PM Lee applauds PE2023’s positive outcome as Singapore elects minority President

SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong hailed the 2023 Presidential Election’s outcome as a positive development for Singapore, and bodes well the future of the nation.

He emphasized that the election underscored Singaporeans’ collective decision to elect a well-qualified candidate, while also highlighting a diminishing significance of race in the voting process and an enhanced comprehension of the president’s roles and responsibilities.

“The outcome of this presidential election was positive for Singapore for many reasons.”

After securing a resounding victory in the Presidential Election with 70.41% of the vote, former People’s Action Party senior minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam was inaugurated as Singapore’s President at the Istana on Thursday (13 Sept) evening.

Addressing the audience at President Tharman’s inauguration ceremony at the Istana on Thursday, PM Lee underscored that Singaporeans have chosen a candidate who is eminently qualified for the esteemed office.

PM Lee praised that Tharman possesses not only the requisite abilities, experience, and stature for this role, but also exhibits sound judgment and unwavering integrity, all crucial qualities for a president.

Furthermore, PM Lee pointed out that PE 2023 had also shown that when it comes to voting, race is a smaller factor now than it used to be.

“as you, Mr President said on Election night, race is a factor in politics everywhere. But Singaporean voters today look at many other factors too.”

“It is indeed a good sign that in a national vote, Singaporeans have elected a candidate from a minority Community as president on his merits by an overwhelming majority.”

Additionally, PM Lee noted that in this election, voters displayed a deeper understanding of the president’s roles and responsibilities.

“The president is someone who represents all of us with dignity and grace and fulfills his custodial duties with integrity and independent judgment while staying above the dust and heat of politics.”

“The campaign was focused on how the candidates intended to exercise these custodial powers and what personal experience and attributes they would bring to the Post rather than on government policies or political issues.”

Singaporeans understood that they were choosing a president for the nation and not electing the next government all these bode well for the nation’s future, PM Lee said.

PM Lee vows government’s full support to President Tharman

PM Lee also congratulated President Tharman on his decisive election win and expressed his government’s commitment to working closely with the ninth president to steer Singapore toward a brighter future for all citizens.

“It was good that there was a contest, and Singaporeans had the opportunity to exercise their right to vote,” he said.

“The strong vote share you garnered showed the regard and support voters had for you, and for your message of unity expressed in your campaign theme ‘Respect for All’.”

He affirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to provide full support and cooperation in managing Singapore’s unique two-key system, a crucial safeguard for the nation’s reserves and key appointments.

“You are the guardian of our Nest Egg which we have painstakingly built up over decades. Assisted by the Council of Presidential Advisors, you have to ensure that the reserves are well protected to be used only for important and exceptional purposes, especially in urgent crisis.”