Wikipedia

Tharman Shanmugaratnam: Difference between revisions

Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
OOOTenx (talk | contribs)
181 edits
Added {{COI}} tag
Undid revision 1235194330 by OOOTenx (talk)
Line 94:
'''Tharman Shanmugaratnam'''{{efn|{{lang-ta|தர்மன் சண்முகரத்தினம்}}}} (born 25 February 1957), also known [[mononymously]] as '''Tharman''', is a Singaporean politician and economist who has been serving as the ninth [[president of Singapore]] since 2023.
 
Prior to his presidency, Tharman served as [[Senior Minister of Singapore]] between 2019 and 2023, Chairman of the [[CoordinatingMonetary MinisterAuthority forof Social Policies (Singapore)|Coordinating Minister for Social Policies]] between 20152011 and 2023, and Chairman of the [[MonetaryDeputy AuthorityPrime Minister of Singapore|Deputy Prime Minister]] between 2011 and 20232019.<ref name="Parliament Profile"/>He Aalso formerserved member of the governingas [[People'sCoordinating ActionMinister Party]]for (PAP),Social hePolicies|Coordinating wasMinister thefor [[ParliamentEconomic ofand Singapore|MemberSocial of ParliamentPolicies]]<ref>{{Cite (MP)web representing|title=Senior theMinister Tamanand JurongCoordinating divisionMinister offor [[JurongSocial GroupPolicies Representation– Constituency|JurongSenior GRC]]Minister betweenand 2001Coordinating andMinister 2023for Social Policies|url=https://www.parliament.gov.sg/docs/default-source/default-document-library/cv-of-senior-minister-tharman-shanmugaratnam.pdf}}</ref> Hebetween also2011 servedand as2015, [[Deputy Prime MinisterMinistry of Finance (Singapore)|DeputyMinister Primefor MinisterFinance]] between 20112007 and 20192015, [[Ministry of FinanceEducation (Singapore)|Minister for FinanceEducation]] between 20072003 and 2015,2008 and [[Ministry of EducationManpower (Singapore)#Ministers|Minister for EducationManpower]] between 20032011 and 20082012.
 
Tharman was committed through his years in government to building economic resilience and a more inclusive society. He introduced major educational reforms while serving as Education Minister<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lim |first=Vanessa |date=8 June 2023 |title=News article |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/tharman-shanmugaratnam-singapore-presidential-election-candidate-pap-3547661 |access-date=17 July 2024 |work=CNA}}</ref>, to make for a broader and more flexible system of meritocracy. He later led the [[SkillsFuture|‘SkillsFuture’]] programme, aimed at enabling life-long learning for all.<ref>{{Cite web |title=DPM Tharman Shanmugaratnam at the Launch of the SkillsFuture Credit Inaugural Roadshow on 9 January 2016 |url=https://www.pmo.gov.sg/Newsroom/dpm-tharman-shanmugaratnam-launch-skillsfuture-credit-inaugural-roadshow-9-january-2016 |access-date=17 July 2024 |website=Prime Minister's Office Singapore|date=24 December 2018 }}</ref> He has also promoted initiatives to deepen and advance Singapore’s model of multiculturalism.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 September 2003 |title=Speech by Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Acting Minister for Education, at the 9th National Primary Schools On-The-Spot Chinese Composition on Saturday, 6 September 2003 at 9 AM at Ang Mo Kio Primary School |url=https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/2003090602.htm |access-date=17 July 2024 |website=National Archive Singapore}}</ref>
Tharman is an economist in roles principally related to economic and social policies. He has also led various international councils and panels simultaneously. Tharman chairs the Board of Trustees of the [[Group of Thirty]], a global council of economic and financial leaders from the public and private sectors and academia. He also co-chairs the Global Commission on the Economics of Water with [[Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala|Ngozi Owonjo-Iweala]], [[Mariana Mazzucato]] and [[Johan Rockström]]. Its initial recommendations helped shape the outcomes of the UN Water Conference in March 2023. Tharman has also been co-chair of the [[G20]] High Level Independent Panel on Global Financing for Pandemic Preparedness and Response since 2021. In 2017, Tharman was appointed to chair the G20 Eminent Persons Group on Global Financial Governance.
 
