Halimah will be appointed as Speaker on merit,with "bonus" political attributes: ESM Goh

Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong says Minister of State Halimah Yacob, who's set to become Singapore's first woman Speaker of Parliament, will be appointed strictly on merit and not because of her gender or that she is from a minority race. 

He described the fact that she's a woman and a Malay as "bonus" political attributes. 

He said Mdm Halimah has distinguished herself in the National Trades Union Congress - as a backbencher, office-holder, leader of her community and in her constituency. 

Mr Goh shared his thoughts in a post on his MParader Facebook page on Wednesday - a day after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced that he'll nominate Mdm Halimah to be elected as Speaker when Parliament sits on January 14. 

Mr Goh said the Speaker's job will not stretch her and maximise her capacity to contribute to Singapore, important as it is. 

He added that it's good that PM Lee intends to ask her to contribute in an appropriate capacity to social issues.