Singapore economist Tharman Shanmugarathnam whose roots are from India has created history by winning Singapore’s Presidential election. Shanmugarathnam defeated two Presidential candidates of Chinese origin. This is the country’s first contested Presidential Poll since 2011. In the presidential elections, Tharman Shanmugaratnam secured 70.4 percent votes. The other contenders – Ng Kok Song and Tan Kin Lian were limited to 15.7 percent and 13.88 percent respectively.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong congratulated Tharman Shanmugaratnam on securing a record win. The tenure of current president Halima Yaqoob ends on September 13. Shanmugarathnam is happy to win the presidential election of Singapore. Shanmugarathnam joined the People’s Action Party in 2001. He held various posts in the government and served as Deputy Prime Minister till 2019. He participated in the Presidential election campaign since July.
Previously, Sellappan Ramanathan from Tamil Nadu was recognized as the longest-serving President of Singapore. Chengara Vatil Devan Nair, a Malayali, also served as President between 1981-85. Now Shanmugarathnam has followed their path.
