Dr Tan Cheng Bock

The Hougang By-Election

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 07:19:41 +0000

I recently had breakfast with friends at a hawker’s centre at West Coast. We exchanged views on many topics but one topic that crept up was the Hougang by-election. Why is PM still not calling for this by-election? Is he worried his chances are weak or is he planning something more than just a [...]

Budget 2012

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 16:03:44 +0000

As the budget debate draws near, amongst many topics discussed, the single most talked about issue is the government spending $1-1 billion to help listed public transport operators out. Many questions were raised. Why? How is this going to be done? How is this going to help the commuters better? Do we need more [...]

Annual Reporting of Ministerial Salaries.

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:41:00 +0000

When I was in parliament (1980-2006) I was under the impression that Ministers did not get any Pension because all office holders were required to switch from pension to CPF in 1998. Imagine my surprise when I read in the newspaper (5 Jan 2012,ST) that in 2008, two years after l left parliament, the [...]

A Win Win Formula for Ministerial Pay.

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:39:00 +0000

While using the bench mark of the median income of the top 1000 Singapore earners is better than 48 high earners in the past -the formula has not changed, only the numbers. Every year, the median income of the top 1000 earners will be used to calculate Minister’s pay. Some of those 1000 would [...]

Revised Ministerial Pay in Singapore

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 15:42:48 +0000

To Serve or Not to Serve. A consistent theme in the revised Ministerial Pay review is Pay high or loose Talent. We can buy administrative talent but political talent I am not sure. They are two different skill sets. One is working for Salary, one is working for a Cause. One has obedience and self, [...]

To Serve or Not to Serve.

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:37:00 +0000

A consistent theme in the revised Ministerial Pay review is Pay high or loose Talent. We can buy administrative talent but political talent I am not sure. They are two different skill sets. One is working for Salary; one is working for a Cause. One has obedience and self, the other is about passion [...]

Presidential election needs more clarity: Alvin Yeo

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:35:40 +0000

I agree with MP Alvin Yeo’s concern about how the eligibility of candidates are determined. He wants clarity or confusion will result.As a trained Senior Council, his comments merit close attention. He questions the interpretation of 3 individuals’ decision without review by other bodies as inadequate for such an important post. He also question [...]

Dr Tan Cheng Bock sings – I Understand

Edmund — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 09:48:45 +0000

Thank you everyone for your loving support! Dr Tan Cheng Bock dedicated this song “I understand” to all his supporters and Singaporeans.

Tan Cheng Bock’s Unifying Rally at Expo Hall 8 25 August 2011

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 15:19:19 +0000

(The written transcript may differ slightly from the actual speech delivered because Dr Tan Cheng Bock did not follow exactly to the texts)

Dear friends,

Thank you for coming to this indoor rally. During the past 2 months or so I have walked all over Singapore covering many shopping centres, hawker centres, [...]

Vote Tan Cheng Bock to be Elected President of Singapore

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 09:10:29 +0000

Presidential Candidate Tan Cheng Bock Broadcast–Tamil 18 August 2011

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 12:21:19 +0000

என்னுடன் வாழும் இனிய சிங்கப்பூர் மக்களே!

நான், டாக்டர் தான் செங் போக்!

உங்களால் தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்படவுள்ள “அதிபர்”

பதவி பெறுவதற்கு தங்களின் முன் வந்துள்ளேன்.

ஒரு மருத்துவராக என் வாழ்க்கையை லிம் ச்சூ காங்-கில்

உள்ள அமா கெங் என்ற ஒரு ஏழைக் கிராமத்தில் துவங்கினேன்.

அங்குள்ள பாமர சிங்கப்பூரர்களின் உடல்நல பாதுகாவலானாக

பணியாற்றிக்கொண்டு இருந்தேன்.

கடுமையாக உழைத்த அந்த எளிய மக்கள் போதிய வருமானமும் வசதியும் இல்லாதவர்களாக வாழ்ந்தனர்.

அப்பொழுதுதான் அவர்களின் எதிர்கால ஏக்கங்கள், [...]

Presidential Candidate Broadcast Dr Tan Cheng Bock–Malay Texts

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 17:07:58 +0000

Saudara-saudara ku se Tanah Air

Nama saya ialah Dr Tan Cheng Bock.

Saya menawarkan diri saya sebagai Presiden yang dilantik.

Saya memulakan kerjaya saya sebagai doktor perubatan di Ama Keng, sebuah kampung kecil di Lim Chu Kang. Orang-orang dibawah jagaan saya adalah rakyat biasa, bekerja kuat tetapi mempunyai pendapatan yang kurang [...]

Presidential Candidate Broadcast Dr Tan Cheng Bock–Mandarin Texts

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 16:55:53 +0000

亲爱的同胞们,

我是陈清木医生。我是你们的民选总统候选人。

早期, 我在林厝港的贫困村庄Ama Keng里当医生。来看病的都是普通老百姓。他们勤劳工作，生活简朴, 勉强糊口。

那时他们信赖我，与我分享他们对未来的期许，至今我仍依晰记得。

他们告诉我, 期望不论男女老少, 不分种族及宗教信仰, 在教育, 住房和工作都应该享有同等机会，而只要努力, 就有能力照顾好家人，进一步改善生活。

他们也与我共享心声, 希望人民能互相照顾, 共同建设一个和平繁荣的国家。

担任26年的国会议员期间, 我明确的说出了老百姓的心声和希望。今时, 我和大多数的国人一样, 有着同样的心声和希望。国人都期望有一个公正的领袖，并在生活中受到公平的对待。

全国人民都期望领袖有问责感，工作透明度高，独立性强。更希望总统能团结国人, 这就是我决定参选总统的原因。

总统必须超越政治。

总统必须是非政党派的人选，以国家利益为重,不含任何政治意图。

最近, 国人有诉求希望看到总统和政府的权力分别独立，互相制衡。因为总统得看管好储备金及监督高级公务员的任命。

我同意这个观点。因为两者太亲近，就可能出现妥协，从而影响国人的利益。

在这里我解释一下：目前总统和总理是共用总统府的办公室。为了保持总统的独立性, 我的其中一个建议是请政府把两者的办公地点分开。

总理公署和内阁办公室不应该与总统办公室同在一起。太友好而不拘礼仪会引起不必要的怀疑及负面影响。

这建议听起来有点不可思议, 但我相信对于全国人民, 这样做是正确的。

我相信国人有成熟的政治智慧，明白其中的利多于弊。

Presidential candidate broadcast by Tan Cheng Bock

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 13:45:00 +0000

To champion multi-racialism: Tan Cheng Bock

Presidential candidate broadcast by Tan Cheng Bock

Updated 09:23 PM Aug 18, 2011

My Fellow Singaporeans,

I am Dr. Tan Cheng Bock.

I am here as your candidate for the Elected President.

I began my career as a medical doctor [...]

Dr Tan Cheng Bock’s message to Singaporeans in Tamil

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 16:59:16 +0000

[...]

