SINGAPORE, Aug 15 — To increase transparency of the president’s office, George Goh said that he would furnish an annual report card of all his activities should he be elected as president. This would include the legislations he has signed off, key appointments made and the meetings he has had with his advisers.

Pointing to his track record as a businessman, he also refuted fellow presidential hopeful Ng Kok Song‘s charge that he has yet to prove that he can safeguard the reserves.

He also indicated that he has no plans to retract his candidacy, in response to another presidential hopeful Tan Kin Lian‘s comments. Tan had said that he might withdraw from the race if both of them are cleared to run for the presidential election.

Should there be more than one eligible candidate, Singaporeans will head to the polls on September 1 to vote for the country’s ninth president.

Goh spoke to about 50 young people at a gathering at the Bisoux Cafe in Gr.id mall along Selegie Road yesterday, where he outlined his vision to build a "land of hope for the younger generation”, as well as his plans should he become the head of state.

The founder of furniture retail group Harvey Norman Ossia said during the event that he plans to increase initiatives to support talented youth in music, arts, sports and entrepreneurship.

This includes organising more platforms for youth to shine and providing more mentorship opportunities.

Noting that the president’s role includes supporting the community, Goh said that there are many non-profit organisations helping the underprivileged, but more could be done.

On this front, he announced his ambition to raise the President’s Challenge funds to S$1 billion during his presidency should he be elected.

In 2022, the President’s Challenge raised S$16.9 million — the highest amount since its founding in 2020. It was a movement to support the social services sector initiated by the late president SR Nathan in 2000 shortly after he assumed the presidency.

Goh said that he planned to boost the funds by engaging successful and wealthy businessmen to be more involved in the community and using his philanthropic experience.

During yesterday's event, Goh also unveiled his campaign slogan, "One Chance for Change”.

He said that past presidents since 1993 had come from the political and public sectors and so he, being from the private sector, is offering voters the chance to change this.

"I love this land because this land (has given) me and my family a lot. I want to service this community, so I hope (to have) this one chance for change,” he said.

He spoke to the media after the event, where he was asked about what Tan had said, that he would speak to Goh to decide which candidate would step down should they be both eligible.

Goh said that he was unaware of such an arrangement.

"I don’t think this should be the way. If you decide to come forward... and put all (your) effort into it, then people will know you genuinely want to serve the nation.”

As for Ng’s comments that Goh has yet to prove he can safeguard the reserves, Goh replied that his business experience is proof.

As a businessman, he said that he has worked with many international partners who have trusted his brand’s image, pointing to electronics conglomerate Samsung as an example.

"Do you believe if we don’t understand the business, or how to protect the brand, do you think it would appoint us as a distributor? No way,” he said, adding that Samsung’s market cap is larger than "the top 50 companies in Singapore combined”.

"Many people respect (me) because I built my organisations from small capital to billions of dollars and I work with many partners.”

He also maintained that he understands international policies and different cultures through his experience working with global partners. — TODAY