In the hopes of throwing a spanner in the works, Uber driver and previously unsuccessful Bukit Batok by-election candidate Shirwin Eu showed up again at the Elections Department.

This time, he was there to collect the application forms for the upcoming presidential election to be held in September.

June 1 marks the start of Singapore's first presidential election reserved for Malay candidates.

Candidates have to apply not only for a certificate of eligibility, but also a community certificate confirming they belong to the Malay community, unlike the past elections.

In addition, they have to make a formal declaration that they understand the role of the president.

This is what Eu had to say to reporters after he collected his forms:

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Reporter: Do you yourself intend to run for the...

Ah yes, I intend to run for the presidential election.

Reporter: Sir, how old are you?

I am 34 years old this year

Reporter: Sorry, this is a reserved election for the Malay candidates so how do you intend to qualify?

I understand this is a reserved election for the minorities, for the Malay candidates, but the verdict is not out yet. I think there is always a chance for the government to review its intentions. Erm, I'm not sure if the Malay community wants to do that because there may be some repercussions and setbacks to it. Of course, we also know that there is a person who is actually appealing, so it could be depending on the court of appeal and final panel of judges what is their conclusion to whether this election should be held freely and openly and not limited to any forms of race.

Reporter: But other than race there is also another limit about the part of the CEO...

Ya, that is also rather limiter where you only allow the top elites and the cream of the crop to participate as opposed to any man on the street. So, of course, I will not advocate we follow the Americans where even the beggar on the street, anybody regardless of your status, your financial being and your credibility, because ultimately it lies with the power of the people and the mandate of the people to decide for themselves. So, the market forces will neutralise itself.

Reporter: What you think of your chances for presidency after unsuccessfully running previously for MP?

Actually I haven't been unsuccessfully, so to speak, because you are judging from the angle I wasn't qualified. Let's say I am allowed to be qualified on unconditional basis, I suppose my chance would be no different from other candidates because if you allow red carpet treatment, then there will always be a pool of people you are not able to reach. Just like you like to open your pool of people to the whole population rather than maybe just one percent of the population. How do you know the rest of the 99 percent of the population do not have any better things to offer. Just like if you only now restrict the Malay community, let's say if you want to judge based on academics, let's say PSLE, we understand that mathematics is the poorer subject for the Malay community, so let's say if I were to argue from this angle, how are they able to scrutinise the SWF, the Temasek and GIC. So is there a conspiracy whether you want such a talent pool of people limited by their academic to then later on take on the government as well as the judiciary power. Or would you like the Malay candidate to win on open basis then we can discount that they are not limited by their qualifications.

Reporter: So is there any reason why there is a persistence in the elections over the past ones, what are some of the messages you want to bring out?

Ok, I can see that cos you see that this is probably my third time coming and I am still coming right, of course the earlier messages which I convey in the past two, you understand there is power, status, money, all those stuff, I think I'm doing this by instinct I just feel like walking in, I feel like doing it. I feel that probably I am better than the rest of the candidates until proven otherwise. I like the challenge of pitting, then the ultimate winner can be decided based on merits and other forms of basis. So nobody is restricted given a handicap to win. So everyone fights in the open category.

Reporter: What you think you stand a chance given the criteria?

Whether I stand a chance it doesn't matter because the chance is decided by the people not by any form of committee, counsel or election department. How do you know I will not win if I am not even qualified?

So, of course there are two ways to argue. So even if I'm allowed, I may not win. If I'm not allowed, then I don't even have a chance. So do you want to send a message to the population that nobody stands a chance. Or do you want to send a message that everyone is qualified and eligible to fight. So that the ultimate winner is the undisputed.

Reporter: Can I check if you are still a Uber driver?

Yes, I'm a Grab driver as well.

Reporter: How old are you?

I think I am 34.

Reporter: Did you come with anyone today or you're just alone?

Ya, I'm just alone. In fact, I just finished my morning shift, so that's why I'm here.

Reporter: So do your customers recognise you?

In the past few elections, once in a while there will be people who recognise.

Reporter: What do they tell you?

Some will lend their support to me of course. I suspect some will disagree with me. There will be some who will like to have a conversation with me, sometimes a debate or argument within the car. So I find that it is quite interesting everyone really have their own point of view and it is important that we have freedom of press. That means that even the journalist and reporters are not being limited by the controller of the, is it the media development authority or something? Then you have a press freedom and everybody is allowed to express themselves freely. That would be a next stage for society. From there we can have a proper conflict, we understand truly each other's race and religions point of view.

It is okay to have a bit of chaos and conflict, I think we are mature enough to bring to the next stage.

Reporter: Is it possible number to leave your mobile number so that we follow up anything it is easier to contact you?

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