MADAM HALIMAH YACOB, 62
APPOINTMENTS
2001 to now: Member of Parliament
2011 to 2012: Minister of State (Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports)
2012 to 2013: Minister of State (Ministry of Social and Family Development)
2013 to now: Speaker of Parliament
WHY HER?
“She is a trained lawyer. Was in the top echelon of NTUC, then MP, Minister of State, and Speaker. In short, she is very well-qualified. I believe she is also well-liked. As an added bonus, she is a woman.”
– Associate Professor Tan Ern Ser, National University of Singapore
“Usually, candidates (for the Presidency) don’t step down from their current positions and stand for election immediately because they may be seen as too closely associated with the governing party.
– Mr Mano Sabnani, political observer and chief executive officer of Rafflesia Holdings, a media and financial consultancy company
MR ABDULLAH TARMUGI, 72
APPOINTMENTS
1984 to 2011: Member of Parliament
1989 to 1993: Deputy Speaker
1993 to 2002: Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs
1994 to 2002: Minister for Community Development
2002 to 2011: Speaker of Parliament
2012 to now: Member, Presidential Council for Minority Rights
WHY HIM?
“He’s been retired from politics for some years now. So he could be seen as not closely linked to the political establishment.”
– Mr Sabnani
“That Abdullah Tarmugi was born to a Malay father and a Chinese mother, and the fact that his wife is also Chinese may well be an added advantage as the portrayal of a multicultural identity is likely to resonate with the society at large here.”
– Dr Mustafa Izzuddin, Iseas-Yusof Ishak Institute
MR BAHREN SHAARI, 54
APPOINTMENTS
2010 to 2015: Global Head (Southeast Asia), Bank of Singapore
2015 to now: Chief executive officer, Bank of Singapore
2012 to now: Non-executive and independent director, Singapore Press Holdings
WHY HIM?
“He is known to many in the community, but he may have to boost his profile beyond the community should he be interested to run for president.”
– Dr Mustafa
Source: www.tnp.sg
