Constitutional Commission on elected presidency: Submission by Gillian Koh and Tan Min-Wei

Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) deputy director for research Gillian Koh (left) and IPS researcher Tan Min-Wei. ST PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM

SINGAPORE - The president should be chosen based on merit and whether he can uphold the principle of multiracialism, Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) deputy director for research Gillian Koh said at the third public hearing on proposed changes to the elected presidency on Tuesday (April 26).

Dr Koh, who had submitted her views along with IPS researcher Tan Min-Wei during the public consultation phase, held the view that the laws should not be changed to ensure that particular races are selected at presidential polls.

Instead, she suggested a greater push to seek out members of minority races and to encourage them to contest.

Introducing measures to guarantee that minority candidates are elected, Dr Koh added, could also signal that minority communities require help.

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