Setting record straight on Singapores presidential

elections
Updated 16 hours ago Published on 17 Aug

I REFER to the commentary published in Utusan Malaysia on August 14 titled

Berubahkah nasib kaum Melayu di Singapura? Presiden sekadar simbolik.
In my May 30 letter to the editor in response to Awang Selamats editorial in Mingguan
Malaysia on May 28 titled Presiden Melayu ke-2?, I pointed out several inaccuracies in
the piece.
I also requested for the letter to be published to set the record straight and ensure that
your readers have the full picture.
The editor did not publish my letter for reasons I could not understand other than not
providing a true picture to the readers. Instead, the editor published a second
commentary, with similar inaccuracies and misrepresentations of Singapores
presidential election and of the statements by Singapores political office holders.
Let me reiterate my message. Contrary to the false assertions in the commentary, the
Singapore president, who is elected with a popular mandate, plays key roles in nation-
building and in ensuring good governance, including: (i) as the symbol and unifier of a
multiracial Singapore; (ii) as the custodian of our nations reserves; and (iii) as the
protector of the integrity of our public service.
Surely, Utusan Malaysia would agree that these are important tenets which every
country should safeguard.
Singapores Malay community has achieved significant social and economic progress
within Singapores rules-based and meritocratic society.
We are, as a nation, proud of these accomplishments, and we will achieve further
progress together. It is incorrect to say that non-Malays in Singapore have been given
priority and advantages. We certainly do not have a race-based system of benefits
and patronage.
Singapore will not tolerate the use of race or religion to promote ill-will between different
segments of society or to undermine our institutions. August 17, 2017.

* Vanu Gopala Menon is the Singapore High Commissioner to Malaysia.