Prime Minister (PM) Lee Hsien Loong announced
that next year’s presidential election will be reserved for candidates from the
Malay community. The credentials of two possible Malay candidates to stand for
this election are pretty impressive as described in The Straits Times published on Monday, 14th
November 2016.
Initially, I was of the view that it does not
matter what race the president belongs to, so long as the executive was
eminently qualified. However, now that PM Lee has taken pains to provide
a comprehensive explanation in Parliament, I believe it is fair that a Malay
President is selected as it has been 46 years since we have had one.
Given that the President has to ensure that
our national reserves are protected and money managed wisely, it is a must that
he/she has sound financial knowledge. Added to that a President who has
good family values and practices high moral standards will gain the respect of
all our citizens.
To me, a plus will be if the appointed Head of
State is a People’s President – one who is able to relate to all sectors of the
population is in touch with the ground and has the welfare of all
Singaporeans.
My personal encounters with Mr. Abdullah
Tarmugi and Madam Halimah Yacob gives me a sense of comfort and satisfaction to
know that they are both in the running.
During his tenure as Minister for the
then-Ministry of Community Development, Mr. Tarmugi was very open to
suggestions and showed a deep sense of caring for the elderly sick and those
who have disabilities.
When I sent a proposal to Mr. Tarmugi to have
a radio show for the elderly sick who are in hospital titled “Radio
request programme for the aged and the sick” way back in March 1998,
through his unflagging support, both SAFRA Radio and NTUC Radio Heart
implemented the suggestion which had benefited the elderly sick.
Noting my wife’s absence at a community event,
I still recall how Mr. Tarmugi inquired where my wife was and how she was
coping when he presented me with a Model Caregiver Award in 2007.
At an NTUC INCOME function, the retired minister went from table to table to
chat with the diners who attended a colorful gathering. He will be a
great President.
Madam Halimah has always championed workers’
rights in the Labour Movement as well as being a staunch advocate for the
mentally ill and their caregivers. She will also make a good President.
A positive trait of both Madam Halimah and Mr.
Tarmugi is that they have always remained humble despite holding high positions
in public office
Raymond
Anthony Fernando
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