Speaking to journalists at his first doorstop interview since the official result was called just past midnight on Saturday, Mr Tharman said:"I did not expect such a high degree of endorsement, which also means there was a fair number of people who would normally not vote in favour of the ruling party, who decided that this was not a political election, this is not a General Election.
"So I think it's a very interesting lesson that Singaporeans do not think that my political service all these years was a disadvantage." "But from the very start, I've stated that it's a plus for Singapore that I come with some international standing and networks around the world, which we should try to use."
"One of the first things I want to do is sit down with her and get her thoughts and advice coming from the last six years. I'm not going to rush the process, but I'm very serious about wanting to fulfil the mandate that's been given to me by the people."Tharman Shanmugaratnam and his wife Jane Yumiko Ittogi arriving at Toa Payoh Hub on Sep 2, 2023.
"Singapore society is changing, Singapore politics is changing, and I think the relationship between the President and the new Prime Minister should be a constructive one. And I believe we can make that work."