Tony Tan captures Singapore's presidency
Source: Agencies |
August 29, 2011, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
FORMER Singapore deputy prime minister Tony Tan won a narrow victory to become the country's seventh president yesterday.
Tan, 71, received 35 percent of about 2.1 million votes in Saturday's election, edging out former member of parliament Tan Cheng Bock by just 7,269 votes, according to the elections department.
Other opponents Tan Jee Say won 25 percent and Tan Kin Lian 5 percent.
The announcement of the results was delayed by a few hours as election officials recounted the votes because of the tight contest between the top two candidates.
The election was Singapore's first contested vote for president - a mainly ceremonial position - since 1993.
After the results, Tan said: "I plan to work my utmost for Singaporeans whatever be their political affiliation. The presidency is above politics."
Analysts were closely watching the performance of Tony Tan, who was backed by most of the political establishment, as a barometer of voter discontent with the ruling People's Action Party, which has held power since 1959.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and the PAP did not endorse Tan, but Lee had praised Tan without mentioning the other three candidates.
Until last month, Tan was executive director of sovereign wealth fund Government of Singapore Investment.
Tan, 71, received 35 percent of about 2.1 million votes in Saturday's election, edging out former member of parliament Tan Cheng Bock by just 7,269 votes, according to the elections department.
Other opponents Tan Jee Say won 25 percent and Tan Kin Lian 5 percent.
The announcement of the results was delayed by a few hours as election officials recounted the votes because of the tight contest between the top two candidates.
The election was Singapore's first contested vote for president - a mainly ceremonial position - since 1993.
After the results, Tan said: "I plan to work my utmost for Singaporeans whatever be their political affiliation. The presidency is above politics."
Analysts were closely watching the performance of Tony Tan, who was backed by most of the political establishment, as a barometer of voter discontent with the ruling People's Action Party, which has held power since 1959.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and the PAP did not endorse Tan, but Lee had praised Tan without mentioning the other three candidates.
Until last month, Tan was executive director of sovereign wealth fund Government of Singapore Investment.
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