Difference between revisions of "Tan Jee Say"

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'''Tan Jee Say''' (陈如斯), born 12 February 1954, is a Singaporean investment adviser, politician and former [[civil servant]]. He was a principal private secretary to former Prime Minister [[Goh Chok Tong]] and contested the 2011 general election under the opposition [[Singapore Democratic Party]] (SDP), but failed to win a seat. Tan stood as a candidate in the 2011 presidential election and finished in third place with 25% of the national vote.
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| name                      = Tan Jee Say<br/>陈如斯
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| nationality              = [[Singapore]]an
| alma_mater                = [[University College, Oxford]], [[University of Oxford]]
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| party                    = [[Independent (politician)|Independent]] <small>( August 2011–present)</small><br />[[Singapore Democratic Party]] <small>(April – July 2011)</small>
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| website                  = {{URL|www.tanjeesay.com}}
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'''Tan Jee Say''' ({{zh|s=陈如斯|t=陳如斯|p=Chén Rúsī}}; born 12 February 1954) is a [[Singapore]]an investment adviser, politician and former [[civil servant]]. He was a principal private secretary to former Prime Minister [[Goh Chok Tong]] and contested the [[Singaporean general election, 2011|2011 general election]] under the opposition [[Singapore Democratic Party]] (SDP), but failed to win a seat. Tan stood as a candidate in the [[Singaporean presidential election, 2011|2011 presidential election]] and finished in third place with 25% of the national vote.


==Education, civil service and the private sector==
==Education, civil service and the private sector==
Tan attended [[University College, Oxford]], on a Government Overseas Merit Scholarship.<ref name="pc">{{cite web |title=Presidential candidate: Tan Jee Say |url=http://www.asiaone.com/News/Elections/Story/A1Story20110805-292926.html |publisher=[[AsiaOne]] |date=5 August 2011 |accessdate=13 August 2011}}</ref> He graduated with a degree in [[Philosophy, Politics and Economics]].<ref name="about"/>
Tan attended [[University College, Oxford]], on a Government Overseas Merit Scholarship.<ref name="pc">[http://www.asiaone.com/News/Elections/Story/A1Story20110805-292926.html web "Presidential candidate: Tan Jee Say"], ''AsiaOne'', 5 August 2011.</ref> He graduated with a degree in [[Philosophy, Politics and Economics]].<ref name="about"/>


Tan was a member of the civil service for 11 years, including six years in the [[Ministry of Trade and Industry (Singapore)|Ministry of Trade and Industry]] from 1979 to 1985.<ref name="about">{{cite web |title=About |url=http://www.tanjeesay.com/about/ |publisher=Tan Jee Say |accessdate=6 August 2011}}</ref> He rose to become Deputy Director for Economic and Manpower Planning.<ref name="pc"/> During that period, he served concurrently as secretary to [[Albert Winsemius]], the government's economic adviser.<ref name="pc"/>
Tan was a member of the civil service for 11 years, including six years in the [[Ministry of Trade and Industry (Singapore)|Ministry of Trade and Industry]] from 1979 to 1985.<ref name="about">[http://www.tanjeesay.com/about/ Personal webste].</ref> He rose to become Deputy Director for Economic and Manpower Planning.<ref name="pc"/> During that period, he served concurrently as secretary to [[Albert Winsemius]], the government's economic adviser.<ref name="pc"/>


He went on to serve as then-Deputy Prime Minister [[Goh Chok Tong]]'s principal private secretary from 1985 to 1990.<ref name="pc"/><ref name="aljuneid">{{cite news |title=Loss of Aljunied team will dent quality of Govt: SM Goh |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_663251.html |work=[[The Straits Times]] |date=30 April 2011 |first=Cassandra |last=Chew |accessdate=6 August 2011}}</ref>  
He went on to serve as then-Deputy Prime Minister [[Goh Chok Tong]]'s principal private secretary from 1985 to 1990.<ref name="pc"/><ref name="aljuneid">Cassandra Chew, [http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_663251.html "Loss of Aljunied team will dent quality of Govt: SM Goh"], ''The Straits Times'', 30 April 2011.</ref>  


