SINGAPORE: Singapore's former senior minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam on Wednesday (Jul 26) said he intended to be "a president for a new era" as he officially launched his campaign for the office.
“I stepped into this race because I feel very strongly in the need to evolve Singapore's culture, some of our norms and the way we go about working with each other so that we remain a shining spot in the world,” said Mr Tharman at a press conference at the York Hotel.
The official launch comes more than a month after Mr Tharman first announced his intention to run for president. On Jun 8, he informed Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong that he was putting himself forward as a candidate, and in doing so leaving politics and the People’s Action Party.
Accompanied by his wife Jane Yumiko Ittogi on Wednesday, Mr Tharman outlined challenges facing Singapore both globally and domestically and emphasised that the nation's real challenge was to avoid becoming a divided society.
"If I'm fortunate enough to be elected as president, I pledge to bring my full experience and capabilities on the ground nationally and internationally, to serve as your president for this new and more challenging era."
Mr Tharman said his 22 years in politics had given him ample experience in unifying people, an important role for the president.
"When we talk about being a unifying figure, I do not say this rhetorically or just as an aspiration but I speak from a real track record," he said.
"That includes the track record of respecting different views, including different political leanings and constantly trying to find common ground."
Mr Tharman stepped down in early July as Senior Minister and Co-ordinating Minister for Social Policies and Member of Parliament for Jurong, as well as from all his government positions.
The 66-year-old was an economist and civil servant, mainly at the Monetary Authority of Singapore, before joining politics in 2001. He has served as Minister for Education and Finance, and was Deputy Prime Minister from 2011 to 2019.
He has also held prominent posts at international organisations including the International Monetary Fund, World Economic Forum and the United Nations.
Mr Tharman said he would also fulfil other responsibilities of the presidency such as safeguarding the reserves, citing his experience in government and politics over the years.
But he said that more importantly, he would bring a "more basic orientation" of integrity and independence of mind, which he has been known for.
While he will no longer be in Cabinet, he will be the same person, he said.
"I don't have to change my colours like a chameleon. I'm the same person with the same integrity and same independence of mind, and that remains critical for the role of the president," he said.
Out of the three prospective candidates who have publicly announced their intention to run, Mr Tharman is the only one who unequivocally clears the bar to run in the election.
Proposer Thomas Chua speaking to the media at Tharman Shanmugaratnam's campaign launch for the Elected President of Singapore at the York Hotel on Wednesday, Jul 26, 2023. (Photo: CNA/Gaya Chandramohan)
Mr Lim Siong Guan speaking at the campaign launch of Presidential hopeful Tharman Shanmugaratnam, at the York Hotel on Wednesday, Jul 26, 2023. (Photo: CNA/Gaya Chandramohan)
Seconder Mohammad Alami Musa speaking to the media at Tharman Shanmugaratnam's campaign launch for the Elected President of Singapore at the York Hotel on Wednesday, Jul 26, 2023. (Photo: CNA/Gaya Chandramohan)
Presidential hopeful Tharman Shanmugaratnam at his campaign launch for the Elected President of Singapore at the York Hotel on Wednesday, Jul 26, 2023. (Photo: CNA/Gaya Chandramohan)
Two other prospective candidates have announced their intention to contest in the upcoming Presidential Election – businessman George Goh and former GIC chief investment officer Ng Kok Song.
Under requirements laid out in Singapore's Constitution, public sector presidential candidates must have held office for at least three years as a minister, chief justice, attorney-general or other high-level posts.
Private sector candidates must have served for at least three years as chief executive of a company with an average of S$500 million in shareholders' equity.
The 2023 Presidential Election is expected to be called soon, as President Halimah Yacob’s six-year term ends on Sep 13. The upcoming election is open to all races.
Also present at the launch were Mr Tharman’s proposer, seconder and eight assenters, who will be the parties signing Mr Tharman’s nomination paper.
Electoral rules require each presidential candidate’s nomination paper to be signed by a proposer, a seconder and at least four other people who are registered voters.
The proposer is former Nominated MP Thomas Chua, president of the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Association and honorary president at the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Mr Tharman’s seconder is Mr Mohammad Alami Musa, Singapore’s ambassador to Algeria and head of studies in inter-religious relations at Nanyang Technological University. Mr Mohammad was also former President of MUIS from 2003 to 2021.
The eight assenters, including a businessman, filmmaker and members of civil society, are:
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“I stepped into this race because I feel very strongly in the need to evolve Singapore's culture, some of our norms and the way we go about working with each other so that we remain a shining spot in the world,” said Mr Tharman at a press conference at the York Hotel.
The official launch comes more than a month after Mr Tharman first announced his intention to run for president. On Jun 8, he informed Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong that he was putting himself forward as a candidate, and in doing so leaving politics and the People’s Action Party.
