Tan Jee Say (Chinese: 陈如斯; pinyin: Chén Rúsī; born 12 February 1954) is a Singaporean politician and former civil servant.

[1] Tan graduated from University College, Oxford with a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy, politics and economics (PPE) under the Government Overseas Merit Scholarship.

[3] He went on to serve as the principal private secretary to Deputy Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong from 1985 to 1990.

[8] He called the sum "small change" compared to the government's supposed surpluses and losses in investments.

"[10] Tan's suggestion was rebuked by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, who questioned his qualifications.

[12] In response, Tan pointed out that his proposals were endorsed by Lord Butler of Brockwell, British Cabinet Secretary from 1988 to 1998.

[1] On 29 June 2020, the eve of Nomination Day for the 2020 general election, Tan made a last minute bid to party secretary-general Chee Soon Juan to rejoin the SDP.

[18] He campaigned on a platform of being a candidate who is "clear[ly]" independent from the ruling PAP and declared that he would be the "conscience of the nation.

"[18][19] Tan said he could "provide real and effective checks and balances on the excesses of the PAP government" since the President has veto power in some key areas.

[20] He cited the country's new casino industry (referring to the Integrated Resorts) as an example of PAP "[losing] its moral compass.

"[22] Among his proposals are to gradually sell Temasek Holdings' assets to the private sector and invest the earnings in education and health infrastructure.

[23] Tan also hoped for a review on taxes, saying: "The fact that you have accumulated huge surpluses every year... is excess of revenue over expenditure.

"[24] Doubts were initially raised over his eligibility as a presidential candidate as he did not meet the criterion of being the chief executive officer of a Singapore company with a paid-up capital of S$100 million.

[18] He also pointed out that he had met the alternate criterion of having served for not less than three years in "any other similar or comparable position of seniority and responsibility in any other organisation or department of equivalent size or complexity in the public or private sector.

[27] The awarding of the COE to Tan Jee Say was seen as a liberal interpretation of the eligibility criteria by the Presidential Elections Committee.

[30] His bid was endorsed by opposition politicians Nicole Seah,[31] Vincent Wijeysingha, Jeanette Chong-Aruldoss, Steve Chia,[24] and candidate-hopeful Andrew Kuan (who was not awarded a COE).