Peter Ng Kok Song, former chief investment officer of Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC, has emerged as the third presidential hopeful to put his name in the hat.

Speaking to the media at the Elections Department on Jul. 19 morning after announcing that he would be keen to run in the 2023 Presidential Election, Ng said he was putting himself forward as a viable candidate so that Singaporeans can "exercise their right to choose a president".

"The people of Singapore do not want another walkover," he added.

Safeguarding the nation's reserves

Ng said he is capable of taking up the presidential duties of safeguarding the nation's reserves and appointing key public officers.

This was due to his stint in public service for a good 45 years.

During that time, he was involved in building up Singapore's reserves, both at the GIC and at the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).

Ng served at the MAS between 1972 and 1986, after which he began his 27-year career at GIC, playing an instrumental role in building GIC's in-house capability for managing global equities, fixed-income investments, and currencies.

'I will be an independent president'

Ng also emphasised that he had never been affiliated to any political party, nor had he ever been a political figure.

As such, he felt he would be a good candidate for an independent president who was "above politics".

"Singapore needs a president who is independent of any political party in order to safeguard the integrity of our institutions, both in fact and in public perception," he said.

Ng added that during his time in the finance industry, his work was professional but low-key, and he did not seek the limelight.

However, he admitted that many Singaporeans outside of the public service might not have heard of him.

"I will put that right in the coming weeks," he said.

So why is he running for president now?

Ng explained that he was motivated to stand for president in the light of recent concerns about "the integrity of our national institutions".

Additionally, Ng said he wanted to serve Singapore one more time.

"Singapore has given me so much. I want to thank the people of Singapore by coming forward," he said.

"May I ask you fellow Singaporeans that you do stand with me so that together we can build an even better future for Singapore."

Top image by Mothership.