Accompanied by his wife Jane Yumiko Ittogi on Wednesday, Mr Tharman outlined challenges facing Singapore both globally and domestically and emphasised that the nation's real challenge was to avoid becoming a divided society.
"If I'm fortunate enough to be elected as president, I pledge to bring my full experience and capabilities on the ground nationally and internationally, to serve as your president for this new and more challenging era."
Mr Tharman said his 22 years in politics had given him ample experience in unifying people, an important role for the president.
"When we talk about being a unifying figure, I do not say this rhetorically or just as an aspiration but I speak from a real track record," he said.
"That includes the track record of respecting different views, including different political leanings and constantly trying to find common ground."
Mr Tharman stepped down in early July as Senior Minister and Co-ordinating Minister for Social Policies and Member of Parliament for Jurong, as well as from all his government positions.
The 66-year-old was an economist and civil servant, mainly at the Monetary Authority of Singapore, before joining politics in 2001. He has served as Minister for Education and Finance, and was Deputy Prime Minister from 2011 to 2019.
He has also held prominent posts at international organisations including the International Monetary Fund, World Economic Forum and the United Nations.
Mr Tharman said he would also fulfil other responsibilities of the presidency such as safeguarding the reserves, citing his experience in government and politics over the years.
But he said that more importantly, he would bring a "more basic orientation" of integrity and independence of mind, which he has been known for.
While he will no longer be in Cabinet, he will be the same person, he said.
"I don't have to change my colours like a chameleon. I'm the same person with the same integrity and same independence of mind, and that remains critical for the role of the president," he said.
Out of the three prospective candidates who have publicly announced their intention to run, Mr Tharman is the only one who unequivocally clears the bar to run in the election.
Proposer Thomas Chua speaking to the media at Tharman Shanmugaratnam's campaign launch for the Elected President of Singapore at the York Hotel on Wednesday, Jul 26, 2023. (Photo: CNA/Gaya Chandramohan)
Mr Lim Siong Guan speaking at the campaign launch of Presidential hopeful Tharman Shanmugaratnam, at the York Hotel on Wednesday, Jul 26, 2023. (Photo: CNA/Gaya Chandramohan)
Seconder Mohammad Alami Musa speaking to the media at Tharman Shanmugaratnam's campaign launch for the Elected President of Singapore at the York Hotel on Wednesday, Jul 26, 2023. (Photo: CNA/Gaya Chandramohan)
Presidential hopeful Tharman Shanmugaratnam at his campaign launch for the Elected President of Singapore at the York Hotel on Wednesday, Jul 26, 2023. (Photo: CNA/Gaya Chandramohan)
Two other prospective candidates have announced their intention to contest in the upcoming Presidential Election – businessman George Goh and former GIC chief investment officer Ng Kok Song.
Under requirements laid out in Singapore's Constitution, public sector presidential candidates must have held office for at least three years as a minister, chief justice, attorney-general or other high-level posts.
Private sector candidates must have served for at least three years as chief executive of a company with an average of S$500 million in shareholders' equity.
The 2023 Presidential Election is expected to be called soon, as President Halimah Yacob’s six-year term ends on Sep 13. The upcoming election is open to all races.
Also present at the launch were Mr Tharman’s proposer, seconder and eight assenters, who will be the parties signing Mr Tharman’s nomination paper.
Electoral rules require each presidential candidate’s nomination paper to be signed by a proposer, a seconder and at least four other people who are registered voters.
The proposer is former Nominated MP Thomas Chua, president of the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Association and honorary president at the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Mr Tharman’s seconder is Mr Mohammad Alami Musa, Singapore’s ambassador to Algeria and head of studies in inter-religious relations at Nanyang Technological University. Mr Mohammad was also former President of MUIS from 2003 to 2021.
The eight assenters, including a businessman, filmmaker and members of civil society, are:
- Mr Hassan Ahmad, Special Advisor, Humanity Matters, and Former Chief Executive Mercy Relief
- Mr Ho Kwon Ping, Founder and Executive Chairman, Banyan Tree Group; Founding Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Singapore Management University, and Former Chairman, Singapore Summit
- Ms Kamsinah Sadar, General Manager, Tasek Jurong, and Former Executive Director, Pertapis
- Mr Kim Whye Kee, Ceramicist; Founder, Qi Pottery; Co-founder, Beacon of Life and Beacon of Life Academy, and ex-inmate
- Ms Mary Liew, President, NTUC, and General Secretary, Singapore Maritime Officers' Union
- Mr Lim Siong Guan, Founding Chairman Honour (Singapore) and former head of the Singapore Civil Service
- Mr Royston Tan, film director and creative director, National Day Parade 2023
- Professor Veera Sekaran, Professor in Practice, NUS
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