Squaring the circle: The President as a symbol of multiracialism and national unity

Abstract

This chapter considers the rationale for minority representation in the office of the Elected President. It examines the official discourse on the Head of State as a symbol of multiracialism and national unity. Institutional design plays a fundamental role in the attainment of constitutional ideals and imperatives and the well-being of societies such as the promotion of the rule of law. Proponents of electoral integration champion the creation of an electoral system that is configured to generate inducements for moderate behaviour and cross-cutting loyalties. To reiterate, electoral integration aims at nurturing a system of healthy political competition that also facilitates the development of cross-cutting cleavages and encourages inter-ethnic cooperation while making racial chauvinism and extremism politically counter-productive. The Malay Community Sub-Committee, a constituent part of the Community Committee, will determine if the applicant does indeed belong to the Malay community.