Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam takes over as chairman of Sinda from President Tharman Shanmugaratnam
Singapore – K. Shanmugam, Singapore’s Law and Home Affairs Minister, has been appointed as the new chairman of the Singapore Indian Development Association (Sinda), taking over from Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who resigned after becoming Singapore’s ninth president. The announcement was made in a media statement from Sinda on Wednesday, November 14, 2024.
Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam has been a significant figure in Sinda’s journey since its inception in 1991. He served as the chairman of the board of trustees from 2008 and was instrumental in leading a strategic review in 2011, which shifted the organisation’s focus to areas such as education, youth development, family services, and extending support to households in need. Mr. Tharman’s long involvement with Sinda, which also included serving as a life trustee since 2005, has been marked by his dedication to the organisation’s goals.
During his tenure, Mr. Tharman introduced several major initiatives, notably the Back To School Festival in 2008, which provided financial assistance to underprivileged students and their families. His leadership has had a lasting impact on Sinda’s vision, earning praise from Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Sinda’s president. Ms. Rajah thanked Mr. Tharman for his “vision, leadership, and manifold contributions” to the organisation and the Indian community in Singapore.
Mr. Shanmugam has had a long history with Sinda, serving as an adviser from 1991 to 2002, as president of the executive committee (exco) from 2002 to 2009, and as a life trustee since 2010. His leadership during challenging times, such as the 2003 SARS outbreak, proved instrumental in helping more than 2,000 Singaporean Indians through initiatives like career placement and training. His deep involvement with Sinda and his strong connection to the Singaporean Indian community position him well to continue the organisation’s legacy and propel it to new heights.
Ms. Rajah highlighted Mr. Shanmugam’s comprehensive knowledge of Sinda’s work, expressing confidence in his ability to lead the organisation into its next chapter.
