Ng Kok Song, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, and Tan Kin Lian address key issues in their campaigns
In the first official broadcast for the 2023 Presidential Election, candidates Ng Kok Song, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, and Tan Kin Lian outlined their visions, emphasizing political independence and the unifying role of the presidency.
Ng Kok Song, former GIC chief investment officer, emphasized his non-partisan stance, highlighting the importance of protecting Singapore’s “three treasures”—its reserves, social harmony, and public administration. He stressed that the president must be independent from political parties to effectively safeguard the nation’s interests, particularly in ensuring competent governance.
Tharman Shanmugaratnam, former senior minister, focused on the presidency’s potential to unite the nation in a world that is becoming more divided. He framed the president’s role as a symbol of respect and inclusivity, advocating for a strong center of shared aspirations. Tharman also pledged to foster a culture of mutual respect among Singaporeans, regardless of differences in political views, faith, or other factors.
Meanwhile, Tan Kin Lian, former NTUC Income CEO, reiterated his independence and outlined plans to ensure the responsible investment of the country’s reserves. However, parts of his speech were edited due to inaccuracies regarding the president’s constitutional powers. Tan had initially suggested that the president could influence government policies and advise on investment strategies for the reserves, which was later corrected by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and Elections Department (ELD).
The broadcast, which aired on August 24, marked the start of the candidates’ public campaigning. Ng, Tharman, and Tan continue to engage with the public through walkabouts across Singapore. The second broadcast is scheduled for August 30, with a reversal in the order of the speakers.
