With the world entering a different era fraught with crises, Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam hopes to draw on his international standing to project Singapore's "voice of reason", and play a unifying role domestically given his independent streak if he gets elected as President.

To this end, he sees himself not as a striker who scores goals but someone playing further behind or "guarding the pack" in his words.

"I played many games, but I found in almost all the games I played, particularly competitive field games at a very high level, that I never liked being centre forward," said Mr Tharman on Thursday (June 8) in response to a question on why he wishes to run for President while previously saying he has no ambitions to be Prime Minister.

"For some reason I was quite good at being centre half, left half, sometimes full back. I don't know why. But I like guarding the pack. And I like planning the game," added the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Member of Parliament (MP) for Jurong Group Representation Constituency (GRC).

Speaking to reporters at Taman Jurong Community Club after announcing his presidential bid, Mr Tharman said he ultimately chose to contest because the office of the President is a "key pillar" of Singapore's system of governance, as well as being a unifying figure to Singaporeans.

He also stressed that the President plays a very important role "as a check on the system and ensuring the system is stable through thick and thin".

However, he admitted it was still a difficult decision because he is "very comfortable as a policymaker".

Mr Tharman will be retiring from politics and stepping down from all his positions in Government on July 7.

Asked whether he felt being from a minority racial group might put him at a disadvantage, Mr Tharman said race "has not been an issue" for him.

"But I guess I also have the advantage of being known to Singaporeans and having been a minister in various capacities for some time... I would say I had very strong support from all segments of the community," he said.

But for those who are new to politics, race will be an issue as people are looking at them for the first time, he added.

"It hasn't been an issue for me. That doesn't mean it isn't an issue from time to time....(and) I think it will be less of an issue in the future as well — Singaporeans are changing," said Mr Tharman.

‘NOT A RUSHED DECISION’

During the interview, Mr Tharman said that he had been contemplating running for President for months, and the decision, although difficult, was not rushed.

In that time, people have been asking him about his decision whether to contest, even during Mr Tharman's weekly visits to the hawker centre.

"I have people just coming up to me and asking me. And I have a good laugh and sort of (brush) it off. But I know that they're not joking. And they do want me to consider," he said.

In recent months, Mr Tharman began mulling the decision harder, especially after President Halimah Yacob announced her decision not to seek re-election last week.

"I was leaning that way already but once she made a decision I felt I had to take it seriously," said Mr Tharman.

"And once I made up my mind, I felt that this is a very important matter. No point hedging and disguising the fact that I intend to stand. I should just come out openly and say."

Another key reason for his decision was his conviction that Singapore can do well and weather the storms ahead, he said.

“I’m very comfortable as a policymaker, but we are entering a fundamentally different era,” he added. While there have been changes within Singapore’s shores, such as a maturing population and more varied views, developments internationally are “more worrying”.

“The world is not set up for crises; economic crises, pandemics which are going to keep coming,” he said.

“But most worrying, geopolitical conflict — frictions, tensions, sometimes maybe even overt conflict.”

Pointing out the “tough times” ahead for Singapore and the world, Mr Tharman said the President plays a very important role as a check on the Singapore system of governance.

Beyond that, the President also plays a role in ensuring the system retains its integrity while being a unifying figure for Singapore in a society with more varied views and preferences.

“It’s both about people holding together (and) also about our system of governance,” said Mr Tharman.

“The two go together. If our system of governance falls apart and there's no check on the Government being able to draw on reserves or appointing its own people willy-nilly, the trust of the people will easily disappear.”

A UNIFYING ROLE

Should he be elected as President, Mr Tharman said he will play a unifying role for people of different races, religions, social backgrounds, political views and others.

The head of state also has to project Singapore outwards in a rational, balanced and neutral manner while considering Singapore's and the world's interests, which he dubbed the "Singapore voice of reason".

His experience in various roles internationally, both current and former, would allow him to be active in performing that duty should he be elected, Mr Tharman said.

Among his various appointments, Mr Tharman chaired the International Monetary and Financial Committee and was its first Asian chair. The committee is a part of the International Monetary Fund's governance system.

In response to a question about his duties as an MP, Mr Tharman said that his fellow MPs in Jurong GRC will work “doubly hard” to serve the constituency. Mr Shawn Huang, MP for Jurong GRC, will help Mr Tharman cover his Meet-the-People sessions once he leaves his role.

Mr Tharman also added he does not make any “assumptions” about his chances of winning the elections — something he has never done despite the numerous elections he has been through.

In the last election in 2020, the People’s Action Party team that Mr Tharman led claimed the largest victory in any constituency, winning 74.62 per cent of the vote against new party Red Dot United.

“Unlike the General Elections I've been through, this is not a political contest. This is about choosing the right person. But I still make no assumptions about my chances,” he told reporters.

Mr Tharman said the time is now right for him to serve, and that he puts himself forward to do so to the best of his ability, using all his experience in economics and finance, in international affairs, and his own international standing in the process of serving Singaporeans.

"Not a political role, but a different one that has to be above politics. It has to be above politics," he said, adding the President is a "fundamentally different" role.

The President holds the "second key" to the country's reserves and vets key appointments in the Government, as well as play a unifying role by being "above the political fray". Mr Tharman said he believes he can be the right fit.

"I offer myself partly because through my background, everyone knows who I am, and they know that I have an independent streak, shall we put it that way?"

Source:
courtesy of TODAY

by LORAINE LEE

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