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Mr Ng is the former chief investment officer of GIC, Singapore’s sovereign fund. During his interaction with patrons at Amoy Street Food Centre, some introduced themselves as current GIC staff.
His fiancee Sybil Lau, 45, told CNA that they often patronised the hawker centre themselves – especially Mr Ng when he was still with GIC.
Mr Ng spent 45 years in the public service before retiring in 2013 and starting his own investment firm, Avanda Investment Management.
YOUNG PEOPLE “CRUCIAL” TO CAMPAIGN
The last contested Presidential Election took place in 2011, which means those in the 21 to 33 age group will be first-time PE voters.
For this reason, this particular demographic is crucial to his campaign, said Mr Ng, adding that young people will “begin to learn what is the meaning of the Presidential Election”.
“It’s not just a voting thing. It’s an educational process which will benefit the future governance of Singapore,” he said.
Mr Ng said that from his walkabouts so far, the main concern of young voters is their future – specifically, employment opportunities.
He listed three things that would “inspire hope and confidence in our younger generation”: The government stepping in to help; young Singaporeans helping themselves by working hard and persevering; and learning financial literacy.
Mr Ng also addressed earlier comments from fellow candidate Tan Kin Lian that he would use the so-called “soft power” of the presidency to influence policies.
“I think for soft power to be exercised, the soft power must have some expertise and some credibility,” said Mr Ng.
“Secondly, that soft power has got to be exercised within closed doors because it’s not the responsibility of the President to make policies. It is not the business of the President to make trouble for the government, so any advice I have to give as President should be exercised gently and behind closed doors.”
Separately, when asked if he had any potential appointees in mind for the Council of Presidential Advisers should he be elected, Mr Ng said he had “two or three names” but declined to say who they were.
The President must consult the council before he or she exercises his or her discretionary powers on fiscal matters related to Singapore’s past reserves and the appointment of key public office holders.
The council comprises eight members and two alternate members. Three members are appointed by the President at the President’s discretion.
Mr Ng added: “I do not want to announce them because I need to take into account the advice of the Council of Presidential Advisers, so it’s a premature question for me to answer.”