Singapore narrowly elects Tony Tan as president

Former Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan won a narrow victory to become the country's seventh president, officials said Sunday, a sign that the popularity of the Southeast Asian city-state's ruling party is eroding.

The 71-year-old Tan receied 35 percent of about 2.1 million votes in Saturday's election, edging former member of parliament Tan Cheng Bock by just 7,269 ballots, Elections Department chief Yam Ah Mee said early Sunday. Tan Jee Say earned 25 percent of the vote, while Tan Kin Lian got 5 percent.

The announcement of the results was delayed by a few hours as election officials recounted the votes because of the tight contest between the top two candidates.

The election was Singapore's first contested vote for president - mainly a ceremonial position in the country's parliamentary government - since 1993.

"I plan to work my utmost for Singaporeans whatever be their political affiliation," Tan said after the results were announced. "The presidency is above politics."

Analysts were closely watching the performance of Tony Tan, who was backed by most of the political establishment, as a barometer of voter discontent with the ruling People's Action Party, which has held power since 1959.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and the PAP did not officially endorse Tan, but Lee praised Tan last month and didn't mention any of the other three candidates. Until last month, Tan was executive director of sovereign wealth fund Government of Singapore Investment Corp. and chairman of media company Singapore Press Holdings.