By Sarah Chang and Gwendolyn Ng

SINGAPORE - The four candidates confirmed for Singapore's most hotly contested Presidential Election in 18 years have spelled out their agendas to win voters over on Polling Day.

Two candidates pledged that politics will not get in the way, with Dr Tony Tan promising to be above politics and to work with all political parties. Dr Tan Cheng Bock similarly assured Singaporeans that the "nation must always come above party and politics".

The other two candidates focused on the role of the president. Mr Tan Kin Lian said that he will be a cooperative and constructive president who will work with the Government, while Mr Tan Jee Say promised to ensure that checks and balances are in place.

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The candidates arrived at the People's Association headquarters in Jalan Besar around 10.15am yesterday, within minutes of each other, to submit their nomination forms.

Flanked by their entourage of family and friends, they were greeted by scores of supporters who had gathered there at least an hour earlier.

Former NTUC Income chief executive Tan Kin Lian, 63, was the first to arrive, followed by former deputy prime minister Tony Tan, 71. Former senior civil servant Tan Jee Say, 57, and former MP Tan Cheng Bock, 71, arrived shortly after.

By 1pm, all four were confirmed in their candidacy after Returning Officer Yam Ah Mee announced the results to the cheers of over 1,000 supporters. The the candidates, who then took to a stage outside the nomination hall to deliver two-minute speeches, reiterating their aims for the presidency and out- lining their campaign slogans.

Dr Tan Cheng Bock said the president serves as a "unifying figure" and promised to be an active voice for multi-racialism.

Mr Tan Jee Say said: "To ensure that the Government does not abuse its position for its own benefit but to carry out what it has promised Singaporeans."

Dr Tony Tan stressed that the president cannot favour any party, saying: "The president must work with the Government, all political parties and the civil society, and do his best to advance Singapore forward."

Mr Tan Kin Lian, who spoke in the four official languages, said that he will be a "constructive and cooperative" president.

As they spoke, supporters broke out in spirited chants, waving their posters and larger-than-life banners. Many said they were personally touched by the candidates they had come to support.

Among them was taxi driver Chai Kim Yian, 49, who was there to cheer on Dr Tan Cheng Bock. He had known Dr Tan since he was a child living with his family in Ama Keng.

"We used to go to his clinic and we saw how he helped the poor. He used to give treatment, almost for free, to those who could not afford it. He is a good man."

Business-relations adviser Angela Goh, 46, arrived with her neighbours from Sembawang to support their former member of Parliament, Dr Tony Tan. She said: "We found him to be really kind and personable. To me, he's the best choice, based on his image and contribution to Singapore."

Mr Lee Cheok Yew, 61, who works in the marketing line, was there to support Mr Tan Kin Lian. He felt that it is most important for a president to have strong personal values.

"(Mr Tan Kin Lian) is a man of integrity and he has shown it in his track record. He is always speaking up for the benefit of Singaporeans," said Mr Lee, who was one of Mr Tan's assentors.

Singapore Democratic Party assistant treasurer Vincent Wijeysingha, 40, who was there to support his former party member, Mr Tan Jee Say, said: "The people, without being able to articulate it, feel a sense that the president needs to be separate from the People's Action Party."

The four candidates have nine days to win over approximately 2.27 million voters. There will be a Cooling-off Day before voters go to the polls next Saturday.

Nine rally sites have been listed by police for the Presidential Election. Eight of them are located in heartland sports stadiums, with the open space beside UOB Plaza in Boat Quay available for lunch-time rallies.

myp@sph.com.sg



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