Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam Is New President Of Singapore

SINGAPORE, Aug 28 (Bernama) -- Former deputy prime minister Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam has become the island state's seventh president, winning the four-corner election by 7,269 votes or a 0.34 per cent margin following a recount.

Returning officer Yam Ah Mee announced the result early Sunday morning after he had allowed the recount as the difference in votes between the two leading candidates was less than two per cent of the total valid votes cast.

Keng Yam secured 744,397 or 35.19 per cent of the total valid votes while Dr Tan Cheng Bock received 737,128 or 34.85 per cent.

Tan Jee Say garnered 529,732 votes or 25.04 per cent and Tan Kin Lian obtained 103,931 votes or 4.91 per cent.

This is the first time that Singapore has seen a four-corner fight for the post. It is also the first contested presidential election since 1993.

The president is the head of state and holds office for a term of six years.