Ahead of the first presidential election reserved for Malay candidates, panellists at an Institute of Policy Studies forum discussed the significance of the change and its impact.

Law Minister K.Shanmugam said the change was critical given the president's role as a unifying symbol of a multiracial nation.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Chan Chun Sing said the decision on who qualifies to stand is the Presidential Elections Committee's to make.

Senior Minister of State Janil Puthucheary said whether the next president was elected in a contest or walkover, he or she had to be a president for all Singaporeans.

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