Tharman has led several international councils focused especially on global financial reforms, preparedness for future pandemics, education, and global water sustainability. He currently chairs the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the [[Group of Thirty|Group of Thirty (G30)]], a grouping of eminent thought leaders in economic policymaking, academia and the financial industry. He also co-chairs the Global Commission on the Economics of Water (GCEW)<ref>{{Cite web |title=President's Biography |url=https://www.istana.gov.sg/The-President/President-In-Office |access-date=17 July 2024 |website=Istana Singapore}}</ref>, whose initial recommendations helped shape the outcomes of the [[UN-Water|UN Water Conference]] in March 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ovink |first=Henk |date=16 March 2023 |title=What is the UN 2023 Water Conference and why is it so important? Two experts explain |url=https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/03/un-2023-water-conference-experts-explain/ |access-date=2 January 2024 |website=World Economic Forum}}</ref> He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the [[World Economic Forum|World Economic Forum (WEF)]], an advisory board that helps shape the strategic directions of the WEF.
Tharman made his political debut in the [[2001 Singaporean general election|2001 general election]], and has been re-elected to Parliament four times at subsequent general elections in [[2006 Singaporean general election|2006]], [[2011 Singaporean general election|2011]], [[2015 Singaporean general election|2015]] and [[2020 Singaporean general election|2020]]. On 8 June 2023, Tharman announced his intention to run for the [[2023 Singaporean presidential election|2023 presidential election]] and his scheduled resignation on 7 July 2023 from all his positions in the government and as a member of the PAP, as the presidency is a [[Independent politician|non-partisan]] office.<ref name="TPR">{{cite web |last1=Goh |first1=Han Yan |title=SM Tharman to run for president, will resign from Govt and PAP on July 7 |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/sm-tharman-to-run-for-president-will-resign-from-govt-and-pap-on-july-7 |website=The Straits Times |access-date=8 June 2023 |language=en |date=8 June 2023 |archive-date=15 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815231707/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/sm-tharman-to-run-for-president-will-resign-from-govt-and-pap-on-july-7 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 2 September 2023, Tharman was announced as the winner after receiving 70.41% of the vote in a landslide victory and was elected as the ninth president of Singapore. He is the first presidential candidate not of Chinese descent to win in a contested presidential election in Singapore.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wong |first1=Tessa |title=Tharman Shanmugaratnam: Singapore picks a president who could've been much more |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-66643667 |website=BBC News |access-date=1 September 2023 |date=1 September 2023 |quote=Although Singapore has had non-Chinese presidents in the past, Mr Tharman is the first one voted in by the public. |archive-date=2 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902014707/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-66643667 |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
Tharman co-chaired the Advisory Board for the [[UN Human Development Report]] (HDR) from 2019 to 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 2024 |title=President's Biography |url=https://www.istana.gov.sg/The-President/President-In-Office |access-date=5 July 2024 |website=Istana Singapore}}</ref> The Advisory Board provides intellectual advice and guidance on the overall vision, direction and message of the UN HDR.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is human development? |url=https://hdr.undp.org/about/human-development |access-date=5 July 2024 |website=United Nations Human Development Reports}}</ref> He led the Board for the [https://hdr.undp.org/reports-and-publications/towards-2023-human-development-report 2023/24 HDR] with [[Joseph Stiglitz|Joseph E. Stiglitz]], and co-chaired with [[Thomas Piketty]], [[Michael Spence]], and [[Michèle Lamont]], respectively, for the previous three editions of the HDR.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Towards 2023 HDR |url=https://hdr.undp.org/reports-and-publications/towards-2023-human-development-report |journal=United Nations Human Development Reports}}</ref>
 
A former member of the governing [[People's Action Party|People's Action Party (PAP)]], he was the Member of Parliament (MP) representing [[Jurong Group Representation Constituency|Jurong GRC]] between 2001 and 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |first1=Christine |last1=Siow |first2=BNB |last2=Diviyadhaarshini |first3=Yugesh |last3=Kannan |first4=Suzanne |last4=Chan |date=10 June 2023 |title=Tharman a 'great MP' who will be missed, say Jurong GRC residents |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/great-mp-who-will-be-missed-jurong-grc-residents-on-tharman-s-presidential-bid |access-date=23 February 2024 |work=The Straits Times}}</ref> Tharman [https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/great-mp-who-will-be-missed-jurong-grc-residents-on-tharman-s-presidential-bid made his political debut in the 2001 general election]<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 2024 |title=President's Biography |url=https://www.istana.gov.sg/The-President/President-In-Office |access-date= |website=Istana Singapore}}</ref>, and had been re-elected to Parliament four times<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 2024 |title=President's Biography |url=https://www.istana.gov.sg/The-President/President-In-Office |access-date= |website=Istana Singapore}}</ref> at subsequent general elections in 2006, 2011, 2015 and 2020.
 