He left the civil service in 1990 and entered the finance industry, where he has worked for more than a decade.<ref name="pc"/><ref name="about"/> Tan became director of corporate finance of [[Deutsche Morgan Grenfell]] in 1990.<ref name="pc"/> He then became head of Peregrine Capital Singapore in 1994.<ref name="pc"/> He was regional managing director for AIB Govett, an asset management company, from 1997 to 2001.<ref name="submits">{{cite news |title=Tan Jee Say submits forms for presidential eligibility |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_697932.html |work=[[The Straits Times]] |date=3 August 2011 |first=Pei Shan |last=Hoe |accessdate=6 August 2011}}</ref> Tan was subsequently appointed as a Regional Director for [[ACCA]] in the Asia Pacific region in 2006.<ref name="acca">{{cite news |title=ACCA appoints Asia Pacific Regional Director |url=http://www2.accaglobal.com/databases/pressandpolicy/singapore/2552978 |work=ACCA |date=28 September 2011|accessdate=6 August 2011}}</ref>
He left the civil service in 1990 and entered the finance industry, where he has worked for more than a decade.


==Entry to electoral politics==
==Entry to electoral politics==
Tan joined the [[Singapore Democratic Party]] (SDP) in April 2011 due to his "dismay" at Singapore's society and economy.<ref name="dismay">{{cite news |title=Former senior Govt officer in SDP camp |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_659865.html |work=[[The Straits Times]] |date=22 April 2011 |author=Zakir Hussain |accessdate=6 August 2011}}</ref> In the [[Singaporean general election, 2011|7 May 2011 Singaporean general election]], Tan contested the [[Holland-Bukit Timah GRC]].<ref name="aljuneid"/>  
Tan joined the [[Singapore Democratic Party]] (SDP) in April 2011 due to his "dismay" at Singapore's society and economy.<ref name="dismay">Zakir Hussain, [http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_659865.html "Former senior Govt officer in SDP camp"]. ''The Straits Times'', 22 April 2011.</ref> In the [[Singaporean general election, 2011|7 May 2011 Singaporean general election]], Tan contested the [[Holland-Bukit Timah GRC]].<ref name="aljuneid"/>  


On the economy, Tan proposed $60 billion to be set aside for a National Regeneration Plan.<ref name="SDP">{{cite news |title=SDP hits back at ministers criticising National Regeneration Plan |newspaper=[[Business Times (Singapore)|Business Times]] |date=30 April 2011 |first=Uma |last=Shankari}}</ref> He called the sum "small change" compared to the government's supposed surpluses and losses in investments.<ref name="smallchange">{{cite news |title=$60b is small change, Tan Jee Say insists |first=Aaron |last=Low |newspaper=[[The Straits Times]] |date=30 April 2011}}</ref> The "small change" label was criticised by Deputy Prime Minister [[Teo Chee Hean]] and Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports [[Vivian Balakrishnan]], who said that the $60 billion set aside could put 500,000 jobs at risk.<ref name="SDP"/>
On the economy, Tan proposed $60 billion to be set aside for a National Regeneration Plan.<ref name="SDP">Uma Shankari, "SDP hits back at ministers criticising National Regeneration Plan", ''Business Times'', 30 April 2011.</ref> He called the sum "small change" compared to the government's supposed surpluses and losses in investments.<ref name="smallchange">Aaron Low, "$60b is small change, Tan Jee Say insists", ''The Straits Times'', 30 April 2011.</ref> The "small change" label was criticised by Deputy Prime Minister [[Teo Chee Hean]] and Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports [[Vivian Balakrishnan]], who said that the $60 billion set aside could put 500,000 jobs at risk.<ref name="SDP"/>


