Who is Tharman Shanmugaratnam? Tamil-origin economist who was elected as Singapore President

Singapore's former deputy premier, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, secured a resounding victory in the presidential race, garnering 70.4% of the votes, demonstrating public support despite recent scandals involving the ruling party.

Election Results:

Tharman won with 70.4% of the votes.
Ng Kok Song, former CIO of GIC Pte., secured second place with 15.7%.
Tan Kin Lian, a 2011 presidential hopeful, came in third with 13.9% of the votes.

Implications:

Tharman's victory signals support for the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) ahead of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's expected departure after nearly two decades.
Rising living costs and political scandals had put pressure on the government's reputation.
Tharman's independent-minded image and extensive government experience contributed to his success.
The president in Singapore holds significant powers, including approving civil service appointments and instructing anti-graft investigations.

Who is Tharman Shanmugaratnam?

Tharman Shanmugaratnam, a 66-year-old Singaporean of Indian heritage and an accomplished economist, has secured his place as Singapore's ninth president.

Shanmugaratnam was widely seen as the frontrunner for the position and took the necessary steps to ensure his candidacy by resigning from the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) and his role as a senior minister in the cabinet, adhering to the requirement that presidential candidates must maintain independence.

The 66-year-old economist, though perceived as having the government's support, faced questions about his independence during his election campaign.

Tharman officially launched his presidential campaign in July, vowing to shape the nation's culture to keep Singapore a standout on the global stage.

He entered politics in 2001 and has contributed significantly to the public sector, serving in ministerial positions within the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) for over two decades.

Tharman's popularity as a politician has been evident in his numerous victories in parliamentary elections, notably achieving the largest margin of votes among PAP members in the 2020 general election.

While Ng Kok Song and Tan Kin Lian, both of Chinese origin, secured 15.72% and 13.88% of the approximately 2.5 million votes cast during the election in Singapore, a prosperous city-state.

Notably, Tharman's historic win as the first non-Chinese presidential candidate in a contested election is a significant milestone in a predominantly Chinese city-state.

Tharman's Pledge:

Tharman expressed his commitment to building a future of optimism and solidarity.
He promised to use the president's roles and responsibilities to advance this vision.
Tharman emphasized his humility and respect for all Singaporeans, regardless of their vote.
Historical Significance:

Tharman's victory marks the third contested presidential election in Singapore since the introduction of the elected presidency in 1991.

He became the third Tamil-origin president, following in the footsteps of Sellapan Ramanathan and Chengara Veetil Devan Nair.

Tharman Shanmugaratnam's overwhelming victory in Singapore's presidential election underscores his popularity and the public's confidence in his leadership. His presidency will play a crucial role in shaping the nation's future and addressing its challenges.