ELECTED PRESIDENCY

'Reserved' elections to guarantee a minority president

Thu, Sep 08, 2016 - 5:50 AM

Yusof Ishak (top left) was Singapore's first and last Malay president. He was followed by Benjamin Sheares (Eurasian), Devan Nair (Indian), Wee Kim Wee (Chinese), Ong Teng Cheong (Chinese) and SR Nathan (Indian). Mr Ong was Singapore's first elected president when he took office in 1993. The current president is Tony Tan Keng Yam (Chinese).

PHOTOS: ST DIGITAL, REUTERS

Singapore

THERE must be a mechanism that can be triggered if Singapore has not had a minority president after five consecutive full terms, said the constitutional commission set up to review the elected presidency in its report.

As each presidential term here lasts up to six years...