Singapore ushers a novel dawn in its 47 years of political vocation with Halimah Yacob being declared Singapore's first female President-elect, on Wednesday, September 13, after her nomination papers were verified successfully and were found to be in order. The country finally embraces the reign of its first female President-elect and first Malay head of state.
An affirmation by the Prime Minister's official declared that Halimah Yacob will be proclaimed as Singapore's 8th President, on Thursday at 6pm, at the Istana, after she takes her vows as the next head of the state.
"I am a President for everyone. Even though this is a reserved election, I am not a reserved President," pronounced Halimah Yacob to the supporters gathered at the nomination centre after she was taken in as the new President-elect by Returning Officer Ng Wai Choong, chief executive of the Energy Market Authority.
She congratulated her supporters on her massive victory and proclaimed for unity in the state, delivering a speech both in English and Malay.
"We need every Singaporean to stand together shoulder to shoulder .We have not reached the peak yet. The best is yet to come," she further added. "I ask that we focus on the similarities that we have and not on the differences."
Her supporters, all clothed in orange gathered at the People's Association headquarters at King George's Avenue on Wednesday morning.
Halimah Yacob, accompanied by her husband Mohamed Abdullah, submitted a certificate of eligibility issued by the Presidential Elections Committee, the community certificate issued by the Community Committee and a certificate of political donation.
She emerged victorious among three popular and budding candidates, including businessmen Mohamed Salleh Marican and Farid Khan on the list. However, both of them failed to meet the minimum requirements.
The amended Constitution that came into effect in June, 2017, made it necessary for applicants to produce proof of a company owned by them with at least S$500 million in shareholder's equity. Halimah Yacob having held office for 3 years as the Speaker successfully met with the requirements for those in the public sector.
PM Lee Hsien Loong too congratulated Halimah Yacob on becoming Singapore's 8th President-elect and the first female on the same. He further stated that she will fulfill her role "with distinction".
Halimah Yacob, Singapore's new female head, is of Indian and Malay descent with a strong grasp in politics. She was a former member of People's Action Party and the 9th speaker of the parliament. She also represented the Jurong Group Representation Constituency between 2001 to 20015, and Marsiling-Yew Tee Group Representation Constituency between 2015 and 2017. As the country's first female President-elect, her journey has commenced on a promising note, suggesting a bright future and resolved muddles in Singapore's political arena.
