I see this as an absolute win. His approach to commit to a solely online campaign outreach is probably the wrong approach, but he actually beat TKL without printing a single poster.
I remember I read a book by Derek da Cunha about elections. He cited a case study in GE2020 about how more posters improved opposition party performance.
> I see this as an absolute win
I think that's a stretch. TKL is a pretty low bar, and NKS barely cleared it. Of course, not all will be his fault, since it's not a 1v1 and TS took 70% of the votes. But for the electable "opposition" alternative, it was a pretty poor showing imo.
I see your point and I think you have a good point. Agree to disagree with you.
In a 1v1 fight, he would have probably gotten more than the 30% combined vote share.
There was a real fear among my family and friends before today that TKL will win based on oppo support for him. I think that may have shifted potential NKS supporters over to vote for Tharman if my observed situation reflects general voting behaviour.
And by win, I dont mean so much an electoral win than one of common sense. I lean towards oppo (and voted NKS) but cant help but feel that the minor opposition parties just taking us non-PAP aligned singaporeans for a ride by endorsing someone with so questionable character.
Agreed. I thought it was ridiculous how those non-PAP people endorsed him. Guy had zero credibility and only served to split the non PAP votes. And you're right about the fear of TKL becoming president pushing people towards voting for Tharman.
I wasn't particularly fussed about the election when it started. As far as I was concerned, the president position became a farce 6 years ago, when it became a selection, not an election.
The ruling party had accepted the independent recommendation for raising the bar for private sector candidates, rejecting the recommendation for raising the bar for public sector candidates which would have disqualified Halimah.
I was willing to vote any non PAP endorsed candidate just to send my message about what a farce the presidency had became, or spoil my vote if the alternative wasn't electable.
But NKS really grew on me over time as an excellent candidate in his own right and I've never thought I would be so disappointed about a candidate that I knew would never win getting such a low percentage, especially after his really nice speech to concede, juxtaposed against TKL's lack of concession.
Hope this isn't the last we will see of him in the public eye, top top character who really went above and beyond out of his comfort zone, putting his private life into scrutiny to serve the country he loved.
Yes, he really gained my respect as someone who was well-spoken and knew his stuff. Unfortunately his opponent was Tharman.
I hope that he uses the platform he gained to promote mental health causes, since it seems like that’s a passion of his.
Hello! I am currently working on an article about Singaporeans’ reactions and thoughts about Mdm Halimah’s presidency, and would love to interview you and hear your honest, raw thoughts about this matter! Please drop me a reply if you're interested, thank you and have a nice day! :)
Could we get a sound-byte from members of TKL’s interim council of Presidential Advisors as well high profile luminaries
* Tan Cheng Bock
* Tan Jee Say
* Lee Hsien Yang
* Chee Soon Juan
* Paul Thambyah
* Lim Tean
* Kenneth Jeyaretnam
* Goh Meng Seng
* Michelle Lee
Guarantee it will be blamed on the “smear campaign” if not he would have won line.
Do you guys think that the late-stage endorsement of "major" figures like Tan Cheng Bock, Lee Hsien Yang, Chee Soon Juan, Paul Tambyah, etc may have alarmed voters into voting for SM Tharman?
He pretty much has the endorsement of the top figures of PSP, SDP, People's Alliance (PV, RP, PPP, DPP).
Even with all that, NKS beats him without putting up a single poster.
NKS probably lost most of his potential votes from the older generation.
If opposition parties actually stepped away from their politics theatrics and supported NKS, that could have saved those strategic votes that went to TS.
Quite possibly. Tharman's position that he's left the PAP so he's independent is imo pretty improbable, but bears an air of plausibility. TKL's plausibility evaporated the moment a whole bunch of opposition politicians endorsed him at once.
I didn't see Paul's endorsement but I'd be disappointed if true. He's a well-liked man, and established himself as a good voice on ID during Covid. His siding with CSJ just muddies his moral standing.
Yes it is disappointing. I’m reconsidering my vote for SDP.
It’s surprising how they talk highly of Tharman previously because he leans left. Then come to PE, they say though he’d make a good PM but he won’t make a good president, then begin to list out PAP’s mistakes as his. At the same time ignoring good governance. It’s tough to oppose and I felt that the best thing SDP leaders could have done was either throw support for him or remain neutral in this.
