Kuan Yoke Loon Andrew
Encyclopedia
Kuan Yoke Loon, commonly known as Andrew Kuan is the managing director of executive search
firm Blue Arrow
. From 2001 to 2004, Kuan was the group chief financial officer
of the Jurong Town Corporation, one of four designated statutory boards that confer eligibility to contest in the presidential elections.
Kuan applied to run as a candidate in the Singapore presidential election, 2005
. However, his application for a Certificate of Eligibility was rejected as his seniority and responsibility as JTC's Group Chief Financial Officer were, in the opinion of the Presidential Elections Committee, not comparable to those required under the Constitution
.
in 1999, and left in 2005 to qualify for the presidential elections.
Kuan announced his intention to compete in the 2005 Singapore presidential election where the incumbent president S R Nathan is a candidate. However his application for a certificate of eligibility to compete was unsuccessful resulting to Kuan alleging conspiratorial theories involving the government.
Kuan was disqualified by the Presidential Elections Committee for failing to meet the criteria for running for President in Singapore. The Committee said Mr Kuan's seniority and responsibility as JTC's Group Chief Financial Officer were not comparable to those required under the Constitution. A presidential candidate is required to have experience as chairman or chief executive officer of a statutory board or a company with a paid-up capital of at least S$100 million.
Singaporean media have reported extensively on the circumstances surrounding Kuan's departure from his condominium's management council in 2001. Kuan originally said he left amicably, but later admitted to being voted out with 13 council members voting against him, 2 abstaining and 1 voting for him. Kuan attributed this to enmity aroused after he filed a police report against council member Chia Boon Teck, who is also a member of PAP
, accusing him of forging signatures. The case was closed without prosecution, but Chia filed a defamation suit against Kuan in 2005 after details of the case and his identity were leaked by The New Paper
. Kuan had apologised unreservedly to Chia for embarrassment and distress that his statements had caused. They had reached an out-of-court settlement for Kuan's defamatory comments he had made, the settlement includes compensation for damages as well as legal costs.
On 9 August 2005, Singapore
Prime Minister
Lee Hsien Loong
called for all candidates to be open about their records, so that Singaporeans can make an informed judgement on them. He also encouraged Andrew Kuan's former employers to come forward, speak freely and tell Singaporeans what they know about him. On 11 August 2005, Kuan's former employer government-linked JTC Corporation
called a news conference to provide details on the circumstances leading to Kuan's resignation in July 2004. Chong Lit Cheong, chief executive officer of JTC Corporation said that Andrew Kuan's work at JTC was unsatisfactory since his first year there and was asked to resign twice on 2003 and 2004. No details of why his work was unsatisfactory were provided, other than to note that no fraud or other crime was involved and that Mr Kuan required "quite a fair bit of hand holding". In reply, Kuan noted that he had worked at JTC Corporation for 37 months, extending his contract several times, and he was given performance bonuses and a raise during this period.
Singapore presidential election, 2011
Kuan has announced his intention to contest in the 2011 presidential elections
.He was deemed ineligible once more.
Executive search
Executive search is the consultative process of recruiting individuals to fill senior executive positions in organizations. Executive search may be performed by an organization's board of directors, or by an outside executive search organization....
firm Blue Arrow
Blue Arrow
Blue Arrow Limited is a United Kingdom based employment and recruitment agency that places individual jobseekers in employment and provides businesses with temporary and/or permanent staff in the industrial sector, catering sector, driving sector, logistics sector and office sector.The head office...
. From 2001 to 2004, Kuan was the group chief financial officer
Chief financial officer
The chief financial officer or Chief financial and operating officer is a corporate officer primarily responsible for managing the financial risks of the corporation. This officer is also responsible for financial planning and record-keeping, as well as financial reporting to higher management...
of the Jurong Town Corporation, one of four designated statutory boards that confer eligibility to contest in the presidential elections.
Kuan applied to run as a candidate in the Singapore presidential election, 2005
Singapore presidential election, 2005
The Singapore presidential election of 2005 was held to elect the President of Singapore. The incumbent S. R. Nathan's first term was to end on August 31, 2005...
. However, his application for a Certificate of Eligibility was rejected as his seniority and responsibility as JTC's Group Chief Financial Officer were, in the opinion of the Presidential Elections Committee, not comparable to those required under the Constitution
Constitution of Singapore
The Constitution of Singapore is the supreme law of Singapore and it is a codified constitution.The constitution cannot be amended without the support of more than two-thirds of the members of parliament on the second and third readings . The president may seek opinion on constitutional issues...
