Tharman Shanmugaratnam
Singapore is prepared to accept a non-Chinese prime minister at any moment, presidential candidate Tharman Shanmugaratnam said ahead of the September 1 election, calling it a sign of the country’s growth in the country dominated by Chinese-origin people.
He remarked on Friday that race is an issue in politics everywhere, referencing former US president Barack Obama, who has talked and written about it.
“However, unlike 40 or 50 years ago, Singaporeans today consider many criteria, not just race”, Tharman, 66, a Singaporean of Indian origin, stated.
“They look at people in totality… Singapore is ready at any time. If someone comes up who is a superior candidate for prime minister, the person can be made the prime minister. I believe they can”, he stated at an electoral forum to covey his presidential vision.
It is a symbol of Singapore’s social progress, said the former senior minister, who resigned from the ruling People’s Action Party in July to run for president. “Singapore is ready any time for a non-Chinese prime minister”, he continued.
Singaporeans will vote for the country’s ninth president on September 1, 2023.
An economist, Tharman, also stated that as important as they are, only government policies can make Singapore a more equitable and better country. Instead, he believes that things must go much deeper, and the next stage of Singapore’s development must focus on things that cannot be measured.
“Every skill and every job deserves respect. Better pay for the low-paid – but (also) respect and dignity”, he remarked, noting that many individuals are doing meaningful activities that are not visible. “Better wages for low-wage workers, but also respect and dignity”, he added.
Tan Kin Lian and Ng Kok Song, both of Chinese origin are also running for president. Tan, 75, is a former chief executive of the trade union-related insurance group NTUC Income, and NG, 75, is the former chief investment officer at the state-owned GIC.
Chinese people make up over 75 percent of Singapore’s multi-racial population. Malays make up roughly 13.5 percent of the population, Indians make up about 9 percent, and others make up the rest.
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