Our Prime Minister announced in Parliament yesterday that the next presidential election, due next year, will be reserved for candidates from the Malay community: “That means if a qualified Malay candidate steps up to run, Singapore will have a Malay president again… this would be our first after more than 46 years, since our first president Encik Yusof Ishak. I look forward to this.”
He also said that: “Every citizen, Chinese, Malay, Indian or some other race, should know that someone of his community can become President, and in fact from time to time, does become President.”
I applaud this move.
It’s a unique approach to a sensitive issue. I call this a ‘Calibrated Meritocracy’ approach, Singapore-style. The Malay candidate(s), after all, must still be qualified to enter the race (no pun intended) – but assuming that there is a primordial urge to vote for one’s own ethnic group, there is little hope that the Malay candidate will garner enough voter support. Hence the need for this provision.
PM said in his speech that he’s doing this now “because it would be irresponsible of me to kick this can down the road and leave the problem to my successors.”
I pray that this will not open a can of worms.
After all, beyond the racial stereotype that had emerged over the decades, there ARE many successful Malays (& Muslims) in our midst. We just need a better way to bring them into the National Consciousness – an emerging trend over the last few years that I am pleased to note in various fields such as mass media, the military & other national leadership positions.
Majulah Singapura.
Regardless of Race, Language or Religion.
Let’s all be one inclusive Singapore where our beautiful diversity is acknowledged & appreciated – even as we work hard to succeed in a merit-based playing field.
… & One day soon, I hope that we will be mature enough as a society to remove the CMIO (Chinese/Malay/Indian/Others) organising principle. When that day arrives, we will no longer need special provisions such as this.
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“Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.”
~ William Shakespeare
