Indian-origin Tharman Shanmugaratnam is new Singapore President

Utkarsh Classes Last Updated 14-03-2024

Indian-origin Tharman Shanmugaratnam is new Singapore President

Appointment 3 min read

Indian-origin economist and former senior minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam has registered a landslide victory in the Singapore presidential election. The election results were announced after midnight on 1 September 2023.

Tharman Shanmugaratnam was born in the year 1957 in Singapore. Shanmugaratnam has been associated with the People's Action Party (PAP) for more than 20 years.

Shanmugaratnam defeated two rivals of Chinese origin (N. Kok Song and Tan Kin Lian) in the first presidential election since 2011.
He received a total of 70.4 percent votes in the presidential election while his rivals N. Kok Song got 15.7% and Ten Kin Lian got 13.8% of the vote.
Tharman Shanmugaratnam, 66, served as the Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore from 2011 to 2019.
Tharman Shanmugaratnam entered politics in the year 2001. He also did many works in the public sector and also held the post of minister.

Third Indian-origin President of Singapore:

Tharman will be the third Indian-origin President of Singapore. Before Tharman, Indian-origin Sellapan Ramanathan and Chengara Veetil Devan Nair had also been President of Singapore.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Tharman Shanmugaratnam on his election as the President of Singapore, saying he looks forward to working closely with him to further strengthen the India-Singapore strategic partnership.

Singapore:

It is a small Southeast Asian country located at the southern tip of Malaysia. It is a vibrant and multicultural city state with a population of approximately 5.7 million people.
Singapore is known for its strong economy, advanced technology, and strict laws and regulations.
Singapore is also a major global financial centre and home to a thriving technology industry.
It is also a popular tourist destination due to its beautiful gardens, iconic landmarks and diverse food scene. It is a diverse country with a mix of Chinese, Malay, Indian and European cultural influences.
Capital: Singapore City
Currency: Singapore Dollar (SGD)
President: Tharman Shanmugaratnam
Prime Minister: Lee Hsien Loong.