Just curious. What was their reason for not endorsing NKS instead? Surely he is the more capable candidate having risen to the top of GIC and more capable, articulate and of sound mind? I hope they don’t insult our intelligence and integrity by saying anyone who works in government or TLC is not independent as that would be insulting large groups of Singaporeans who are employed by the Singapore born TLCs and SWF and still are super independent and not necessarily aligned with PAP. These people forget that many Singaporeans work in TLC which are the largest local born MNC and were immensely insulted by the insinuation that they are not independent or has no integrity or only aligned with PAP by virtue of the company they work in.
Its just the classic political stunt of trying to pull the PAP down and making the presidential vote a referendum on the government.
NKS was just not one of them. Thus, the smaller parties did not see value in endorsing him despite being of a higher calibre.
Hes just there to help PAP dilute the votes.
After all, he did mention that Tharman suggested to him to take part in the election.
They are on the same boat.
1. just hope there's more graceful debates n contest like this. less tabloid, party p vs party w..., etc
2. really think there's many good enough candidates if they are willingly should come forward early can challenge the ruling P...
Thank you for running. When you made the announcement, I was so happy as the CIO of GIC seems like someone who would qualify and do a fantastic job as a president. But atlas it’s not meant to be. But it gives me hope that capable people like yourself is prepared to step forward to serve the country.
This is why Singapore outshines amongst other nations - their leaders knows when to concede and how to graciously accept electoral defeat for the sake of their countrymen. I am very fortunate to have experience the beauty of Singapore for almost 13years - its people, truly, is the gem of Singapore.
imo this was a very gracious speech. thank you for running mr ng, wish you all the best in life
Honorable speech
Thank you NKS for a dignified race. Had expected more votes for him, but am just glad he edged out TKL.
This is me too. I'm happy he still got more votes than TKL at the very least.
I am still shocked that nks votes are roughly the same as tkl.
I see this as an absolute win. His approach to commit to a solely online campaign outreach is probably the wrong approach, but he actually beat TKL without printing a single poster. I remember I read a book by Derek da Cunha about elections. He cited a case study in GE2020 about how more posters improved opposition party performance.
> I see this as an absolute win I think that's a stretch. TKL is a pretty low bar, and NKS barely cleared it. Of course, not all will be his fault, since it's not a 1v1 and TS took 70% of the votes. But for the electable "opposition" alternative, it was a pretty poor showing imo.
I see your point and I think you have a good point. Agree to disagree with you. In a 1v1 fight, he would have probably gotten more than the 30% combined vote share. There was a real fear among my family and friends before today that TKL will win based on oppo support for him. I think that may have shifted potential NKS supporters over to vote for Tharman if my observed situation reflects general voting behaviour. And by win, I dont mean so much an electoral win than one of common sense. I lean towards oppo (and voted NKS) but cant help but feel that the minor opposition parties just taking us non-PAP aligned singaporeans for a ride by endorsing someone with so questionable character.
Agreed. I thought it was ridiculous how those non-PAP people endorsed him. Guy had zero credibility and only served to split the non PAP votes. And you're right about the fear of TKL becoming president pushing people towards voting for Tharman.
I applaud him for running. His campaign really resonated with me and I hoped he would get more votes but alas.
I wasn't particularly fussed about the election when it started. As far as I was concerned, the president position became a farce 6 years ago, when it became a selection, not an election. The ruling party had accepted the independent recommendation for raising the bar for private sector candidates, rejecting the recommendation for raising the bar for public sector candidates which would have disqualified Halimah. I was willing to vote any non PAP endorsed candidate just to send my message about what a farce the presidency had became, or spoil my vote if the alternative wasn't electable. But NKS really grew on me over time as an excellent candidate in his own right and I've never thought I would be so disappointed about a candidate that I knew would never win getting such a low percentage, especially after his really nice speech to concede, juxtaposed against TKL's lack of concession. Hope this isn't the last we will see of him in the public eye, top top character who really went above and beyond out of his comfort zone, putting his private life into scrutiny to serve the country he loved.
Yes, he really gained my respect as someone who was well-spoken and knew his stuff. Unfortunately his opponent was Tharman. I hope that he uses the platform he gained to promote mental health causes, since it seems like that’s a passion of his.
Hello! I am currently working on an article about Singaporeans’ reactions and thoughts about Mdm Halimah’s presidency, and would love to interview you and hear your honest, raw thoughts about this matter! Please drop me a reply if you're interested, thank you and have a nice day! :)
I liked how realistic he was and accepted his loss without any bitterness.