On 8 June 2023, Tharman [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/tharman-shanmugaratnam-singapore-presidential-election-candidate-3547586 announced his intention to run for the 2023 presidential election]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goh |first=Yan Han |date=9 June 2023 |title=SM Tharman to run for president, will resign from Govt and PAP on July 7 |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/sm-tharman-to-run-for-president-will-resign-from-govt-and-pap-on-july-7 |access-date=17 July 2024 |work=The Straits Times}}</ref> and his [https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/sm-tharman-to-run-for-president-will-resign-from-govt-and-pap-on-july-7 scheduled resignation on 7 July 2023] from all his positions in the government and as a member of the PAP, as the presidency is a non-partisan office. On 2 September 2023, Tharman was announced as the winner after receiving 70.41%<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goh |first=Yan Han |date=2 September 2023 |title=Landslide 70.4 per cent victory for Tharman as Singapore's next president |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/landslide-704-per-cent-victory-for-president-elect-tharman |access-date=17 July 2024 |work=The Straits Times}}</ref> of the vote in a landslide victory and was elected as the [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/presidential-election-tharman-elected-70-cent-landslide-win-ng-kok-song-tan-kin-lian-3740526 ninth president of Singapore].<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 September 2023 |title=Tharman Shanmugaratnam to be Singapore's 9th President after 70.4% landslide win |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/presidential-election-tharman-elected-70-cent-landslide-win-ng-kok-song-tan-kin-lian-3740526 |access-date=18 July 2024 |work=CNA}}</ref> He is the first presidential candidate not of Chinese descent to win in a contested presidential election in Singapore.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tan |first=Eugene |date=5 September 2023 |title=What Tharman's massive election win could mean for politics in Singapore |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/what-tharman-s-massive-election-win-could-mean-for-politics-in-singapore |access-date=18 July 2024 |work=The Straits Times}}</ref>
 
== Early life and education ==
Tharman was born in [[Colony of Singapore|Singapore during British colonial rule]] in 1957 to a family of [[Sri Lankan Tamils|Jaffnese Tamil]] origin and was raised in the [[Hindu]] faith.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://live.worldbank.org/en/experts/t/tharman-shanmugaratnam | title=Tharman Shanmugaratnam }}</ref> In his youth, Tharman attended the [[Anglo-Chinese School]] (ACS)<ref>{{Cite news |last=Teng |first=Amelia |date=2014-08-31 |title=ACS old boys turn up in white & blue for reunion |language=en |work=The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/acs-old-boys-turn-up-in-white-blue-for-reunion |access-date=2023-09-22 |issn=0585-3923}}</ref> before graduating from the [[London School of Economics]] (LSE) with a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree in economics. (LSE later awarded him an [[Honorary title (academic)|Honorary Fellowship]] in 2011).<ref>{{Cite web |title=LSE announces its new Honorary Fellows |url=https://www.lse.ac.uk/newsAndMedia/aroundLSE/archives/2011/HonoraryFellows.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003021122/http://www.lse.ac.uk/newsAndMedia/aroundLSE/archives/2011/HonoraryFellows.aspx |archive-date=3 October 2015}}</ref>
 
He subsequently went on to [[Wolfson College, Cambridge|Wolfson College]] at the [[University of Cambridge]], where he completed a [[Master of Philosophy]] degree in economics.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=New MAS chief is top-notch economist |journal=Straits Times |via=Factiva}}</ref> He then became a student at the [[Harvard Kennedy School]] at [[Harvard University]], where he completed a [[Master in Public Administration]] (MPA) degree and was a recipient of the [[Lucius N. Littauer]] Fellows Award (given to MPA students who demonstrate academic excellence and leadership).
 
Tharman was a [[student activist]] while studying in the United Kingdom during the 1970s.<ref name="CHL">{{Cite journal |title=Ching, Leong (29 October 2001). "Politics not new to former student activist" |journal=Straits Times |via=Factiva}}</ref> He originally held [[Socialism|socialist]] beliefs, but his views on economics evolved over the course of his working career.<ref name="CHL"/>
Line 118 ⟶ 124:
 
==Political career==
Tharman made his political debut in the [[2001 Singaporean general election|2001 general election]], contesting [[Jurong GRC]] as part of a five-member PAP team and [https://www.eld.gov.sg/elections_past_parliamentary2001.html won 79.75% of the vote].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2001 Parliamentary General Election Results |url=https://www.eld.gov.sg/elections_past_parliamentary2001.html |access-date=18 July 2024 |website=Elections Department Singapore}}</ref> Tharman was subsequently appointed [[Ministry of Trade and Industry (Singapore)|Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry]] and [[Ministry of Education (Singapore)|Senior Minister of State for Education]].
 