Tan proposed that Singapore shift its focus away from [[manufacturing sector|manufacturing]] to the [[services sector]].<ref name="closing">{{cite news |title=GE: "I didn't propose closing factories", says Tan Jee Say |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1125551/1/.html |publisher=[[Channel NewsAsia]] |date=28 April 2011 |accessdate=13 August 2011}}</ref> He argued that "we should not promote manufacturing because it requires a lot of land and labour. But Singapore is short of land and labour... We want to promote, we want to use our land, limited tax incentives... promoting services sector such as medical, health sectors, education, creative industries."<ref name="closing"/> Tan's suggestion was rebuked by Minister Mentor [[Lee Kuan Yew]], who questioned his qualifications.<ref name="words">{{cite web | url=http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/sdp-tan-jee-surprised-sm-goh-comments-174025954.html | title=SDP’s Tan vs SM Goh: War of words heats up | publisher=[[Yahoo]] | accessdate=August 08, 2011}}</ref> Lee said the manufacturing sector is more "steady" compared to the "volatile" services sector.<ref>{{cite news |title=GE: MM Lee defends PAP's record on helping S'poreans cope with cost of living |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1125935/1/.html |publisher=[[Channel NewsAsia]] |date=30 April 2011 |author=Imelda Saad |accessdate=13 August 2011}}</ref> In response, Tan pointed out that his proposals were endorsed by [[Robin Butler, Baron Butler of Brockwell|Lord Butler of Brockwell]], the British [[Cabinet Secretary]] from 1988 to 1998.<ref name="words"/> He disputed Lee's assertion that the manufacturing sector is more steady by citing a 2009 study by Ministry of Trade and Industry economists which concluded that the services sector as a whole has a relatively low volatility.<ref name="words"/>
Tan proposed that Singapore shift its focus away from [[manufacturing sector|manufacturing]] to the [[services sector]]. He argued that "we should not promote manufacturing because it requires a lot of land and labour. But Singapore is short of land and labour... We want to promote, we want to use our land, limited tax incentives... promoting services sector such as medical, health sectors, education, creative industries." Tan's suggestion was rebuked by Minister Mentor [[Lee Kuan Yew]], who questioned his qualifications. Lee said the manufacturing sector is more "steady" compared to the "volatile" services sector.<ref>Imelda Saad, [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1125935/1/.html "GE: MM Lee defends PAP's record on helping S'poreans cope with cost of living"], ''Channel NewsAsia'', 30 April 2011.</ref> In response, Tan pointed out that his proposals were endorsed by Lord Butler of Brockwell, the British Cabinet Secretary from 1988 to 1998. He disputed Lee's assertion that the manufacturing sector is more steady by citing a 2009 study by Ministry of Trade and Industry economists which concluded that the services sector as a whole has a relatively low volatility.


During the campaign, Senior Minister Goh claimed that Tan left the civil service because Goh "did not think he could make it as a [[Permanent Secretary#Outside the UK|permanent secretary]]."<ref>{{cite news |title=Tan Jee Say did not make the cut: SM Goh |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_663450.html |work=[[The Straits Times]] |date=1 May 2011 |author=Chang Ai-Lien & Mavis Toh|accessdate=9 August 2011}}</ref> Tan refuted Goh's claims and explained that he had intended to leave the civil service in 1984 after his scholarship bond ended, but was persuaded instead by Goh to become the latter's [[principal private secretary]] (PPS). After five years as Goh's PPS, Tan said he stated his intent to leave again, which Goh accepted.<ref name="words"/>
Tan's team, comprising of [[Vincent Wijeysingha]], Ang Yong Guan and Michelle Lee lost to the [[People's Action Party]] (PAP) team led by Vivian Balakrishnan, which won 60.1% of the vote.<ref>[http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_666127.html "PAP wins Holland-Bukit Timah GRC"], ''The Straits Times'', 8 May 2011.</ref>


Tan's team, comprising of [[Vincent Wijeysingha]], Ang Yong Guan and Michelle Lee lost to the [[People's Action Party]] (PAP) team led by Vivian Balakrishnan, which won 60.1% of the vote.<ref>{{cite news |title=PAP wins Holland-Bukit Timah GRC |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_666127.html |work=[[The Straits Times]] |date=8 May 2011 |accessdate=6 August 2011}}</ref>
==Post-presidential bid==
 
