SINGAPORE — President Halimah Yacob, 68, will not be standing for re-election in the next presidential election, she said in a statement on Monday (May 29).

"It has been a great honour and privilege to serve as the eighth President of Singapore for the past six years. The experience has been most inspiring and, at the same time, humbling," she said.

The next presidential election must be held by Sept 13 this year, when Madam Halimah’s term of office expires.

Mdm Halimah took office on Sept 14 in 2017, after running in an uncontested election due to a lack of eligible candidates, because other nominees did not meet additional requirements to stand for election. She was the only one to be issued a certificate of eligibility by the Presidential Elections Committee.

The election was reserved for ethnic Malays because there had not been a president from the racial group for the five most recent presidential terms.

The next elected presidency ahead will not be reserved for minority candidates.

"In a few months' time, the presidential election will be held," she said, adding that she made her decision after "very careful consideration".

"I have been most fortunate to be given the chance to serve all Singaporeans regardless of race, language, or social standing as the President of Singapore.

"I will forever cherish the fond memories of the people I have met, and the experiences acquired during my term. These will inspire me to continue contributing to our society and nation in other ways for as long as I am able to," she added in her statement, which was also posted on her Facebook page.

'NEVER ALONE IN THIS JOURNEY'

Looking back at her presidency, Mdm Halimah said that she has tried her best to fulfil the "tremendous responsibilities" of the presidency after she took office, and had aimed to help create a more caring and compassionate society.

"I am glad that I was never alone in this journey. I was supported by many Singaporeans who shared strongly in this belief.

As Singapore’s first female president, Mdm Halimah sought to ensure “a broader and more open meritocracy” for Singapore, urging lawmakers to narrow social divisions and address inequality.

She also called on Parliament to secure Singapore’s future following the Covid-19 pandemic.

During her term, she approved draws from the country's past reserves of up to S$52 billion in the financial year (FY) 2020, S$11 billion in FY2021 and S$6 billion in FY2022 to fund the Government’s crisis measures.

She has promoted a cohesive socie­ty, strengthening interfaith efforts as well as calling for greater recognition for the efforts of workers, most recently calling for greater value to be placed on workers with technical skills in her May Day address this year.

On the global stage, she has made several visits abroad to meet her counterparts, including to Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea and the United Kingdom.

In 2018, she met then-United States president Donald Trump during the North Korea-US Singapore Summit, and again when Mr Trump made a separate state visit here later that year.

Mdm Halimah visited China in February last year, when she met President Xi Jinping and former premier Li Keqiang. She also attended the opening ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games held in Beijing.

A longtime activist in the labour movement, Mdm Halimah first entered politics in 2001 and contested in that year’s General Election under the ruling People’s Action Party. She was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Jurong Group Representation Constituency (GRC) between 2001 and 2015, and as MP for Marsiling–Yew Tee GRC between 2015 and 2017.

She was later appointed as the Minister of State for Community Development and Sports as well as the Minister of Social and Family Development. 

Before her presidency, she served as Speaker of Parliament from 2013 to 2017, becoming the first woman to hold the post.