President Halimah Yacob not standing for re-election
Tessa Oh
PRESIDENT Halimah Yacob has announced that after “very careful consideration”, she will not stand for re-election at Singapore’s next presidential election, which is due by mid-September.
“It has been a great honour and privilege to serve as the eighth President of Singapore for the past six years,” she said. “The experience has been most inspiring and, at the same time, humbling.”
President Halimah assumed the role after the 2017 reserved election, which was uncontested due to a lack of eligible candidates. She is the first woman to be president in Singapore, as well as the second Malay president since founding president Yusof Ishak.
The 2017 election was reserved for Malay candidates, as constitutional amendments were passed 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.
President Halimah said she was aware of the “tremendous responsibilities of the presidency” and has tried her best to fulfil them during her tenure.
“My aim was to help create a more caring and compassionate society,” she said, while thanking Singaporeans who shared in her belief.
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“Working together, we strengthened the voices of our communities and uplifted those who are most in need, particularly the disadvantaged and vulnerable among us.”
Calling the presidency the “key institution” of Singapore’s democracy, President Halimah said that the role has significant constitutional and community-related duties.
“The unifying role of the presidency, working closely together with the government to safeguard Singapore’s future, has always been critical to our nation’s success, and will be even more important going forward, as we find our way in a troubled and uncertain world,” she said.
She thanked Singaporeans for the trust, understanding and kindness showed to her during her tenure, as well as businesses and community leaders who have “inspired me with their conviction and enthusiasm to build a better Singapore”.
Commenting on the news, National Trades Union Congress secretary-general Ng Chee Meng noted that President Halimah has always been a staunch supporter of workers and “holds a special place in her heart” for them.
As president, she regularly engaged union leaders to stay informed about workers’ issues, said Ng.
“During her time at NTUC, Madam President displayed remarkable compassion for all workers, particularly those who were vulnerable,” said Ng, adding that the president had championed programmes and initiatives that made a tangible difference to women and those of lower income in particular during her time in the labour movement.
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