Immediately after losing his bid to become president, Tan declined to join any political party, and announced that he would focus on forming a coalition of opposition parties to contest the next general election.<ref>Esther Ng, [http://www.todayonline.com/Hotnews/EDC110926-0000069/Tan-Jee-Say-hopes-to-set-up-opposition-coalition-in-time-for-next-GE "Tan Jee Say hopes to set up opposition 'coalition' in time for next GE", ''Today'', 26 September 2011.</ref> His proposal was welcomed by the [[Singapore People's Party]], [[National Solidarity Party]], and [[Reform Party (Singapore)|Reform Party]].<ref>Tessa Wong; Kor Kian Beng, [http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_717133.html "SPP, Reform Party, NSP open to Tan Jee Say's coalition idea"], ''The Straits Times'', 27 September 2011.</ref>
==2011 presidential election==
{{split section|Tan Jee Say presidential campaign, 2011|date=August 2011}}
In July 2011, Tan resigned from the SDP and announced his candidacy for the [[Singaporean presidential election, 2011|2011 presidential election]].<ref name="contest">{{cite news |title=Tan Jee Say to contest Presidential Election |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1141044/1/.html |publisher=[[Channel NewsAsia]] |date=15 July 2011 |accessdate=6 August 2011}}</ref>
 
===Platform===
{{Quote box
| quote  = "The primary purpose of the Elected President is to provide [[checks and balances]] on the Government. The Government has been formed three months ago, now is your opportunity to elect the President to ensure that the Government does not abuse its position for their own benefit, but to carry out what it has promised to Singaporeans.
 
"If Singaporeans elect me as President, I will put my whole heart and soul into the job to protect the national reserves and your [[Central Provident Fund|CPF]] savings, and to ensure that economic growth is not enjoyed by some at the expense of Singaporeans, but is to be shared by all Singaporeans."
| source = —Nomination Day speech<ref name="auditor"/>
| width  = 30em
| align  =right
}}
He campaigned on a platform of being a candidate who is "clear[ly]" independent from the ruling PAP and declared that he would be the "conscience of the nation."<ref name="fray">{{cite news |title=Tan Jee Say joins the fray |url=http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC110716-0000043/Tan-Jee-Say-joins-the-fray |work=[[Today (Singapore newspaper)|Today]] |date=16 July 2011 |first=Caroline |last=Quek |accessdate=6 August 2011}}</ref><ref name="contest"/> Tan said he could "provide real and effective checks and balances on the excesses of the PAP government" since the [[President of Singapore|President]] has veto power in some key areas.<ref name="check">{{cite news |title=Tan Jee Say aims 'to check excesses of ruling party' |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/The-Big-Story/The-Big-Story-1/Story/STIStory_699632.html |work=[[The Straits Times]] |date=7 August 2011 |first=Tessa |last=Wong |accessdate=12 August 2011}}</ref> He cited the country's new [[Integrated Resort|casino industry]] as an example of PAP "[losing] its moral compass."<ref name="fray"/>
 
In addition, Tan said he wanted to "raise the profile of all non-PAP forces" in preparation for the next general election.<ref name="check"/> He added that he aimed to show Singaporeans that the office of the president "is not a shoo-in for the PAP."<ref name="check"/>
 
Tan also emphasized his economics background and policymaking experience.<ref>{{cite news |title=PE: Tan Jee Say upbeat about chances in upcoming polls |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1146951/1/.html |publisher=[[Channel NewsAsia]] |date=14 August 2011 |first=Alvina |last=Soh |accessdate=15 August 2011}}</ref>
 
He pledged to lobby the government to reduce its role in private business to encourage entrepreneurship. He explained: "[I]t is not the business of Government to be in business... I think Singaporeans can get better service from people who are motivated to serve, not because they are civil servants."<ref name="disbanding">{{cite news |title=Disbanding Temasek 'in long term' |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/The-Big-Story/The-Big-Story-1/Story/STIStory_702001.html |work=[[The Straits Times]] |date=13 August 2011 |first=Tessa |last=Wong |accessdate=13 August 2011}}</ref> Among his proposals are to gradually sell [[Temasek Holdings]]' assets to the private sector and invest the earnings in education and health infrastructure.<ref name="disbanding"/> Tan estimated that Temasek Holdings accounted for 60 percent of Singapore's GDP, but this claim was discredited by the company, which put the figure at 10 percent.<ref>{{cite news |title=Temasek Holdings clarifies mistaken GDP claims |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/1147360/1/.html |publisher=[[Channel NewsAsia]] |date=16 August 2011 |accessdate=16 August 2011}}</ref>
 
