SINGAPORE – A presidential candidate’s independence from the Government and the role of the president remained at the forefront of the hustings as the election campaign hit its halfway mark before Polling Day on Sept 1.
The trio of hopefuls kept up the pace on Saturday, Day 5 of the nine-day campaign, as they canvassed for support on the ground and online.
Former GIC chief investment officer Ng Kok Song, 75, visited two locations, beginning at Chong Pang in Yishun in the morning, before rounding off the day at Ang Mo Kio Central Hawker Centre in the evening.
Former senior minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, 66, met residents at Tiong Bahru Market in the morning, while former NTUC Income chief executive Tan Kin Lian, 75, spoke at a closed-door event with the National University of Singapore Society (NUSS) in the afternoon.
Observers said that while the candidates have been pounding the streets, much of this election’s campaigning has taken place online, with each candidate using social media to accomplish different goals.
They also pointed out recurring themes that have surfaced, such as the candidate’s independence from the Government, the role of the president, and each candidate’s character and conduct.
Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) principal research fellow and head of society and culture Carol Soon said that the use of social media to persuade those who have not made up their minds on who to vote for was expected, given the pervasiveness of social media in Singaporeans’ lives.
On Mr Ng’s campaign, Dr Chong Ja Ian, an associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore, opined that Mr Ng has been trying to increase his grassroots appeal.
Mr Ng told The Straits Times on Friday that he is seeking to meet as many people as possible on his walkabouts, hence when requests come in, he tries to accommodate all of them. “How can the people of Singapore get to know me unless I go and meet them?” he said.
As for Mr Tharman, Dr Soon said: “He has always been seen as a policy wonk with deep expertise in finance and social policies.
“His campaign thus far has shown up his more personal side, particularly his unconventional path growing up, and his close partnership with his wife.”
As for Mr Tan, Dr Tracy Loh, a senior lecturer at the Singapore Management University who specialises in social media campaign strategies, noted that Mr Tan seemed to be a bit more of a maverick than his fellow candidates.
During his Facebook Live sessions, Mr Tan would sometimes lose connection, drop his phone or present not-too-flattering angles which could come off as unprofessional, but could also provide an “at home” feel, said Dr Loh.
“I’m not sure whether this is a deliberate strategy but he’s always presented as the ordinary man’s president,” Dr Loh added.
On Saturday morning, Mr Ng arrived at Chong Pang Market and Food Centre to much fanfare, including a resident who brought her dog to meet him and his fiancee, Ms Sybil Lau, 45.
Mr Ng reiterated his position as a non-partisan presidential candidate, and said he will not accept donations from political parties in order to avoid being beholden to their agenda.
Meanwhile, Mr Tharman visited Tiong Bahru Market, where he was swarmed by residents and stallholders who wanted pictures with him and his wife, Ms Jane Ittogi, 69.
Mr Tharman said that if elected, he would work respectfully with the Council of Presidential Advisers (CPA), which the head of state must consult when exercising powers related to fiscal spending and the appointment of key office holders.
He was responding to a question on maintaining his independence while working with the council.
“I will work with respect with the CPA, but as you know, no one in the bureaucracy or anywhere else can fool me on any matter to do with government finances,” he added.
Over at Kent Ridge Guild House, Mr Tan spoke to an audience of about 90 at a closed-door event organised by NUSS. He said he wanted to return to having an appointed presidency.
“We spend so much time electing the president, then we end up telling the president these are the things you cannot do... It is quite an unproductive exercise,” he said.
Ability, character and independence: What voters may look out for as Singapore elects its president
How independent will the president be? Which of the three candidates fulfil the ambit of the highest office in Singapore? What character and attributes will appeal to voters?
As the presidential election campaigning hits Day 6 on Sunday, political observers say these are three key issues that may be on the minds of voters when they head to the polls on Friday.
How social media and podcasts have helped candidates win hearts and minds
On National Day, a disc jockey, a singer and a pair of recovering drug addicts were among a group of online personalities who gathered for lunch with a 75-year-old former chief investment officer.
Three days later, a former senior Cabinet minister walked into a bar for his own gathering with 16 young creatives, who were given free rein to ask him anything.
Later in the month, two comedians spent more than an hour discussing a wide range of issues with the former chief executive of one of the largest insurance companies here.
As Singapore prepares to go to the polls on Friday to elect a new president, observers have highlighted the sizeable role that social media, influencers and podcast shows have played in the campaigns run by Mr Ng Kok Song, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Mr Tan Kin Lian thus far.
From herbal tea to a cat: How presidential candidates keep themselves going
Bird’s nest, herbal tea, kopi, good conversations and a cat named Max.
These are some of the wellsprings of motivation that Mr Ng, Mr Tharman and Mr Tan have tapped to keep them going as they enter the second half of their presidential campaign trails.
They were also quick to credit their partners, who have supported them throughout their campaign.
