Ng Kok Song, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, and Tan Kin Lian share their views and plans for the presidency in a CNA broadcast
On August 28, 2023, Singapore’s presidential candidates—Ng Kok Song, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, and Tan Kin Lian—participated in a televised forum hosted by CNA, marking the seventh day of their campaigning for the upcoming September 1 election. The forum gave the public a chance to hear directly from the candidates about their qualifications, plans, and vision for the country.
Ng Kok Song emphasized his competence in managing Singapore’s reserves, his non-partisan stance, and his reputation as a person of trust and responsibility. He highlighted his vast experience with financial matters and positioned himself as an independent candidate who would act impartially if elected.
Tharman Shanmugaratnam, in contrast, focused on the breadth and depth of his experience. He argued that none of the other candidates could match his extensive knowledge of Singapore’s financial system and his expertise in safeguarding the nation’s reserves.
Tan Kin Lian, the former NTUC Income CEO, touted his achievements in growing the company into a multi-billion-dollar entity and his experience in managing people at the highest levels of leadership.
The candidates were also questioned about how they would distance themselves from politics, given their affiliations with the establishment or political parties. Ng stated that his lack of political connections would ensure his independence, while Tan and Tharman downplayed the importance of political affiliation in the presidential race. Tharman, in particular, argued that judging a candidate solely on past political ties was overly simplistic and ignored the broader skills and experience needed for the role.
When asked about the president’s role in safeguarding the nation’s reserves, Ng said he would only approve the use of past reserves after exploring all other revenue-raising options. Tan, meanwhile, stressed the importance of addressing citizens’ concerns, especially around financial security and anxiety caused by economic divisions. He emphasized the role of the president in helping to unify the nation.
As the forum concluded, the candidates made their final appeals to voters. Tan pledged to advocate for the people’s concerns, while Ng emphasized that his motivations for running were not driven by personal gain. Tharman closed by calling for a vote for a hopeful and optimistic future for Singapore.
Prior to the televised forum, Ng participated in walkabouts at Ayer Rajah Food Centre and Lau Pa Sat, while Tan focused on distributing campaign materials. Tan also canceled planned walkabouts to concentrate on meeting election regulations.
