SINGAPORE: Singapore must “never compromise” on the qualifying criteria for the Elected Presidency, Minister for Communications and Information and Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim said on Monday (Nov 7).
Speaking during the Parliamentary debate on the proposed changes to the Elected Presidency (EP), Dr Yaacob said if the proposed tweak to the Constitution to ensure minority representation is passed, it must be done because it is good for Singapore and Singaporeans.
“The candidate, minority or otherwise, must meet the same, exacting requirements, and therefore be seen to be good for all Singaporeans,” he stated.
“TRIBAL TENDENCIES” REMAIN A FACTOR
Dr Yaacob said ensuring minority representation in an electorate where the Chinese community dominates is the “real challenge”.
“Surveys and statistics have shown how despite all our efforts at forging a common Singaporean identity, the current reality in Singapore is that the tribal tendency remains a factor – people still tend to drift towards their own kind.”
“This finding has caused discomfort to some Singaporeans. I myself did not find it pleasant reading,” he said. “It is also my sincere wish that one day, race will no longer matter. But for now, we cannot ignore the facts and trust that the better angels of our nature will surely prevail, especially on a matter as critical as the EP.”
Building in a “circuit breaker” for the EP, Singapore “will see, over a sufficiently long time, representation from the various communities as EPs, reflecting the racial breakdown of our society”, Dr Yaacob said.
The minister noted that support for the safeguard for minority representation has not been unanimous. He acknowledged that some have argued that Singaporeans are mature enough to know whom to elect in order to maintain a harmonious society, while others feel that the move goes against “the strain of meritocracy as they believe in”, and could be an example of doing too much in helping the minorities in Singapore.
He, too, had concerns when the idea of the safeguard was first mooted, he shared. “I was worried that this move, to ensure that there will be a Malay president, will be seen as the Government going out of its way to help a community that has lagged behind. I was worried that a Malay candidate may not be able to command the respect of all Singaporeans,” he said.
“The truth is that we do not have many Malays in key positions of power and leadership. Having one being a President is not just nice, but timely. But this cannot, and must not, be the reason why we should have a Malay President, Dr Yaacob stated, reiterating that the Malay candidate “must meet the same exacting standards as demanded of candidates from the other communities”.
CHARACTER IMPORTANT
Dr Yaacob also highlighted the need to have candidates of good character for the highest office of the land. “While we have debated much about the qualifying criteria, especially the candidate’s experience in managing large organisations, equally important are the values and ethos of the candidates,” he said.
“We have seen very successful businessmen who are also crooks. To have stayed honest is too low a bar.”
The minister said being President is no mere job, but a “calling to serve all Singaporeans”. “It demands integrity, selflessness and the desire to always promote the common good.
“We must never compromise on standards. We do not want, and we cannot accept, tokenism,” he concluded. “We want a president to command the respect of all Singaporeans.”
