Presidential hopeful Halimah quits as Speaker, leaves PAP

Singapore

A DAY after declaring her intent to contest next month's presidential election, Halimah Yacob vacated her official positions as Speaker of Parliament and a member of parliament.

The 62-year-old also tendered her resignation from the ruling People's Action Party (PAP), a move that means she will cease to be a member of the party's Central Executive Committee; she will also give up her posts as chair of the PAP Seniors' Group and the PAP's Marsiling branch.

Her media team released copies of her resignation letters - one to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and another to Clerk of Parliament Ng Sheau Jiuan - on Monday afternoon.

Madam Halimah also wrote a separate letter to Deputy Speaker Charles Chon…