Election of President Tharman Ushers in Hope for a New Era of Unity in Singapore

Newly-elected President Tharman Shanmugaratnam attending the opening of a school in Singapore (Wikimedia Commons)

Tharman Shanmugaratnam, former leader of the People’s Action Party (PAP), was elected as the ninth President of Singapore in a landslide victory following a successful “Respect for All” campaign on September 1, 2023. Receiving a record 70.4 percent of the vote, Shanmugaratnam defeated Ng Kok Song and Tan Kin Lian to replace Halimah Yacob and serve as the country’s ceremonial head of state, the first non-Chinese candidate in Singaporean history to hold the position. Many Singaporeans, Shanmugaratnam included, regard his victory as indicative of continued trust in the established People’s Action Party following economic downturns and scandals that have shaken the party’s reputation. 

Shanmugaratnam is a popular, seasoned Singaporean politician, whose 22 years of political experience includes serving as deputy prime minister, minister of finance, minister of education, and deputy managing director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore. He has spent his political career as a member of the People’s Action Party, which has dominated Singaporean politics and cites as key values meritocracy, multiculturalism, and communitarianism. Shanmugaratnam’s campaign “Respect for All” aimed to communicate his dedication to optimism, solidarity, and accountability to the public, who have recently expressed frustration with the government over rising living costs and scandals in parliament. The public’s vote in favor of Shanmugaratnam reflects their hope the established People’s Action Party will address their concerns and unify the nation.

Though the role of Singapore’s President is generally ceremonial with the exception of certain veto powers, Shanmugaratnam’s election was no easy feat due to the stringent requirements to run for the position. Singapore’s constitution requires all candidates to be nonpartisan, forcing Shanmugaratnam to leave his post in the People’s Action Party earlier this year and demonstrate he was an adequately independent candidate. Candidates also must receive Certificates of Eligibility in addition to a community certificate, which Shanmugaratnam, Song, and Lian were the only three interested individuals to receive. These regulations, along with other regulated nominating criteria throughout the process, make running for President in Singapore a challenging endeavor.

After an overwhelming win for Shanmugaratnam on September 1, opponents Song and Lian both called the new President to concede the election. In his acceptance speech, Shanmugaratnam thanked the public for their votes and reiterated his commitment to resolving corruption, housing, and trade crises, as well as building a sense of Singaporean solidarity. As President, Shanmugaratnam will primarily manage the national budget, appointments, and reserves. 

The People’s Action Party is celebrating the ex-party member’s victory as a sign of public trust. The party dominates Singaporean politics and has held the presidency since 1959 with limited opposition. Despite issues with party resignations and unsettled economic conditions, the PAP and international analysts regard their maintenance of power as a sign the people generally agree with the government and are seeking reform rather than a shakeup to Singapore’s dominant-party system. Singaporeans are hopeful the new President will improve the functioning of government and represent them first.