SINGAPORE: President Halimah Yacob announced on Monday (May 29) that she will not be standing for re-election this year.
“In a few months’ time, the Presidential Election will be held. After very careful consideration, I have decided not to stand for re-election.
“It has been a great honour and privilege to serve as the eighth President of Singapore for the past six years. The experience has been most inspiring and, at the same time, humbling,” she said in a statement.
She added that she was aware of the “tremendous responsibilities” of the presidency when she took office in 2017.
“I have tried my best to fulfill them. My aim was to help create a more caring and compassionate society.
“I am grateful to all Singaporeans for their trust, understanding and kindness during my tenure, and to the many community, social and business organisations, who have inspired me with their conviction and enthusiasm to build a better Singapore.”
She added that she has been fortunate to be given the chance to serve all Singaporeans regardless of race, language, or social standing as the President of Singapore.
“I will forever cherish the fond memories of the people I have met, and the experiences acquired during my term. These will inspire me to continue contributing to our society and nation in other ways for as long as I am able to. I would also like to thank my husband and family for their unstinting support throughout my Presidency,” she said.
Singapore’s next presidential election, which must be held by Sep 13, will be open to candidates of all races, as opposed to the reserved election in 2017 where only members of the Malay community were allowed to contest.
MDM HALIMAH’S PRESIDENCY
Mdm Halimah was sworn in on Sep 14, 2017 at the Istana. She is Singapore’s first Malay president since Yusof Ishak 47 years ago, and also the first woman to be president.
The 2017 election was reserved for Malay candidates, as the community had not had a member elected as president in the past five terms. Mdm Halimah was the only candidate to be issued a Certificate of Eligibility.
Constitutional amendments were passed in November 2016, mandating the reservation of the elected presidency for candidates from a particular racial group if there had not been a president from that group in the five most recent presidential terms.
Madam Halimah’s current term is set to conclude in September this year.
During her presidency, Madam Halimah undertook official visits to various countries, including China, South Korea, India, New Zealand, and Australia, with the aim of deepening bilateral ties. These visits focused on enhancing collaboration in areas such as trade, education, and defence cooperation.
Madam Halimah has been actively involved in various charitable initiatives and supported numerous causes, such as the President’s Challenge, an annual nationwide campaign that aims to raise funds and promote volunteerism for various organisations in Singapore.
NEXT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
A Presidential Elections Committee – made up of members such as chairpersons of the Public Service Commission and Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority – determines whether candidates are eligible to run.
Under the public sector service requirements laid out in Singapore’s Constitution, presidential candidates must have held office – for at least three years – as a minister, chief justice, Speaker of the House, attorney-general or permanent secretary among others.
Chief executives of key statutory boards or government-owned companies like Temasek also qualify.
Private sector candidates must have served for at least three years as chief executive of a company with an average of S$500 million in shareholders’ equity.
To run for president, potential candidates must also satisfy the committee that they are people “of integrity, good character and reputation”.
On May 10, Minister-in-charge of the Public Service Chan Chun Sing said that there are about 50 public service positions that may fulfil the public sector service requirement to run in Singapore’s next presidential election.