September, 2011
Dr Tony Tan wins elections
On Teachers' Day this week, Singapore will have a new President. He is Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, who won the Presidential Election on Saturday. Soon, the photos of Mr and Mrs S. R. Nathan in your school will be replaced by those of Dr Tan and his wife. This is Singapore’s first change of President in 12 years.
The President is a symbol of unity and stability. Politicians may argue over different ideas of how to run the country. However, the President stays clear from such quarrels, reminding Singaporeans that, at the end of the day, we are one united people.
“Singapore’s best days lie ahead of us,” Dr Tan said. “If we remain united, and respond with creativity and energy to the challenges ahead of us, our country will continue to progress and thrive. Together we can build a better and more fulfilling future for all Singaporeans.”
INFLUENCED BY HIS TEACHERS
In his final campaign speech before the election, Dr Tan explained how the La Salle Brothers who ran his schools influenced his values: "They dedicated their lives to educating us. The brothers reminded us daily that we each had an obligation to help the last, the lost, and the least.”
He added:
"Singapore’s success cannot be judged solely by our ranking on international tables or the success of our highest flyers.
As a society, we must judge ourselves by how we care for those in need.
Together, we should ensure that the last are not left behind, the lost have a guiding hand, and the least are the first in our considerations as a democratic society. In difficult times, we, the citizens of Singapore, must stand together as one united people. We are all Singaporeans. This is our home. This is where we have roots. We are Singaporeans first, regardless of race, language, religion, or political affiliation.
We seek happiness, prosperity and progress for all Singaporeans.
I promise you I will make our Singapore pledge ring true.”
A HARD FIGHT
Narrow victory: The Presidential Election was an extremely close race. Dr Tony Tan had the most votes: 35.2% of around 2.1 million valid votes. He beat Dr Tan Cheng Bock (34.8%), Mr Tan Jee Say (25%) and Mr Tan Kin Lian (4.9%). Dr Tony Tan thanked them for giving Singaporeans a choice.
Big job: The election was hotly contested because the President has a big job. He has to keep an eye on the work of the Prime Minister and his Government. If the Government wants to use the country’s savings that were kept aside before the previous General Election, the President must first approve the plan. This is because such savings, which are called past reserves, are meant only for emergencies and shouldn’t be wasted. The President must also check that the Government isn’t putting the wrong people in charge of important organisations such as the HDB and the SAF.
The President is a symbol of unity and stability. Politicians may argue over different ideas of how to run the country. However, the President stays clear from such quarrels, reminding Singaporeans that, at the end of the day, we are one united people.
“Singapore’s best days lie ahead of us,” Dr Tan said. “If we remain united, and respond with creativity and energy to the challenges ahead of us, our country will continue to progress and thrive. Together we can build a better and more fulfilling future for all Singaporeans.”
INFLUENCED BY HIS TEACHERS
In his final campaign speech before the election, Dr Tan explained how the La Salle Brothers who ran his schools influenced his values: "They dedicated their lives to educating us. The brothers reminded us daily that we each had an obligation to help the last, the lost, and the least.”
He added:
"Singapore’s success cannot be judged solely by our ranking on international tables or the success of our highest flyers.
As a society, we must judge ourselves by how we care for those in need.
Together, we should ensure that the last are not left behind, the lost have a guiding hand, and the least are the first in our considerations as a democratic society. In difficult times, we, the citizens of Singapore, must stand together as one united people. We are all Singaporeans. This is our home. This is where we have roots. We are Singaporeans first, regardless of race, language, religion, or political affiliation.
We seek happiness, prosperity and progress for all Singaporeans.
I promise you I will make our Singapore pledge ring true.”
A HARD FIGHT
Narrow victory: The Presidential Election was an extremely close race. Dr Tony Tan had the most votes: 35.2% of around 2.1 million valid votes. He beat Dr Tan Cheng Bock (34.8%), Mr Tan Jee Say (25%) and Mr Tan Kin Lian (4.9%). Dr Tony Tan thanked them for giving Singaporeans a choice.
Big job: The election was hotly contested because the President has a big job. He has to keep an eye on the work of the Prime Minister and his Government. If the Government wants to use the country’s savings that were kept aside before the previous General Election, the President must first approve the plan. This is because such savings, which are called past reserves, are meant only for emergencies and shouldn’t be wasted. The President must also check that the Government isn’t putting the wrong people in charge of important organisations such as the HDB and the SAF.
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SINGAPORE’S 7th PRESIDENT Birthday: February 7, 1940. That makes Dr Tan 71 years old. Family: Married to Mdm Mary Chee. They have four children. Studies: St Patrick’s School and St Joseph’s Institution. He is called “Doctor” because he has a PhD in Mathematics. Jobs: He began his career as a maths professor at the University of Singapore. He was elected as a Member of Parliament in 1979. During his 26 years in politics, he headed five ministries: Education, Trade and Industry, Health, Finance, and Defence. He was also a Deputy Prime Minister. |
President:
Why elections?
Why elections?
