Anwar congratulates Tharman; hopes for relations between S’pore & M’sia to ‘continue to be intact in the spirit of family’

SINGAPORE: After the presidential election on Friday (Sept 1) was decided by an overwhelming majority in favour of former Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, congratulations have been pouring in.

On Sunday afternoon (Sept 3), Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim congratulated the President-elect in a social media post where he also expressed his hopes for the future of relations between Singapore and Malaysia.

“All the best to Tharman Shanmugaratnam as the new President of the Republic of Singapore!” he wrote.

“Praying that the bilateral relationship and cooperation between Malaysia and Singapore continue to be intact in the spirit of family that is able to benefit the people of both countries, in addition to hoping Singapore continues to prosper and prosper under his leadership,” he added in Malay.

In the first contested Presidential election in more than ten years, Singaporeans trooped to the polls on Friday and elected Mr Tharman, 66, by a wide margin. He won with 70.4 per cent of the vote.

The other candidates trailed by a considerable margin, with former group chief investment officer of GIC Ng Kok Song, 75, getting 15.72 per cent and former chief executive officer of NTUC Income Tan Kin Lian, 75, getting 13.88 per cent of the vote.

After the Elections Department announced that Mr Tharman had received 70 per cent of the vote share, the former Senior Minister said he is “truly humbled by the strong endorsement” Singaporeans have given him.

“I believe that the vote for me and what I stand for is a vote of confidence in Singapore.  It’s a vote of optimism for a future in which we can progress together and support each other Singaporeans. I will honour the trust that Singaporeans have placed in me and respect all Singaporeans including those who did not vote for me,” he added.

/TISG

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