singapore muslim malays top echelons singapore army among senior rank judiciary member poor ethnic minority set become first woman president southeast asian city state week halimah yacob former speaker parliament formally name mostly ceremonial post wednesday media report candidates fell short criteria set contest election aim strengthen sense inclusivity multicultural country singapore decree presidency would reserve candidates malay community time halimah experience house speaker automatically qualify nomination rule four applicants two malays two give certificate eligibility elections department say last malay hold presidency yusof ishak whose image adorn country banknotes yusof president 1965 1970 first years singapore independence follow short-lived union neighbor malaysia executive power lay lee kuan yew country first prime minister separation singapore malaysia give ethnic malays clear majority malaysia ethnic chinese form majority independent singapore leaders countries however recognize peace prosperity depend preserve harmony two group live muslim-dominated neighborhood malaysia indonesia next door singapore leaders long worry risk conflict loyalties among malays put malay officer religious family tie malaysia charge machine-gun unit tricky business late lee kuan yew widely quote say 1999. lee whose son lee hsien loong prime minister answer social cohesion lay create culture meritocracy rather adopt policies positive discrimination boost chance advancement singapore malay indian minorities still government report publish 2013 find malays felt sometimes discriminate limit prospect institutions arm force singapore economic success education policies help swell rank middle-class malays last census 2010 show lag ethnic group socio-economic measure household incomes home ownership malays form 13 percent singapore 3.9 million citizens permanent residents also underperform measure university secondary school education despite establishment candidate halimah wear hijab ban state school public sector job require uniform seldom speak publicly issue little sign change official attitudes farid khan one unsuccessful candidates chairman marine service firm bourbon offshore asia tell reuters malays hold political office make way corporate world still room improvement prospect malay president unlikely resolve concern under-representation analysts advocate say could help foster trust among communities yet reserve election also injure pride cheapen credibility malay person require token election us president say malay comedian television personality hirzi zulkiflie people intend run capable malay woman singapore president put minority representation agenda