The trouble is not that the President is dumb, but the President shoots from his asshole. No prizes for the candidate I think talks with the Voices from the Peoples' Asses.
Aug 6, 2011
Constitution 'doesn't say President must be dumb'
By Tessa Wong
Mr Tan Kin Lian, 63, former chief executive, NTUC Income who will be contesting in the upcoming Presidential Election to be held on 27 August 2011. -- ST PHOTO: SAMUEL HE
PRESIDENTIAL hopeful Mr Tan Kin Lian said on Saturday that he has looked at the Constitution and has not found the requirement that 'the President must be dumb' and cannot speak out.
He was responding to remarks made by Law Minister Mr K Shanmugam at a forum on Friday on the roles and responsibilities of the President.
Mr Tan said that he agreed with Mr Shanmugam that the duties of the President should be those stated in the Constitution. He said if elected he would abide and carry out those duties.
However, he said, he did not agree with Mr Shanmugam's views 'that the President cannot speak on anything else without the approval of the Government', saying that the Law Minister's interpretation of the laws on this issue was 'too narrow'.
'It seems the President has less freedom of speech than ordinary citizens,' said Mr Tan.
He was addressing supporters on Saturday morning at his campaign headquarters at Anson Road, in a meeting open to media coverage. The event also saw the launch of his campaign slogan, 'Voice of The People'.
