'All the best': Outgoing Singapore President Halimah extends wishes to Indian-origin president-elect Tharman
Singapore's outgoing President Halimah Yacob on Wednesday extended her best wishes to the Indian-origin President-elect, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, in her final speech as the holder of the city-state's highest but non-political post. Singapore-born economist Tharman will be sworn in as the ninth president of the city-state on Thursday, days after he was overwhelmingly elected as the ninth head of state of the country.
The 66-year-old President-elect won 70.4 per cent of the 2.48 million ballots cast by voters on September 1, while his Chinese-origin rivals Ng Kok Song and Tan Kin Lian received 15.72 per cent and 13.88 per cent respectively.
Wednesday marked the end of 69-year-old Halimah's six-year term as president.
«Tomorrow, a new president will be sworn in,» she said at her farewell reception at the Istana (Presidential Palace), according to Channel News Asia.
«I wish Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam all the best in discharging his duties,» she added.
Halimah, also Singapore's first female president, said she was humbled that the people of Singapore had placed their trust and faith in her as their president.
She added that this unwavering support fuelled her determination to serve every day of her six-year term.
Retrospectively, Halimah said she had a good relationship with the government.
