Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has issued a statement after Tharman Shanmugaratnam won the 2023 Presidential Election with a whopping 70.4% of the votes, clinching the presidency over fellow candidates Ng Kok Song and Tan Kin Lian who finished with 15.7% and 13.9% of the votes respectively.
PM Lee congratulated Tharman on his victory and said that he has every confidence that the latter will carry out his presidential duties with distinction.
He also assured Tharman that he will have the full cooperation of the government.
PM Lee’s statement
Singaporeans have chosen Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam to be our next President by a decisive margin. As Head of State, he will represent us at home and abroad, and exercise custodial powers, including over the reserves and key appointments.
I thank the three candidates for putting themselves forward in this Presidential election. I am happy that Singaporeans have been able to exercise the right to vote for our next President, and to focus on what the elected President is about. In this election, both voters and candidates have shown a greater understanding of the roles and duties of the President, which bodes well for Singapore.
Mr Tharman has a long and distinguished record of public service. I have every confidence that he will carry out his duties as President with distinction.
I have called Mr Tharman to congratulate him on his election, and to assure him of my Government’s full cooperation. Mr Tharman has also declared his intention to work closely with the Government.
As Head of State, the President has to be a unifying figure that all Singaporeans can look up to and identify with. He must exercise his custodial powers under the Constitution wisely, bringing to bear his experience and independent judgement. Internationally, representing Singapore, he must fly our flag high.
I thank the election officials for their hard work that has ensured a smooth and successful Presidential election. I also wish to thank all voters, both here and abroad, for doing our civic duty.
Now that the election is over, let us come together again as Singaporeans, to tackle the challenges ahead and build a stronger and more united nation. – LHL
Tharman’ statement after becoming president
My Fellow Singaporeans,
I am truly humbled by the strong endorsement you have given me in our nation’s Presidential Election.
My fellow candidates put full effort and energy into their campaigns, and made this a worthy contest. I thank and commend them.
Above all I thank my fellow Singaporeans, whichever way you voted, for your interest and calm engagement in the issues raised in the Election.
I believe the vote for me and what I stood for is a vote of confidence in Singapore itself, a vote of optimism in how we can progress together and support each other as Singaporeans.
It can, and must, be a future of deeper respect for each other, regardless of backgrounds and educational achievements. A future of closer interactions between our different faiths and cultures, so that we deepen our multicultural identity. A future of solidarity even as we hold to diverse views, which is natural in our democracy.
A future where every generation derives confidence and benefit from our national reserves, and feels fortunate that we are Singaporeans.
A future where Singapore continues to be a partner of choice internationally, and is able to project its voice of reason in an endangered world.
It will be my duty to use the roles and responsibilities of the President to help us advance this future of optimism and solidarity.
I will honour your trust in me, and serve you with all my heart in the years to come.
Majulah Singapura!
Tharman Shanmugaratnam