President.

Tharman

3 Mr Shanmugaratnam Tharman applied under Article 19(3)(a) of the Constitution. Based on the information available to the Committee, it is satisfied that Mr Tharman is a man of integrity, good character and reputation. The Committee is also satisfied that Mr Tharman has met the public sector service requirement under Article 19(3)(a), having held office for a period of 3 or more years as Minister.

Tan Kin Lian

4 Mr Tan Kin Lian applied under Article 19(4)(b) of the Constitution. Based on the information available to the Committee, it is satisfied that Mr Tan is a man of integrity, good character and reputation. The Committee noted that Mr Tan was the Chief Executive Officer of NTUC Income Insurance Co-operative Limited for a period
exceeding 3 years. The Committee is satisfied, having regard to the nature of Mr Tan’s office in NTUC Income Insurance Co-operative Limited, the size and complexity of NTUC Income Insurance Co-operative Limited and Mr Tan’s performance in the office, that Mr Tan has experience and ability that is comparable to the experience and ability of a person who has served as the chief executive of a typical company with at least S$500 million of shareholders’ equity and who satisfies Article 19(4)(a) of the Constitution in relation to such service. The Committee is also satisfied that Mr Tan has the experience and ability to effectively carry out the functions and duties of the office of President.

Notification to candidates

5 The Elections Department has notified all the three individuals above of the outcome of their applications.

6 Unsuccessful applicants for a Certificate of Eligibility have also been informed of the outcome of their applications and the reasons for the Committee’s decision. Pursuant to regulation 11(2) of the Presidential Elections (Certificate of Eligibility) Regulations 2017, the Committee may only publish its reasons for rejecting an application in the circumstances set out in regulation 11(3), and must not do so outside of those circumstances. Hence, the Committee will not publish the reasons for rejecting the applications of the unsuccessful applicants. The names of unsuccessful applicants will also not be published, in light of the concern expressed in the Report of the Constitutional Commission 2016 that potential applicants may be dissuaded from
stepping forward to contest the elections for fear of embarrassment. However, unsuccessful applicants are not precluded from publishing the Committee’s reasons provided to them.

ISSUED BY
SECRETARIAT, PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS COMMITTEE
C/O ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT
18 AUGUST 2023