Dr Tan Cheng Bock message to Voters in Hokkien

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 16:53:29 +0000

亲爱的新加坡同胞：

我是陈清木医生。我是你们的民选总统候选人。

虽然我的职业是医生，但同时我也在不同的领域和大机构里任职。我目前担任Chuan Hup控股有限公司和Dredging国际亚太私人有限公司的主席，也曾是ING亚洲私人银行的独立董事。此外，我也曾担任新加坡在欧盟议会及新加坡东南亚议会小组的领导人。我代表新加坡在欧洲、亚洲、中国及日本参与过许多外交谈判和讨论。

我选择在一个叫Ama Keng的贫困村庄里开始我的医生生涯。在那里，我与很多普通的老百姓接触，聆听他们的心声，同时分享他们的梦想和奋斗。最终，我决定参政、上达民情，成为亚逸拉惹选区的国会议员。这一当，就当了26年。

在国会里，我为百姓发言，并强烈的为人民争取福利：

• 在星期日及公共假期免费停车，因为我深信它可以增进社会和家庭的互动。

• 利用中央公积金存款支付高等教育学费，让年轻的新加坡人拥有升学的机会。

• 在重组医院里，为穷人争取更多的“C”级床位。

在1999年，我看到许多新加坡人失去他们的工作。于是，我呼吁政府收紧外来人才政策，以“新加坡人优先”为原则。我也曾经反对非选区国会议员计划，因为这些议员不是由人民选出来的代表。

每当我看到错误的决策，我都会提出我的看法。最近，我退出裕廊医院的董事会，因为我反对医院因一个商人的家人捐出十分之一的建设费，就把医院以他命名。事实上，这还是大部份纳税人资助的医院。我们应该以对国家和社会作出贡献的前总统王鼎昌、黄金辉或前副总理吴庆瑞博士命名。

我知道新加坡人希望看到政府和总统的权力互相独立。这是理所当然的。因为两者太亲近，就会出现妥协的可能性。总统必须有心灵的完整性和独立性，与政府培养一个明确的工作关系，这些很重要。为了做到这一点，总统不应该只是看起来是独立的，而且必须是真正的独立。我相信我能做到这一点。

以我在大公司作为独立董事的任职经历，我有足够的能力监管国人储存在政府的血汗钱中央公积金 (CPF,Temasek &GIC 投资)。此外，我也会审查公共服务委员会的遴选人。我们需要勇气去做正确的事。我深信我会做到这一点。

新加坡人对我是最重要的。所以总统府应该更常开放给新加坡人民，共享那优美的环境。我会经常与人民交流，并与慈善团体密切合作，推动慈善工作。

近来，我们国家因为大选而呈现分离的现象。我希望通过民选总统一职来弥合这一道鸿沟，团结我们的政党、种族、语言、宗教和文化。

我一直是你们的一分子。我希望你们能给与我百分百的信任，相信我能好好保管新加坡人的储备金。

改变现状吧！请投我一票，让我成为你们的总统。

[...]

Dr Tan Cheng Bock’s message to Singaporeans in Malay

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 14:56:12 +0000

Saudara-saudara setanahair,

Saya ialah Dr Tan Cheng Bock. Saya ialah calon anda bagi Presiden Terpilih.

Meskipun saya ialah seorang doktor perubatan, saya juga pernah berkhidmat sebagai Pengerusi Syarikat CHUAN HUP HOLDINGS Limited dan DREDGING INTERNATIONAL ASIA PACIFIC PTE LTD, dan menjadi seorang Pengarah bebas bagi syarikat ING Private Bank Asia. [...]

Dr Tan Cheng Bock’s message to Singaporeans in Cantonese

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 14:46:55 +0000

亲爱的新加坡同胞：

我是陈清木医生。我是你们的民选总统候选人。

在国会里，我为百姓发言，并强烈的为人民争取福利：

• 在星期日及公共假期免费停车，因为我深信它可以增进社会和家庭的互动。

• 利用中央公积金存款支付高等教育学费，让年轻的新加坡人拥有升学的机会。

• 在重组医院里，为穷人争取更多的“C”级床位。

以我在大公司作为独立董事的任职经历，我有足够的能力监管国人储存在政府的血汗钱中央公积金 (CPF, Temasek & GIC 投资)。此外，我也会审查公共服务委员会的遴选人。我们需要勇气去做正确的事。我深信我会做到这一点。

近来，我们国家因为大选而呈现分离的现象。我希望通过民选总统一职来弥合这一道鸿沟，团结我们的政党、种族、语言、宗教和文化。

我一直是你们的一分子。我希望你们能给与我百分百的信任，相信我能好好保管新加坡人的储备金。

改变现状吧！请投我一票，让我成为你们的总统。

[...]

Dr Tan Cheng Bock’s message to Singaporeans in Mandarin

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 14:32:23 +0000

亲爱的新加坡同胞：

我是陈清木医生。我是你们的民选总统候选人。

在国会里，我为百姓发言，并强烈的为人民争取福利：

• 在星期日及公共假期免费停车，因为我深信它可以增进社会和家庭的互动。

• 利用中央公积金存款支付高等教育学费，让年轻的新加坡人拥有升学的机会。

• 在重组医院里，为穷人争取更多的“C”级床位。

以我在大公司作为独立董事的任职经历，我有足够的能力监管国人储存在政府的血汗钱中央公积金 (CPF, Temasek & GIC 投资)。此外，我也会审查公共服务委员会的遴选人。我们需要勇气去做正确的事。我深信我会做到这一点。

近来，我们国家因为大选而呈现分离的现象。我希望通过民选总统一职来弥合这一道鸿沟，团结我们的政党、种族、语言、宗教和文化。

我一直是你们的一分子。我希望你们能给与我百分百的信任，相信我能好好保管新加坡人的储备金。

改变现状吧！请投我一票，让我成为你们的总统。

[...]

Dr Tan Cheng Bock’s message to Singaporeans in Teochew

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 13:05:11 +0000

亲爱的新加坡同胞：

我是陈清木医生。我是你们的民选总统候选人。

在国会里，我为百姓发言，并强烈的为人民争取福利：

• 在星期日及公共假期免费停车，因为我深信它可以增进社会和家庭的互动。

• 利用中央公积金存款支付高等教育学费，让年轻的新加坡人拥有升学的机会。

• 在重组医院里，为穷人争取更多的“C”级床位。

以我在大公司作为独立董事的任职经历，我有足够的能力监管国人储存在政府的血汗钱中央公积金 (CPF, Temasek & GIC 投资)。此外，我也会审查公共服务委员会的遴选人。我们需要勇气去做正确的事。我深信我会做到这一点。

近来，我们国家因为大选而呈现分离的现象。我希望通过民选总统一职来弥合这一道鸿沟，团结我们的政党、种族、语言、宗教和文化。

我一直是你们的一分子。我希望你们能给与我百分百的信任，相信我能好好保管新加坡人的储备金。

改变现状吧！请投我一票，让我成为你们的总统。

[...]

Dr Tan Cheng Bock’s message to voters in English

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 11:58:52 +0000

My Fellow Singaporean,

I am Dr Tan Cheng Bock.

I stand here as your candidate for the Elected President.

Though I am a medical doctor by profession, I have served as the Chairman of Chuan Hup Holdings Limited and Dredging International Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, a subsidiary of [...]

