POLITICAL impartiality and Singapore’s future challenges remained major themes on the last day of campaigning for the Sep 1 presidential election, as candidates made their second and final televised broadcasts on Aug 30 (Wednesday), before the cooling-off period began.

Political independence was a common thread in the speeches, addressed by all three candidates.

Former GIC investment head Ng Kok Song repeated his message that Singapore needs a president who is “not biased towards any political party”.

Of his competitors, he said: “One candidate resigned a month ago from the government and from the ruling party to stand for president. The second candidate has opposition leaders in his campaigning.”

He noted that the Constitution intends for the president to be above partisan politics, yet all elected presidents have been affiliated with, or endorsed by, the government: “Our system has complied with the letter but not the spirit.”

Having a non-partisan president is urgent because the risks have increased, he added.

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“In the coming years, there will be more reasons and more crises to draw heavily on our reserves,” he said. “We cannot rely on an ‘ownself check ownself’ mechanism to safeguard our reserves or the integrity of the public service.”

Noting three walkovers in the last five presidential elections, Ng said: “While the bar to qualify for presidency is high, I believe the real reason is the perception that, unless you are endorsed by the government or strongly supported by opposition leaders, you have no chance to get elected.

“I am standing in this election to set an example for more Singaporeans to do the same in the coming years.”

In his candidate broadcast, former senior minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam said that his motive has “never been politically partisan”, but to shape policy for a fairer and more inclusive society.

He said he “played an active role in the shift in government policies” to increase support for the disadvantaged, improve lower-income workers’ job quality and pay, and improve retirement security. “If I am a partisan, it is that I am a partisan for better chances and better support for Singaporeans who have less.”

Tharman stressed that in a world of growing risk and uncertainty, the demands on the presidency have grown. He gave a recap of his “breadth and depth of experience”, including on the international stage.

In their campaigns, Ng and the third presidential candidate, Tan Kin Lian, alluded to their investment abilities when discussing the president’s role in safeguarding the reserves. But Tharman reminded voters: “The elected president has no decision-making power on the investment of reserves, and in fact plays no role in investment strategies.”

Instead, the president’s role is to prevent their misuse. This “requires making careful judgements on the use of the reserves to support national responses to major crises”, he said, arguing that he has experience in this from his time in government.

A vote for him would be a vote for a future of stability – where “every generation can feel fortunate” to be Singaporean – and one of unity and deeper solidarity, said Tharman.

Former NTUC Income head Tan said that if elected, he would “act independently” of the government, convey citizens’ views to it, and help find ways to improve Singaporeans’ lives.

Having previously been criticised for expressing views on government policy, Tan said in his broadcast that he was aware the president lacks such executive authority.

“However, I believe it is possible to achieve these goals by using the soft influence and prestige of the president’s office,” he added.

“I hope to work in collaboration with the government to achieve our common goals for the benefit of Singapore.” Specific concerns include the cost of living, and how young people are putting off marriage due to housing costs and difficulties in obtaining secure, well-paying jobs.

Tan said that the president “must not be afraid to exercise independent thinking”, recalling how he previously raised questions on behalf of investors who lost their savings through investing in bad financial instruments.

“It takes courage, tenacity and resilience to ask these difficult questions and make people accountable for their actions,” he said.

As for past remarks which have drawn flak, Tan apologised “to all those who have found any of what I have said in the past upsetting or inappropriate”, and said he would be “more mindful” in the future.

In a Facebook post that morning, Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) secretary-general Chee Soon Juan was the latest opposition leader to endorse Tan. Chee said that while he was “not enthusiastic” about the candidates, Tan represents the hope of starting “to pry open… the (People’s Action Party’s) suffocating grip on our country”.

Other opposition veterans who have backed Tan, in their personal capacities, include former presidential candidates Tan Cheng Bock – chairman of the Progress Singapore Party – and Tan Jee Say, a member of the SDP.

In contrast, the Workers’ Party reiterated on Wednesday that it “has consistently voiced its objection to, and called for the abolishment” of the elected presidency, in favour of a ceremonial role.

“The Workers’ Party does not endorse any presidential candidate, nor does it call upon its members or volunteers to assist them in any official capacity,” it said on Facebook.

The broadcast was the last major campaign activity for candidates, with the cooling-off period beginning that night. From midnight on Aug 31 until the polls close at 8 pm on Sep 1, no campaigning or election advertising is allowed.

When going to polling stations, voters should refrain from wearing clothing or carrying items with images that “may be construed as influencing other voters or canvassing support”, lest they be turned away, the Elections Department said on Wednesday.

This includes prints or items that look like the candidates’ symbols: an open hand with a heart in its palm for Ng; a pineapple for Tharman; and four persons holding up a flower for Tan.