SINGAPORE’S presidential candidates shared their plans if elected and made their pitch to voters in a televised forum by CNA on Monday (Aug 28), the seventh day of campaigning in the lead-up to the Sep 1 election.

For the first time since hitting the election trail, all three presidential hopefuls were gathered in the same place, and took turns to field the same questions.

Asked what makes him the most qualified candidate, former GIC investment chief Ng Kok Song highlighted his competence and experience in dealing with matters related to the reserves; his non-partisan status; and being “a person of trust and responsibility”.

Former senior minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam countered that while his opponents have “distinct strengths and reputations”, “none of them brings the breadth and depth of experience” that he has.

“Put quite simply, I know the whole system of safeguarding and using reserves inside out,” he added.

Former NTUC Income chief executive Tan Kin Lian spoke of his experience in building the insurer into a multi-billion-dollar outfit, and appointing people into the top levels of management.

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Noting that all three were linked to the establishment, ruling party or opposition, CNA’s Otelli Edwards asked how they would convince voters that they are not politicising the election.

Ng said he has no political affiliations. “If you have candidates who are supported or endorsed by any political party, there’s a danger that the president cannot act without fear or favour,” he said.

But Tan and Tharman rejected that framing. Tan said that the focus should be on the issues and not affiliation. “I do not believe in politicking because it’s taking away time that should be going into understanding the problem and solving the problem.”

Tharman said: “If we go with the label of whether you have been a member of a political party or not, I think that’s extremely simplistic.” By that yardstick, past presidents such as Ong Teng Cheong and Dr Tony Tan – as well as former presidential hopeful Tan Cheng Bock – would have been ruled out, he added.

The candidates were also asked how they would fulfil the president’s roles, from safeguarding the reserves to meeting international leaders and acting as a unifying figure.

Ng said that before approving the use of the past reserves, he would ask the government if it has “exhausted the possibility of raising revenues from other areas”.

On national unity, Tan said it was important that people feel financially secure and hopeful. Noting that divisions intensify when people are anxious, he said: “We should therefore be willing to look into the real issues that are making people worried.”

In their closing remarks, the candidates made final appeals to voters. Tan said that, if elected, he would convey the concerns of Singaporeans – from competition for jobs to the high cost of living – to the government.

Ng asked voters to examine his motives in running, stressing that he was not driven by the desire for money, power or fame.

Finally, Tharman asked Singaporeans to vote for him “as a vote for an optimistic future”.

Prior to the forum on Monday night, Ng visited Ayer Rajah Food Centre and Lau Pa Sat. Tan had walkabouts planned this week, but has cancelled them to focus on distributing campaign flyers at heartland areas and MRT stations instead, said his media team.