陈清木自认不是“乖孩子”

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 14:35:26 +0000

（2011-08-13）● 郭丽娟

在下决定要参加民选总统选举时，陈清木医生没有想过要请人民行动党推选他参选，因为他自认不是党领导人心目中的“乖孩子”。

陈清木之前是行动党老党员，不仅参加过六次大选而且次次高票当选，可说是行动党的“铁票仓”。不过，这次他选择以独立候选人身份参选，而非获得行动党认可出战，这样的决定让一些公众感到费解。难道他与行动党的关系破裂了吗？

他受访时坦言自从2006年大选后卸下国会议员职务后，他与行动党总部保持相敬如宾的关系，在刚过去的大选他还充当一些候选人的军师，为他们开办补习班传授一些竞选秘诀。

不过，对于这次竞选总统一事，他清楚表明这是自己的决定，之前没有知会党领导人。他已经在5月初脱离行动党党籍。

“我不认为行动党会推荐我为总统候选人，因为在他们眼里我不是乖孩子，但我想他们也不讨厌我，可能是一种又爱又恨的关系吧。”

在访问中，他多次强调，总统应该是非政治化的人物，因此不需要被任何政党推选。

“我不希望获得任何一个政党的赞同或拥护，不要成为行动党、工人党或任何政党拥护的对象。因为总统应该是非政治化的人物。”

他反倒是认为过去身为行动党议员的背景，是他竞选总统之路需要跨越的障碍。

“有些人指说我以前是行动党员，所以我需要去说服他们，我虽然以前是行动党人，但我并没有对政党愚忠，你只要查看我的历史就会知道。”

陈清木向来给人敢怒敢言的形象，勇于在国会发言时针对政府政策提出严厉批评。例如他强烈反对官委议员制度而且立场非常坚定，他担心种族或宗教等特别利益团体会利用官委议员制度走入国会，造成国家分化的现象。因此，多年来每当政府提出官委议员动议时他都投反对票，即使是党督没有解除的情况下。

“他们当然很生气，因为我没有遵守党的指示。但这是违背我良心的事情，我不会支持这么做。”

Source: 联合早报

联合早报专访陈清木医生

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 14:25:11 +0000

联合早报专访陈清木医生(13-08-2011)

<何惜薇> 眼看他走访一个又一个邻里，到马来村欢送前往吉隆坡的新加坡足球队支持者，又应景地把自弹自唱爱国歌曲的录像上载面簿网页，还要定期在诊所执业，协助管理乡村俱乐部事务，但再忙也坚持每天以脚踏车健身器健身半小时……谁也不会想到这位71岁的长者六年前患上脑膜炎，甚至一度陷于半昏迷状况。开朗的人民行动党前资深国会议员陈清木医生对这场大病只是轻描淡写，他不久前受访时笑说：“我当时死不去，只是被‘洗了脑’，有了新的脑细胞，现在就更活跃了。” 他形容现已开启爱国的旅程，而竞选民选总统自然是这个漫长旅程中的重要里程碑。自5月透露有意竞选民选总统以来，好几个人向陈清木献议：应宣布一旦当选总统就会减薪，以赢得更多选票。尽管深知检讨担任政治职位者薪金是当下最“火红”的议题，陈清木却这样告诉他们：“如果只因为我会减薪而投我一票，那请别投票给我。……虽然我也赞成总统薪金过高，但这两个课题不能混为一谈。”

昨天下午，陈清木在妻子和五名支持者的陪伴下，前往选举局领取民选总统选举合格候选人证书。回答记者有关他会否仿效另一位候选人陈钦亮捐出部分薪金时，他的说辞与专访时的没有两样，依然是觉得这么做等于是收买选票，宁可有这种想法的选民把选票投给陈钦亮。 “如果在当选总统前就必须妥协，那当选后也还是要屡次妥协。我觉得在生活中，一些基本的原则我是不会妥协的。” 熟悉陈清木的人都知道一旦他决定要做的事，他不会轻言放弃，即使坊间许多人质疑他没有多少国际外交经验难胜任总统职务，也有人批评他不谙华语，很难亲近基层民众。每次高票当选亚逸拉惹区议员对此陈清木说，代表行动党参加过六次大选，就算华语不流利，但福建话却很“到家”，过去的竞选活动主要以英语和福建话进行，掺杂一点点华语和一些英语，效果还算不错。他提醒：“（在竞选方面）我的表现不曾差强人意。” 陈清木自1980年就参加国会选举，每一次都以高票当选亚逸拉惹单选区议员，2001年更是取得88%的得票率。在他位于荷兰路一带的单层独立式洋房里，有不少他在亚逸拉惹的“战绩”，包括基层人员非常花心思地把好几个硬币裱了起来，这些硬币编号的最后两个号码都是88。然而，他表示不曾千方百计巩固“铁票仓”美名，也不会为了争取选票做一些与原则不符的事，例如选民恫言不投他一票也不帮他们想办法免缴交通罚款，导致他们一错再错。 “我要做我认为正确的事，都这把年纪了，谁会为了钱而要当总统？说白了：我们不需要！对我来说，我的目的是团结来自不同背景的新加坡人，我要用在阿逸拉惹当议员时所累积的知识，让新加坡不要对总统这个职位感到害怕。” 至于他的国际外交经验，陈清木更是如数家珍：当国会议员时曾是政府国会委员会外交委员会的一员，也曾是欧洲—新加坡议会小组以及东南亚议会小组的领袖，先后领导国会同僚与欧洲和东南亚的议会代表进行讨论，前后长达15年。他说，一些出席交流会议的区域领导人如美加华蒂和瓦希德后来当上了印度尼西亚的总统；一些马来西亚同僚甚至是他当年念大学时的同学，至今还与他们保持联系。 “我还访问过中国、印度和英国等，外交人脉不小。” 陈清木已屡次表示希望扮演团结国人的角色，在与本报所进行的一小时多专访中，他一再说明不想见到国人因抱有不同的政治理念而出现社会分化现象。这正是他不辞劳苦送别足球队支持者的原因，因为他和南非前总统曼德拉一样，相信足球能把不同种族团结起来。此外，大选后执政党一再表示将作出各种检讨也让陈清木忧心忡忡：“忽然间作出许多妥协，可能会因此失去更多，因为人们会以为可以进一步作出要求。一旦作出太多妥协，就很难再取得基层的尊重。” 他相信，只要政策是正确的，就算起初不受欢迎，只要加以沟通，假以时日还是能够让人们明白政策的出发点是好的。政策需要微调不过，任何政策都必须经过不断“微调”，陈清木早在20多年前就已说明作出改变的重要性。1985年3月1日，他在国辩论总统施政方针时，指出1984年行动党得票率比1980年下跌超过12个百分点，主要因为人们对政府的信赖有所动摇。他当年说，当时的政府处处以数据去解决问题，硬邦邦的手法让人们觉得政府已开始不那么关心普罗大众了。 “平心而论，政府过后成立了民意处理组（民情联系组前身），而我就是主席。就算这样，改变的进度十分缓慢。许多人都不愿意作出大改变，因为旧的政策都是由态度强硬、权力大的政治领袖制定的。他们总担心有人在背后监视着他们，以致没能作出改变。” 相隔20多年，陈清木当时的一席话至今却还合时宜，似乎进一步说明改变的进度的确过于缓慢。对此，陈清木说，一直都担心新加坡人一味想向前跑的当儿，忘记回头看看，缺少积累记忆。数月前，陈清木因为不同意兴建中的“裕廊综合医院”改名为“黄廷方医院”，毅然退出董事局。回想起这件事，他仍愤愤不平：“那是个国家建筑，我们要很小心看待其命名，如果（只以捐款富豪的名字来为医院命名），没有历史的根据，我们要怎么去告诉我们的后代医院名字的由来？我们要怎么撰写我们的历史教科书？” 他表示尤其担心大家因金钱挂帅，忽视了事物的真正价值：“一个国家必须发展出身份认同，但不幸的是，每次大选都对这个身份认同造成损害。”

Source: 联合早报

What the Chairman of ING Private Banking said about Dr Tan Cheng Bock

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 14:55:54 +0000

"On a personal note, I have enjoyed working with, and learning from you.

One of the purposes of having a board is to bring different backgrounds, perspective and experience to the management of the business, and with the composition of this Board we clearly achieved that.

Your willingness to listen and think through [...]

No pledge to donate pay because

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 14:33:50 +0000

Former MP Tan Cheng Bock distanced himself yesterday from two fellow presidential aspirants on the issue of donating part of the president’s salary to a charity.

His reasoning: the election campaign is not the time and place for a candidate to court voters by promising them that he will donate to a [...]

It is like no other election this seasoned politician has fought

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 12:35:22 +0000

SINGAPORE – As a seasoned politician who has contested – and won – in six General Elections, former Ayer Rajah MP Tan Cheng Bock, 71, concedes that the coming Presidential Election is like no other that he has fought.