Tan also hoped for a review on taxes, saying: "The fact that you have accumulated huge surpluses every year... is excess of revenue over expenditure. So by having more revenue than necessary to finance government service, you are overtaxing the people. I think that's wrong."<ref name="disbanding"/>
 
Tan called for a [[minimum wage]] in Singapore, saying that not having one would be "unconscionable."<ref name="disbanding"/> He also said the government's "hard-nosed approach" had left some Singaporeans behind: "Whoever wants a job will get a job, whoever works enough will have a good living – that's not true. There are people who, despite all that they do, cannot make it in life here."<ref name="auditor">{{cite news |title=Jee Say wants to be auditor, gatekeeper |url=http://www.todayonline.com/Hotnews/EDC110818-0000310/Jee-Say-wants-to-be-auditor,-gatekeeper |work=[[Today (Singapore newspaper)|Today]] |date=18 August 2011 |first1=Esther |last1=Ng |first2=Wee Keat |last2=Leong |accessdate=18 August 2011}}</ref>
 
His campaign symbol (which is printed on the ballots) was a heart, which he said represents "empathy and compassion."<ref name="auditor"/>


===Eligibility===
'''Further information:''' [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tan_Jee_Say Wikipedia article]
Doubts were initially raised over his eligibility as a presidential candidate as he did not meet the criterion of being the chief executive officer of a Singapore company with a paid-up capital of S$100 million.<ref name="look">{{cite news |title=A Look Into Singapore's Presidential Election |url=http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/international/a-look-into-singapores-presidential-election/457130 |work=[[Jakarta Globe]] |date=4 August 2011 |first=Xueying |last=Li |accessdate=6 August 2011}}</ref><ref name="submits2">{{cite news |title=Tan Jee Say submits application forms |url=http://www.todayonline.com/Hotnews/EDC110804-0000216/Tan-Jee-Say-submits-application-forms |work=[[Today (Singapore newspaper)|Today]] |date=4 August 2011 |first=Jing Yng |last=Ng |accessdate=6 August 2011}}</ref> Tan said he was CEO with the title of regional managing director of AIB Govett Asia which managed total assets in excess of S$100 million which, in his view, would make it equivalent to managing a company with a paid-up capital of S$100 million.<ref name="contest"/>
 
He also pointed out that he had met the alternate criterion of having served for not less than three years in "any other similar or comparable position of seniority and responsibility in any other organisation or department of equivalent size or complexity in the public or private sector."<ref name="submits2"/>
 
He submitted his application to the Elections Department on 4 August under the latter criterion<ref name="submits2"/> and was awarded a certificate of eligibility (COE) a week later, along with [[Tony Tan Keng Yam]], [[Tan Cheng Bock]] and [[Tan Kin Lian]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20110812-294053.html | title=Historic 4 to run for President |date=12 August 2011 |first1=Gwendolyn |last1=Ng |first2=Sarah |last2=Chang | publisher=[[Asiaone]] | accessdate=12 August 2011}}</ref> The awarding of the COE to Tan Jee Say was seen as a liberal interpretation of the eligibility criteria by the Presidential Elections Committee.<ref>{{cite news |title=Four cleared to run; Two other hopefuls fail to get the certificates of eligibility |newspaper=[[The Straits Times]] |first=Xueying |last=Li |at=Prime News |date=12 August 2011}}</ref>
 
