Singapore reporters from the mainstream media, who keep asking the same questions over and over again, have cornered Yaacob Ibrahim a second time to ask him if he wants to be president of Singapore.

This was after a Today reporter asked the Communications and Information Minister at the sidelines of the Madrasah Student Awards Ceremony at the Singapore Expo on May 31, if he wants to contest the upcoming presidential election in September.

In response, Yaacob said: “I’m very happy in my current position.”

He also said he "was not interested".

But why?

Well, Today quoted him as saying:

I see this person not just qualified to do the job because of the custodial role, but the ceremonial role, which is very important as it’s the symbol of Singapore.

Therefore, unlike Prince, he does not want to be turned into a symbol.

He already said "No" in January 2017

In as early as January 2017, the 61-year-old had already ruled himself out of the race reserved for Malay candidates, and effectively did not want to become the symbol of Singapore.

In an interview with Malay newspaper Berita Minggu then, Yaacob said: "I like to do policy work because it affects people's lives."

Yaacob, who is also Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, had also said: "I'm happy in so far as I think I can effect change, to bring about a better Singapore. I'd like to remain in that position."

More telling, though, was one of Yaacob's responses that revealed his impression of the elected presidency.

"Whoever steps up must not see the office as a job," but as a calling, he was quoted as saying, .

Moreover, the person who steps up must not just be a good president.

"What we must make sure is that the person must be a 'damn good president'. A president that is so good, people forget his or her race," he added.

Reporters should interview Halimah Yacob next.

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