For one, the logistics of covering an entire country will be harder to [...]

Tan Cheng Bock responds to Shanmugam

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 12:40:00 +0000

Today Online -by Leong Wee Keat Updated 12:44 AM Aug 11, 2011

Singapore – Presidential hopeful Tan Cheng Bock has questioned Law Minister K Shanmugam’s most recent comments that the President’s influence on the Government in areas outside his constitutional powers would depend on his experience, knowledge and wisdom.

Writing on his [...]

Dr Tan Cheng Bock’s response to Minister Shanmugam’s comments on presidential candidates: Quality is what counts (Straits Times 8 Aug 2011)

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 07:40:10 +0000

It is important that the President works within the boundaries laid out in the Constitution. The Presidency must not be a centre of power. This is to avoid confrontation. The office of the people’s elected President must work with the government in a proper and correct manner in the interest of Singapore. This is [...]

Dr Tan Cheng Bock promotes multi-racialism

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 04:34:07 +0000

SINGAPORE: Presidential hopeful Dr Tan Cheng Bock said he will promote multi-racialism very strongly if he is elected as President.

Dr Tan was speaking after visiting the Pertapis Senior Citizens Fellowship Home on Sunday.

He said: "It [Multi-racialism] is in me. I think multi-racialism is a cornerstone of our Singapore’s living. It [...]

Dr Tan Cheng Bock’s response to “Law Minister debunks notions on what president can say”

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 11:18:27 +0000

I refer to the Strait Times article today (06 August 2011): “Law Minister debunks notions on what president can say”

The President is elected by Singaporeans. This office should be accorded due respect. I am therefore surprised by the Law Minister K Shanmugam’s remarks which I quote, “Whether the president actually wields influence [...]

Count on me Singapore

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 03:33:18 +0000

Count on me Singapore. This is the song I dedicate to all Singaporeans to celebrate our National Day.

Race on even before the starting gun was fired

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 04:45:47 +0000

DR TAN CHENG BOCK, 71

THE former People’s Action Party (PAP) MP for Ayer Rajah, where he served from 1980 to 2006, was first to declare his intention to run, saying in May that he wanted to give voters a choice.

A straight-talker with strong grassroots support, he used to chair the [...]

Why elected President must be the people’s voice

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 04:16:36 +0000

MR DANIEL Chia said the elected president (EP) is not the office to be the voice of the people (‘Accept EP’s role or don’t stand’; last Saturday).

Let me state in no uncertain terms that the EP must be the voice of the people as he is elected by all Singaporeans. Or else, [...]

If I (Tan Cheng Bock) step down . . .

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 06:50:51 +0000

If I step down….. ‘I will still be involved,’ promises long-serving Ayer Rajah MP Tan Cheng Bock, as SM Goh pays tribute to him.

Rumour has it that Singapore’s long-serving Member of Parliament, Dr Tan Cheng Bock, will be stepping down come the next General Election. But the 65-year-old, who has served Ayer [...]

Lions supporters get send off from Cheng Bock

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 02:29:11 +0000

Presidential hopeful Tan Cheng Bock sent off about 200 football supporters who headed to Kuala Lumpur yesterday morning to cheer the Singapore Lions in their second-leg World Cup qualifier against Malaysia.

The supporters, who gathered at the carpark beside the Malay Village along Sims Avenue, set off in four coaches.

Dr Tan [...]

Dr Tony Tan to Dr Tan Cheng Bock: Good Job

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 04:16:58 +0000

Strait Times: Sunday, 31 December 2000 Page 26

Headline: Dr Tan to Dr Tan : Good job

HE IS hardworking, enthusiastic and concerned about his constituents. He also has a strong rapport with them.

These were the words Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan used to describe the Ayer Rajah MP, [...]

陈清木医生: 不必大模大样, 故作姿态.

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 04:41:57 +0000

(新加坡雅虎网站访问陈清木医生, 这是专访的中文版)

当陈清木医生是国会议员时, 曾坚持己见, 几次对政府某些政策持不同意见而成为头条新闻.

但是, 如果陈医生被选为总统, 他将会采用’低调, 软性外交’方式的策略去处理问题.

有可能是总统候选人之一, 71岁的陈医生解释, 他会以温和及私下会晤方式去与有关人士商讨, 他举例如目前的公共交通费上涨热题, 并不在总统的职责范围内, 不必大张旗鼓的去讨伐. ‘ 也许结果会是一无所获, 没有必要高调的宣传自己, 说我来为民请愿’. 陈医生告诉新加坡雅虎网.

‘你一定要知道你想做什么, 是要做出成绩来, 还是告诉大家我是伟大的战士, 我自己是属于会做出好成绩的’. 这就是陈医生的策略, 从在林厝港亚妈间当医生到后来当国会议员涉及国际事务都是如此.

‘当新加坡政府要求我去解决某些发生在欧洲的问题时, 我并没有去国会中发表长篇大论以展示自己’. 陈医生在1991年至1996年为新加坡及欧洲的国会代表, 1996年至2006年为新加坡及南亚的国会代表.

‘ 当时我去找到与问题有关的负责人商讨, 用欧洲人的习惯, 一杯酒, 在良好的环境中把问题解决了.’

在40分钟的访谈中, 陈医生分享了民选总统的职责范围及自己如果有幸当选如何去履行职责.

陈医生指出, 如果有幸当选, 他会以宏观的角度去看待问题, 因为许多问题都有可能是相关的, 如屋价与医疗费用.

Tan Cheng Bock: No need for grand posturing

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 13:48:56 +0000

By Alicia Wong Yahoo! News 25 July 2011

As a Member of Parliament, he made headlines for his strong assertions against several government policies.

But if he becomes President, Dr Tan Cheng Bock will be less obtrusive as he employs a strategy he terms "quiet diplomacy".

Explained the 71-year-old Presidential hopeful, [...]

‘I will tell ministers what I think’

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 08:19:16 +0000

DR TAN Cheng Bock gave a hint of how he would approach his duties if he were elected president, amid a current debate on the president’s powers.

Asked for his thoughts on a possible public transport fare hike and suggestions to nationalise the public transport system, he replied: ‘That is actually out of [...]

Tan Cheng Bock launches smartphone apps

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 08:16:12 +0000

Saturday, Jul 23, 2011

Besides connecting with Singaporeans in the social media world with Facebook and Twitter, Dr Tan has also launched personalised smartphone applications.

He unveiled applications for both iPhone and Android phones at his press conference on Friday, after filing his elegibility certificate to run for president.

For the 71-year-old, it [...]

Press Statement – Why I entered the Presidential Election

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 15:30:00 +0000

Dear friends,

I just handed in my COE application.

Many have asked me why I entered the Presidential contest.

I entered the contest early, as I wanted to make sure that there would be no more walkovers for an endorsed candidate. I wanted to make sure, that there would be an [...]

Tan Cheng Bock turns to apps for online edge

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 13:41:08 +0000

WITH presidential hopefuls all taking their campaigning to the Internet, how does one set himself apart from the competition?

You could opt for an app for iPhone and Android phones like Dr Tan Cheng Bock.

The App, which was devised by one of the 71-year-old’s supporters to give voters a better idea [...]

Two candidates, two approaches

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 02:36:00 +0000

Ng Jing Yng 04:46 AM Jul 23, 2011 SINGAPORE –TODAY ONLINE

On the same day that his fellow presidential hopeful Tan Kin Lian called on the Public Transport Council (PTC) to delay fare increases until transport operators improve the quality of service, former Ayer Rajah Member of Parliament (MP) Tan Cheng Bock reiterated [...]

