Speaker of Parliament Halimah Yacob has indicated her interest on Jul. 16 in running to become Elected President in September.

According to the Straits Times, Halimah, 62 was speaking at a Hari Raya celebration in her Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC constituency.

Her announcment of her intent to run confirms one of the most open secret in Singapore politics, since the constitutional change to make the upcoming a reserved election for Malay candidates.

Halimah has been Speaker of Parliament since Jan 14, 2013.

She will have to step down as Speaker of Parliament and MP of Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC to contest the election and also resign from the People's Action Party.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Chan Chun Sing had said in Parliament on Feb 6 that there will be no by-election in GRC if MP from minority race resigns to run for President. This in effect rules out a contest in Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC when Halimah formally resigns to run for the office of the Elected President.

Two other members of the minority have announced their intention to run: Second Chance Properties chief executive officer Mohamed Salleh Marican, 67, and Chairman of marine service provider Bourbon Offshore Asia Pacific Farid Khan Kaim Khan, 62.

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Top photo from Halimah Facebook

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