"Govt prepared to pay political price over changes to Elected Presidency: Chan Chun Sing
SINGAPORE: It will be a “hard journey” to convince people about the need for changes to the Elected Presidency and the Government will pay a political price but it is prepared to, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Chan Chun Sing on Friday (Sep 8).
Speaking at an Institute of Policy Studies forum on the Reserved Presidential Election, Mr Chan stressed that as a young nation, Singapore had to evolve its systems to adapt to its circumstances – not just to meet the “here and now” but also to anticipate and pre-empt challenges that may arise in the future.
Mr Chan asked those at the forum to raise their hands if they thought the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) had and will pay a political price over the recent changes to the Elected Presidency, and the debate surrounding it, including the hiatus-triggered model to ensure minority representation.
Noting the agreement of many in the hall, Mr Chan said: “Why, then, did we do this?”
“If we are all good politicians, we won’t and we shouldn’t do it,” he said. “No good politician would sacrifice his political capital for a problem that may arise in future generations. Most good politicians in the world would try to preserve their political capital for themselves to manage their current problems.”
“There are many conspiracy theories out there,” he added. “But for every conspiracy theory that is out there, I have a very good answer for you."
I hope he has gotten clearance fr the PM to say the government is willing to pay the political price. It is a serious matter not for someone who is NOT the PM to utter.
The conspiracy theories that Minister without portfolio Chan said I don't know though i DO KNOW the one where he, unfortunately said: "Mdm President" in parliament that got tongues wagging!!
A GOOD politician in Sgp is NOT one who will promise the sky n not execute. Is NOT one who COULD NOT help the voters see what they could not see!!
If the EP tweak is logical n forward looking, why is there more n more people getting uncomfortable abt how it is unfolding now?
Why did the EP Amendment Committee even bothered to mention a return to the appointed President system despite it being "out of scope"?
Tell us categorically is it true that the government or cabinet can VETO the VETO of the EP if he/she disagreed with the government on use of the national reserve?
Do we hv a race issue still after 52 yrs of nation building built on meritocracy for all?
We need to be persuaded n not abt the government willing to pay a political price. 2011GE had its reasons. Voters were genuinely dismay at their voices n sentiments being ignored n rubbished! GE2015 has its reasons too as the government DID address some of the legitimate n reasonable concerns of the voters.
Talk to us. N not talk down to us!!
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