Constitution Singapore has a written constitution that lays out the rules of government, such as the ‘separation of powers’ and the functions of its various branches. Article 4 of the Constitution declares the document to be the supreme law of the land, and further provides that any law that is inconsistent with the Constitution shall be deemed void.

Singapore’s first constitution was granted by Letters Patent on 4 February 1867, when the Straits Settlements was established. It was a colonial- style constitution, in which the governor ruled with the help of his Legislative Council (Legco) and Executive Council (Exco). Officials always outnumbered Unofficials (residents appointed by the governor) in both Legco and Exco. During the 1920s, the Constitution was amended to afford greater local representation by creating more seats for Unofficials than Officials.

During the Japanese Occupation, British law continued to be administered through the courts established by the colonial government. In March 1946, the Straits Settlements was dissolved and Singapore became a Crown Colony. The governor then ruled with an Advisory Council, and nominated Unofficials until the Exco and Legco were restored in 1947. Under the Constitution, the governor retained control but six Legco members could be elected by popular vote. The first elections were held on 20 March 1948, but turnout was very poor. The Progressive Party, led by English- educated lawyers, won all the seats.

In 1953, a Constitutional Commission under Sir George Rendel was established. The Rendel Commission recommended a new constitution with automatic voter registration, and a mainly elected Legislative Assembly of 32 members. This Constitution came into effect in 1955, followed by general elections, which saw the Labour Front sweep into power. David Marshall, leader of the Labour Front, formed a coalition government and became Singapore’s first chief minister. Marshall lobbied for constitutional talks, led an all- party delegation to London (1956), and resigned on his return after failing to secure full independence for Singapore. His successor, Lim Yew Hock, led another all- party mission to London (March 1957). This time, the terms of self- government were agreed and in 1958, Singapore became a self- governing colony under a new Constitution. In the 1959 general elections, the People’s Action Party (PAP), led by Lee Kuan Yew, swept to victory.

The Singapore (Constitution) Order- in- Council, enacted in 1958, abolished the post of Governor— the last vestige of a colonial- style constitution— and established the office of the Yang di- Pertuan Negara. Under the Constitution, the Yang di- Pertuan Negara ‘is required to appoint as Prime Minister, the person most likely to command the authority of the Assembly. He also appoints ministers on the Prime Minister’s advice’. Under Article 34 of the Constitution, the new Legislative Assembly comprised 51 elected members, while the judicial structure was left very much intact, the Chief Justice being appointed by the Yang di- Pertuan Negara on the advice of the Prime Minister.

The new constitution also formed the office of the British High Commissioner, who would act on royal instructions and be chairman of the new Internal Security Council. The high commissioner had considerable powers, including being entitled to see the agenda of cabinet meetings and all cabinet papers. Under Part VIII of the Constitution, responsibility for the external affairs of the State of Singapore was placed in the hands of the British Government.

The People’s Action Party won 43 out of the 51 seats in the general elections of 1959. The outgoing Governor, Sir William Goode, brought into force, by Proclamation, the new Constitution on 3 June 1959. Goode then took his oath as the first Yang di- Pertuan Negara of the State of Singapore. Lee Kuan Yew became Singapore’s first Prime Minister, and nine ministers were appointed.

On 16 September 1963, the new Federation of Malaysia— comprising the Federation of Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore— was born. Merger with the Federation was short- lived due to ethnic and economic disagreements, and on 9 August 1965, Singapore became independent (see Separation). It retained its old state Constitution and augmented this with provisions from the Federation of Malaysia Constitution, as well as the Republic of Singapore Independence Act. In 1980, these documents were first consolidated into a Reprint of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore; later revisions have been made and reissued as subsequent reprints.