Second Chance CEO Mohamed Salleh Marican has picked up the application formsĀ for the upcoming presidential election on Monday (5 June).

“I have done very well in business and I feel I want to give back to society in a much larger way,” said Mr Salleh after collecting his forms at the Elections Department.

Mr Salleh’s name was among the list ofĀ potential candidates since it was announced that this year’s presidential election will be reserved for Malay candidates, and he has put all such rumours to bed by picking up the forms.

Second Chance PropertiesĀ is the first company owned by a Malay to be listed on the Singapore Exchange. Its shareholder equity was between $254.3 million and $263.25 million in the past three financial years. The recent changes to the eligibility criteria for standing in the presidential election state that candidates with private sector experience must have run a company with at least $500 million in shareholder equity, to automatically qualify.Ā Addressing this issue, he said that while he may not automatically qualify, he hopes he can convince the Presidential Elections Committee he is deserving.

Mr Salleh said that he was moved by PM Lee’s call that candidates will step forward. He also said that he had done well in business, and this was his way of giving back to the society in a much larger way.Ā He also added that as a businessman, he possesses two qualities that may set him apart from his opponents: good judgment and good emotional intelligence.