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Presidency criteria should exclude religion, ethnicity

I refer to the report “Principles behind GRCs can work for presidency: Dhana” (May 7) and the insightful letter “No obstacles to minorities’ advancement in Singapore” (May 9).

I refer to the report “Principles behind GRCs can work for presidency: Dhana” (May 7) and the insightful letter “No obstacles to minorities’ advancement in Singapore” (May 9).

In a democratic and meritocratic society like Singapore, the most vital criteria for a suitable presidential candidate should be character, intellect, vision, leadership capability and track record in social and voluntary work, instead of ethnic and religious affiliation.

If a candidate were to lack confidence in his campaign because of his minority background, how would he be able to convince voters that he is the ideal choice for the presidency? Furthermore, decisions made by the Elected President, with input from the Council of Presidential Advisers, will affect all citizens, and not just one ethnic group.

Hence, the President, regardless of his ethnicity and religion, should be politically neutral and firm in his beliefs, placing the people’s interests as his top priority in exercising his authority.

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