He shared that he had questioned himself about his motivations, which he distilled down to three reasons.
One of which is to ensure that people have a chance to exercise their right to vote.
Given how Mr Tharman would automatically qualify as a presidential candidate with his ministerial background and the stringent criteria in place to determine the eligibility of other hopefuls, he was worried about a walkover which would “make a mockery of the elected presidency”.
“I felt that I have the credentials to qualify … and therefore if I stand for election, there will be an election,” Mr Ng said.
He also sees the need to safeguard the reserves and set an example to encourage younger Singaporeans to step forward for the country. The latter will be critical in ensuring the quality of leadership, be it in the government, opposition or public service, he said.
“I have to cross examine myself, ‘Kok Song, why are you doing this? Are you doing this for power? Are you doing this for glory? Are you doing this for money?’
“I don’t need more power at the age of 75. I don’t need glory,” he said. “Money? In fact, if I win, there will be a huge financial penalty for me because I have to give up all my business interests.”
This understanding that he is throwing his hat into the ring “not for gold or glory” has given him “a lot of peace”, Mr Ng said. Even if he loses, he will not have any regret – a principle that he has lived his life by.
“Supposing I do not win, I would have done my part. I’d have facilitated, you might say, an election to take place so that the people of Singapore (can) exercise their right to choose,” he said.
“I don’t want to live my life with regret. Let’s say in six years’ time, something happens in Singapore and I look back and say, ‘Kok Song, you could have done something about it. You didn’t’,” he told CNA.