Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam has announced his candidacy for the upcoming presidential election and will be stepping down from his government and People’s Action Party (PAP) positions on July 7th after 22 years in politics.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Thursday, Tharman expressed his decision to retire from politics and all government positions in order to participate in the presidential election. He plans to resign from the PAP and relinquish his roles as Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies on July 7th, allowing him to fulfill his immediate commitments in Singapore and internationally, and ensuring the smooth transition for his constituents in Jurong GRC.
Prime Minister Lee accepted Tharman’s resignation in a reply letter and expressed gratitude for his distinguished service to Singapore. Lee acknowledged the loss of Tharman’s leadership, insightful views, and wise counsel but understood the reasons behind his decision to run for president, commending his spirit of public service and sense of duty.
Along with his political roles, Tharman will also step down from his position as chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), deputy chairman of the sovereign wealth fund GIC, chairman of the Economic Development Board’s International Advisory Council, and other ministerial responsibilities.
Tharman mentioned that he was humbled by the requests he received from various Singaporeans to run for president if President Halimah chose not to stand for re-election. After careful consideration and consultation with his family, he decided that he could serve Singapore best in a non-political role.
If elected as president, Tharman aims to represent the unity of Singaporeans, regardless of race, religion, social background, or political affiliation, particularly during a time when opinions in the population are becoming more diverse. He pledged to fulfill the constitutional duties of the president with impartiality, focusing on the prudent use of the nation’s reserves and the key appointments that safeguard the integrity of Singapore’s system. Furthermore, he expressed his commitment to projecting Singapore’s interests and promoting a voice of reason in an increasingly turbulent world.
Tharman expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Lee for his leadership, guidance, and openness to collegial debate over the years. Prime Minister Lee expressed confidence in Tharman’s ability to carry out the duties of the presidency meticulously, highlighting his independent mindset that has been consistently demonstrated throughout his career.
