Indian-origin Singapore-born economist Tharman Shanmugaratnam will serve a six-year term.
Singapore-born Indian-origin Tharman Shanmugaratnam will succeed President Halimah Yacob.
Indian-origin Singapore-born economist Tharman Shanmugaratnam was on Thursday sworn in as the ninth president of the city-state.
Tharman, 66, will serve a six-year term. He succeeds President Halimah Yacob, Singapore’s first female president, whose term ended on September 13.
Tharman, who has served Singapore all his life in public service, was overwhelmingly endorsed by the city-state’s predominantly Chinese society.
He served as a senior minister between 2019 and 2023; coordinating minister for social policies between 2015 and 2023; and Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore between 2011 and 2023. He also served as Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister from May 2011 to May 2019.
Singapore, in the past, has had two Indian-origin presidents.
Tharman Shanmugaratnam and his wife Jane Yumiko Ittogi arriving at Toa Payoh Hub on Sep 2, 2023. (Photo: CNA/Marcus Mark Ramos)
President-elect Tharman Shanmugaratnam on Saturday (Sep 2) afternoon said he was surprised by the margin of his victory in the 2023 Presidential Election.
Speaking to journalists at his first doorstop interview since the official result was called just past midnight on Saturday, Mr Tharman said: “I did not expect such a high degree of endorsement, which also means there was a fair number of people who would normally not vote in favour of the ruling party, who decided that this was not a political election, this is not a General Election.
“And they decided to vote for me, and I think that’s also very encouraging.”
On Saturday, Mr Tharman greeted cheering crowds of supporters in Taman Jurong, Marsiling, Tampines and Toa Payoh.
Describing the result as “remarkable unity” from Singaporeans, Mr Tharman said he thinks Singaporeans “have been very sensible in the way they voted”.
“I think it’s also interesting that Singaporeans, whom I believe want a non-partisan President … They do not think that having been a member of a political party or even being a member of Cabinet should diminish a person’s ability to be non-partisan,” he added.
“It all depends on the individual, the character of the person, the reputation of the person, and the ability to reach across all the boundaries you can think of in Singapore. That’s always been my orientation.
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is expected to be arrested upon his return as he ends almost two decades of self-imposed exile, walks at Don Mueang airport in Bangkok, Thailand August 22, 2023. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights
Thailand’s billionaire former premier Thaksin Shinawatra was still being treated in hospital on Friday and his condition remained a concern, a senior doctor said, three days after his historic return from self-exile.
Thaksin, 74, was hospitalised after suffering chest tightness and high blood pressure on the first night in prison, where he has been ordered to serve eight years for conflicts of interest and abuse of power.
“He is coughing … and from the lung X-rays, heart and lung specialists are still worried,” Soponrat Singhajaru, a senior doctor at Bangkok’s police hospital, told reporters, declining to elaborate because of patient confidentiality.
Thailand’s most famous politician arrived on a private jet to cheering crowds on Tuesday before being taken to a court, a prison and then hours later, a hospital, in dramatic events that overshadowed political ally Srettha Thavisin taking over as prime minister that same day.
The Pheu Thai Party that Thaksin founded will lead the next government. Rumours have swirled that his return could be part of a secret agreement with his rivals, which he denies.
His critics have complained he has been given special treatment, which the hospital has rejected.
Anti-Thaksin activist Tul Sittisomwong on Friday lodged a complaint with the hospital questioning whether the tycoon was really sick, or just dodging prison. Tul has asked for physicians from outside of the hospital to examine Thaksin also.
Sachin Pilot has been given an organisational role in the highest decision-making body of Congress after a gap of three years since his rebellion in July 2020
The appointment of former Deputy CM Sachin Pilot and six other leaders from Rajasthan to the CWC seems to have sent the central leadership’s message to the ruling party | Photo Credit: PTI
The appointment of former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot and six other leaders from Rajasthan to the Congress Working Committee (CWC) seems to have sent the central leadership’s message to the ruling party in the State to end the rift and maintain unity for the coming Assembly elections. Mr. Pilot’s political stature has increased with his new appointment.
Mr. Pilot has been given an organisational role in the highest decision-making body of the Congress after a gap of three years since his rebellion in July 2020, when he was stripped of his positions as the Deputy Chief Minister and Pradesh Congress Committee president. The party’s move to affirm Mr. Pilot’s significance is expected to pacify his supporters who were unhappy over the turn of events in the last three years.
