Who Is Tharman Shanmugaratnam? 5 Things You Need To Know About Singapore's New Indian-Origin President

Tharman Shanmugaratnam, an economist of Indian origin, has been elected as Singapore's ninth president, winning a landslide victory in a three-way race. The 66-year-old secured 70 percent of the votes, while his two Chinese-origin rivals, Ng Kok Song and Tan Kin Lian, received 16% and 14% respectively.

Tharman is a highly respected figure in Singapore, with a long and distinguished career in politics and economics. He served as deputy prime minister from 2011 to 2019, and was also finance minister and minister for education. He is known for his technocratic skills and his commitment to social justice.

All you need to know about Singapore's new Indian-Origin President

• Tharman was born in Singapore to a Tamil father and a Chinese mother. He studied economics at the London School of Economics, the University of Cambridge, and Harvard University. He began his career at the Monetary Authority of Singapore, and later served as deputy chairman of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC).
• Tharman entered politics in 2001, and was elected to Parliament as a member of the People's Action Party (PAP), Singapore's ruling party. He held a number of ministerial positions, and was appointed deputy prime minister in 2011.
• Tharman resigned from the PAP in July 2023 to run for president as an independent candidate. He is married to Jane Yumiko Ittogi, a former lawyer and social worker of Japanese descent. They have four children.
• Tharman's election as Singapore's first Indian-origin president is a historic milestone. He is a strong advocate for social cohesion and racial harmony, and he is committed to building a more inclusive and equitable society.
• In his victory speech, Tharman said that he would be a president for all Singaporeans, regardless of race, religion, or background. He promised to work hard to unite the country and to address the challenges facing Singapore, such as the rising cost of living and the aging population.