Exchange with developing countries
Mr Thurman spoke to reporters on the sidelines of a three-day state visit to Brunei that ended on Friday. This will be his first overseas state visit.
“The world order is gradually eroding and collapsing. We must accept the world as it is,” he said.
“We are very small. We express our opinions and uphold our principles, but we have to learn how to interact with developing countries. It may not always evolve in the direction we think it will, but it’s not up to us to decide.”
Mr Thurman said he intended to be an “active” head of state who promotes Singapore’s interests overseas through presidential duties and non-traditional roles such as chairing international organizations.
“What I do is not for personal gain,” Thurman said, adding that some roles may require him to express an independent opinion.
“The term ‘private capacity’ as used in the Constitution is a bit of a legal term, but there are some roles that I can play internationally that require me to express an independent opinion so that I can be trusted when I preside. It just means that there are” different bodies, for example.
“They’re all meant to advance my presidency and the national interest. That’s the criterion by which the Cabinet decides in which institutions I should play a role, and it’s worked well so far.”