The path is now fully clear for Halimah Yacob to contest in the upcoming presidential election, now that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has accepted her resignation from the People’s Action Party (PAP). But of course.
After weeks of will-she-won’t-she tension, the 40-year PAP stalwart announced that she will indeed run for the special election, which is only reserved for Malays in a bid to force multi-racial representation into the Elected Presidency. Halimah has officially stepped down as Speaker of Parliament, with Punggol East Single Member Constituency MP Charles Chong taking over as acting Speaker until Parliament nominates a new one.
She’s also stepping down as Member of Parliament (MP) for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, a position that PM Lee assured he will appoint a replacement. Notably, a by-election will not be held in her ward — it’s an act that has raised questions, especially since one was held for the Bukit Batok SMC last year when former PAP MP David Ong resigned due to an alleged extra-marital affair.
Nonetheless, PM Lee thanked Halimah for her contributions to the PAP and lauded her for her “consistent and fearless voice”, while expressing confidence in her abilities should she be elected to “the highest office in the land”.
Check out Halimah’s resignation letters below, and read PM Lee’s three-page letter to her in full via TODAY.