He was appointed to the [[Cabinet of Singapore|Cabinet]] as [[Ministry of Education (Singapore)#Ministers|Minister for Education]] in 2003 and served in this role until 2008.
 
After retaining his parliamentary seat inFollowing the [[2006 Singaporean general election|2006 general election]], Tharman was appointed [[Ministry of Finance (Singapore)|Second Minister for Finance]] (alongside his role as Minister for Education).<ref>{{Cite web |last=The Government of Singapore |date=21 June 2006 |title=The Cabinet – Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam |url=http://www.cabinet.gov.sg/CabinetAppointments/Mr+Tharman+Shanmugaratnam.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070318022740/http://www.cabinet.gov.sg/CabinetAppointments/Mr+Tharman+Shanmugaratnam.htm |archive-date=18 March 2007 |website=}}</ref> On 1 December 2007, he was appointed [[Ministry of Finance (Singapore)#Ministers|Minister for Finance]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Popatlal |first=Asha |date=29 November 2007 |title=PM Lee to relinquish Finance Minister post, Tharman takes over. |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/314525/1/.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071130041800/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/314525/1/.html |archive-date=30 November 2007}}</ref>
 
Following the [[2011 Singaporean general election|2011 general election]], Tharman was appointed [[Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore|Deputy Prime Minister]] and Coordinating Minister for Economic and Social Policies, while retaining his portfolio as Minister for Finance. He also served as [[Ministry of Manpower (Singapore)#Ministers|Minister for Manpower]] between 2011 and 2012 concurrently. HeAfter the 2015 General Election, he stepped down as Minister for Finance on 30 September 2015<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tan |first=Andrea |date=28 September 2015 |title=Singapore's Lee Replaces Finance Minister in New Cabinet |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-09-28/singapore-s-lee-replaces-finance-minister-in-post-vote-cabinet?embedded-checkout=true |access-date=18 July 2024 |website=Bloomberg}}</ref>, after 9 years. He remained Deputy Prime Minister and was also appointed Coordinating Minister for Social Policies.
 
At the [[2015 Singaporean general election|2015 general election]], Jurong GRC, which was predominantly anchored by Tharman, won 79.28% of the vote against the five-member [[Singaporeans First]] team.<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 September 2015 |title=PAP sets the record in Jurong GRC with blistering 79.3% win |url=https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/pap-sets-record-jurong-grc-blistering-793-win |url-status=live |access-date=18 July 2024 |work=The Business Times}}</ref>
 
Tharman was elected to the [[Central Executive Committee (PAP)|Central Executive Committee of the People's Action Party]] in December 2002, and was appointed 2nd Assistant Secretary-General in May 2011. After the 2015 general election, Tharman remained Deputy Prime Minister and was also appointed [[Coordinating Minister for Economic and Social Policies]] in October 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |last=CNA |first=Singapore |title=PM Lee and Singapore's new Cabinet sworn in |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/pm-lee-and-singapore-s/2162926.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005003054/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/pm-lee-and-singapore-s/2162926.html |archive-date=5 October 2015}}</ref>
 
On 23 April 2019, it was announced that both Tharman and [[Teo Chee Hean]] were appointed [[Senior Minister of Singapore|Senior Ministers]] effective from 1 May 2019 under a Cabinet reshuffle, relinquishing their Deputy Prime Minister portfolios. Tharman would also be [[Coordinating Minister for Social Policies]] and advise the prime minister on economic policies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Heng Swee Keat to be promoted to DPM in Cabinet reshuffle |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/heng-swee-keat-promoted-deputy-prime-minister-cabinet-2019-11470768 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423083510/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/heng-swee-keat-promoted-deputy-prime-minister-cabinet-2019-11470768 |archive-date=23 April 2019}}</ref>
 
Tharman retained his parliamentary seat in Jurong GRC at the [[2020 Singaporean general election|2020 general election]], after winning 74.62% <ref>{{Cite news |last=Baharudin |first=Hariz |date=11 July 2020 |title=GE2020 official results: Tharman leads PAP to thumping win in Jurong GRC with 75 % of votes against RDU |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/ge2020-results-tharman-leads-pap-to-thumping-win-in-jurong-grc-with-75-of-the-votes-rdu |url-status=live |access-date=18 July 2024 |work=The Straits Times}}</ref>of the vote against the five-member [[Red Dot United]] team.
 
