Tharman Shanmugaratnam, an Indian-origin candidate, is vying for the position of Singapore’s ninth President as more than 2.7 million Singaporeans head to the polls today. Here are five key points about him:
- Economist Background: Tharman Shanmugaratnam, aged 66, is an accomplished economist. He was born in Singapore and is deeply rooted in the country.
- Presidential Campaign: He officially launched his presidential campaign recently, with a commitment to nurturing Singapore’s culture and preserving its status as a global “shining spot.”
- Extensive Political Career: Mr. Shanmugaratnam entered the political arena in 2001. Over the past two decades, he has held prominent positions within Singapore’s ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) and the public sector.
- Financial Expertise: His expertise extends to managing the government and Singapore’s substantial foreign reserves, which are estimated to exceed Singapore dollars 2 trillion.
- Former Deputy Prime Minister: Mr. Shanmugaratnam previously held the position of Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister from 2011 to 2019. However, in July, he resigned from all public and political roles to pursue the presidency.
- Family Life: He is married to Jane Yumiko Ittogi and is a father of four children.
Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s candidacy adds diversity and experience to Singapore’s presidential election, reflecting his extensive background in economics and politics.