Tony Tan will be unifying figure if elected: PM
Lee
By Satish Cheney | Posted: 25
June 2011 1854 hrs
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PM Lee Hsien Loong
SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he
has no doubt that former deputy prime minister Dr Tony Tan will be
a unifying figure for all citizens and will bring honour and credit
to Singapore if he is elected as Singapore's next president.
Mr Lee said this on Saturday in response to questions from the
media on how he sees Dr Tan as a candidate. Dr Tan had announced on
Thursday that he would be running for president.
In response to a question on whether Dr Tan had informed him of his
decision, Mr Lee replied that Dr Tan had informed him, as Chairman
of the Government Investment Corporation (GIC), that he would be
resigning from GIC to contest the Presidential Election as an
independent candidate.
Mr Lee said Dr Tan did not need his permission, nor did he ask for
it.
To a question on how he sees the upcoming Presidential Election, Mr
Lee replied that the president is a key person in Singapore's
system of government.
Mr Lee said that as Head of State, the president represents the
country and all Singaporeans. He also has important constitutional
functions, especially through his custodial powers over reserves
and key appointments.
Mr Lee added that the president must carry himself with dignity and
discharge his duties with judgement and integrity.
-CNA/ac
