Who was the First Woman President of Singapore?

Who was the First Woman President of Singapore?

On September 13, 2017, HalimahYacob became the first women president of Singapore. The former speaker of the Singaporean parliament came into controversy as soon as she became the president of Singapore. The first female head of the state was criticized for becoming the president not by people’s choice but because of the fact that she was the only candidate who qualified all the strict election requirements.

 

People were highly dissatisfied by the results as they considered it to be highly undemocratic to give her the highest position of the state without any vote for or against her.  As the election was reserved for Malays the other two contenders couldn’t fit in the eligibility list. HalimahYacob, daughter of a watchman who passed away when she was only 8 years old, had to go through a lot in her early life before she became a politician for People’s Action party which is the current ruling party of Singapore.

 

On the day of Oath taking Madam Yacob mentioned in her speech “We need every Singaporean to stand together shoulder to shoulder.” She laid emphasis on similarities rather than differences. Further, she talked about the racial differences that exist in Singapore and also added that she wants Singaporeans to elect their presidents naturally and regularly regardless of which race they belong to. “I am president for everyone. Although there’s no election, my commitment to serve you remains the same.” she said at the Oath ceremony.

 

However, as the President of Singapore her role is largely ceremonial, she has the president’s veto powers on key government appointments and other aspects related to the country’s financial reserves. Her appointment as the president of Singapore has brought in a lot of criticism even on social media by different leaders and social activists who have called her election to such a high post an undemocratic move. Many have criticized this electoral process as they feel the Singaporeans have been betrayed by having no say in who becomes the next head of their state.

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