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Dr. Tan Cheng Bock (simplified Chinese: 陈清木; traditional Chinese: 陳清木; pinyin: Chén Qīngmù; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Tân Chheng-bo̍k; born 26 April 1940) is a politician and medical doctor from Singapore. Tan was a People's Action Party (PAP) Member of Parliament in Singapore politics for 26 years (1980-2006) and the first non cabinet minister elected into the People's Action Party Central Executive Committee (1987-96).

Early Life

Tan was educated at Radin Mas Primary School and Raffles Institution, before going on to study at the University of Singapore where he qualified as a doctor in 1968.

Political Career

Tan was elected the Member of Parliament for Ayer Rajah at the 1980 general election (83% majority). He was re-elected five times in 1984 (75%), 1988 (70%), 1991 (75%), 1997 (73%) and 2001 (88%), winning by an average majority of 77%.^[1][2] His 88% share of the vote in the 2001 parliamentary elections was the PAP’s best score in 31 years.

While in Parliament, he served as the Chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committees (GPCs) for Education (1987–90), National Development (1991–95) and the Environment (1995–97), and was the Co-ordinating Chairman for all GPCs from 1987-88. He was also a member of the GPCs for Communications (1997–2000) and Defence & Foreign Affairs (2001–06). Tan was the Leader of the Singapore-European Parliamentary Group between 1991 - 1996 and Singapore-SEA Parliamentary Group between 1997 - 2006. From 1987 - 1996, he was an elected member of the PAP Central Executive Committee^[2], the highest ruling committee within the PAP. Tan stepped down as a Member of Parliament at the 2006 general election. He also served as Chairman of the Jurong East Town Council from 1989–91, Chairman of the West Coast-Ayer Rajah Town Council from 2001–04, Chairman of the Bukit Timah Community Development Council from 1997–2000, and Chairman of the Feedback Unit at the Ministry of Community Development from 1985-89.

Presidential Elections

In June 2011, Tan announced that he was running for the position of President of Singapore in the 2011 presidential election. He noted that he had to resign from the People's Action Party in order to be able to stand for the Presidental election (as members of political parties are barred from running for the office of President). He resigned from the party early May 2011.^[3][4] On 22 July 2011, Tan submitted the presidency forms. ^[5]

CPF for Tertiary Education

In 1988, Tan Cheng Bock, as GPC Chairman for Education, led a team of MPs to argue for the use of CPF for education, as an appreciable number of able students were not able to enter local universities due to limited places. Tan felt that education was a form of investment, and that all his GPC was asking for was an extra option for CPF members, to let them decide whether to put their investible savings in stocks and shares or in education. Chief argument against the idea was that the use of such retirement savings may leave the account holder with an insufficient amount at the end of his working life. The Minister for Labour at that time, Lee Yock Suan said that there were alternatives available such as soft loan schemes which were interest free. In answer to Tan's claim that Lee had not clearly stated his position on the issue despite the idea being first mentioned years ago, Lee insisted that his position had always been plain, that he "was against it, but you have pressed me to study it and I shall"^[6]

The GPC proposed the following guidelines on the use of CPF for Education:

• Only CPF account holders or their children will be eligible to use CPF money to pay for tertiary education.

• CPF savings should be used to pay for tuition fees only and not for living and transport expenses

• The account holder or his child must sign an undertaking with the CPF Board to pay back the amount borrowed for education with interest pegged to the CPF rate. Repayment can be made when the graduate gets a job and it can be done either through deductions from his CPF account or through direct payments

• Preference will be given to courses at tertiary institutions in Singapore. Only those who cannot get a place will be allowed to use CPF funds for studies abroad.

• To ensure high academic standards, the Government should draw up a list of accredited institutions and approved courses for those who wish to study overseas

The GPC proposal was eventually implemented, paving the way for the beginnings of a wave of Singaporean students studying at overseas universities. ^[7][8]

Free Parking

Tan also convinced the Ministry of National Development (MND) to let Singaporeans park their cars for free in HDB estates on Sundays and public holidays, to promote family togetherness.

Business Career

Current Appointments

Tan has been the Chairman of Chuan Hup Holdings Ltd since 1991 and Chairman of Dredging International Asia Pacific Pte Ltd since 1997.

Past Corporate Appointments

His past corporate appointments include

• ING Asia Private Bank (2008 - 09)
• M&C REIT Management Ltd (2006 - 10)
• M&C Business Trust Management Ltd (2006 - 10)
• Jurong Health Services (up to 2011)
• Jurong Medical Centre (up to 2011)
• Provisional MRT Transit Authority (1983)
• Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (1983 - 85)
• SMRT (1987 - 95)
• Land Transport Authority (1995 - 2005).