===Campaign===
 
 
Tan is the only eligible candidate with no previous ties to the PAP.<ref name="yesman">{{cite web |title=Presidential hopeful Tan Jee Say: I'm not a 'yes man' |url=http://www.cnngo.com/singapore/life/tan-jee-say-government-dont-expect-me-yes-man-and-i-dont-intend-be-one-690481#ixzz1VKzes7Xp |publisher=CNNGo |date=16 August 2011 |first=Elaine |last=Ee |accessdate=17 August 2011}}</ref> He is regarded as the most opposition candidate having participated in a general election under the SDP.<ref name="which">{{cite news |title=Singaporeans will vote for Tan, but which one? |url=http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/08/17/singapore.election/ |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=17 August 2011 |first=Liz |last=Neisloss |accessdate=17 August 2011}}</ref> His bid was endorsed by the [[Temasek Review Emeritus]] website,<ref>{{cite web |title=Clarification: TRE calls on its readers to vote for Tan Jee Say |url=http://www.temasekreview.com/2011/08/16/clarification-tre-calls-on-its-readers-to-vote-for-tan-jee-say/ |publisher=[[Temasek Review Emeritus]] |date=16 August 2011 |accessdate=16 August 2011}}</ref> opposition politicians [[Nicole Seah]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Nicole Seah roots for Tan Jee Say |url=http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20110802-292381.html |newspaper=[[The New Paper]] |date=3 August 2011}}</ref> [[Vincent Wijeysingha]], Jeanette Chong-Aruldoss, [[Steve Chia]],<ref name="auditor"/> and candidate-hopeful [[Andrew Kuan]] (who was not awarded a COE).<ref>{{cite news |title=PE: Tan Jee Say wants to be govt's auditor |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1147538/1/.html |publisher=[[Channel NewsAsia]] |date=17 August 2011 |first=Imelda |last=Saad |accessdate=17 August 2011}}</ref>
 
His interpretation of the president's role was challenged by Law Minister [[K. Shanmugam]], who pointed out that the president acts only on the advice of the government and has veto power only in specific areas. Nonetheless, Tan persists on the president's [[check and balance]] role, and described the office as "a centre of moral power" rather than "a second centre of executive power."<ref name="auditor"/>
 
Political pundits suggested that among Tan Jee Say, Tan Cheng Bock and Tan Kin Lian, two candidates should withdraw to facilitate a straight contest between one of them and Tony Tan, who is widely seen as the leading candidate.<ref name="4-way">{{cite news |title=A four-way fight on the cards |url=http://www.todayonline.com/SingaporeVotes/EDC110813-0000244/A-four-way-fight-on-the-cards |work=[[Today (Singapore newspaper)|Today]] |date=13 August 2011 |first1=Esther |last1=Ng |first2=Jing Yng |last2=Ng |accessdate=13 August 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Tan Cheng Bock: "I won't pull out", open to discussions |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/The-Big-Story/The-Big-Story-1/Story/STIStory_701363.html |work=[[The Straits Times]] |date=12 August 2011 |first=Andrea |last=Ong |accessdate=12 August 2011}}</ref> On 12 August, Tan Jee Say said he wouldn't back out of the contest.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tan Kin Lian and Tan Jee Say meet at Elections Department |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/The-Big-Story/The-Big-Story-1/Story/STIStory_701341.html |date=12 August 2011 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |first=Andrea |last=Ong |accessdate=12 August 2011}}</ref>
 
Also on 12 August, Tony Tan said it would be a "grave mistake" to phase out manufacturing in Singapore.<ref>{{cite news |title=PE: Phasing out manufacturing would be "grave mistake", says Tony Tan |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1146704/1/.html |publisher=[[Channel NewsAsia]] |date=12 August 2011 |first=Joanne |last=Chen |accessdate=15 August 2011}}</ref> Tan Jee Say responded by telling [[The Online Citizen]] blog that he did not suggest closing down factories and that his views were "distorted" during the general election.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tan Jee Say: I did not suggest closing down factories |url=http://theonlinecitizen.com/2011/08/tan-jee-say-i-did-not-suggest-closing-down-factories/ |publisher=[[The Online Citizen]] |date=16 August 2011 |first1=Shawn |last1=Danker |first2=Joshua |last2=Chiang |accessdate=15 August 2011}}</ref> During nomination day, his supporters jeered at Tony Tan. Tan Jee Say later acknowledged that their actions were "not the correct way to conduct our campaign."<ref>{{cite news |title=My supporters not right in booing Dr Tony Tan: Tan Jee Say |url=http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC110817-0000936/My-supporters-not-right-in-booing-Dr-Tony-Tan--Tan-Jee-Say |work=[[Today (Singapore newspaper)|Today]] |date=17 August 2011 |first=Esther |last=Ng |accessdate=17 August 2011}}</ref>
 