In July 2023, Tharman stepped down from Parliament and all his positions in the government and resigned as a member of the PAP in order to stand as a candidate in the [[2023 Singaporean presidential election]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 June 2023 |title=Tharman Shanmugaratnam to run for President in Singapore, will resign from PAP |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/tharman-shanmugaratnam-singapore-presidential-election-candidate-3547586 |url-status=live |work=CNA}}</ref>
 
==Other roles==
Line 140 ⟶ 146:
Tharman served as Chairman of the [[Monetary Authority of Singapore]] (MAS) for 12 years from 1 May 2011 until 7 July 2023, when he was succeeded by his deputy, [[Lawrence Wong]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our History |url=https://www.mas.gov.sg/who-we-are/Our-History |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914180420/https://www.mas.gov.sg/who-we-are/Our-History |archive-date=14 September 2020 |website=www.mas.gov.sg}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Executive Profile: Tharman Shanmugaratnam |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=8464174&privcapId=8433529&previousCapId=796830&previousTitle=GIC%20Pte.%20Ltd. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920172224/https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/person/1722891 |archive-date=20 September 2020 |website=Bloomberg}}</ref>
 
In May 2019, Tharman was appointed Deputy Chairman of [[GIC (Singaporean sovereign wealth fund)|GIC]], Singapore's [[sovereign wealth fund]]., Hea steppedposition downhe asheld Deputy Chairman of GIC onuntil 7 July 2023. In addition, Tharman also served as Director of GIC between 2004 and 2023, and Chairman of the Investment Strategies Committee (ISC) between 2011 and 2023. On 7 July 2023, Tharman was succeeded by [[Lawrence Wong]] as Chairman of the Investment Strategies Committee (ISC).
 
Tharman chaired the International Advisory Council (IAC) of the [[Economic Development Board]] (EDB) between 2014 and 2023,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kang Shiong |first=Goh |date=25 April 2014 |title=Tharman to chair EDB's International Advisory Council |work=Business Times}}</ref> and the International Academic Advisory Panel that advises the [[Government of Singapore|Singapore Government]] on strategies regarding the university sector.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ng |first=Jing Yng |date=27 June 2015 |title=Tertiary programme outcomes should be assessed, says panel |url=http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/tertiary-programme-outcomes-should-be-assessed-says-panel?singlepage=true |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033741/http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/tertiary-programme-outcomes-should-be-assessed-says-panel?singlepage=true |archive-date=1 December 2017 |website=Today}}</ref> On 8 July 2023, Tharman was succeeded by [[Lawrence Wong]] asin Chairmanboth of the International Advisory Council (IAC) of the [[Economic Development Board]] (EDB)positions.
 
===Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)===
 
Tharman chairschaired the Board of Trustees of the [[Singapore Indian Development Association]] (SINDA),<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 August 1991 |title=Ten prominent Indians get two-year terms on Sinda board |work=Straits Times |agency=Factiva}}</ref> which seeks to uplift educational performance and aspirations in the Indian community in Singapore from 2008 until 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 October 2023 |title=Change in SINDA Board of Trustees Chairmanship: Minister K Shanmugam Takes Over as New SINDA Chairman |url=https://www.sinda.org.sg/media/newchairman2023/ |access-date=18 July 2024 |website=SINDA}}</ref> He also chairschaired the Ong Teng Cheong Labour Leadership Institute.
 
He chairschaired the [[National Jobs Council of Singapore|National Jobs Council]] aimed at rebuilding skills and jobs for Singaporeans in the wake of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=First Meeting of National Jobs Council |url=https://www.mti.gov.sg/Newsroom/Press-Releases/2020/05/First-Meeting-of-National-Jobs-Council |access-date=8 June 2023 |website=www.mti.gov.sg |archive-date=24 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324092725/https://www.mti.gov.sg/Newsroom/Press-Releases/2020/05/First-Meeting-of-National-Jobs-Council |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
Tharman has led the SkillsFuture programme, launched in 2014 with the aim of developing skills of the future, and opportunities for life-long learning and job upskilling among Singaporeans. He also chaired the tripartite councils from 2011 to 2016 which drove national efforts to transform productivity through innovation and skills, and the implementation of industry-specific transformation programmes. This included the Council for Skills, Innovation and Productivity (CSIP) until May 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lam |first=Lydia |date=1 May 2017 |title=Jobs, jobs, jobs: 8 highlights from PM Lee Hsien Loong's May Day Rally |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/politics/jobs-jobs-jobs-8-highlights-from-pm-lee-hsien-loongs-may-day-rally |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202080617/http://www.straitstimes.com/politics/jobs-jobs-jobs-8-highlights-from-pm-lee-hsien-loongs-may-day-rally |archive-date=2 December 2017 |website=Straits Times}}</ref>
 
