Indian-Origin Ex-Minister Tharman Among 3-Way Race For Singapore Presidential Post

Tharman Shanmugaratnam, an Indian-origin Singaporean, and two former business leaders of Chinese ancestry were today formally nominated as candidates for the affluent city-state’s September 1 presidential election.

The Elections Department (ELD) officially declared Mr. Tharman, 66, former state-owned enterprise investment chief Ng Kok Song, 75, and former head of the state-run insurance company Tan Kin Lian, 75, as candidates for Singapore’s top non-political position.
The three cannot withdraw from the contest without forfeiting their SGD 40,500 election deposits because they have been officially declared as candidates, according to a story in The Straits Times newspaper.

The three men’s campaigning, which will last until August 30 and see one of them become Singapore’s ninth president, may now formally begin. Both the cooling-off period and election day are on August 31 and September 1, respectively.

The six-year term of Singapore’s president, Halimah Yacob, expires on September 13.
Former senior minister in the People’s Action Party government Mr. Tharman said he was looking forward to a respectable and honourable race that would centre on what each contender could offer Singaporeans and the future of the nation.

Let’s anticipate a dignified, honourable campaign that works to bring Singaporeans together rather than to create divisions, he urged.

Later, Mr. Tharman informed the media that his decision to run for president was not motivated by any fresh ideas or declarations, but rather by a lifelong goal.
“I support a society that is more equitable, compassionate, and inclusive. And I’ve made that my life’s work. Singapore can be unique, according to Mr. Tharman, who was quoted in the study.

We are worried about our future, and it will be “a different future,” said Mr. Tharman, who resigned from all political and public positions in July to run for president.

We will face a more tough and complex future, which is why Mr. Tharman entered this competition to provide all of his expertise and skills gained on the ground over several decades, both domestically and globally, according to Channel News Asia.
“So that I can serve Singaporeans in the role of President with all my heart in the years to come,” he continued.

Before entering politics in 2001, Mr. Tharman worked as an economist and civil servant, mostly for the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

From 2011 to 2019, he held the positions of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.
Ng stated he was running for president to defend Singapore’s three national treasures—the reserves, public service appointments, and social stability. Ng gave his introduction in Chinese, Malay, and Tamil.

“I believe I am on a mission to truly serve the Singaporean people. So, I’m thrilled that Singaporeans are giving me this chance to serve my nation yet again,” he remarked.

Tan stated that he intended to give Singaporeans “a chance to vote for a president who is truly independent of the ruling government” and who, if elected, will carry out his responsibilities as outlined in the Constitution conscientiously, honestly, and to the best of his ability.
“These responsibilities are to protect the reserves and defend the public service’s integrity. I need your help so that I can serve the people as effectively as possible,” he stated.

Despite being a non-political position, the president is in charge of several crucial duties in the city-state, such as making important state appointments and protecting the national reserves, which the current administration can only utilise with the president’s approval.