Responding to questions from reporters at the nomination centre, Mr Tan reiterated that the social media posts under scrutiny were uploaded and viewed by “more than 100,000” people over a period of 10 years.
“During that time, I don’t have any objection,” he said. “Suddenly, somebody … said ‘I feel uncomfortable’. But there are more than 100,000 people who watch the posts over 10 years. Why do you feel uncomfortable now?
“Initially, I thought that it is someone who just want to create problems for me … Later on, I realise that it is a concerted effort to smear me,” said the 75-year-old, who was accompanied by his wife.
He added that there is a group of “malicious” people out to “attack and criticise” him on social media, and he thinks they are “most likely coming from (his) competitors”.
Mr Tan said he spoke to Mr Tharman on Tuesday.
“(Mr Tharman) asked to speak to me, and Mr Tharman was quite gracious. He assured me that they are not from his team,” he told reporters.
Mr Tharman said separately that he had “nothing to do with it”, and that it “goes against everything” he represents.
Mr Tan added that he does not think the “malicious” comments have anything to do with his other opponent, Mr Ng.
“I have been the subject of smears for more than 10 years. Mr Ng was not around and these smears, of course, come from one political party,” he added.
The presidential candidate also said that he wanted to reach out to AWARE.
“I wanted to write to AWARE – ‘Please tell me what exactly do you find offensive’ – but I got no way to reach out to them.”