PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS 1999
Before outgoing President Ong Teng Cheong's term came to an end, he
held a press conference lambasting the PAP government for his
difficulty in carrying out his duties due to the uncooperativeness
of the civil service. At the same time, the latter annnounced that
they will not support him for another term, citing his poor health
as reasons. They opted for another candidate, an ethnic Indian, to
keep the Presidential seat rotated among different ethnic groups.
Three others, all Chinese, including DPP Chairman Tan Soo Phuan,
filed their nominations but did not qualify. The elections ended
without a contest and voting, prompting some political critics to
label the exercise a "Presidential (s)election".