SINGAPORE: In a recent update, a member of the public informed Gutzy about a notable change in the professional record of Akilan Shanmugaratnam, the son of presidential candidate Tharman Shanmugaratnam.
Akilan’s record on Contact.gov was altered, transferring him from the Department of Reserves and Investment Directorate Reserves Policy at the Ministry of Finance (MOF) to the Social Programmes Directorate Education and Manpower.
This shift is said to have taken place between 10 am and 12.40 pm today.
The online community has been abuzz with Akilan’s initial appointment at the reserves department, specifically on the local forum Hardwarezone.
Netizens have been debating whether there could be a conflict of interest, given that Akilan’s father, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, a former People’s Action Party politician, had served as the Minister for Finance from 2007 to 2015.
One forum member stated, “Tharman left MOF in 2015, so if his son joined after 2015 means no issue. Anyway, it’s not uncommon for their children to work in CS, Temasek, or GIC.”
Meanwhile, another speculated, “Tomorrow will be promoted to another ministry?”
Given the recent changes to Akilan’s record, some are wondering whether this move is a promotion or, contrarily, a demotion.
The reasons and implications behind this change remain to be seen, but it has certainly piqued the interest of the public.