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SINGAPORE - Two experiences have not only left an indelible mark on Brigadier-General (NS) Tan Chuan Jin but also significantly shaped his thinking about Singapore: Spearheading the Republic's humanitarian efforts in Aceh after the tsunami in 2004 and chairing the National Day Parade (NDP) executive committee five years later.
On the post-tsunami humanitarian efforts, BG (NS) Tan said that, apart from the smell of debris and the dead, he would always remember "the way Singaporeans came together ... to reach out with tremendous amount of compassion and humanity".
The father of two added: "That shows what our people are capable of. The question is: Is this worth fighting for ... or all these abilities we have to make things happen - do we just take it for granted?"
His experience in organising the NDP in 2009 provided some of the answers: The "magical" moment when Singaporeans paused at 8.22pm on Aug 9, 2009, to say the National Pledge together showed him that Singaporeans have aspirations regardless of political affiliation and that Singapore is worth fighting for.
BG (NS) Tan added that he is taking up that fight with the People's Action Party (PAP) because of its track record and alignment with his beliefs.
"No party is ever perfect but I feel this is an area where I'm prepared to come forward to serve with the best of my ability," he said.
Asked about the PAP's shortcomings, he said his interest was in areas such as education and suggested the education system be looked into, to "help our children to be children and yet bring them up in a way where you can strike a balance".
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