Back when Singapore gain independence and installs Yusof Ishak as the President, the sentiments were clear as LKY promotes Multi-Racial harmony amidst the racial tensions at that time…
Recently before the reserved elections, our community starts to voice out their dissatisfaction of not having a minority President notably a Malay president. Seeing that it may cause a racial disharmony taking into consideration that even though we are racially living together, the online community can be seen dissing at minorities with various reports of workplace discrimination and so on and so forth.
Last year or so we have seen proven reports that if it was to be an open election, the specific race will vote for their particular race no matter what the caliber or contributions of a candidate of another race. My take on this is that having a reserved election for a specific race took place because we have not seen a Malay president for a long time and its time that we see a change towards uniting and mending the racial dissent. I may be wrong but touch our hearts and ask ourselves. We just have to look at the comments sections and we can see what I mean.
On the walkover, potential candidates has been given guidelines and requirements and it was strictly followed. Clearly those criterias has been written out. Ample time is given for potential candidates to come forward and apply and only 1 was deemed eligible and it resulted in a walkover.
In summary, no matter what the outcome is, it can never please everyone. As for the big picture what is important is we maintain a racial harmony country that is open and look beyond racial to decide if a person is capable and credible or not as a President. In me writting this I took my shoes off as a malay and as an open person.
Source: FB post by Sheik Marwan