“The Healer” - Portrait of Singapore's New President

With 70.4% of the votes, Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam left his opponents, Mr. Ng Kok Song and Mr. Tan Kin Lian, far behind, who received 15.72% and 13.88% of the votes respectively.

Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, 66, said shortly afterwards: "I believe that a vote for me and what I represent is a vote of confidence in Singapore… It is a vote of optimism about the future that we can progress together."

Speaking about Singapore's future, Mr. Shanmugaratnam said it is a future where people respect each other more deeply and where every generation has confidence because Singapore has enough reserves to help its people in the future.

Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam and his wife surrounded by people's support. Photo: Straits Times

According to Channel NewsAsia , the former senior minister of Indian origin stressed: "It must be a future where Singapore is never treated as a small country, where we are taken seriously in the world , where we are the partner of choice and where we can make our voice heard on the international stage."

In a statement after the official election results were announced, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he had called Mr Tharman to congratulate him and assure him of the government's full cooperation. Mr Tharman also expressed his intention to work closely with the government, according to Prime Minister Lee.

Mr Shanmugaratnam is a Singapore-born economist who officially launched his presidential campaign last month with a pledge to develop the country's culture to help it become a "bright spot" in the world.

Mr Shanmugaratnam entered politics in 2001. He has served in the public sector and ministerial positions in Singapore's ruling People's Action Party (PAP) for more than two decades.

Former Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam has been elected as Singapore's ninth president. Photo: Reuters

He holds a BA in Economics from the London School of Economics, an MA in Economics from the University of Cambridge, and a MA in Public Administration from Harvard University.

He is highly regarded for his economic expertise and was instrumental in leading Singapore through the 2008 global financial crisis. He is fluent in four languages: English, Tamil, Malay and Mandarin.

Mr. Shanmugaratnam served as Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore from 2011 to 2019. He is married to Ms. Jane Yumiko Ittogi and has 4 children.

Associate Professor Eugene Tan at the School of Law at Singapore Management University (SMU) said Mr Tharman is seen as someone who can "cross political divides".

"Despite being in the ruling party for about 20 years, Mr. Tharman occasionally expressed views that were not entirely in line with the party. The results show that Singaporeans recognized his contributions. He is one of the few people who can overcome political divisions and attract support from all parties," the expert said.

According to Associate Professor Eugene Tan, Mr Tharman is a well-known figure overseas and his views are highly regarded and valued by many. Therefore, when Mr Tharman represents Singapore at global meetings, Singapore's voice will play an even more important role.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/thoi-su-quoc-te/nguoi-han-gan-chan-dung-tan-tong-thong-singapore-20230902083310879.htm