Former Deputy Prime Minister Dr Tony Tan said that, should he be voted in as president, his experience will help the government.
He noted that the Singapore government should enact contingency plans in case the current economic situation plaguing Europe and the United States turns into a full-blown global crisis.
If another economic spiral should happen, it would be “’very sudden, very widespread and very destructive,” said the 71-year-old presidential hopeful, after a closed-door meeting with members of the Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
Dr Tan, who received a certificate of eligibility for the presidential election to be held on 27 August, commented that Singapore should be prepared for developments while ensuring employment for as many citizens as possible.
If the recent unrest in England were to happen in Singapore, it would be catastrophic, said Dr Tan.
“We should be ready, be prepared, have contingency plans,” said Dr Tan, who recently resigned as Deputy Chairman of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) and as Chairman of Singapore Press Holdings in July in light of his presidential bid.
“This is where, as president, if I am elected, I would have the experience and background because of my work at GIC and in the private sector, to be able to help and work with the government, all political parties and civil societies, in this national effort to help Singapore get through this crisis.”
“I think I have the temperament not to panic because you need a steady hand in these difficult times,” he said, adding that the island-nation’s golden days are still ahead of it.
The Union of Security Employees and six other trade unions representing approximately 38,000 members from the chemical, energy, oil and petrochemical sector were the first unions to openly announce their endorsement of Dr Tan for president.
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