As a “non-government-endorsed candidate”, presidential hopeful Ng Kok Song has been turned down by some organisations he had approached to visit as part of his community engagement efforts.

Ng, 75, said this in response to a question from the media during a visit to Seah Im Food Centre on Sunday (Aug 13).

“There’s a difference between being a government-endorsed candidate – you know who I’m referring to – and a candidate like myself, independent. Me, Mr George Goh, Mr Tan Kin Lian,” he added.

Apart from Ng, who was previously chief investment officer of GIC, the other three presidential hopefuls are former senior minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam; Goh, an entrepreneur; and Tan, the former chief executive of NTUC Income.

Besides getting turned down by some organisations, Ng said: “When you’re a government-endorsed candidate, you will see VIP treatment. When you are not... you’ll get NIP treatment. What is NIP? Not important.

“That’s the reality because business organisations, even civic organisations, they do not want to offend the government.”

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But thankfully, the playing field is levelled when he goes to hawker centres and wet markets, Ng said, adding: “I’m so encouraged by the reception that I get from ordinary people.”

Ng, who was in public service for 45 years and held posts in GIC and the Monetary Authority of Singapore, again stressed the difference between being in the establishment and the political leadership.

“It was not right to say every person who serves in the public service is affiliated to the ruling party,” he said, in response to comments made by Tan on Saturday. Tan had said that if Goh and himself are both found to be eligible to run for president, one of them should step down and support the other candidate to “avoid splitting the non-establishment vote”.

Tan also said that he decided to contest to offer Singaporeans a chance to vote for someone who is independent of the ruling government.

Ng on Sunday also visited the Huang Clan Association, where he participated in a dialogue with clan members.

Speaking to the media after the dialogue, he said safeguarding Singapore’s reserves is “not a simple matter”, and that other presidential candidates will have to prove they have a sufficient grasp of the responsibilities involved.

“We mustn’t assume that it’s an easy thing. And that is why the criteria have been set such that whoever wants to be the president must be competent. And secondly, that person must be trustworthy in terms of character,” he said.

“Because of my experience having worked 45 years in helping to build up the reserves, I understand the intricacies of the reserves. For that matter, I think Mr Tharman also understands. But it is something which I think other candidates will have to prove.”

Ng was asked during the dialogue what his competitive advantage was over the other three candidates.

Responding, he cited his independence from the ruling party, his familiarity with the reserves and that he understood what it was like to be poor, having had to work to support his family when he was in university.

“So, the other candidates, Mr George Goh is a businessman, and Mr Tharman comes from a professional background. Nothing we can do about that, that’s the way we are. I feel that because of my background, I can empathise with the people of Singapore.”

Asked at Seah Im Food Centre on Sunday what he thought about the Elections Department (ELD) discouraging in-person rallies, Ng said the ELD has good reasons for doing so, and that he would explore the possibility of holding an online rally to explain to the public his views and reasons for standing in the election.

He also said he hopes to reach out to young people by encouraging them to be financially literate and to pursue entrepreneurship.

“A habit of saving gives you financial security and gives you more freedom in life. For example, if you have a job where you cannot tolerate the boss, you can quit and live on your savings or accept a lower-paying job,” he said.

And when starting a business, young people should be willing to put money into it, and not rely on loans from others, he added.

Ng said: “You want people to support you in your enterprise, but how much are you willing to put in yourself?”

He added: “These are things that we can help our young people to develop. It will give them more confidence and prepare them for the future so that they can exploit opportunities that lie ahead of us.”

Mr Ng was accompanied by his fiancee Sybil Lau at the food centre, where he spoke with stallholders and residents. Ms Lau sits on several boards, including SG Enable, a registered charity for persons with disabilities.

On how his relationship with Lau, 45, has changed since he launched his bid for the presidency, Ng said: “I don’t think it will be possible for someone to go into such an arduous campaign without the support of their wife or their partner.

“I’m so happy Sybil understands my reasons why I’m standing for the presidency, that I want to serve the people of Singapore and therefore, she wants to support me in this campaign at some sacrifice to her privacy. But we’re prepared to make that sacrifice in order for me to serve the people of Singapore.” THE STRAITS TIMES