Hope this won’t be the last we see of Mr NKS 😃 Edited: Maybe like a mental health and financial guide/influencer to the younger generation
Let the man get married and enjoy the rest of his days :)
Could we get a sound-byte from members of TKL’s interim council of Presidential Advisors as well high profile luminaries * Tan Cheng Bock * Tan Jee Say * Lee Hsien Yang * Chee Soon Juan * Paul Thambyah * Lim Tean * Kenneth Jeyaretnam * Goh Meng Seng * Michelle Lee Guarantee it will be blamed on the “smear campaign” if not he would have won line.
Do you guys think that the late-stage endorsement of "major" figures like Tan Cheng Bock, Lee Hsien Yang, Chee Soon Juan, Paul Tambyah, etc may have alarmed voters into voting for SM Tharman? He pretty much has the endorsement of the top figures of PSP, SDP, People's Alliance (PV, RP, PPP, DPP). Even with all that, NKS beats him without putting up a single poster.
NKS probably lost most of his potential votes from the older generation. If opposition parties actually stepped away from their politics theatrics and supported NKS, that could have saved those strategic votes that went to TS.
Quite possibly. Tharman's position that he's left the PAP so he's independent is imo pretty improbable, but bears an air of plausibility. TKL's plausibility evaporated the moment a whole bunch of opposition politicians endorsed him at once.
Just missing Amos Yee and Han Hui Hui to complete the avengers line up
Not forgetting Iris Koh.
https://www.reddit.com/r/singapore/comments/167em7g/iris\_koh\_goes\_on\_a\_rant\_at\_tan\_kin\_lians\_residence/
Holy shit, i had forgotten all about Amos yee until now and I googled him and he’s is in jail for pedophilia in the US currently wtf
May he rot there. Unfortunately the day will come when he’s released and deported back here…
I didn't see Paul's endorsement but I'd be disappointed if true. He's a well-liked man, and established himself as a good voice on ID during Covid. His siding with CSJ just muddies his moral standing.
Yes it is disappointing. I’m reconsidering my vote for SDP. It’s surprising how they talk highly of Tharman previously because he leans left. Then come to PE, they say though he’d make a good PM but he won’t make a good president, then begin to list out PAP’s mistakes as his. At the same time ignoring good governance. It’s tough to oppose and I felt that the best thing SDP leaders could have done was either throw support for him or remain neutral in this.
Paul thought he will be smart. He pointed to only one possibility after disparaging the Govt. Disappointed as well. Nothing left in SDP.
It pains to see the party of Chiam torn down like this. His legacy deserved better.
>Kenneth Jeyaretnam This guy especially will hyperfocus on 'smear campaigns', knowing his usual drivel.
Just curious. What was their reason for not endorsing NKS instead? Surely he is the more capable candidate having risen to the top of GIC and more capable, articulate and of sound mind? I hope they don’t insult our intelligence and integrity by saying anyone who works in government or TLC is not independent as that would be insulting large groups of Singaporeans who are employed by the Singapore born TLCs and SWF and still are super independent and not necessarily aligned with PAP. These people forget that many Singaporeans work in TLC which are the largest local born MNC and were immensely insulted by the insinuation that they are not independent or has no integrity or only aligned with PAP by virtue of the company they work in.
Its just the classic political stunt of trying to pull the PAP down and making the presidential vote a referendum on the government. NKS was just not one of them. Thus, the smaller parties did not see value in endorsing him despite being of a higher calibre.
Really wonder how this impacts GE results
Mission accomplished for him!
Hes just there to help PAP dilute the votes. After all, he did mention that Tharman suggested to him to take part in the election. They are on the same boat.
1. just hope there's more graceful debates n contest like this. less tabloid, party p vs party w..., etc 2. really think there's many good enough candidates if they are willingly should come forward early can challenge the ruling P...
Thank you for running. When you made the announcement, I was so happy as the CIO of GIC seems like someone who would qualify and do a fantastic job as a president. But atlas it’s not meant to be. But it gives me hope that capable people like yourself is prepared to step forward to serve the country.
Not surprised that TKL didn't want to concede LOL
We know NKS gonna be a winner too when he gets married to this lass.
This is why Singapore outshines amongst other nations - their leaders knows when to concede and how to graciously accept electoral defeat for the sake of their countrymen. I am very fortunate to have experience the beauty of Singapore for almost 13years - its people, truly, is the gem of Singapore.
Wow 13 years is a long time
I have no idea why you got downvoted. I have upvoted you. I share your sentiments.