'Vote of confidence in Singapore': Tharman on his resounding victory in the Presidential Election
Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who will be the country's ninth President, says the vote was not just for him but for Singapore's future.
SINGAPORE: The country's next President Tharman Shanmugaratnam said he was "truly humbled" by Singaporeans' strong endorsement of him.
The former Senior Minister won the Presidential Election with a landslide victory of 70.4 per cent of the votes. Former GIC chief investment officer Ng Kok Song received 15.72 per cent and former NTUC Income chief Tan Kin Lian 13.88 per cent.
“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," Mr Tharman said on Facebook after the final result was announced.
"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," he continued.
"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."
Mr Tharman said he would use the roles and responsibilities of the President to help Singapore 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," he added.
Mr Tharman's message on Facebook mirrored what he earlier told reporters after a sample count of the results predicted a clear victory for him, with 70 per cent of the votes.
"It’s a vote of optimism for a future in which we can progress together and support each other as Singaporeans," he said.
The 66-year-old met and greeted supporters who had gathered at Taman Jurong Market and Food Centre in anticipation of the Presidential Election results.
When the sample count results were reported at about 10.40pm, Mr Tharman's supporters at the hawker centre broke into a loud cheer and chanted “Majulah Singapura” or "onward Singapore" in Malay.
Mr Tharman said he called both Mr Ng and Mr Tan after the sample count results. While he spoke to Mr Ng, he did not manage to reach Mr Tan and said he would speak to him later.
He thanked the other two candidates, and described them as having “put full effort and energy into their campaigns”, making for a “worthy contest”.
“I also want to thank Singaporeans for following the issues closely and for engaging calmly throughout this presidential election period.”
Mr Tharman also noted that this was a race with a multiracial slate of candidates.
“Race is never absent but it is not the only factor … I think with each half decade, Singapore is changing and evolving. I hope that my being elected President is seen as another milestone in that process of evolution.”