.
Attempted candidacy for 2005 Singaporean presidential election
Kuan joined the People's Action PartyPeople's Action Party
The People's Action Party is the leading political party in Singapore. It has been the city-state's ruling political party since 1959....
in 1999, and left in 2005 to qualify for the presidential elections.
Kuan announced his intention to compete in the 2005 Singapore presidential election where the incumbent president S R Nathan is a candidate. However his application for a certificate of eligibility to compete was unsuccessful resulting to Kuan alleging conspiratorial theories involving the government.
Kuan was disqualified by the Presidential Elections Committee for failing to meet the criteria for running for President in Singapore. The Committee said Mr Kuan's seniority and responsibility as JTC's Group Chief Financial Officer were not comparable to those required under the Constitution. A presidential candidate is required to have experience as chairman or chief executive officer of a statutory board or a company with a paid-up capital of at least S$100 million.
Singaporean media have reported extensively on the circumstances surrounding Kuan's departure from his condominium's management council in 2001. Kuan originally said he left amicably, but later admitted to being voted out with 13 council members voting against him, 2 abstaining and 1 voting for him. Kuan attributed this to enmity aroused after he filed a police report against council member Chia Boon Teck, who is also a member of PAP
People's Action Party
The People's Action Party is the leading political party in Singapore. It has been the city-state's ruling political party since 1959....
, accusing him of forging signatures. The case was closed without prosecution, but Chia filed a defamation suit against Kuan in 2005 after details of the case and his identity were leaked by The New Paper
The New Paper
The New Paper is Singapore's second-highest circulating paid English-language newspaper, first launched on July 26, 1988, by Singapore Press Holdings . According to SPH, its average daily circulation for August 2010 was 101600....
. Kuan had apologised unreservedly to Chia for embarrassment and distress that his statements had caused. They had reached an out-of-court settlement for Kuan's defamatory comments he had made, the settlement includes compensation for damages as well as legal costs.
On 9 August 2005, Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
Lee Hsien Loong
Lee Hsien Loong
Lee Hsien Loong is the third and current Prime Minister of Singapore. He is married to Ho Ching, who is the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Temasek Holdings. He is the eldest son of Singapore's first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew....
called for all candidates to be open about their records, so that Singaporeans can make an informed judgement on them. He also encouraged Andrew Kuan's former employers to come forward, speak freely and tell Singaporeans what they know about him. On 11 August 2005, Kuan's former employer government-linked JTC Corporation
JTC Corporation
JTC Corporation , formerly the Jurong Town Corporation, is Singapore's principal developer and manager of industrial estates and their related facilities.-History:JTC was established on 1 June 1968 to develop industrial estates...
called a news conference to provide details on the circumstances leading to Kuan's resignation in July 2004. Chong Lit Cheong, chief executive officer of JTC Corporation said that Andrew Kuan's work at JTC was unsatisfactory since his first year there and was asked to resign twice on 2003 and 2004. No details of why his work was unsatisfactory were provided, other than to note that no fraud or other crime was involved and that Mr Kuan required "quite a fair bit of hand holding". In reply, Kuan noted that he had worked at JTC Corporation for 37 months, extending his contract several times, and he was given performance bonuses and a raise during this period.
Singapore presidential election, 2011Singaporean presidential election, 2011The Singapore presidential election of 2011 was the fourth Singapore Presidential Election, held on 27 August 2011. Nomination day for eligible candidates was held on 17 August 2011. Mr. S.R. Nathan, the previous President of Singapore, stepped down on 31 August 2011 when his term drew to a close...
Kuan has announced his intention to contest in the 2011 presidential electionsSingaporean presidential election, 2011
The Singapore presidential election of 2011 was the fourth Singapore Presidential Election, held on 27 August 2011. Nomination day for eligible candidates was held on 17 August 2011. Mr. S.R. Nathan, the previous President of Singapore, stepped down on 31 August 2011 when his term drew to a close...
.He was deemed ineligible once more.
External links
- Andrew Kuan's official website
- Petition: Support for Andrew Kuan as Singapore's President
- Battle begins early for Andrew Kuan (Today Online)
- Presidential contest - panic in the PAP? by Au Wai Pang - newsintercom
- JTC says presidential hopeful Andrew Kuan's work unsatisfactory - channelnewsasia]