PE2023: Tharman on PAP links: I joined politics to help Singaporeans

AsiaOne

In his final pitch to voters during the second Presidential Candidate Broadcast on Aug 30, Tharman Shanmugaratnam argues that if he were guilty of being a partisan, it is that he is a "partisan for better chances and better support for Singaporeans".  For all PE2023 updates: https://bit.ly/3Kz6DX2

Transcript

00:00 Why did I choose to serve in politics over the last two decades, after being a technocrat

00:06 over the previous two decades?

00:08 I wanted to serve actively on the ground, as well as to have a direct hand in shaping

00:15 policies for a fairer and more inclusive society.

00:21 My motive throughout has never been politically partisan.

00:28 As everyone familiar with me and the work I have done, both within and outside government,

00:34 has known.

00:36 I have played an active role in the shift in government policies to provide greater

00:41 support for the disadvantaged, to improve the quality of jobs and pay for lower-income

00:48 workers, and to improve retirement security for our seniors.

00:55 If I am a partisan, it is that I am a partisan for better chances and better support for

01:01 Singaporeans who have less, to help them uplift themselves and to uplift all our spirits.

01:11 That is my purpose in life.

01:14 The elected President has no decision-making power on the investment of reserves, and in

01:20 fact plays no role in investment strategies.

01:25 The President's most fundamental role when holding the second key to the reserves is

01:31 quite different.

01:33 It is to ensure that the spending policies of the government and various other public

01:38 agencies do not lead to the nation's reserves being misused.

01:45 This concerns the Ministry of Finance and Government, rather than the GIC.

01:51 [Music]

01:53 [Music]

01:55 [Music]

01:57 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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