S’poreans want a President they can trust: Tan Cheng Bock

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 13:59:00 +0000

By liyana | SingaporeScene – Fri, Jul 22, 2011 Yahoo! News

Singaporeans want a President they can trust, believes Presidential hopeful Tan Cheng Bock.

And if he is elected as Singapore’s seventh President, Dr Tan will tap on this trust to unify the people of this country, he stated at a press [...]

新闻稿

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 12:01:12 +0000

各位朋友,

我是陈清木医生。

我刚提交了我的资格申请(COE)表格。

很多人问我为何出来参加本次的新加坡民选总统选举。我可以告诉大家, 我不希望再次看到本次选举是由指定候选人在无对手下自动当选。

今天的记者会不是有关我当总统能做什么。因为我目前还不是合格候选人，所以我得遵守竞选原则及尊敬其他参选人。

我想用此记者会来告诉大家为什么我要参选。我有没有大家期望的民选总统条件? 我相信大家都期望民选总统是一位人民的总统。大家对民选总统有信心, 尤其是在监管国家储备的使用及主要公务员的任命将会影响到大家的生计。这二项重要任务必须是在无惧及无偏袒下执行。

因此, 大家期望的民选总统是人民可信任的, 而信任是要经时间考验并赚取的。并非简单的说一声’相信我’就可以。今天让我来共享我如何在亚逸拉惹26年当国会议员期间赢得人民的信任。

作为民选总统一定要懂得民间的痛苦及人民关心的事。我在林厝港Ama Keng当医生时就深切明白, 故从政后, 我不时代表民意。大家相信也信任我会无惧及无偏袒去照顾他们的利。这一点，从我六次参加大选中的得票率, 平均77%, 最后一次, 2001年的88%中完全表现出来。

我永远都是跟大家一样, 热爱国家与人民。当26年的国会议员, 我都是代表人民在国会发言, 因为我永远明白人民, 知道他们的苦衷, 他们的忧虑。

在八十年代, 我站起来反对教育分流制度, 因为那样会分化社会, 甚至分化新加坡.

在九十年代, 看到因引入外来人才政策而人民害怕失去工作岗位, 我别无选择, 再次站起来, 呼吁政府收紧外来人才政策，以“新加坡人优先”为原则。为此,我遭受责骂但我豪不退缩。

我明白新加坡人民的中央公积金只能用于投资股票而非更重要的教育投资时, 就在国会提出中央公积金作为投资教育的方案。今天我很高兴看到许多学生受高等教育的资金是来自中央公积金。

我了解到人民害怕医院私有化后负担不起费用, 更害怕C级病床的低收费影响医院利润而大量减少。我在国会强烈要求接受政府支助私有化后的医院一定要保留足够的C级病床。

[...]

Dr Tan Cheng Bock Smartphone-App-iPhone / Android

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 10:35:17 +0000

Download iPhone App

Download Android App

Submission of Certificate of Eligibility application

Terence — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 03:19:18 +0000

Dr Tan Cheng Bock will be submitting his Certificate of Eligibility application for the Presidential Election tomorrow, 22 July at 1.30pm. Thereafter, he will be holding a press briefing at Bayview Hotel.

You are cordially invited to join Dr Tan Cheng Bock at the press briefing. Details are as follows:

Date : 22 [...]

Think Singaporeans First Debate 1999

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 08:22:00 +0000

Tan Cheng Bock, “Our message to Singaporeans must be clear and loud. We will take care of their basic needs. We will have schemes for our citizens to upgrade their skills training and education and they will get priority over others, including Permanent Residents. Now this is more important priority call than foreign talent. [...]

关于陈清木医生的一切

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 13:54:37 +0000

从乡村医生到国会议员，企业家，慈善家, 基层领袖

陈清木是一个出身平凡却拥有丰富且深厚人生经验的人。1940年他出生在一个贫穷的家庭，年少时父亲过世，在莱佛士奖学金的帮助下最终获得新加坡医学院医生资格。

在艰难困苦的条件下，陈清木开始了自己的医生职业。1971年，在林厝港的亚妈宫村，作为乡村医生的陈清木已开始广泛关注民生。当时的乡村民风淳朴，村民们可以用蔬菜和农产品来代替付账。那段日子给陈清木留下非常美好的印象，陈清木形容说：那时的生活是如此的简单和真实，是我“一身生最美好的时光”。在从事乡村医生职业的同时，陈清木关心时事政治，聆听村民呼声，体恤民众疾苦，并多次代表村民向有关机构提出改善民生、改革管理制度等方面的意见和建议。陈清木在村民中的威信不断提高，渐渐地成为了当地民众心目中的代言者，人民信任他，信赖他，由此人民行动党开始对他产生关注，并推荐他参加1980年的新加坡大选

在国会中卓越成就

1980年陈清木进入政坛。他的优势在于和我国人民以及基层有着十分良好的关系。他发起并领导民意处理组。长期来，他怀着一颗感恩之心，想人民所想，在充分了解民意的情况下，诚心诚意为人民代言，为民众打抱不平。为此，他获得了广大人民群众的爱戴，大家尊称他为“反馈先生”。对政府提出对民众不合理的政策，他在议会中为人民大声疾呼。例如小学分流制(’81),并且强调放慢引进外来人才的政策(‘99)。

陈清木的座右铭是“让你的良知引导你”。当他的理念或建议和自己所在的党派所提倡的观点产生矛盾时，陈清木认为只要是真正代表民意的想法，自己就应该坚持。他认为“有时公正应该凌驾于政党的政策之上”。例如，反对投票人民行动党的提名国会议员计划（92），他认为这是违反了民主的原则。

陈清木还提倡以下政策；使用公积金来缴付孩子的教育费、争取星期天和公共假期免费停车来促进社会交流,、增加C等病床，为残疾人士带来更多的便利和更多负担得起的医疗保健。长期下来，因为他关注民生，为民所呼，而成为人民心目中的“陈医生”。

政治和外交的生涯

他对政策的坦率赢得了人民行动党的爱戴。从1987年至1996年，他在人民行动党当选为中央执行委员也是人民行动党里最高裁决委员。在 1985, 他是市镇理事会的第一位主席, 直到2004为止. 在1987, 他也被委任为国会小组委员会的主席 . 国会小组委员会的任务是建议并评估各部委的政策. 在国会小组委员会,他也担任了教育主席，, 国家发展部主席环境部主席,通讯部委员, 国防部及外交部委员.

[...]

Modify method of pegging salaries, say some MPs

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 10:47:39 +0000

Debate on White Paper Factor in perks and pensions in formula calculations

THREE MPs yesterday suggested modifying the method of pegging ministers’ salaries to private sector pay to make the issue more acceptable to Singaporeans.

These ranged from adding further discounts to the proposed benchmarks to refining income data collected from the [...]

Dr Tan Cheng Bock on Track!

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 02:03:07 +0000

I have fond memories of train rides. When I heard that the old Malayan Railway lines would be closed to the public, I took the opportunity on Sunday (July 17, 2011) to walk along the tracks from Choa Chu Kang to King Albert Park.

Yes, I enjoyed the trains. In my [...]

