Multiracialism??? Start with LKY, then PRCs!!!

You should first change the mindset of the person who looked down on the Malays in the first place (LKY), the very natives of this country. Then you ram down this fact on tolerance on the pesky PRCs to accept the various cultures and practices of all the races here in Singapore...  

*********************************************************************************

Presidential hopeful Dr Tan Cheng Bock will champion multiracialism if he is elected.

Dr Tan Cheng Bock & wife

Speaking on the sideline of a walkabout at Geylang Serai yesterday, Dr Tan told the media that, if multiculturalism is not emphasised, it will be taken for granted.

According to Dr Tan, multiculturalism is not limited to just the four races in Singapore but may include new citizens.

When asked by the media if this was possible given that the President can only act as advised by the Cabinet under the Constitution, Dr Tan said there were several ways of promoting multiculturalism without pursuing a policy agenda.

“Outside of the Constitution … I can champion causes, such as charities and sports. For me, I love football … Football is very important. Football gels us together. When you watch the Malaysia Cup or the recent matches in Singapore, you find that everybody is so engrossed, they shout as one voice. I think we must promote the multiracial element very strongly in our country.”

Source: Temasek Review

President Should Not Be Pulled By The Nose!!!

My thoughts precisely after I read Shanmugam's statement...

*******************************************************************************

Presidential hopeful Mr Tan Kin Lian has hit back at PAP Law Minister Shanmugam for his narrow ‘interpretation’ of the roles of the Elected President as according to the Constitution.

Shanmugam has earlier acknowledged tacitly that the President is nothing but an expensive ‘puppet’ of the PAP regime by proclaiming unashamedly “that all public acts by the president – including public speech – can only be made on the advice of the Cabinet, except for the powers specifically vested in the office.”

“The president cannot reject advice given by the Cabinet And he cannot engage in public debate with the government,” he said during a forum on the Presidency yesterday.

In a press statement released on his blog today, Mr Tan Kin Lian wrote that while he agree with the Law Minister Shanmugan on the duties of the President and how they are to be carried out, in so far as they are stated specifically and clearly in the Constitution, he disagree with his view that the President cannot speak about anything else without the approval of the Government.

“I find the Law Minister’s interpretation to be too narrow. It seemed to give the President less freedom of speech than an ordinary citizen of Singapore.”

Mr Tan Kin Lian added sarcastically that there is no provision in the Constitution which requires the President to be ‘dumb’:

“I have looked at the constitution earlier about whether the President can be the voice of the people to bring issues to the Government. I do not find any requirement that the President should be “dumb”. I have also received advice from a lawyer who looked at the constitution and he confirmed my understanding.”

He reiterated his commitment to be the ‘voice’ of Singaporeans:
“I also pledge to the people that I will bring up issues that are legitimate and affect large numbers of people. I will be “the voice of the people” in conveying these issues to the Government. I urge the Government to adopt a more open approach towards the issues of the people. There is no need to politicize these issues. If they are legitimate issues, let us adopt an open and constructive approach to solve them.”

In the meantime, the PAP-endorsed presidential hopeful Tony Tan continues to parrot the PAP’s official stance that the President cannot have ‘executive’ powers:

“The President is not a power centre, the President cannot have executive powers, but the President has knowledge and experience and he can share these with the government officials. And I know them every well – all the ministers – and maybe they will listen to me because I worked in this field for many years.”

Singaporeans should ponder seriously whether they want to pay $4.2 million dollars a year to a President to be their voice or to be the PAP’s voice.

Read Mr Tan Kin Lian’s press statement in full here

Source: Temasek Review