Mr Tharman also said that his decision to run for President was not rushed.
“I’ve been thinking about it for some months, I wanted to wait to see whether President Halimah was going to stand again but people have been talking to me for some time,” he said.
“I said it is a difficult decision because I’m very comfortable as a policymaker but I think we are entering a fundamentally different era, fundamentally different times,” he said.
He added that people have more varied views and preferences, and that Singapore is maturing as a population and as an electorate.
Internationally, it is a fundamentally more uncertain environment, and Singapore needs to hold its own.
“I make no assumptions about my chances in this race. I’ve never made assumptions in all the elections I have taken part in. This is different because it’s not a political contest, unlike general elections I’ve been through, this is not a political contest. This is about choosing the right person,” he said.
“I still make no assumptions about my chances. I put myself forward to serve to the best of my ability using all my experience in economics and finance, in international affairs, and the standing I have internationally.
“I put myself forward to serve Singaporeans in this new role.”
Following discussions with the other Members of Parliament for Jurong GRC, he said Mr Shawn Huang will take over his Meet-the-People sessions, covering both Taman Jurong and Jurong Spring.
For all other events such as meeting residents for other matters, the other MPs will take turns, he said.
“Once the party decides on who might be a potential candidate for the next round, he or she will have to be on the ground, working very hard,” said Mr Tharman.
“So that’s the system. I think Jurong will be served very well because we work very cohesively as a team. I must say I’ve had a wonderful team.”