SINGAPORE: Singapore on Thursday inaugurated its first female president amid stinging criticism that she is taking office without a vote. Halimah Yacob, a former speaker of parliament from the Malay Muslim minority, won the presidency in a walkover after authorities decided her rivals did not meet strict eligibility criteria. While the role is largely ceremonial, the president has veto powers on key government appointments and safeguards the country's substantial financial reserves. The president also pledged to be independent in exercising her custodial powers over the reserves, which are rarely tapped by the government. Halimah is the first Malay president of Singapore for almost five decades.

Source: New Strait Times September 14, 2017 12:00 UTC