During a forum hosted by The Online Citizen attended by all four candidates on 19 August, Tan Jee Say got into a heated exchange with Tony Tan over the [[Internal Security Act (Singapore)|Internal Security Act]] (ISA), which allows the government to detain people without trial.<ref name="clash">{{cite news |title=Tony Tan, Tan Jee Say clash over ISA |url=http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/heated-exchange-between-tony-tan-tan-jee-over-102136263.html |publisher=[[Yahoo! News]] |date=19 August 2011 |first=Alicia |last=Wong |accessdate=20 August 2011}}</ref> Tan Jee Say said that the law has been used to detain political opponents of the government, which drew a pointed response from Tony Tan, who labelled it a "very serious charge" and asked the former to back it up. Tan Jee Say shot back: "The people who have been detained have opposed the government. That's what I'm saying," before he was interjected by the moderator.<ref name="clash"/>
 
===Result===
The election was won by Tony Tan who garnered 35.19 percent of the vote, just 7,269 votes ahead of Tan Cheng Bock. Tan Jee Say finished third with 25.04 percent of the vote.<ref>{{cite news |title=PE: Dr Tony Tan elected Singapore president |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1149594/1/.html |publisher=[[Channel NewsAsia]] |date=28 August 2011 |accessdate=28 August 2011}}</ref>
 
Reflecting on the result, Tan conceded that his "confrontational" image may have hurt his bid.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lack of opposition votes costs him |url=http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20110829-296825.html |work=[[The New Paper]] |date=29 August 2011 |first1=Benita |last1=Aw Yeong |author2=Zul Othman |accessdate=7 October 2011}}</ref>
 
==Post-presidential bid==
Immediately after losing his bid to become president, Tan declined to join any political party, and announced that he would focus on forming a coalition of opposition parties to contest the next general election.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tan Jee Say hopes to set up opposition 'coalition' in time for next GE |url=http://www.todayonline.com/Hotnews/EDC110926-0000069/Tan-Jee-Say-hopes-to-set-up-opposition-coalition-in-time-for-next-GE |work=[[Today (Singapore newspaper)|Today]] |date=26 September 2011 |first=Esther |last=Ng |accessdate=7 October 2011}}</ref> His proposal was welcomed by the [[Singapore People's Party]], [[National Solidarity Party]], and [[Reform Party (Singapore)|Reform Party]].<ref>{{cite news |title=SPP, Reform Party, NSP open to Tan Jee Say's coalition idea |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_717133.html |work=[[The Straits Times]] |date=27 September 2011 |first1=Tessa |last1=Wong |first2=Kian Beng |last2=Kor |accessdate=7 October 2011}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
;Notes
<references />
{{Reflist|2}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.tanjeesay.com/ Official website]
* [http://www.tanjeesay.com/ Official website]


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME              = Tan, Jee Say
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Politician, businessman, civil servant
| DATE OF BIRTH    = 12 February 1954
| PLACE OF BIRTH    = [[Singapore]]
| DATE OF DEATH    =
| PLACE OF DEATH    =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tan, Jee Say}}
[[Category:1954 births]]
[[Category:1954 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Politicians]]
[[Category:Alumni of the University of Oxford]]
[[Category:Singaporean politicians]]
[[Category:Singapore Democratic Party politicians]]
[[Category:Singaporean businesspeople]]
[[Category:Singaporean businesspeople]]
[[Category:Singaporean civil servants]]
[[Category:Singaporean people of Hainanese descent]]

Revision as of 18:41, 16 May 2012

Tan Jee Say (陈如斯), born 12 February 1954, is a Singaporean investment adviser, politician and former civil servant. He was a principal private secretary to former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and contested the 2011 general election under the opposition Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), but failed to win a seat. Tan stood as a candidate in the 2011 presidential election and finished in third place with 25% of the national vote.