Medical Career

Tan has been the Medical Director of Ama Keng Medical Clinic in Jurong since 1971. He has served as the Chairman of the Society of Private Practice, as a Council Member of the College of General Practitioners, as Committee Member on the Council of the Singapore Medical Association, as Chairman of the SMA Trust Fund, as Board Member of SMA's Ethics Committee, as SMA's Representative on the Ministry of Health's Committee on the Regulation of Medical Clinics, and as a Part-time clinical teacher in General Practice at National University of Singapore

Awards and Decorations

Tan has been awarded numerous accolades from various Organisations such as the Sreenivasan Orator, Singapore Medical Association(SMA); Orator, Obstetrics & Gynaecology Society; Fellow, College of Family Practitioners; Honorary Member, Singapore Medical Association; Honorary Member, Republic of Singapore Yacht Club; Governor, Tower Club; Honoured – 100 Rafflesians (1823 – 2003).

Charity Organisations

Tan has been involved in the following Charity Organisations such as the Tsao Organisation (2000 – 2009), Centre for Third Age Ltd (2007 – 2011), Disabled People’s Association (1985 – 2006), Handicap Welfare Association (1986 – 2006) and the Credit Counselling Singapore (2002 - 2007).

Disagreement with the Ruling Government

A veteran backbencher in Singapore politics, well known for bring outspoken and frank, Tan Cheng Bock has crossed swords with his own party, the PAP, on a number of occasions regarding issues of conscience.

Nominated Member of Parliament Scheme

Tan Cheng Bock actually voted against his own party despite the Whip not lifted (a first in the history of Singapore politics) regarding the NMP scheme, on grounds that MPs had to be elected by the people and be accountable to an electorate for their views. He received a warning for his action.

"Tough issues include issues of principle. And here another back bencher, Dr Tan Cheng Bock, who remains in the House, has shown the way forward. In the May sitting of parliament, Dr Tan was the only PAP MP to vote against a motion to continue the nominated MP scheme."

— Business Times – 28 July 1992

Think Singaporeans First

In 1999, the nation was recovering from the Asian Financial Crisis, yet experienced labour talent shortages in several key sectors, the PAP pushed for a stronger intake of foreign talent to fill the ranks. Although not against this rationale, Tan Cheng Bock argued that the Government should tone down its calls for the recruitment of foreign talent and reassure Singaporeans that they came first, which earned him strong rebuttals, and a stern rebuke from then Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew.

"Our message to Singaporeans must be clear and loud. We will take care of their basic needs. We will have schemes for our citizens to upgrade their skills training and education and they will get priority over others, including Permanent Residents. Now this is the more important priority call than foreign talent. I can understand the rationale and need to inject such talent into our society. But many still don’t and especially in this time, such a call makes them feel threatened, bearing in mind that a good number of jobs are lost from the middle management level. I feel that at this juncture, this call for foreign talent might be a bit misplaced. Let’s think Singaporeans first."

— Tan Cheng Bock, Parliamentary Debates 1999

BG George Yeo retorted,

"So precisely at a time like this, when we need many foreigners to help us take our economy to the next phase, we must not send the wrong signal... such an emotional line of attack would do great disservice to Singapore and to ourselves in the long term."

— BG George Yeo, 12 Mar 1999, The Straits Times

Dr. Tan Cheng Bock replied,

"I'm surprised that the minister chose to misinterpret my call for the toning down of the foreign talent message as a call against foreign talent. In this crisis, charity begins at home. Did I ask that we sack them and replace their jobs with Singaporeans? No. All that I ask is for the government to play down the message in this crisis. Is it wrong to ask that Singaporeans should take priority on the Government's plans to tackle the economic crisis? The minister is worried that I'm sending the wrong message to foreigners. I think we should be worried that we send the wrong message to Singaporeans."

— Dr Tan Cheng Bock, 13 Mar 1999, The Straits Times

SM Lee Kuan Yew then said,

"So, when I heard Dr Tan Cheng Bock, I decided I would stand up and tell him he’s wrong… you have to decide whether you think he knows more or I know more. You have to decide whether he will give you the answer to Singapore’s future — or that I am likely to give you the better road to the future.

— Lee Kuan Yew, Parliamentary Debates 1999

No Blank Cheque

Tan recently brought up a 1985 speech he made in Parliament about "no more blank cheque" for the ruling party.^[9][10]

Controversy

Controversy erupted shortly after Tan declared his interest in the Presidency. It was revealed that in 1987, Dr Tan had publicly supported the Singaporean government's controversial Operation Spectrum while he was in parliament, which saw 22 young Roman Catholic church and social activists and professionals detained without trial.^[11][12] He reported to Parliament, in his capacity as Feedback Unit chief, that most Singaporeans had accepted the government’s and ISD’s reasons for the detention, he also reported that certain “solid citizens” were sceptical of the detention. On 4 June 2011, Tan's Facebook administrator cited that as posts on his page about the incident were running contrary to what law courts have ruled, the risk of being sued for defamation was open to both hosts of the site and people behind the posts alike, as such, "(they) are obliged to remove posts that run contrary to what the law courts have ruled."^[13]

Private Life

A Catholic, Tan is married to Lee Choon Lain and has one son and one daughter. He enjoys playing the Ukulele, gardening, golf and keeping koi.

References

External links

• www.tanchengbock.org

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