Tharman co-chaired several bilateral committees to promote economic and trade relations between Singapore and other countries, including the Singapore-Liaoning Economic and Trade Council from 2004 to 2008,<ref>{{Cite web |title=MRMr THARMANTarman SHANMUGARATNAMShanmugaratnam TOto VISITVisit CHINAChina FROMFrom 18 TOto 23 APRILApril 2004 |url=https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/2004041602.htm |website=National Archive Singapore |access-date=25 May 2023 |archive-date=25 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525060928/https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/2004041602.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> and the High-Level Russia-Singapore Inter-Governmental Commission from 2011 to 20202022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Introductory Meeting Between the Co-Chairs of the High-Level Russia-Singapore Inter-Governmental Commission, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Dmitry Chernyshenko |url=https://www.mfa.gov.sg/Newsroom/Press-Statements-Transcripts-and-Photos/2020/10/20201020-Introductory-Meeting-Russia-Singapore-Inter-Governmental-Commission |website=Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore |access-date=25 May 2023 |archive-date=25 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525060924/https://www.mfa.gov.sg/Newsroom/Press-Statements-Transcripts-and-Photos/2020/10/20201020-Introductory-Meeting-Russia-Singapore-Inter-Governmental-Commission |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
==International appointments==
Line 162 ⟶ 168:
On 1 January 2017, Tharman succeeded [[Jean-Claude Trichet]] as Chair of the [[Group of Thirty]], an independent global council of leading economic and financial policymakers.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yong |first=Charissa |date=1 December 2016 |title=Tharman to chair global financial experts' group |newspaper=The Straits Times |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/tharman-to-chair-global-financial-experts-group |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201213006/http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/tharman-to-chair-global-financial-experts-group |archive-date=1 December 2017}}</ref> Tharman was subsequently succeeded by [[Mark Carney]] and was appointed Chairman of the Board of Trustees on 1 January 2023.
 
On 22 May 2019, the [[United Nations Development Programme]] (UNDP) announced that Tharman will be co-chairing the Advisory Board of the [[Human Development Report]] (HDR) 2019 alongside [[Thomas Piketty]]. He was reappointed twice, to co-chair the Advisory Board of the Human Development Report 2020, alongside [[Michael Spence]] in 2020,<ref>{{Cite web |title=2020 Human Development Report Advisory Board Members |url=https://hdr.undp.org/en/content/2020-human-development-report-advisory-board-members |website=Human Development Reports |access-date=28 March 2022 |archive-date=28 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328052738/https://hdr.undp.org/en/content/2020-human-development-report-advisory-board-members |url-status=live }}</ref> and the Advisory Board of the Human Development Report 2021/2022 alongside [[Michele Lamont]]. in 2021/22,<ref>{{Cite web |title=2021/22 Human Development Report Advisory Board Members |url=https://hdr.undp.org/en/content/2021-22-hdr-advisory-board |website=Human Development Reports |access-date=28 March 2022 |archive-date=28 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328052735/https://hdr.undp.org/en/content/2021-22-hdr-advisory-board |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Joseph Stiglitz]] in 2023/24<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 November 2023 |title=President Tharman to visit the US, will meet UN chief Guterres |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/president-tharman-working-visit-us-meet-un-chief-deliver-lecture-columbia-university-3946411 |access-date=18 July 2024 |work=CNA}}</ref>,
 
In May 2019, Tharman was appointed a member of the Board of Trustees of the [[World Economic Forum]] (WEF).<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Economic Forum appoints new member to Board of Trustees |url=https://www.weforum.org/press/2019/05/world-economic-forum-appoints-new-member-to-board-of-trustees/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624155059/https://www.weforum.org/press/2019/05/world-economic-forum-appoints-new-member-to-board-of-trustees/ |archive-date=24 June 2019 |website=World Economic Forum}}</ref>
Line 176 ⟶ 182:
{{See also|2023 Singaporean presidential election}}
 
On 8 June 2023, Tharman announced his intention to be a candidate in the [[2023 Singaporean presidential election|2023 presidential election]].<ref name="TPR">{{cite web |last1=Goh |first1=Han Yan |date=8 June 2023 |title=SM Tharman to run for president, will resign from Govt and PAP on July 7 |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/sm-tharman-to-run-for-president-will-resign-from-govt-and-pap-on-july-7 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815231707/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/sm-tharman-to-run-for-president-will-resign-from-govt-and-pap-on-july-7 |archive-date=15 August 2023 |access-date=8 June 2023 |website=The Straits Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Tharman Shanmugaratnam to run for President in Singapore, will resign from PAP |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/tharman-shanmugaratnam-singapore-presidential-election-candidate-3547586 |date=8 June 2023 |website=CNA |language=en |access-date=9 June 2023 |archive-date=9 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609190850/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/tharman-shanmugaratnam-singapore-presidential-election-candidate-3547586 |url-status=live }}</ref> He resigned from all his positions in the government and as a member of the [[People's Action Party]] (PAP) on 7 July in order to stand in the election, as the presidency is a non-partisan office.
 
