PM Goh defends against criticism from President Ong

THE Singapore government defended itself Tuesday against criticism from President Ong Teng Cheong, saying it had not hindered the president from exercising his duties.

In parliament, Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong rejected remarks made by President Ong in a candid media interview last month, where he recounted the difficulties he faced in defining the scope of the presidency which was revamped eight years ago.

Goh said he sought to dispel perceptions the president's checks were regarded as a nuisance, or that information may have been withheld from him.

"I did not expect him (Ong) to cast doubts on the government, that it was unwilling or reluctant to give him full access to all information and documents for him to discharge his constitutional duties," Goh said.

The premier described his personal and working relationship with the president as "good," adding that when Ong took the post in 1993, they both acknowledged there would be "teething problems" as the new system of presidential safeguards was worked out.

"At no time did the government withhold information or cooperation from the president to show him any disrespect," Goh told parliament.

"My ministers and I treated all queries and requests of the president and the (council of presidential advisers) seriously. Whether the government agreed or disagreed with the president, his queries and requests had to be answered. And they were answered," he said.

The presidency, previously a ceremonial office, was revamped by parliament in 1991 to allow Singaporeans to directly elect their head of state, whose powers include safeguarding the use of the national reserves and exercising veto power on key appointments.

Goh said the post of elected president was merely custodial and not executive.

"Under the constitution, the cabinet shall have the general direction and control of the government. In contrast, the president's custodial powers are reactive or blocking powers. The president does not have any executive power," he said.

Among Ong's remarks in the July interview was his disappointment that he had not been able to unlock the national reserves to be used during the crisis.

However, Goh said there was no need to use the reserves since Singapore had accumulated budget surpluses which were enough to pay deficits expected in the budgets for fiscal year 1998 and 1999.

"Drawing on past reserves would not have solved our economic challenges. It would only generate a false sense of well-being, when our real problem is to ensure that companies survive and Singaporeans have jobs," he said.

However, Goh cited Ong's "significant contributions" as Singapore's first elected president.

"He has helped us to test the powers and workings of the new institution, and iron out ambiguities in the powers of the president vis-a-vis the government," he said.

"President Ong has shown what the government expected all along. That when an honorable man assumes this constitutional position, he has to exercise the powers of that institution without fear or favor," he added.

Meanwhile, a high-level elections committee confirmed that government-backed veteran diplomat S.R. Nathan will become the next president.