<p>A Singapore-born Indian-origin former minister has been announced as an official candidate for the rich Southeast Asian nation’s presidential elections.</p>

<p>Tharman Shanmugaratnam, 66, has been a former senior minister in the government of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP).</p>

<p>"Let's look forward to a campaign, which is dignified and honourable, and a campaign which itself seeks to unite Singaporeans and not divide us," he said in a speech.</p>

<p>Singapore’s Elections Department (ELD) on Tuesday (August 22) declared three individuals as official candidates for the country’s highest non-political post, including two Chinese-origin candidates.</p>

<p>The other two candidates are 75-year-old Ng Kok Song, who is the former investment chief of a state-owned company, and 75-year-old Tan Kin Lian, who is the former head of the state-run insurance company.</p>

<h2><strong>Tharman resigned from public offices in July</strong></h2>

<p>In order to qualify for contesting presidential polls, Tharman had resigned from all political and public offices in July.</p>

<p>He later told the local media that he was running in the polls not for the associated prestige but on the basis of a long-held purpose in life.</p>

<p>"I believe in a fairer, more compassionate and more inclusive society. And my life is dedicated to that. Singapore can be special," the Indian-origin leader said.</p>

<p>"It will be a more difficult and challenging future that we face, which is the reason why I have entered this contest to offer all my experience and capabilities on the ground for a few decades nationally and internationally," he added.</p>

<h2><strong>Tharman’s career</strong></h2>

<p>Tharman began his career as an economist and civil servant, primarily at the Monetary Authority of Singapore, before entering the political arena in 2001.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Singapore: Tharman Shanmugaratnam to run for Presidency</strong></p>

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<p>During his time in politics, he held positions as the minister for education and finance, as well as deputy prime minister, serving from 2011 to 2019.</p>

<h2><strong>The other two candidates</strong></h2>

<p>Ng, who introduced himself in Chinese, Malay, and Tamil, expressed his candidacy for the presidency as a means to safeguard Singapore's three key assets: its reserves, public service appointments, and social stability.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/singapore-indian-origin-former-minister-tharman-among-3-people-qualified-to-run-in-presidential-election-626830"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Singapore: Indian-origin former minister Tharman among 3 people qualified to run in presidential election</strong></a></p>

<p>Tan voiced his aspiration to provide the people of Singapore with the opportunity to choose a president who remains truly impartial from the ruling government. He pledged to fulfil his constitutional responsibilities diligently, honestly, and to the best of his ability if elected.</p>

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A Singapore-born Indian-origin former minister has been announced as an official candidate for the rich Southeast Asian nation’s presidential elections. Tharman Shanmugaratnam, 66, has been a former senior minister in the government of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP).

A Singapore-born Indian-origin former minister has been announced as an official candidate for the rich Southeast Asian nation’s presidential elections. Tharman Shanmugaratnam, 66, has been a former senior minister in the government of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP). "Let's look forward to a campaign, which is dignified and honourable, and a campaign which itself seeks to unite Singaporeans and not divide us," he said in a speech. Singapore’s Elections Department (ELD) on Tuesday (August 22) declared three individuals as official candidates for the country’s highest non-political post, including two Chinese-origin candidates. The other two candidates are 75-year-old Ng Kok Song, who is the former investment chief of a state-owned company, and 75-year-old Tan Kin Lian, who is the former head of the state-run insurance company. Tharman resigned from public offices in July In order to qualify for contesting presidential polls, Tharman had resigned from all political and public offices in July. He later told the local media that he was running in the polls not for the associated prestige but on the basis of a long-held purpose in life. "I believe in a fairer, more compassionate and more inclusive society. And my life is dedicated to that. Singapore can be special," the Indian-origin leader said. "It will be a more difficult and challenging future that we face, which is the reason why I have entered this contest to offer all my experience and capabilities on the ground for a few decades nationally and internationally," he added. Tharman’s career Tharman began his career as an economist and civil servant, primarily at the Monetary Authority of Singapore, before entering the political arena in 2001. Watch: Singapore: Tharman Shanmugaratnam to run for Presidency × During his time in politics, he held positions as the minister for education and finance, as well as deputy prime minister, serving from 2011 to 2019. The other two candidates Ng, who introduced himself in Chinese, Malay, and Tamil, expressed his candidacy for the presidency as a means to safeguard Singapore's three key assets: its reserves, public service appointments, and social stability. Also read: Singapore: Indian-origin former minister Tharman among 3 people qualified to run in presidential election Tan voiced his aspiration to provide the people of Singapore with the opportunity to choose a president who remains truly impartial from the ruling government. He pledged to fulfil his constitutional responsibilities diligently, honestly, and to the best of his ability if elected. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Indian-origin ex-minister Tharman is a candidate in Singapore presidential polls

<p>Tharman Shanmugaratnam, a former Indian-origin minister in Singapore, formally launched his presidential campaign on Wednesday. The 66-year-old had stepped down from active politics last month after 22 years.</p>

<p>Tharman has vowed to evolve Singapore's culture as a "shining spot" in the world.</p>

<p>"I stepped into this race because I feel very strongly in the need to evolve Singapore's culture, some of our norms and the way we go about working with each other so that we remain a shining spot in the world,” he said at a press conference.</p>

<p>Tharman vowed to be "a president for a new era" after he officially launched his campaign for office.</p>

<p>Tharman outlined the supposed challenges faced by Singapore both globally and domestically and said that the nation's real challenge was to avoid becoming a divided society.</p>