On 26 July, Tharman launched his presidential campaign with the campaign slogan "Respect for All".<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Goh |first1=Yan Han |last2=Ho |first2=Grace |date=26 July 2023 |title=Tharman launches bid for presidency, cautions against 'artificial distinctions' based on past affiliations |language=en |work=The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/tharman-launches-bid-for-presidency-cautions-against-artificial-distinctions-based-on-past-affiliations |access-date=18 August 2023 |issn=0585-3923 |archive-date=27 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727233320/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/tharman-launches-bid-for-presidency-cautions-against-artificial-distinctions-based-on-past-affiliations |url-status=live }}</ref> On 7 August, he submitted his application for the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to the [[Elections Department Singapore|Elections Department]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ho |first=Grace |date=7 August 2023 |title=Tharman Shanmugaratnam submits presidential election eligibility forms |language=en |work=The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/tharman-shanmugaratnam-submits-presidential-election-eligibility-forms |url-status=live |access-date=18 August 2023 |issn=0585-3923 |archive-date=8 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230808013213/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/tharman-shanmugaratnam-submits-presidential-election-eligibility-forms }}</ref> He was issued the COE on 18 August by the [[Presidential Elections Committee]] (PEC).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ng Kok Song, Tan Kin Lian, Tharman Shanmugaratnam qualify as presidential candidates; George Goh ineligible |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/singapore-presidental-election-2023-certificate-eligibility-candidates-3697306 |access-date=1 September 2023 |website=CNA |language=en |archive-date=22 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822041006/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/singapore-presidental-election-2023-certificate-eligibility-candidates-3697306 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Line 184 ⟶ 190:
He was sworn in on 14 September at a ceremony held at the Istana, succeeding [[Halimah Yacob]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Goh |first1=Yan Han |title=Tharman sworn in as S'pore's 9th president, reiterates plans to unite nation |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/singapore-s-9th-president-tharman-is-sworn-in-reiterates-plans-to-unite-nation |access-date=27 September 2023 |work=The Straits Times |date=14 September 2023}}</ref>
 
===Post-ElectionIn office as President===
{{See also|List of international presidential trips made by Tharman Shanmugaratnam}}
On 15 May 2024, Tharman appointed Lawrence Wong as the 4th Prime Minister of Singapore after Lee Hsien Loong resigned as Prime Minister.
 
In 24 January 2024, Tharman made his first state visit to Brunei as President. His predecessor, [[Halimah Yacob]] also made her first State Visit overseas, to Brunei. He also made state visits to Italy and Estonia in June 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Syafeeq |first=Syarafana |date=20 June 2024 |title=President Tharman to visit Italy and Estonia, will also meet the Pope |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/president-tharman-to-visit-italy-and-estonia-will-also-meet-the-pope |url-status=live |access-date=18 July 2024 |work=The Straits Times}}</ref> In 15 May 2024, Tharman appointed Lawrence Wong as the 4th Prime Minister of Singapore after Lee Hsien Loong resigned as Prime Minister.
 
==Awards==
===Domestic Honours===
* [[Pingat Bakti Masyarakat|Public Service Medal]] (PBM)
* [[Pingat Pentadbiran Awam|Public Administration Medal (Gold)]] (PPA(E))
 
Line 206 ⟶ 213:
 