Education, civil service and the private sector

Tan attended University College, Oxford, on a Government Overseas Merit Scholarship.[1] He graduated with a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics.[2]

Tan was a member of the civil service for 11 years, including six years in the Ministry of Trade and Industry from 1979 to 1985.[2] He rose to become Deputy Director for Economic and Manpower Planning.[1] During that period, he served concurrently as secretary to Albert Winsemius, the government's economic adviser.[1]

He went on to serve as then-Deputy Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong's principal private secretary from 1985 to 1990.[1][3]

He left the civil service in 1990 and entered the finance industry, where he has worked for more than a decade.

Entry to electoral politics

Tan joined the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) in April 2011 due to his "dismay" at Singapore's society and economy.[4] In the 7 May 2011 Singaporean general election, Tan contested the Holland-Bukit Timah GRC.[3]

On the economy, Tan proposed $60 billion to be set aside for a National Regeneration Plan.[5] He called the sum "small change" compared to the government's supposed surpluses and losses in investments.[6] The "small change" label was criticised by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean and Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan, who said that the $60 billion set aside could put 500,000 jobs at risk.[5]

Tan proposed that Singapore shift its focus away from manufacturing to the services sector. He argued that "we should not promote manufacturing because it requires a lot of land and labour. But Singapore is short of land and labour... We want to promote, we want to use our land, limited tax incentives... promoting services sector such as medical, health sectors, education, creative industries." Tan's suggestion was rebuked by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, who questioned his qualifications. Lee said the manufacturing sector is more "steady" compared to the "volatile" services sector.[7] In response, Tan pointed out that his proposals were endorsed by Lord Butler of Brockwell, the British Cabinet Secretary from 1988 to 1998. He disputed Lee's assertion that the manufacturing sector is more steady by citing a 2009 study by Ministry of Trade and Industry economists which concluded that the services sector as a whole has a relatively low volatility.

Tan's team, comprising of Vincent Wijeysingha, Ang Yong Guan and Michelle Lee lost to the People's Action Party (PAP) team led by Vivian Balakrishnan, which won 60.1% of the vote.[8]

Post-presidential bid

Immediately after losing his bid to become president, Tan declined to join any political party, and announced that he would focus on forming a coalition of opposition parties to contest the next general election.[9] His proposal was welcomed by the Singapore People's Party, National Solidarity Party, and Reform Party.[10]

Further information: Wikipedia article

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 web "Presidential candidate: Tan Jee Say", AsiaOne, 5 August 2011.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Personal webste.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Cassandra Chew, "Loss of Aljunied team will dent quality of Govt: SM Goh", The Straits Times, 30 April 2011.
  4. ↑ Zakir Hussain, "Former senior Govt officer in SDP camp". The Straits Times, 22 April 2011.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Uma Shankari, "SDP hits back at ministers criticising National Regeneration Plan", Business Times, 30 April 2011.
  6. ↑ Aaron Low, "$60b is small change, Tan Jee Say insists", The Straits Times, 30 April 2011.
  7. ↑ Imelda Saad, "GE: MM Lee defends PAP's record on helping S'poreans cope with cost of living", Channel NewsAsia, 30 April 2011.
  8. ↑ "PAP wins Holland-Bukit Timah GRC", The Straits Times, 8 May 2011.
  9. ↑ Esther Ng, [http://www.todayonline.com/Hotnews/EDC110926-0000069/Tan-Jee-Say-hopes-to-set-up-opposition-coalition-in-time-for-next-GE "Tan Jee Say hopes to set up opposition 'coalition' in time for next GE", Today, 26 September 2011.
  10. ↑ Tessa Wong; Kor Kian Beng, "SPP, Reform Party, NSP open to Tan Jee Say's coalition idea", The Straits Times, 27 September 2011.

External links

Retrieved from "https://sgwiki.com/index.php?title=Tan_Jee_Say&oldid=201984"