Singaporean voters go to the polls on Friday (Sep 1) for the country’s first contested presidential election in 12 years.

Here’s all you need to know about the three candidates:

Ng Kok Song, 75

His credentials:

• About 45 years in public service – from the Ministry of Finance, to the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) when it was formed in 1971, to GIC;

• Was group chief investment officer at GIC for just under six years before he retired;

• Founding chairman of Singapore International Monetary Exchange, which was merged into today’s Singapore Exchange;

• Awarded Public Administration Medal (Gold) in 1996, Meritorious Service Medal in 2012;

• Founded the Wealth Management Institute, is now chairman emeritus; and

• Founded and still runs investment firm Avanda Investment Management, which more than doubled its assets from US$4 billion to US$10 billion in under seven years.

His international experience:

• Sat on the French Treasury’s strategic committee from 2001 to 2014, and received the Legion of Honour and the French Order of Merit from the French government for his contributions; and said he has “valuable global networks” built up over his career through engagement with government leaders, corporate executives and investors the world over.

What analysts have said about him:

• His experience at MAS and GIC may be off-putting to voters who prefer a candidate with no establishment ties, but may appeal to those who see it as proof that he understands the reserves.

• Might have challenges connecting with heartland Chinese voters, especially as his Mandarin is not that polished.

His case for:

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• His independence: He positions himself as the only “truly non-partisan” candidate who is not endorsed by any political party or the government, which will allow him to fulfil his duties “without fear or favour” if he is elected.

• How he would steward the nation’s reserves: He sees himself as a “constitutional check” on a bad government that may try to raid the reserves.

• How he would assess key appointments: He said he will ensure only competent and trustworthy people of good character are appointed to key senior positions.

Other details:

• The second of 11 children, who gave up an overseas scholarship to help out with the family;

• Has a cat, Max, that is getting quite popular on Instagram;

• Taught the late Lee Kuan Yew meditation in the late 2000s;

• His first wife, Patricia Chee, died from stomach cancer in 2005. They had three children together, now aged 50, 47, and 33; and

• Has yet to marry his fiancee Sybil Lau because they are observing a three-year mourning period after Lau’s mother died in 2021.

Tan Kin Lian, 75

His credentials: 

• Chief executive officer of NTUC Income for 30 years, in which time its assets grew from S$28 million to upwards of S$18 billion;

• Member of the People’s Action Party (PAP) for 30 years until he quit in 2008; and

• First Asian to chair the International Cooperative and Mutual Insurance Federation, an international association of insurers, between 1992 and 1997.

His international experience:

• Travelled to Indonesia once a month to provide insurance consultancy after leaving NTUC Income.

What analysts have said:

• He is seen as the candidate for anti-establishment voters, backed by opposition politicians such as former presidential candidates Tan Cheng Bock and Tan Jee Say.

• But some voters may be put off by public comments made before and during the campaign, which have been seen as bigoted and objectifying women.

• He has suggested changes to existing government policies, but analysts point out that the president’s role is not to influence policy.

His case for:

• His independence: He emphasises his independence from the government, but said he will be collaborative rather than adversarial if elected.

• How he would steward the nation’s reserves: He says he will ensure they are invested prudently (although technically he is unable to), and work with the government to ensure wise usage.

• How he would assess key appointments: He values people with practical experience from years of service.

Other details:

• From a family of six children, and left Raffles Institution after Secondary 4 to work and support the family;

• Has three children, five grandchildren and a dog named Cooper;

• Has said that as PAP branch secretary in Marine Parade, he started Singapore’s first residents’ committees, and raised funds for Marine Parade’s first community centre; and

• Was close friends with the late Ong Teng Cheong.

Tharman Shanmugaratnam, 66

His credentials:

• Twenty-two years in politics, during which he served as Education Minister, Finance Minister, Senior Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, as well as Coordinating Minister for Social Policies;

• Chaired MAS and was deputy chair at GIC;

• Major government policies he led included SkillsFuture, the Budget package following the 2008 global recession, and the Pioneer Generation Package.

His international experience:

• Chaired the Group of Thirty council and the G20 Eminent Persons Group on global financial governance, and was also first Asian chair of the International Monetary and Financial Committee; and

• Co-chaired the Global Education Forum, sat on several UN boards (UNHDR, IMF and WEF).

What analysts have said:

• Viewed as the ruling party or main establishment candidate, even though the PAP has not explicitly endorsed him; this could hurt his chances among voters who prize independence.

• Seen as the one to beat; his challenge is ensuring people vote for him and do not assume his victory is a foregone conclusion.

His case for:

• His independence: He emphasises his reputation for independent thinking, despite his political background.

• How he would steward the nation’s reserves: He says he has ample and deep knowledge and experience to safeguard them, given his previous roles in government, MAS and GIC.

• How he would assess key appointments: He would do so thoroughly and impartially, to ensure an “honest and first-rate” public service.

Other details:

• He is married to lawyer Jane Ittogi, and they have four children and three cats (Judy, Socks and Awan);

• As director of the economics department at MAS, was charged in 1992 under the Official Secrets Act after the growth rate for Singapore’s economy was leaked to The Business Times before it was announced officially; and

• Declined taking on major leadership roles in international organisations because “there is no greater purpose in life than serving your own country”.

Aug 31 is Cooling Off Day. From midnight on Thursday to the close of polling at 8pm on Friday, campaigning activity and new election advertising are not allowed.