Since announcing his bid for the presidency on Jul 19, Mr Ng has reiterated his lack of political affiliations and his experience in managing the country’s reserves through his 45 years in public service.
Mr Ng started his career as an investment analyst in the Ministry of Finance in 1970, before moving to the Monetary Authority of Singapore when it was formed in 1971.
In 1986, he joined GIC and headed the equities and bond department. He held other posts, including managing director of public markets, before being appointed as group chief investment officer in 2007 – a position he held until his retirement in 2013.
The Elections Department, in its statement issued on Friday morning, said the Presidential Elections Committee “is satisfied that Mr Ng is a man of integrity, good character and reputation” based on information available.
The committee noted that Mr Ng was GIC’s group chief investment officer for more than three years.
It was also “satisfied” that given the nature of Mr Ng’s position and performance in GIC, Mr Ng has the experience and ability comparable to a person who was chief executive or held the most senior executive post at a Fifth Schedule entity. Such entities include key statutory boards and government-owned companies such as the Central Provident Fund Board, Temasek and GIC.
The committee added that it was satisfied that Mr Ng has the experience and ability to “effectively carry out the functions and duties of the office of President”.
The next step for those who have qualified is to be nominated as candidates. To do so, they must deliver their nomination papers, along with the certificate of eligibility, community certificate and political donation certificate, on Nomination Day on Aug 22.
Nomination proceedings will take place at the People’s Association auditorium at King George’s Avenue between 11am and 12pm.
If more than one candidate is nominated, Singaporeans will go to the polls on Sep 1, which will be declared a public holiday.