==Personal life==
Tharman is a fourth-generation [[Singaporeans|Singaporean]] of <!--Do not insert that Tharman is of "Indian descent", mass media in India has masqueraded a Sri Lankan origin person as someone of Indian origin despite numerous distinctions – e.g. https://www.thequint.com/news/world/singapore-president-elect-indian-origin-tharman-shanmugaratnam --> Ceylonese-Tamil ancestry from the 19th century and an adherent of [[Hinduism]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Yeo |first=George Yong-boon |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ewGVEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA134 |title=George Yeo: Musings – Series One |date=2022-08-25of |publisher=Worldthree Scientificchildren, |isbn=978-981-12-5971-5Tharman |language=enis |access-date=2the Septemberson 2023of |archive-date=2Emeritus SeptemberProfessor 2023[[Kanagaratnam Shanmugaratnam|archive-url=https://webK.archive.org/web/20230902123024/https://books.google.com/books?id=ewGVEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA134&#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=12 July 2015 |title=Mutton munchy |newspaper=The Straits Times |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/food/mutton-munchy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005094036/http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/food/mutton-munchy |archive-date=5 October 2016 |last1=Goh |first1=Kenneth }}</ref>Shanmugaratnam]],<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=19 February 2016 |title=Tamils in Federated Malaya and Singapore |url=http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=2016/02/20/features/tamils-federated-malaya-and-singapore |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005103754/http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=2016/02/20/features/tamils-federated-malaya-and-singapore |archive-date=5 October 2016 |website=Daily News}}</ref> One of three children, Tharman is the son of Emeritus Professor [[Kanagaratnam Shanmugaratnam|K. Shanmugaratnam]],<ref name=":1" /> a medical scientist known as the "father of pathology in Singapore", who founded the Singapore Cancer Registry and led a number of international organisations related to cancer research and pathology.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aiyoh! After 16 years, he still can't say 'lah |url=https://www.nuh.com.sg/news/media-articles_814.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005070623/https://www.nuh.com.sg/news/media-articles_814.html |archive-date=5 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Interview with Emeritus Professor K Shanmugaratnam |url=https://www.sma.org.sg/sma_news/3805/Feature.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101227153411/http://www.sma.org.sg/sma_news/3805/Feature.pdf |archive-date=27 December 2010 |website=SMA News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Working Overtime. |url=https://www.nuh.com.sg/news/media-articles_167.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005080239/https://www.nuh.com.sg/news/media-articles_167.html |archive-date=5 October 2016}}</ref>
 
Tharman is married to Jane Yumiko Ittogi, a Singaporean lawyer of Chinese–Japanese descent. She isfounded activelyand engagedchairs in[https://tasekjurong.org/ socialTasek enterpriseAcademy and theSocial non-profitServices], artsa sectorlocal NGO, and is actively engaged in Singaporeits initiatives for social development and sustainability. The couple have one daughter and three sons together. <ref>{{Cite web |date=9 June 2004 |title=Try discipline with love – Acting Education Minister Tharman: My kids, their Mandarin and their future in China |url=http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/printfriendly/0,4139,64319,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205171834/http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/printfriendly/0,4139,64319,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 December 2008 |website=The New Paper}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Tharman believes S'pore is ready for a non-Chinese PM |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/tharman-believes-s-pore-is-ready-for-a-non-chinese-pm |access-date=25 August 2023 |website=The Straits Times |date=25 August 2023 |language=en |last1=Goh |first1=Yan Han |last2=Ho |first2=Grace |archive-date=25 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230825213850/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/tharman-believes-s-pore-is-ready-for-a-non-chinese-pm |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
Tharman was an active sportsman in his youth, particularly in [[crickethockey]], and[[athletics]], [[fieldFootball hockeyin England|hockeyfootball]] and [[cricket]], and has highlightedexpressed his opinionviews on thathow sports instils lessons for life. He spoke about sports as a form of education in ''Game for Life: 25 Journeys'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Game for Life: 25 Journeys |url=https://www.sportsingapore.gov.sg/-/media/SSC/Corporate/Files/News-and-Updates/Publications/Game-For-Life-Book20130515compressed.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017152156/https://www.sportsingapore.gov.sg/-/media/SSC/Corporate/Files/News-and-Updates/Publications/Game-For-Life-Book20130515compressed.pdf |archive-date=17 October 2019}}</ref> published by the Singapore Sports Council in 2013, as "a huge deal for character... Children learn the value of teams. They learn the discipline of repeated practice, and how there is no other way to develop expertise. Plus, the ability to fall or lose in competition and pick oneself up... with humility."
 
In Singapore's Chinese-language media, Tharman is often referred to as {{zh|c=尚达曼|labels=no}} ({{zh|p=Shàng Dámàn}}), an approximate transliteration of Tharman Shanmugaratnam.<ref>{{cite web |title=尚达曼：善用科技保存和分配水资源 能化解气候危机隐忧 |url=https://www.8world.com/singapore/tharman-fresh-water-1817811 |website=8world |access-date=8 June 2022 |location=Singapore |language=zh-SG |date=25 May 2022 |archive-date=2 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902170711/https://www.8world.com/singapore/tharman-fresh-water-1817811 |url-status=live }}</ref> The name was given to him by a leading Chinese language specialist in 1995. Tharman has done [[Chinese calligraphy]] since 2002.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tharman_Shanmugaratnam"