I was asked by a former grassroot leader whether i will be at the NDP 2014, and l told him no. He was surprised. l told him l was not invited as l believe a new policy change have excluded some people including myself.
He called me a few days later to offer me 4 tickets.I knew he must have taken a lot of trouble getting those tickets.l was very touched by his good gesture but l told him while l appreciate much l had to decline.It was too much a sacrifice on his part.I said "Thank you Mr. C S Wong,please bring your family and friends instead".l will watch on TV.
This will be the first time since 1981 that l will not be there to watch the NDP live display.
However l will be meeting friends at former MP Maidin's house to celebrate National Day, Hari Raya and to see his first grand-daughter.
Let us all, Citizens and new Citizens of all races celebrate our National Day as one big family.
Majullah Singapura.
Dr Tan Cheng Bock
*Comment first appeared on https://www.facebook.com/TanChengBock
About Dr Tan Cheng Bock:
Dr. Tan Cheng Bock is a Singaporean politician and medical practitioner. He was formerly a member of Singapore's governing People's Action Party (PAP) and a Member of Parliament from 1980 to 2006. He was the first non-Cabinet minister elected into the PAP Central Executive Committee (1987–96). He stood for the 2011 presidential election and won the second highest number of votes at 34.85% among all four candidates, losing marginally to the winner Tony Tan.
Dr Tan was the first and only PAP member that actually voted against his own party despite the Whip not lifted (a first in the history of Singapore politics) regarding the NMP scheme, on grounds that MPs had to be elected by the people and be accountable to an electorate for their views. He received a warning for his action.
In 1999, when Singapore was recovering from the 1997 Asian financial crisis, and experiencing yet labour talent shortages in several key sectors, the PAP pushed for a stronger intake of foreign talent to fill the ranks. Although not against this rationale, Tan argued that the Singapore government should tone down its calls for the recruitment of foreign talent and reassure Singaporeans that they came first, which earned him strong rebuttals, including one from former Minister of Trade and Industry George Yeo and a stern rebuke from then Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew.
In 1985, he made in Parliament about "no more blank cheque" for the ruling party which he revisited on his blog in May 2011.