Singaporeans Finally Elect a President

Former Deputy Prime Minister Ong Teng Cheong became Singapore’s first elected president Saturday despite a strong showing by a reluctant opponent who had barely campaigned.

Backed by the ruling People’s Action Party and the nation’s labor unions, the 57-year-old Ong was heavily favored to win a six-year term in the newly strengthened post.

He faced token opposition from Chua Kim Yeow, 67, a retired civil servant and banker who said he was urged to run in order to provide a contest.

Ong won 952,513 votes, or 58.7% of valid votes cast, to 670,358 or 41.3% for Chua.

Voting was compulsory, and 1,659,482 ballots were cast, representing 94.5% of those eligible.

“You have given me a strong mandate and moral authority to carry out my duty,” Ong said in a victory speech.

Chua congratulated Ong and urged citizens to “place your trust and confidence in the new elected president.”

The presidency was a ceremonial position until 1991, when Parliament amended the constitution to give it executive power to oversee the country’s finances; senior government appointments, and religious and some security affairs.

The president will also have powers over the use of the Internal Security Act, which allows for indefinite detention without trial.

Chua’s strong showing was surprising because he did not mount a formal campaign and said he regarded Ong as “a far superior candidate.”

However, the balloting was regarded as a popularity test for the ruling party. The results indicated a degree of discontent with the PAP, which has been in power since 1959 and holds 77 of the 81 elected seats in Parliament.

President Wee Kim Wee’s term expires on Sept. 1. Wee, 77, was appointed by Parliament in 1985 to perform mostly ceremonial duties.

Ong served as deputy prime minister and chairman of the PAP and headed the National Trades Union Congress, the country’s umbrella labor organization. A former architect, he served in Parliament for 21 years.