25-08-2023, 10:41 AM
https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/pe...ox-2238811
One way to create change is to first test potential solutions on a smaller scale, he said. If it works, then the solution can be expanded. If it does not, one need not worry as the failure would become a learning experience.
“I've gone through many times in my life where the things I want to do fail at first. But that's no problem, because you can try again.”
Mr Tan's unsuccessful bid for the presidency in 2011 is one such example. He received the lowest vote share among the four candidates, of 4.9 per cent, and lost his deposit of S$48,000.
When TODAY asked him about the disparaging comments his family received back then and whether he fears it would happen again, he shifted his posture slightly before responding in an audibly hushed tone.
"They said harmful things, insulting things to me and also to my family. For me, I'm able to handle this. But for my family, they think that I should not take part in the contest because this problem will come back," he said.
By submitting his nomination papers on Tuesday, he acknowledged that has not heeded their suggestions.
But he reiterated, as he does on his daily walkabouts, that his current attempt at the presidency is borne out of a desire to give Singaporeans the option of voting for an "independent" candidate, and that he is confident he will not fail this time around.
It is with this mindset of perseverance, he said, that he plans to implement another one of his ideas if elected: To open up the Istana grounds on Saturday mornings for people to cycle in.
"Of course it's subject to security and other practical arrangements but I believe it can be done. If it really is creating more trouble than not, we can always stop it, but we can give it a try."
One way to create change is to first test potential solutions on a smaller scale, he said. If it works, then the solution can be expanded. If it does not, one need not worry as the failure would become a learning experience.
“I've gone through many times in my life where the things I want to do fail at first. But that's no problem, because you can try again.”
Mr Tan's unsuccessful bid for the presidency in 2011 is one such example. He received the lowest vote share among the four candidates, of 4.9 per cent, and lost his deposit of S$48,000.
When TODAY asked him about the disparaging comments his family received back then and whether he fears it would happen again, he shifted his posture slightly before responding in an audibly hushed tone.
"They said harmful things, insulting things to me and also to my family. For me, I'm able to handle this. But for my family, they think that I should not take part in the contest because this problem will come back," he said.
By submitting his nomination papers on Tuesday, he acknowledged that has not heeded their suggestions.
But he reiterated, as he does on his daily walkabouts, that his current attempt at the presidency is borne out of a desire to give Singaporeans the option of voting for an "independent" candidate, and that he is confident he will not fail this time around.
It is with this mindset of perseverance, he said, that he plans to implement another one of his ideas if elected: To open up the Istana grounds on Saturday mornings for people to cycle in.
"Of course it's subject to security and other practical arrangements but I believe it can be done. If it really is creating more trouble than not, we can always stop it, but we can give it a try."