Political Structure of Singapore
Prepared by Hsu-Lun Hsieh Julie Wu
History
• In 1819, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles from the British East India Company (BEIC) found the modern Singapore. • In 1826, The BEIC combined Singapore, Penang, and Malacca to form the Straits Settlements. • In 1867, the Straits Settlements became a British Crown Colony under the jurisdiction of the Colonial Office in London.
• In 1946, the Straits Settlements was dissolved. Penang & Malacca became part of the Malayan Union; Singapore became a separate British Crown Colony.
• Under the leadership of David Marshall, Singapore gain its self-governing status in 1959. • On August 9, 1965, Singapore separated from Malaysia became an independent republic.
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Government Structure
• Singapore is a republic with a parliamentary system of government based on the Westminister model. • The Executive: Head of State & Cabinet
– The President, who is the Head of State, previously exercised only ceremonial duties.
• As a result of 1991 constitutional changes, the president is now elected & exercises expanded powers over legislative appointments, government budgetary affairs, & internal security matters. • On August 28, 1993, the first presidential election.
– Mr Ong Teng Cheong was elected. – The current President of Singapore is Nathan.
– The Prime Minister leads the Cabinet in the administration of the government.
• The Cabinet is responsible for all Gov’t policies & the day-to-day administration of the affairs of the state.
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The Legislature
• The legislature comprises the president & Parliament. • Parliament is unicameral. The 83 members elected on the basis of universal adult suffrage. • The president appoints the Prime Minister & the other Cabinet members from among the Members of Parliament (MPs). • The President may appoint up to 6 nominated members of parliament (NMP) from among nominations by a special select committee.
• NMPs enjoy the same privileges as MPs but can’t vote on constitutional matters or expenditures of funds.
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Political Conditions
• There are 23 registered political parties.
• In the last general election in January, 1997, the People’s Action Party (PAP), won 81 of the 83 seats.
• The PAP is in power of the ruling political since 1959, now headed by Prime Minister Goh Ghok Tong. • Senior Ministor, Lee Kuan Yew, who served as Prime Minister from independence through 1990, has remained influential.
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Current Status
• The Government’s policies have changed little under Lee Kuan Yew’s successor, Goh Chok Tong. • Singapore’s political leadership remains dedicated to free-market principles & to maintaining a first-rate infrastructure and skilled labor force.
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Current Status
• Active government
– guiding economic development – managing enterprises – shaping social development
• Administrative State • Capitalism with socialist characteristics
– Central Provident Fund – Orderly predictable individual entrepreneurs
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