Speaking in Parliament today (Feb 6), Minister of State Chan Chun Sing confirmed that the Presidential Election reserved for only the Malays will be held in September 2017. Following Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s directive, the Presidential Election will be reserved for only the Malay race just so that potential presidential candidate Dr Tan Cheng Bock do not get the opportunity to contest.
Minister Chan Chun Sing also said that the government will create new campaigning rules to “discourage divisive electioneering”, however, there is no mention what the new rules will be. The Singapore government will also decide what race a candidate is recognised as, through a 16-member committee appointed by the government.
“Campaign methods for the presidential elections must not inflame emotions and must be in keeping with the decorum and dignity of the office of the President.”
Potential candidate need to file their application from 1 June 2017 onwards. However, given the stringent new qualification requirements, it will likely be a walkover for the ruling party-endorsed candidate.
The current President, Tony Tan, will see his term ends by 31 August 2017, and no early election was called as the puppet president has been over-cozily compromising to the government’s commands.