Tharman Shanmugaratnam
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| Tharman Shanmugaratnam | |
|---|---|
| Name | Tharman Shanmugaratnam |
| Office | President of Singapore |
| Term start | 14 September 2023 |
| Predecessor | Halimah Yacob |
| Office1 | Senior Minister of Singapore |
| Term start1 | 1 May 2019 |
| Term end1 | 7 July 2023 |
| Primeminister1 | Lee Hsien Loong |
| Predecessor1 | Position established |
| Successor1 | Position abolished |
| Office2 | Coordinating Minister for Social Policies |
| Term start2 | 1 May 2019 |
| Term end2 | 7 July 2023 |
| Primeminister2 | Lee Hsien Loong |
| Predecessor2 | Position established |
| Successor2 | Position abolished |
| Office3 | Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore |
| Term start3 | 21 May 2011 |
| Term end3 | 1 May 2019 |
| Primeminister3 | Lee Hsien Loong |
| Predecessor3 | Wong Kan Seng |
| Successor3 | Heng Swee Keat |
| Office4 | Minister for Finance |
| Term start4 | 1 December 2007 |
| Term end4 | 30 September 2015 |
| Primeminister4 | Lee Hsien Loong |
| Predecessor4 | Lee Hsien Loong |
| Successor4 | Heng Swee Keat |
| Office5 | Minister for Education |
| Term start5 | 12 August 2004 |
| Term end5 | 31 March 2008 |
| Primeminister5 | Lee Hsien Loong |
| Predecessor5 | Teo Chee Hean |
| Successor5 | Ng Eng Hen |
| Constituency MP6 | Jurong GRC (Taman Jurong) |
| Term start6 | 3 November 2001 |
| Term end6 | 23 June 2023 |
| Predecessor6 | Constituency established |
| Successor6 | Xie Yao Quan |
| Party | Independent (2023–present) |
| Otherparty | People's Action Party (2001–2023) |
| Alma mater | London School of Economics, University of Cambridge, Harvard University |
| Spouse | Jane Yumiko Ittogi |
Tharman Shanmugaratnam is a Singaporean statesman and economist who has served as the ninth President of Singapore since 2023. Previously a prominent member of the People's Action Party, he held several key cabinet positions, including Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Finance, and Minister for Education. He is widely recognized internationally for his expertise in economic and social policy, having chaired prestigious bodies like the Group of Thirty and the International Monetary Fund's steering committee.
Early life and education
Born in Singapore in 1957, he attended Anglo-Chinese School before earning a first-class honours degree in Economics from the London School of Economics. He subsequently obtained a Master of Philosophy in Economics from the University of Cambridge and a Master in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School at Harvard University. Prior to entering politics, he built a distinguished career in public service, holding senior roles at the Monetary Authority of Singapore and serving as the Chief Executive of the Economics Department within the Ministry of Trade and Industry (Singapore).
Political career
He entered politics in the 2001 general election, successfully contesting Taman Jurong ward within Jurong GRC. Appointed Senior Minister of State at the Ministry of Trade and Industry (Singapore) and the Ministry of Education (Singapore), he was promoted to full Minister for Education in 2004 under Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. In 2007, he was appointed Minister for Finance, steering Singapore's economy through the Global Financial Crisis of 2007–2008. He was elevated to Deputy Prime Minister in 2011, later taking on the roles of Coordinating Minister for Economic and Social Policies and Senior Minister.
Presidency
He resigned from the People's Action Party and all governmental positions in July 2023 to contest the 2023 Singaporean presidential election. Winning in a landslide victory with 70.4% of the vote, he was sworn in as President of Singapore on 14 September 2023, succeeding Halimah Yacob. As head of state, his duties include safeguarding the nation's financial reserves and holding custodial powers over key public service appointments.
Economic and social policies
Throughout his ministerial career, he was a key architect of Singapore's social and economic policies. As Finance Minister, he introduced significant budgetary measures like the GST offset package and the Workfare Income Supplement scheme. He championed inclusive growth, skills development through the SkillsFuture initiative, and strengthening social safety nets, emphasizing the concept of a "fair and inclusive society." His leadership at the Ministry of Education (Singapore) focused on reducing educational stratification and promoting broader learning pathways.
International roles and recognition
He has held several prestigious international appointments, reflecting his global standing. He served as Chairman of the International Monetary and Financial Committee of the International Monetary Fund from 2011 to 2014 and was appointed Chairman of the Group of Thirty in 2017. He also chaired the G20 Eminent Persons Group on Global Financial Governance and served as Co-Chair of the Advisory Board for the United Nations Human Development Report. In 2011, he was awarded the prestigious Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star by the Government of Japan.
Personal life
He is married to lawyer Jane Yumiko Ittogi, and the couple has four children. He is known to be an avid reader and a supporter of the arts. A fluent speaker of English and Tamil, he is also conversant in Mandarin. He maintains a strong interest in sociology and economic philosophy, subjects which have deeply influenced his policy approach.
Category:Presidents of Singapore Category:1957 births Category:Living people