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Heated exchange over ISA at presidential forum

A caution by Dr Tony Tan led to a short outburst from fellow presidential candidate Tan Jee Say. -AsiaOne



Sat, Aug 20, 2011

AsiaOne

SINGAPORE - It was a studio discussion between the four presidential candidates and an audience of 18 Singaporeans, organised by The Online Citizen.

But things started to get heated when a member of the audience broached the topic of the Internal Security Act (ISA) and the 1987 Marxist conspiracy arrests.

The forum was held on Thursday evening.

Ms Clara Seng, a representative from human rights group Maruah, had asked the candidates for their views on the Internal Security Act (ISA).

Presidential candidate Tan Jee Say was responding to her question when he was interrupted by fellow candidate Dr Tony Tan, who cautioned him on his statement.

This prompted a short outburst from Mr Tan, calling Dr Tan's warning "an attack" on his "understanding of the English language."

Moderator Viswa Sadasivan had to step in several times to curb Mr Tan's vigorous responses and assured him that he would resurface the issue later on in the discussion.

Below is an exerpt of the exchange:

Tan Jee Say: I believe the ISA has outlived its usefulness. I don't even know whether it was justified in the first place, because the ISA has been used on political opponents, and those who are on the other political side of the law. So the history is such that it has been used for political purposes.

Dr Tony Tan: I think this is... to be fair, when one says it has been used against political opponents, I think this is a very serious charge.

Jee Say: Well!

Tony: You must be able to back it up!

Jee Say: Well! The people who have been detained have opposed the Government, that's what I'm saying. Have they been pro-Government?

Viswa Sadasivan: All right, why don't we move on.

Jee Say: No, let's... No! It's clear!

Viswa: No, no, no. You'll have the time later to...

Jee Say: No, no, no! Viswa! I have been attacked on my understanding of the English language!

Viswa: Jee Say, you'll have time later to...

Jee Say: No, no, no! Viswa, let's be fair! What is in his English dictionary about political opponents?

Viswa: We will give you the opportunity to later. If you don't bring it up, I'll bring it up, ok, to make sure this issue is not dropped.

Jee Say: Ok, fine...Let's be very clear..

Viswa: Let's stay on track, stay on track...Is there anything else you'd like to say, Jee Say? No? On this matter?

Jee Say: Oh...let's move on.

What else was said at the forum:

Well, I've not always agreed with my Cabinet colleagues, for example, on Graduate Mothers' Scheme. When I became Minister for Education, I decided to review it, I thought it was wrong and persuaded my Cabinet colleagues to change the decision. But I do not believe in making contradictory statements for the sake of making contradictory statements, just to show that I am independent. I think what's most important is to have independent mind - exercise your mind under the circumstances of each situation, act independently which I will do as president, whether it's with the reserves or with other decisions. Apply your own mind. And I think that over the years people have always regarded me, even when I was in Cabinet, as an independent voice. And I'll do the same when I'm, if I'm elected as president.'

Dr Tony Tan, when he was asked why voters should elect a president who has almost 'the same voice' as someone from the Cabinet

'With regard to the ombudsman, I think this has been discussed previously, I will certainly think this is something which the Government should look at because it's something which is available, I believe, in many other countries, as a means for citizens to right their wrongs. And although the Government has not agreed to it yet, the Government has to review its position from time to time. And if there is a need, I think, that might be a good idea but it has to be examined.'

Dr Tony Tan, on whether he would favour the idea of a national ombudsman

'And I think that if I were president, I would feel that I would need great persuasion to use part of the reserves. Now, this does not mean that I will never use it because one never says never. I don't know what the circumstances will be but I think that one has to be very careful if one were the president to make sure that any use of the reserves must be critical, must be urgent and must be needed, otherwise I think the president is not exercising his constitutional responsibility... I'm sure that if he allows the reserves to be used, it must be for a very good reason. I don't think that a good president would do this light-heartedly and do something which he does not feel that he can justify publicly. That would be very foolish.'

Dr Tony Tan, when asked if as president he would disclose to the public when he uses the reserves

'Actually I do encourage women to come out to the political arena. But of course, as the president I cannot do all that. But really women should come out. And I must say that Singapore women have done a very good job. They all are in a very sizeable proportion of our workforce and also at the management level. And if you look at some of our very top people in Singapore, some of the top CEOs are women. So I wouldn't say that women in Singapore are not so forceful. Maybe we're referring to the political arena. Well, I think that's a difficult area for women in Singapore because the commitment is really very heavy. So you got to get the permission of your husband.'

Dr Tan Cheng Bock on what the president could to to encourage more women to enter politics

'If it's a very serious one, I'll resign.'

Dr Tan Cheng Bock, when asked if he would resign if as president he faces a fundamental disagreement with the Government

'I think as a doctor, I've seen patients of mine also with this type of lifestyle. It's his lifestyle choice so... I have no difficulty in accepting this lifestyle choice.'

Dr Tan Cheng Bock, on his stand on Section 377A of the Penal Code which criminalises homosexual sex between two men

'I agree money is not the solution as such to more babies. We need a more comprehensive approach to this thing. Why do women not have children? I mean it's putting off careers, putting off whatever. So we have to look at comprehensive, how to make it possible for women not to feel so stressed out... Maybe we work towards where women can spend their time being housewives. I'd like to go back to the days when women can afford to become housewives and you can afford to not have a dual income family... I'm not discriminating against women working. It's just that women would like to have the choice of not working because after a certain stage of life, they want to really look after the family. And the present circumstances do not allow such choice because of cost.'

Mr Tan Jee Say, on the Baby Bonus