Tan Cheng Bock makes second run for presidency

Singapore

TAN Cheng Bock - the man who came within a whisker of becoming Singapore's President in 2011 - wants a second shot at the highest office of the land.

The former People's Action Party (PAP) member of parliament (MP), who turns 76 in April, officially declared his intent to contest the next polls, which must be held by August 2017.

The medical doctor and grandfather of six made the official announcement at a press conference on Friday, which was attended by his wife, two children, and dozens of supporters.

Dr Tan narrowly lost to the eventual winner, Tony Tan Keng Yam, by 7,382 votes - or 0.35 percentage point - in a four-way contest back in 2011.

This time, he wants to make use of the much-longer lead time to prepare well, comb the ground and reach…