别为我哭泣亚逸拉惹

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 14:17:00 +0000

一辆破旧的罗厘在Holland Grove Drive的其中一间平房的门口停了下来。有些时候，在外面等的是一辆货车；有些时候，停下来的是一辆奔驰轿车。无论开车的人一名机械师，小贩或商人，这些基层领袖都为了同一个目的：来迎接大家口中的“陈医生”- 陈清木

。

身为亚逸拉惹选区的议员，陈清木很少自己开车到他的选区参加每周一次与民众的会见或其他的社区活动。陈清木选择搭不同基层领袖的顺风车。他认为这么做不只可以联络感情，还可以传达一个讯息：“我不偏袒任何人。”

“他们也为了来接你而感到很荣幸。”他补充。

陈清木的名字几乎与亚逸拉惹画上等号。在他参政的那一年，亚逸拉惹也同时成为单选区。自从他于1980年取得第一次胜利后，他没有输过. 支持他的人数也从来不低于70%。在最近的大选里，他甚至创下记录，取得了88%的高支持率。在其选区的第25周年庆祝活动上，街上挂满了以不同语言书写的布条、海报。它们都是选民对陈清木的仰慕和爱戴的宣言： “医生，亚逸拉惹爱你。”

他们怎么对陈清木如此爱戴？从他如何对待工作伙伴可略知一二。当其中一名公民咨询委员会会员因为癌症而过世，陈清木绞尽脑汁，为的就是要纪念一位只能说福建话的菜贩。

“你要怎样怀念像他这样的好人？他们不是总统、国王、议员。他们的名字并没有刻印在任何地方。你要怎样让基层领袖知道你重视他们？”所以，当亚逸拉惹民众联络所的小型剧院兴建完毕后，陈清木就将剧院以Pek Ang Mooh 命名。

“大家都很讶异。他们问我为什么不以一位总统或是名人命名呢？我说，他可是一位一流的基层领袖。”陈清木回忆道。

陈清木是一名全科医生。他也是投资公司泉合控股(Chuan Hup Holdings) 的主席与比利时公司Dredging International Asia Pacific的董事长。

在国会上，他更是一位直率、坦诚的议员。他亢奋的演讲和不挠的原则是众所周知的. 即使必须和党领袖发生抵触，他也从不妥协。在80年代初，他还算是政坛的新人，却不畏惧公开反对当时的副总理吴庆瑞的言论，告诉他学校进行分流会划分社会阶层，导致阶级分化的现象。他立即遭吴庆瑞数落：“我怀疑任何教育政策能阻止阶级分化在新加坡，甚至其他国家，产生。坦白说，我不相信一个社会没有阶级划分的可能性。”这个经历让陈清木备受压力，他当下甚至感到肚子在搅动，必须吃抗酸药才获得舒缓。“回到家，我望着墙壁，心想：天啊，我怎么做出这样的事？

“不过后来，我记得我是国会中的议员，我必须反映选民的看法和感受。”他回忆道。于是他卷土重来，一次又一次地上新闻头条，一次又一次感到”肚子不适”。

最具争议性的一次冲突和管委议员计划有关。此计划于1992年生效。当时，他与几名党友辩论得相当激烈，直到最后投票结果，人民行动党的党员都表示赞成，唯独他唱反调。他认为他面对最艰巨的考验之一发生在1998年。那年前议员庄熙国被高级公务员杨烈国当众批评，要求他辞去国会上的职务，陈清木却支持庄熙国。当时，由杨烈国领导的经济发展局决定公开毁约奖学金得主的名单，遭庄熙国极力反对。陈清木认为当时党领袖并没有给予庄熙国足够的支持，于是在预算辩论时，偷偷地提出这点争论。他们虽然成功地表示对这议题的不满，陈清木透露，他们之后幕后却遭到党领袖“严重的责骂”。陈清木承认：“那是一个非常难过的感受。”

不过他仍然秉持着“做事要对得起良知”的原则，继续奋斗，即使失选票，也在所不惜。他曾经数落一个居民，因为他再三向陈清木提出无理的要求。“我回信时说道：‘你做错的事，别渴望得到我的帮忙。’那虽然根本就等于失去一张选票，我们也不应该畏惧。”他将自己丰富的政治经验整理成一个大选策略的橙色文件夹，与同事们分享。

如今大选逼近，陈清木忙着为登门拜访的年轻议员开办“选举课程”，一周进行两到三次。不过下个月就66岁的陈清木已准备不再参选。他坚信人民行动党自我更新的做法，并认为是时候把棒子交给更年轻的党友。他不愁从政坛退休后没事干。这位爷爷级的议员有两个孙子，一个2岁，一个8岁，而第三个也就快出世。所以他希望有多一点时间陪家人。他不会放下诊所里的职务，也会继续他的私人企业工作。直到今天，他只告诉了几个基层领袖中的亲信退休的计划。“不过，我以前总把退休挂在嘴边，现在应该没有人会相信我吧！”他笑着说。不过，这次他真的去意已决。他已经把退休信成交给李显龙总理了，正等着他的答复。与此同时，他也写了一首歌颂居民和基层领袖的歌，歌名灵感来自玛当娜的名曲：“别为我哭泣，亚逸拉惹”

Pek Ang Moh小型剧院

“大家都很讶异。他们问我为什么不以一位总统或是名人命名呢？我说，他是一位一流的基层领袖。”－陈清木解释为什么亚逸拉惹民众联络所的小型剧院会以已故的Pek Ang [...]

Don’t cry for me, Ayer Rajah

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 11:06:48 +0000

ALONG a quiet row of houses on Holland Grove Drive, a beat-up lorry rumbles to a halt outside a single-storey bungalow. On some days, it is a van that pulls up. On others, it could be a pickup or even a Mercedes-Benz sedan.

Whether it is a mechanic, hawker or businessman at the [...]

Minister misinterpreted call to tone down foreign talent message

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 10:23:13 +0000

‘I’M SURPRISED that the minister chose to misinterpret my call for the toning down of the foreign talent message as a call against foreign talent.

‘In this crisis, charity begins at home. Did I ask that we should stop them from coming? Did I ask that we sack them and replace their jobs [...]

Dr Tan Cheng Bock urges Government to tone down repeated calls on the need to attract foreign talent

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 10:17:38 +0000

THINK Singaporeans first, and let them know that they take priority in the Government’s plans, said Ayer Rajah MP Tan Cheng Bock yesterday. Speaking in the Parliamentary debate on the Budget, he urged the Government to tone down its repeated statements on the need to draw foreign talent here.

These, he noted, did [...]

All about Dr Tan Cheng Bock

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 06:19:39 +0000

From village doctor, to member of parliament, to corporate world, charities, and the grassroots.

A man driven by passion:

Tan Cheng Bock is a man who went from humble beginnings to a varied and deep experience. Born in 1940 to a poor family, whose father passed away in his mid-teens, he [...]

“You’ll Never Walk Alone”

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 10:45:00 +0000

My thanks to all who have said that to me! Netizens and others are walking side by side with me in my walkabouts It’s a good feeling to know they have come on their own free will.They are not afraid.They want to share this journey of love for Singapore with me. They will walk with [...]

哪位将是陈总统？

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 15:42:00 +0000

(2011-07-05) ● 孙汉钦

身为一位民选总统，就必须是一位“人民的总统”。想必所有新加坡同胞都不会忘记薛尔思总统、黄金辉总统和王鼎昌总统。这些前总统们都有个共同点，就是他们都拥有那亲切如爷爷般的笑容。重要的是，他们与民同在，没有让人民有那种遥不可及的感觉。这样的领导者，才可能具备团结国人的能力。

陈清木医生之前在亚逸拉惹区选举时，多届拿下压倒性胜利。这是否意味着陈医生他深受其选区人民的高度爱戴与信任？身为医生，陈医生一向以救人为本，这是否意味着他也将会是一位更能体恤人民的总统呢？陈庆炎博士虽然在政府和私企屡任高职，成就卓越，但他那严肃的脸孔，是否会让人民有遥不可及的感觉呢？

