Politics: Opposition ‘alliance’ unlikely to worry incumbents Now, at the second time of asking, the Shanmugaratnams have said ‘yes’. He declined, and the role was instead filled by Benjamin Sheares (from 1971 to 1981). But why does Tharman want the presidency? His commitment to public service aside, one source told Jom that Kanagaratnam Shanmugaratnam, Tharman’s late father and renowned pathologist, was once asked by the party to serve as Singapore’s second president.

Tharman’s four teammates are nowhere near as popular as he is, and the party risks losing in Jurong if it faces a strong opposition team. Second, the PAP will now have to find another political heavyweight to replace Tharman in the electoral contest for the Jurong Group Representation Constituency (the next general election is due by 2025). He also said he will represent Singaporeans of all “political persuasions at a time when views in the population are becoming more diverse” and that his “role vis-à-vis the Government will change fundamentally.” There is a small possibility, then, that Tharman will annoy his former party as Ong Teng Cheong, president from 1993 to 1999, once did. Tharman will be “thorough and impartial” in fulfilling these duties, he said, in a farewell post. First, even though the role is largely ceremonial, the presidency has some key powers, such as safeguarding Singapore’s reserves and the ability to veto important public service appointments. There are risks for the PAP in anointing Tharman as its candidate.

Anybody who runs against him will likely be doing so just to offer Singaporeans a democratic contest-something denied in 2017, after the government ruled that Halimah Yacob, the incumbent, was the only qualified candidate. Tharman is immensely popular across the political spectrum, so it’s a safe bet that he will not only become president, but might do so in a walkover. Yesterday, he announced his intention to retire from politics, government as well as from the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP). Politics: Another presidential election walkover?Īs rumoured last week, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, senior minister, will be standing in the presidential election this year (it must be called by September 13th).

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