<p>"If I'm fortunate enough to be elected as President, I pledge to bring my full experience and capabilities on the ground nationally and internationally, to serve as your President for this new and more challenging era," Channel News Asia quoted him as saying.</p>

<p>The politician said that his 22 years in politics had provided him with the experiential wherewithal to unify people.</p>

<p>"When we talk about being a unifying figure, I do not say this rhetorically or just as an aspiration but I speak from a real track record," he said.</p>

<p>"That includes the track record of respecting different views, including different political leanings and constantly trying to find common ground," he said.</p>

<p>He said he would bring a "more basic orientation" of integrity and that will define his presidency, once elected.</p>

<p>"I don't have to change my colours like a chameleon. I'm the same person with the same integrity and same independence of mind, and that remains critical for the role of the president," he said.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-indian-origin-world-leaders-occupying-significant-positions-498639/#sr-nathan-singapore-498617">UK's Rishi Sunak joins Indian-origin world leaders. Here's a look at others</a></strong></p>

<p>Tharman was an economist and a civil servant, mainly at the Monetary Authority of Singapore, before joining politics in 2001.</p>

<p>He has served as the Minister for Education and Finance and was the Deputy Prime Minister from 2011 to 2019. He has also held prominent posts at international organisations including the International Monetary Fund, the World Economic Forum and the United Nations.</p>

<p>There are three prospective candidates who have publicly announced their intention to contest the polls.</p>

<p>The other two prospective candidates&nbsp;are businessman George Goh and investment manager Ng Kok Song.</p>

<h2><strong>Singapore presidential polls: Conditions and rules</strong></h2>

<p>Under requirements laid out in Singapore's Constitution, public sector presidential candidates must have held office for at least three years as a minister, chief justice, attorney-general or other high-level posts.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Indian-Origin Ajay Banga set to become World Bank Chief</strong></p>

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<p>Private sector candidates must have served for at least three years as chief executives of a company with an average of Singapore dollars 500 million in shareholders' equity.</p>

<h2><strong>When will Singapore go to polls?</strong></h2>

<p>Singapore will go to polls in September 2023. President Halimah Yacob's tenure will end on September 13.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Singapore will hold its first presidential election since 2011, after President Halimah announced on May 29 that she will not seek a second term.</p>

<p>She is the country's eighth and first female president. Her six-year term ends on September 13 this year.</p>

<p>The 2017 presidential poll was a reserved election, in which only members of the Malay community were allowed to contest. Halimah was named president then as there were no other candidates.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Tharman Shanmugaratnam, a former Indian-origin minister in Singapore, formally launched his presidential campaign on Wednesday. The 66-year-old had stepped down from active politics last month after 22 years.

Tharman Shanmugaratnam, a former Indian-origin minister in Singapore, formally launched his presidential campaign on Wednesday. The 66-year-old had stepped down from active politics last month after 22 years. Tharman has vowed to evolve Singapore's culture as a "shining spot" in the world. "I stepped into this race because I feel very strongly in the need to evolve Singapore's culture, some of our norms and the way we go about working with each other so that we remain a shining spot in the world,” he said at a press conference. Tharman vowed to be "a president for a new era" after he officially launched his campaign for office. Tharman outlined the supposed challenges faced by Singapore both globally and domestically and said that the nation's real challenge was to avoid becoming a divided society. "If I'm fortunate enough to be elected as President, I pledge to bring my full experience and capabilities on the ground nationally and internationally, to serve as your President for this new and more challenging era," Channel News Asia quoted him as saying. The politician said that his 22 years in politics had provided him with the experiential wherewithal to unify people. "When we talk about being a unifying figure, I do not say this rhetorically or just as an aspiration but I speak from a real track record," he said. "That includes the track record of respecting different views, including different political leanings and constantly trying to find common ground," he said. He said he would bring a "more basic orientation" of integrity and that will define his presidency, once elected. "I don't have to change my colours like a chameleon. I'm the same person with the same integrity and same independence of mind, and that remains critical for the role of the president," he said. Also read | UK's Rishi Sunak joins Indian-origin world leaders. Here's a look at others Tharman was an economist and a civil servant, mainly at the Monetary Authority of Singapore, before joining politics in 2001. He has served as the Minister for Education and Finance and was the Deputy Prime Minister from 2011 to 2019. He has also held prominent posts at international organisations including the International Monetary Fund, the World Economic Forum and the United Nations. There are three prospective candidates who have publicly announced their intention to contest the polls. The other two prospective candidates are businessman George Goh and investment manager Ng Kok Song. Singapore presidential polls: Conditions and rules Under requirements laid out in Singapore's Constitution, public sector presidential candidates must have held office for at least three years as a minister, chief justice, attorney-general or other high-level posts. Also watch | Indian-Origin Ajay Banga set to become World Bank Chief × Private sector candidates must have served for at least three years as chief executives of a company with an average of Singapore dollars 500 million in shareholders' equity. When will Singapore go to polls? Singapore will go to polls in September 2023. President Halimah Yacob's tenure will end on September 13. Singapore will hold its first presidential election since 2011, after President Halimah announced on May 29 that she will not seek a second term. She is the country's eighth and first female president. Her six-year term ends on September 13 this year. The 2017 presidential poll was a reserved election, in which only members of the Malay community were allowed to contest. Halimah was named president then as there were no other candidates. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Singapore's former Indian-origin minister launches presidential bid

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Indian-origin ex-minister Tharman is a candidate in Singapore presidential polls

Singapore's former Indian-origin minister launches presidential bid