Updated: 01/07/2013 07:30

Halimah Yacob to be next Speaker of Parliament: report

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Minister of State for Social and Family Development Halimah Yacob has been touted to be the next Speaker of Parliament, taking over from Michael Palmer who resigned recently over an extramarital affair.

Chinese daily Lianhe ZaoBao reported today that Madam Halimah is slated to be appointed to the post when Parliament sits on the 14th of this month.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had earlier said he would nominate a new Speaker of Parliament for the House to endorse.

If confirmed, Madam Halimah will be the first woman to be appointed to the post, one that is behind only the President and the Prime Minister.