Tharman Shanmugaratnam elected Singapore President

Singapore’s former deputy prime minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam was elected president, comfortably securing victory in the city-state’s first contested vote for the largely ceremonial position in more than a decade.

Singaporeans headed to the polls that were closely watched as an indication of support for the ruling party after a rare spate of scandals, but the longtime stalwart of the party won more than two-thirds of the vote over two rivals.

“I believe that it’s a vote of confidence in Singapore. It’s a vote of optimism for a future in which we can progress together and support each other as Singaporeans,” the former finance minister said in a speech before the results were announced.

“I’m humbled by this vote. It is not just a vote for me, it is a vote for Singapore’s future.”

He won 70.4 percent of the vote to win a six-year term, AFP reported.