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Govt rejects suggestion of reverting to system of appointed President

SINGAPORE — A custodial President democratically elected in a national election “remains the most workable and effective solution for Singapore for present”, the Government said in its White Paper on the review of the Elected Presidency (EP).

President Tony Tan speaks at the opening of the 13th Parliament of Singapore on Jan 15, 2016. TODAY file photo

President Tony Tan speaks at the opening of the 13th Parliament of Singapore on Jan 15, 2016. TODAY file photo

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SINGAPORE — A custodial President democratically elected in a national election “remains the most workable and effective solution for Singapore for present”, the Government said in its White Paper on the review of the Elected Presidency (EP).

Signalling that there was no going back to the old system where Parliament appoints the Head of State, the document added: “Whether the Government makes decisions with the President’s concurrence, the President vetoes the Government’s decision, or Parliament overrides the President’s veto, it is always an elected institution that represents Singaporeans in making important decisions relating to our financial reserves and the integrity of the public service.” 

The Constitutional Commission reviewing the EP, which released its report last week, had suggested reverting to the system of appointing Presidents. 

The Government rejected this recommendation for a few reasons. A President who is elected, with direct mandate from Singaporeans, would ensure that the Office has the “moral authority and mandate” to veto an elected Government. 

It is important that the elected candidate “is not just able to disagree with the elected Government in the identified areas, but that he is seen as legitimately doing so”, the White Paper said.

The commission had suggested in its report that the President’s symbolic and custodial roles be unbundled, noting there is some tension between these two roles. The former requires that he be non-partisan and unify the nation, while the latter potentially requires him to confront the Government of the day — a task that is somewhat at odds with the role of a unifier, it noted.

The custodial function over the nation’s fiscal reserves and key public service could be performed by an appointed body of experts, the commission suggested.

However, the Government noted that in this recommendation, the body of experts would be able only to force a debate on its objection and not be able to veto the Government’s initiatives, as it lacks the “democratic mandate”.

“This could impair the efficacy and rigour of the ‘second key’,” it said in the White Paper. 

The second key refers to the two-key safeguard mechanism that would be created for the Elected Presidency to act as a check on the Government. This safeguard was mentioned in the first White Paper tabled in Parliament in 1988: The Prime Minister and Cabinet will possess one key and will take the initiative. For their decision to be valid, the second key must be used; namely, the President must concur.

As for the potential tension between the two roles, the Government pointed out that all the elected Presidents have so far been able to perform these roles “with distinction”, while it acknowledges that there will be inherent tension between the electoral process and the unifying function of the President.

“All Presidential candidates must aspire towards playing both roles well — developing rapport with Singaporeans and representing our nation with dignity on the one hand, while simultaneously demonstrating the technical competence and expertise required for his custodial function on the other,” the White Paper stated.

The Government believes that the tension can be mitigated, and the risk of Presidential Elections being politicised can be dealt with through the rules governing election campaigns.

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elected presidency Politics government

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