总统的一项重责是守护我国的储备金。陈博士在新加坡政府投资机构的领导身份，是否能让他在面对旧同僚的提案时，客观并有效地行使总统否决权呢？

这使我想起几年前由雷曼兄弟倒闭所触发的全球金融危机。当时，美国总统布什委任了高盛银行（Goldman Sachs）前总裁保尔森为财政部长。接着，联邦政府就动用了7000亿美元不良资产救助金（TARP）中的一部分来协助美国友邦保险公司（AIG），因为若不这么做，美国友邦保险公司就会倒闭，并且无法赔偿高盛银行的抵押违约保单（Collateral Default Swaps, CDS）。

当时，很多报道指出，银行将次级抵押贷款（Sub-prime mortgages）包装成抵押债券（Collateral Debt Obligations, CDO）卖给其客户。然后，银行就在保险公司投保抵押违约保单，意味着如果抵押债券出现问题时，银行将从保险公司获得大笔赔偿金。若报道属实，这涵盖着很大的商业利益冲突。可是，从金融风暴发生至今，为什么没有任何人被定罪呢？这是否意味着也许银行家与执法者都同属“华尔街校友”，导致互相庇护的局面无法避免呢？

这是美国的情况，不一定会出现在我国，但为谨慎计，我国政府今后是否应该考虑修改宪法，让担任淡马锡控股与新加坡政府投资机构的关键职位者，只能在卸任三至五年后，才可竞选总统。这可避免总统在监护储备金时，在行驶否决权时可能在人事关系上出现的犹豫与矛盾。

最后，陈博士是否更适合留任新加坡政府投资机构呢？新加坡政府投资机构是以为新加坡赚取回报为目的，而总统是守护着政府投资机构赚回来的钱。试想，一位很有捕鱼本领的渔夫，把他留在岸上看守鱼获，是否有点浪费英才？

陈博士和陈医生都是品格高尚，且在各自领域里以各自的方式为国家做出重大贡献的贤才，也都是备受国人尊敬的领袖。至于谁更适合担任下一任总统，我们大家都需要好好地想一想。

《联合早报》 http://www.zaobao.com.sg/ge/pages1/pe110705.shtml

Dr Tan Cheng Bock’s Supporters creates catchy Teochew rap (潮语打油诗)

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 15:04:52 +0000

Today’s Chinese newspaper Zhao Bao (05 July 2011) featured an interesting article about a catchy Teochew rap created by some very creative Singaporeans.

You can listen to the Mp3 file here:

Download Teochew Rap Mp3 (Right Click to save the file)

Teochew Rap: Tan Tan Tan

The following is an [...]

Excellence for whom?

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 13:49:42 +0000

Although he is impressed by the best-selling report, Towards Excellence in Schools, Dr Tan Cheng Bock (Ayer Rajah) has met numerous people who are concerned about the arrival of independent schools and what excellence in the school means.

Some think the focus is on excellence in independent schools only. Many are worried about the fees [...]

A New Era of Singapore-Malaysia Relationship

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 00:16:46 +0000

As leader of Singapore South East Asian Parliamentarian group I had on many occasions chaired many meetings between the parliamentarians of the region.

I met many Malaysian political leaders and amongst the many issues discussed was water and railway land.It was not always easy but I always strived to have a dignified and friendly relationship [...]

The values of Scouting are dear to Dr Tan Cheng Bock

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 08:32:07 +0000

“Scouting teaches young people to be independent – to be self-reliant, and to make do with what is available to get things done.” said Dr. Tan Cheng Bock, who is the Advisor of the Singapore Scout Guild.

He was speaking at a ceremony last Saturday (July 2) to officially send off Singapore’s delegation [...]

Free Parking on Sundays and Public Holidays

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 07:51:57 +0000

Dr Tan Cheng Bock shared how he fought for Free Parking on Sundays and Public Holidays in Parliament to foster and promote social interaction and quality family time. HDB was against it [...]

It’s been a hard day and night.

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 01:20:14 +0000

Yesterday was indeed a hard day and night.It is the opening line of an Elvis Presley’s song and I lived up to it. I started meeting friends at 8am at my home, went to Ghim Moh hawker centre with a group of nitizens for breakfast and chit chat.Met another group of nitizens for lunch and [...]

Are we afraid?

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 23:52:41 +0000

It is sad that many older Singaporeans still live in fear.They tell me they can support me only on the quiet because they worry about their jobs and businesses.This is not the type of Singapore we want.What is the use of high growth, imposing sky scrappers, beautiful parks and greenery, well designed condominiums and HDB [...]

President Nathan won’t seek a 3rd term.

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 23:43:39 +0000

I read todays ST that President Nathan will not be seeking a 3rd term. His 12 years in office makes him the longest serving head of state. I understand his reasons for not standing and wish him the best. I have travelled with him on official visits to Malaysia and Cambodia when I was in [...]

Dr Tan Cheng Bock spending time with his grandchildren

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 13:02:15 +0000

Sin Min Daily – 22 Oct 2008 (Lim Chu Kang series) 3 of 3

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 12:31:00 +0000

Dr Tan Cheng Bock praised the villagers of Lim Chu Kang for their witty minds and the kampong spirit.

Dr Tan recalled that one day in the late 1970s, while he was driving out of the village, he witnessed an army truck travelling in the opposite direction suddenly went out of control and ploughed into [...]

Sin Min Daily – 21 Oct 2008 (Lim Chu Kang series) 2 of 3

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 11:29:00 +0000

In the 1970s, parts of Lim Chu Kang were used by the Singapore Arm Forces as military bases. During durian seasons, villagers who entered these restricted area to pick durians could sometimes found themselves injured by bullet shots.

Dr Tan Cheng Bock recalled “many villagers would frequent the grounds near the riffle range area to [...]

Sin Min Daily – 20 Oct 2008 (Lim Chu Kang series) 1 of 3

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 23:19:18 +0000

In 1971, Former Member of Parliament, Dr Tan Cheng Bock (68 years old,) gave up the opportunity to practise medicine in the private sector and went on to set up his clinic in the village.

When asked the reason for doing so, Dr Tan said he believed that as a medical doctor he should put [...]

Dr Tan Cheng Bock attended the Sheng Hong Temple Anniversary Dinner

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 15:25:33 +0000

[...]

Dr Tan Cheng Bock – Mr Feedback for Singaporeans Transcript

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 15:44:34 +0000

In the 1984 General Elections, there was a swing against the PAP by a 12.5%, and this really set the party thinking as how they are going to win back the ground in the next few General Elections. And I remembered I made a speech in the House in 1985, responding to [...]

Dr Tan Cheng Bock went to Jurong Point

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 15:28:22 +0000

[...]

CPF for Tertiary Education Video Interview Transcript

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 14:45:25 +0000

One day while I was walking along Orchard Road, a young man came to me and thank me. I was wondering why he thanked me. He said that it was because I fought very hard for the use of CPF for education, that he was able to use his father’s CPF to pursue higher [...]

Dr Tan Cheng Bock at Bedok Interchange Hawker Centre and Coffeeshop

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 15:30:21 +0000

[...]

Dr and Mrs Tan Cheng Bock met Fandi Ahmad

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 14:55:06 +0000

Dr and Mrs Tan Cheng Bock met several ex-national football players including former national soccer star Fandi Ahmad on 26 June 2011

[...]

Lunch with Food blogger -Dr Leslie Tay at Bukit Timah Hawker Centre

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 06:54:42 +0000

The following article was published by Dr Leslie Tay from IeatIshootIpost on his blog following Dr Tan’s lunch with him at the Bukit Timah Hawker Centre

You are probably wondering why I am writing about having lunch with Dr Tan Cheng Bock. Well the answer is very simple. Firstly, his [...]

Dr Tan Cheng Bock was against the naming of Ng Teng Fong Hospital

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 06:43:38 +0000

When I was invited to join the Jurong General Hospital, I had this idea of not just helping to build a hospital but also to develop a healthcare delivery system for the whole of the west part of Singapore. And therefore I went about giving off my best to make sure that this hospital [...]

