Singapore Government
Singapore is a sovereign republic. When it became an independent and sovereign nation in 1965, it inherited a legal system that is based on the English law. The legal system has since evolved to meet the needs of Singapore and to reflect the political system within which it operates. In November 1993, the Application of English Law Act came into force. This Act clarifies the application of English law and statutes in Singapore.
The Constitution
The organs of government are provided for by a written constitution which forms the supreme law of Singapore. The Constitution lays down the fundamental principles and basic framework for the three organs of state, namely, the Executive, the Legislative and the Judiciary.
The Head of State of Singapore is a President who is directly elected by the people, following fundamental constitutional changes in 1991. The President possesses certain veto powers over the government which the President can exercise with discretion in certain circumstances. Outside of those areas where the Constitution permits the President discretionary powers, the President must act according to Cabinet advice.
The Executive comprises the Cabinet, which is responsible for the general direction of the Government and accountable to Parliament.
The Legislature comprises the Parliament and is the legislative authority responsible for enacting legislation. More information on the history of Parliament, Parliament House and activities of the House can be obtained from its website.
The Judiciary's function is to independently administer justice. The Judiciary is safeguarded by the Constitution.
The Prime Minister of Singapore is appointed by the President of Singapore under Article 25 of the Constitution. The President, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister, also appoints other Ministers from among the Members of Parliament. The Prime Minister is the effective head of the executive branch of government. The Prime Minister chairs the Cabinet, which is constituted under Article 24 of the Constitution. The Cabinet is the central decision-making body of the executive government. It is an organ of state and central to Singapore's system of government. In practice, all significant decisions or actions taken by the Executive are first discussed and collectively agreed by Cabinet.
Members of the Cabinet
At present, Cabinet comprises the following members.
Members of the cabinet
Minister | Portfolio |
|---|---|
Mr Lawrence Wong | Prime Minister and Minister for Finance |
Mr Lee Hsien Loong | Senior Minister |
Mr Gan Kim Yong | Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry |
Mr K Shanmugam | Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs |
Mr Chan Chun Sing | Coordinating Minister for Public Services and Minister for Defence |
Mr Ong Ye Kung | Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health |
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan | Minister for Foreign Affairs |
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien | Minister for Sustainability and the Environment |
Mr Masagos Zulkifli | Minister for Social and Family Development |
Mrs Josephine Teo | Minister for Digital Development and Information |
Mr Desmond Lee | Minister for Education |
Ms Indranee Thurai Rajah | Minister, Prime Minister's Office, Second Minister for Finance and Second Minister for National Development |
Mr Edwin Tong | Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs |
Dr Tan See Leng | Minister for Manpower |
Mr Chee Hong Tat | Minister for National Development |
Mr David Neo | Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth |
Mr Jeffrey Siow | Acting Minister for Transport |
As the chairman of the Cabinet, the Prime Minister approves the agenda, leads the meetings and oversees the government's general policy direction. The Prime Minister may also determine the setting up of Cabinet committees from time to time to look into specific subject areas, such as national population policies. The responsibilities of the respective ministers are gazetted in separate Gazette Notifications under the Constitution. The web sites of the ministries provide more information on their specific functions and activities.
More information on the Government can be found on the Singapore Government Online portal.