Hello.
Singapore’s Presidential Election is heating up. Businessman George Goh, who recently resigned from his role as Singapore’s non-resident ambassador to Morocco, has become the second person to throw his hat into the ring to run for President.
With Mr Goh and Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam both indicating their intent to run, there is hope yet for a spirited and contested election.
In two commentaries this week, SMU associate professor of law Eugene K B Tan tackles comments over whether someone of Mr Tharman’s calibre is “overqualified” for the office. He also says that it is too early to assume that every presidential hopeful is eligible to contest, amid questions whether Mr Goh meets the private sector requirements to do so.
Meanwhile, are there lines that shouldn’t be crossed when it comes to stand-up comedy? Jocelyn Chia – a US-based comedian who joked about the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 – has received major backlash. Getting to the punchline, without crossing the proverbial line, is almost like a circus trick that comedians all over the world are constantly trying to master, says actor-comedian Rishi Budhrani.
We are also closely watching the long-anticipated trip by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to China this weekend – rescheduled after it was scrapped in February over the alleged Chinese spy balloon incident – as the two powers seek greater predictability in their tense relationship. Watch this space for more.
We hope you enjoy our selection of commentaries this week.
Alison Jenner
Senior Editor, Commentary
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