PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim congratulated Singapore’s former senior minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam on his victory in the island republic’s presidential election on Friday. 

He expressed hope that bilateral relations and cooperation between Malaysia and Singapore remain intact in a family spirit that will benefit the people of both nations. 

The prime minister also hoped Singapore would continue to prosper under Tharman’s leadership.

“Congratulations to Tharman Shanmugaratnam as the new president of the Republic of Singapore!” he said in a social media post today. 

In the election, the former deputy prime minister received 70.4% of the vote followed by sovereign wealth fund GIC former chief investment officer Ng Kok Song (15.72%) and former NTUC Income Insurance Co-operative CEO Tan Kin Lian (13.88%).

A statesman and economist, Tharman, 66, served as the republic’s deputy prime minister between 2011 and 2019, and as senior minister in the cabinet between 2019 and 2023.

His other roles include chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore between 2011 and 2023, and deputy chairman of GIC between 2019 and 2023. – Bernama, September 3, 2023.