Parliament Acknowledges Tharman’s Legacy as He Retires to Run for President
SINGAPORE — Leader of the House Indranee Rajah led Parliament in paying tribute to Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam on his final day as a Member of Parliament, following his decision to retire and contest in the upcoming Presidential Election. Tharman, also the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies, had announced his retirement to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong last month, with July 7 marking his final day representing Jurong GRC.
Indranee highlighted Tharman’s unique ability to make complex economic concepts accessible, his wit, and his dedication as a colleague and friend. She reflected on his notable contributions, including his roles as Minister of Finance and Education, Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, and Deputy Chairman of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation.
As Finance Minister, Tharman’s initiatives included navigating Singapore through the 2007-2009 Global Financial Crisis, implementing the Net Investment Returns framework, and launching the permanent GST Voucher scheme to support lower- to middle-income Singaporeans. As Education Minister, he expanded educational opportunities and championed diverse pathways for student success.
First elected in 2001, Tharman’s leadership contributed to successive victories for the People’s Action Party in Jurong GRC, including a 74.61% win in the 2020 general election. Indranee commended Tharman’s work during the pandemic as Chair of the National Jobs Council, focusing on employment and training opportunities for Singaporeans.
Tharman’s two-decade career in politics, marked by economic and educational reforms, leaves a lasting legacy as he moves forward with his presidential bid.