Dr Tan Cheng Bock’s debated with Dr Goh Keng Swee about Education policy

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 06:36:01 +0000

I remembered when Dr Goh Keng Swee Keng Swee, Minister for Education, was trying to revise the school curriculum and also the education policy, and amongst the things he wanted to do, was to streamline all school population into normal, special, monolingual, extended and so on. I was terribly disturbed by this because this [...]

Dr Tan Cheng Bock was against the NMP (Nominated Member of Parliament) Scheme

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 17:16:07 +0000

Dr Tan Cheng Bock was against the NMP (Nominated Member of Parliament) Scheme. Dr Tan explained how the NMP scheme can lead to sectarian representations. Doctors, lawyers, clans etc may want to be represented or they may not be happy. This will cause divisions. NMP has no accountability. He challenged why we still need [...]

Elected president must have unquestionable independence

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 10:47:41 +0000

I welcome Dr Tony Tan’s entry in the presidential race. I am happy because Singaporeans now get a chance to vote for their own president. They now also have a choice.

Voters should think carefully about what they want the president to do and who is best to safeguard Singapore’s reserves. Whoever gets [...]

Dr Tan Cheng Bock stood up against powerful union leaders as a teenager

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 10:34:05 +0000

Dr Tan Cheng Bock shared how he stood up against powerful union leaders to get back the $14,000 of benevolent fund inherited from his father who had just passed away. He went to see the judge and lawyers and successfully got back what was due to him after many struggles. He finally [...]

当选总统必须具有不容置疑的独立条件

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:07:00 +0000

我热烈欢迎陈庆炎博士参加这次的总统竞选。我替新加坡人感到非常高兴。因为他们有机会为自己喜欢的总统侯选人投票。现在，他们有了选择。

选民应慎重考虑总统各方面的条件。到底谁最有资格来保障新加坡的外汇储备 ? 当选总统必须具有诚信，公平和不容置疑的独立条件来获得全国民的信任。

来源：海峡时报2011年6月24日摘录

当选总统必须具有不容置疑的独立条件

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:07:00 +0000

我热烈欢迎陈庆炎博士参加这次的总统竞选。我替新加坡人感到非常高兴。因为他们有机会为自己喜欢的总统侯选人投票。现在，他们有了选择。

来源：海峡时报2011年6月24日摘录

The Presidential Election

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 01:45:01 +0000

My early entry to contest the Presidential Election has generated a strong interest amongst Singaporeans.This is what i wanted to achieve. No more will an endorsed candidate be given a walkover. Singaporeans are smart voters .They want a chance to exercise their right to decide who is best suited for the job. So all who [...]

The Malay Factor

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 10:42:46 +0000

It was a new and unpleasant experience for Singapore’s First Deputy Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong. While visiting the Ping Yi Secondary School counting centre on election night, Sept. 3, some supporters of the opposition Workers’ Party started jeering him. A week later the incident was still fresh in his mind as he told [...]

Many want core values taught in mother tongue

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 10:37:25 +0000

By BERTHA HENSON

‘IN WHAT language should we be taught?’ This question, put to about 130 people at a forum last night, drew three different responses. Several were in favour of using the mother tongue to transmit core values, as historical figures and fables can best be told in their language of origin. [...]

Dr & Mrs Tan Cheng Bock and Dr Leslie Tay at Bukit Timah Hawker Centre

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 09:30:26 +0000

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Speech by Dr Tan Cheng Bock at the 52nd SMA Annual Dinner

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 15:29:30 +0000

The 52nd SMA Annual Dinner was held on 14 May 2011 at the Grand Hyatt Singapore.

The Guest of Honour was Dr Tan Cheng Bock, who is a general practitioner, corporate chairman and former Minister of Parliament (MP) for the now defunct Ayer Rajah Single Member Constituency.

Dr Tan Cheng Bock delivered [...]

Dr Tan Cheng Bock at Tampines Mall

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 14:46:49 +0000

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Dr Tan Cheng Bock at the Assisi Hospice Charity Fun Day

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 14:39:30 +0000

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Dr Tan Cheng Bock’s influence in the setting up of Credit Counselling Singapore (CCS) to help Singaporeans with Credit Card debts

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 14:27:24 +0000

In 2001, four district judges brought to Dr Tan Cheng Bock the plight of consumer credit debtors. These debtors were repeatedly sued in the courts for recurring credit card debts. They faced court judgment, seizure of personal assets including their monthly salaries, and the threat of bankruptcy. There was little or no hope for [...]

What Dr Tan Cheng Bock says about Primary Education

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 12:03:38 +0000

GPC to focus on primary education

MORE well-rounded education in primary schools and more opportunities in tertiary education for Singaporeans – this will be the focus of the new Government Parliamentary Committee on Education.

Dr Tan Cheng Bock chairman of the committee, said: Previously, in concentrating on secondary schools, I felt that [...]

What Dr Tan Cheng Bock thinks of Mr Chiam See Tong

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 11:44:23 +0000

“I respect Chiam See Tong as a very sincere and honest person. I never hesitated when invited to his Appreciation Dinner on 18 June 2011. We may not share similar views but we are friends. I salute him as a true Singaporean.” . . Dr Tan Cheng Bock in his Facebook entry on 19 June [...]

Tan Cheng Bock Tells of Singaporeans who fear to speak up

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 09:45:12 +0000

Cheng Bock tells of S’poreans who fear to speak up

The fear of retribution often cited by Singaporeans reluctant to speak their mind was highlighted by Dr Tan Cheng Bock yesterday.

Recounting instances when he detected such apprehension in Singaporeans he had met, he said the thoughts that crossed his mind [...]

Dr Tony Tan outlines Ministry of Education’s Plans on languages because of Dr Tan Cheng Bock’s input

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 08:32:07 +0000

Dr Tan outlines Ministry’s plans on languages

RESPONDING to concern over Singapore’s bilingual policy and the teaching of the mother tongue, Education Minister Dr Tony Tan yesterday outlined the ministry s plans for children who are talented in languages.

There will be more provisions for the study of the mother tongue at [...]

Dr Tan Cheng Bock told MP to speak their minds and not be intimidated by ministers

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 08:24:35 +0000

Tan Cheng Bock urges ministers to stop saying ‘little or no margin for error’

The Government must show by example and by deeds that it is sincere in wanting the people to participate in the affairs of the country, Dr Tan Cheng Bock (Ayer Rajah) said yesterday.

Continuing with his remarks begun [...]

GPC plans to help able pupils pursue study of language

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 08:09:57 +0000

DR Tan Cheng Bock (Ayer Rajah) yesterday outlined proposals by Government Parliamentary Committee which could help linguistically talented pupils sustain interest in the second language.

He said providing opportunities for linguistically capable students at various educational levels could also result in a larger pool of talent available to teach Chinese, Malay or Tamil [...]

Margin of error – ‘Cheng Bock got us wrong’

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 03:21:52 +0000

TAN CHENG BOCK (Ayer Rajah) had misunderstood the context of the oft-repeated phrase among Government leaders that Singapore “had little or no margin of error" to refer to the mere airing of views, Mr Goh Chok Tong said yesterday.

Ministers, when using the phrase, were in fact referring to the larger and [...]

What George Yeo said about Dr Tan Cheng Bock

Dr Tan Cheng Bock — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 15:15:21 +0000

Queueing Advice

“An individual Singaporean traveller should always look ahead at the composition of the various lines before deciding which to join. I always remember Dr Tan Cheng Bock’s advice that in the male toilet, avoid queueing behind older men.” … Then-Minister (Trade & lndustry)/George Yeo, 25 March 2004

(Extracts from Ayer Rajah 25th [...]