Going into our chat with Desmond Tan, one of the People's Action Party's (PAP) new candidates for GE2020, we had plenty of expectations.

Just two weeks ago (June 26), the ex-SAF brigadier-general and ex-CED (Chief Executive Director) of People's Association received rave reviews on social media for being an overall nice, helpful guy.

As it turns out, we managed to experience this first hand when we met him at the void deck of Block 426 Pasir Ris Drive 6.

Midway through our chat, three residents in the area happened to pass when their trolley got stuck in a small drain. The trolley overturned, sending its contents spilling to the ground.

Tan immediately hopped out of his seat to help them gather their items.

His helpfulness is also complemented by a dose of humility.

Netizens have pointed out, rather enthusiastically, that he does not look his age and drew comparisons between him and several Hong Kong actors.

To this, Tan politely declined comment, insisting that he does not like to shine the spotlight on such "superficial matters".

He acknowledged that he is a private person, which made his decision to join politics a tough one to make.

"To be honest, personally, I like the serving, helping people part. But in terms of personality, I'm probably more of a private person. You can't choose one without the other. So in the end, the desire to serve outweighs the public [attention part]."

Two good decisions in his career

It was this desire to serve that led Tan to make "two good decisions" in his career: Joining the military and the People's Association (PA).

"To me, the sense of purpose is very important, in everything that I do," said Tan.

Hence, the PA was a natural choice for him given the values that the organisation espouses.

"It's a very important organisation, and it's very important work we do in promoting and preserving our social cohesion," Tan added.

He let on that the PA has been doing a lot of work behind the scenes in the last few months to help alleviate the struggles caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. For instance, PA staff have been visiting people who are either on stay-home notice or under quarantine, and have difficulties getting groceries. The staff would buy food for them and hang the bags on their doors.

"These are the things that I feel [are] important. Somebody has to do it," said Tan.

This passion to help people is rooted in his experience in the military.

It was during his first tour as a platoon commander in the 2nd Singapore Infantry Regiment (2SIR) during his two and half years of national service that he learned about leading through helping.

"In that unit, you have soldiers who are from very diverse backgrounds, and many of them also require some help. So as a platoon commander, my job, although I’m supposed to train them, I took it upon myself that I have to help, I have to take good care of them first."

In fact, he feels that the most memorable stories from his military career came from when he was on the ground leading soldiers.

Perhaps that is why many of the testimonials he received online seem to come from soldiers who trained under him.

"Because that’s the place where you go through very tough training and as a leader you have to constantly think about how do you inspire and motivate your soldiers who are conscripts...to put in their best to train hard."

When asked to reminisce about some of those positive testimonials, Tan shared more about one case by an ex-recruit who praised Tan for giving him a ride to Tan Tock Seng Hospital for a medical check up.

"I have a habit of always trying to stop and ask people where they going and give them a lift," said Tan. "It's a way to take care of them and save them some time."

However, he was quick to be modest, clarifying that this is a common practice among SAF commanders.

Tan admitted though, that he also had an ulterior motive for wanting to give subordinates a lift.

"It actually allows me to talk to them in the car. And to find out how things are in the unit in a very direct way," he laughed.

He cheekily added: "I mean we are stuck together for half an hour right? And he has no choice but to answer all my questions."

Tan said that these people skills are what he will bring with him if he is given the chance to be a Member of Parliament.

"How do you know your people? How do you inspire them to give their best? And how do you help them to achieve their mission together. That’s the skill that I have acquired over the years. And that’s something I feel is relevant to what I’m going to do."

On the "baggage" of being SAF Brigadier-General

A career history like Tan's is not unfamiliar to the PAP.

Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean – the anchor minister for the very GRC that Tan is contesting in — served as the Chief of Navy prior to running for elections in 1992.

In this year's line-up of new candidates from the PAP alone, there are at least three other candidates who also started their careers in the SAF — a fact which has not gone unnoticed by netizens who questioned if military people are suited for politics.

"I think we shouldn’t just cast a single mould on certain backgrounds, and experiences, or even career choices right?" said Tan. "More importantly is how the person can contribute in politics and helping people."

"I’m not too concerned about how people view my background. I’m proud of my heritage. I’m proud of where I come from. I am who I am because of my military training and my public service exposure. I’m more focused on how can I use those skill sets and experiences to try and do my duty well if elected as a Member of Parliament, as the people’s representative."

All the experiences he has shared and the positive testimonials he has received seem enough to cast doubt on skeptics' claims that he will not be able to connect with people on the ground.

But on that topic he had this to say:

"We didn’t become a general overnight. We grew up in ranks. We start off as a recruit, and we grow and we learn from the people that has led us. We learn from the people that we work with, and we learn from the people that we lead. So, whether you are a sergeant or you grow up in ranks to become a general, I think we all have a role to play."

Having a diversity of views

Another concern that frequently comes up on social media is that having people come from similar backgrounds might result in "groupthink". Tan disagreed:

"I think that even in the military, the conversation and diversity of views are actually very high. I believe in many organisations it’s the same, there’s always internal diversity."

"I always say that even in the military, when I was a commander, I always make sure I hear from different people. And they all have different views, because of their experience, because of their background, interactions," said Tan.

However, Tan pointed out, despite the diversity of views, a single decision has to be made at the end of the day and the important thing is to get people to move together as one.

"But at the end of the day I have to make a decision. But when I make a decision, we all have to move together."

"I believe that even in Parliament they have a great diversity of views. And in the public service, I have sat in on many meetings [with ministers and ministries], and the debate can be quite heated sometimes.

And it’s not like everybody just wah say one thing everybody just echo each other. Actually there’s great diversity [of views] from where we are. But the thing is that when the decision is taken, and that’s where you just have to move as one because otherwise how do we move as a society right?"

For someone of his calibre, we asked if he had any aspirations for political office. Tan said that he is currently focused on being a Member of Parliament and a voice for the people.

"I want to win the trust of the people in Pasir Ris-Punggol. [I hope] they can give me a chance to serve them here."

Top image by Fasiha Nazren.