Halimah Yacob to contest in Singapore Presidential Election

Singapore Speaker of Parliament Halimah Yacob confirmed today that would be contesting in the upcoming Presidential Election, which has been reserved for Malay candidates, Channel NewsAsia reported.

"I recognise that the position of elected President has the tremendous capacity to do good for all Singaporeans and for Singapore," she reportedly said at a National Day dinner held at the Marsiling Mega Sports Park, here.

"Hence, I wish to inform you that I will be contesting in the coming Presidential Election," the Marsiling-Yew Tee Group Representation Constituency (GRC) Member of Parliament (MP) said.

Halimah, 62, also said that she would be resigning from her positions as Speaker of Parliament and Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC MP on Monday.

The Singapore Presidential Election will be held in September.

So far, two other candidates have come forward, namely Second Chance Properties chief executive officer Mohamed Salleh Marican and Bourbon Offshore Asia chairman Farid Khan Kaim Khan.

Application for the 2017 Presidential Election certificates opened on June 1 and will close five days after the writ of election is issued this month.

Incumbent President Tony Tan Keng Yam will complete his term of office on Aug 31. - BERNAMA