Tony Tan runs as independent presidential candidate
Former deputy prime minister Dr Tony Tan, 71, collected forms for the presidential election from the Elections Department on Thursday morning, ending speculation over his possible candidacy.
He also said that he will run as an independent candidate, reported The Straits Times.
The deputy chairman and executive director of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation and chairman of Singapore Press Holdings did not rule out running for president earlier this month.
He said that like all Singaporeans, he was watching the political climate closely and that Singaporean's next President would hold office during a period of "enormous change".
| Tony Tan runs as independent presidential candidate Click on thumbnail to view (Photos: ST & AFP) |
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Dr Tan is seen as a heavyweight in the presidential election and would by far be the strongest candidate if he decides to contest, said political observer Dr Reuben Wong in a report in The New Paper.
Before retiring from politics in 2006, Dr Tan held key Cabinet portfolios such as Finance, Education and Defence.
Two former PAP members, Tan Cheng Bock, 71, and former NTUC Income chief executive Tan Kin Lian, 63, have also announced their candidacies.
It is not known if President S R Nathan, 86, who returned unopposed in the past two presidential elections, will run for a third term.
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