Ong Teng Cheong, the first popularly elected President of Singapore
In January 1991, the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore was amended to provide for the popular election of the President. The creation of the elected presidency was a major constitutional and political change in Singapore’s history as, under the revision, the President is empowered to veto the use of government reserves and appointments to key civil service appointments. He or she can also examine the administration’s enforcement of the Internal Security Act and Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act and authorize corruption investigations.
Prior to the Constitutional amendment, the Government of Singapore released a white paper on the Elected Presidency in 1988, followed by a televised debate on the matter at hand. The People’s Action Party was represented by Lee Hsien Loong and Goh Chok Tong, while the Opposition was represented by JB Jeyaretnam (Workers’ Party) and Chiam See Tong (Singapore People’s Party).
Read also: The transcript of the Debate transcribed by Nathaniel Koh of the Workers’ Party.
Btw these are excerpts. I don’t think they constitute the entire debate. I estimate approximately 15 minutes is missing.
All the way PAP (GCT & LHL)!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!