Singapore: Former Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan, who won the first contested election for the post of
President in 18 years, was on Thursday sworn in as Singapore's head
of state in a glittering ceremony.
Tan takes over from Indian origin S R Nathan, who retired
after serving two six-year terms as head of the state.
71-year-old Tan was elected President in the first
four-corner election held last Saturday.
He was declared the winner with a narrow margin of 0.34
per cent.
Nathan, 87, would now spend time in academia.
Government ministers, led by Prime Minister Lee Hsien
Loong, and foreign diplomats as well as corporate heads
attended Tan's swearing-in held at Istana, the Presidential
Palace.
Tan has earlier served as minister in different
departments in the ruling People's Action Party government.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, September 01, 2011, 18:13