SINGAPORE Sept 13 (TNS): A Muslim Malay, Halima Yacob is set to be formally nominated as Singapore’s first female president today (Wednesday).
Halimah Yacob, a former speaker of parliament from the city-state’s Muslim Malay minority, will be the first woman to hold the largely ceremonial role if – as expected.
Others hoping to run against her were judged by authorities not to have met strict eligibility criteria.
The president’s role is largely that of a figurehead but the head of state does have some limited powers.
It was the first time that the presidency had been reserved for a particular ethnic group, as authorities seek to foster harmony in a multicultural society dominated by ethnic Chinese.
Singapore is one of the world’s wealthiest and most stable societies. The People’s Action Party has been in power since self-rule was gained from the British in 1959.
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