“I think PEC has a big job as there are two candidates currently who will go through the deliberative track,” said Mr Goh, referring to Mr Ng and himself.
Mr Ng’s application falls under the public sector deliberative track. This track is for those who claim to have experience and ability comparable to that of those who automatically qualify, and can effectively carry out the functions and duties of the President.
Mg Goh, the founder of Harvey Norman Ossia, said that having candidates from both the public and private sector is “healthy” and shows that Singapore is progressing.
“This shows that people want change, we can’t continue the system of having (candidates from only) one sector alone,” he said.
Mr Goh added that the country should welcome candidates who are qualified, regardless of whether they are from the public or private sector.
Addressing Mr Ng’s comments that if he becomes President, Singapore can have the “best of three worlds”, Mr Goh said that he will leave it to Singaporeans to make their choices.
“I trust the people … They know what’s going on at the moment and they know what they want. I think they know which candidates are suitable for the current situation,” he said.
On how he views his chances based on interactions with people so far, Mr Goh said: “For me, I want to put 100 per cent of my effort to understand my people.”
He added that he wants people to know him.
“So I will do my best to explain who I am and why I am standing for the election,” he said.
This article was originally published in TODAY.