Singapore - Government
Based on the etymolgy of Singapore, it was name derives from the Sanskrit words "simha" (lion) and "pura" (city) to describe the city-state's leonine symbol. The Government system in this country is the parliamentary republic type and the different Administrative divisions includes: no first order administrative divisions; there are five community development councils: Central Singapore Development Council, North East Development Council, North West Development Council, South East Development Council, South West Development Council (2019)
National symbols
Lion, merlion (mythical half lion-half fish creature), orchid; national colors: red, white.
The flag
The National flag of Singapore has two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near the hoist side of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent (closed portion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle; red denotes brotherhood and equality; white signifies purity and virtue; the waxing crescent moon symbolizes a young nation on the ascendancy; the five stars represent the nation's ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice, and equality.
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The National Anthem
| Title | "Majulah Singapura" (Onward Singapore) |
|---|---|
| Lyric/music | ZUBIR Said |
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note: adopted 1965; first performed in 1958 at the Victoria Theatre, the anthem is sung only in Malay
More about the government of Singapore
| Date of Independence | 9 August 1965 (from Malaysian Federation) |
|---|---|
| National holiday | National Day, 9 August (1965) |
| Legal system | English common law |
| International law organization participation | has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt |
| Constitution | |
| History | Several previous; latest adopted 22 December 1965 |
| Amendments | Proposed by Parliament; passage requires two-thirds majority vote in the second and third readings by the elected Parliament membership and assent of the president of the republic; passage of amendments affecting sovereignty or control of the Police Force or the Armed Forces requires at least two-thirds majority vote in a referendum; amended many times, last in 2020 |
| Citizenship | |
| Citizenship by birth | no |
| Citizenship by descent only | at least one parent must be a citizen of Singapore |
| Dual citizenship recognized | no |
| Residency requirement for naturalization | 10 years |
| Executive Branch | |
| Chief of state | President THARMAN Shanmugaratnam (since 14 September 2023) |
| Head of government | Prime Minister Lawrence WONG (since 15 May 2024) |
| Cabinet | Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister; Cabinet responsible to Parliament |
| Elections/appointments | president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 6-year term (no term limits); election last held on 1 September 2023 (next to be held in 2029); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition appointed prime minister by the president; deputy prime ministers appointed by the president |
| Election results | 2023: THARMAN Shanmugaratnam elected president; percent of vote - THARMAN Shanmugaratnam (independent) 70.4%, NG Kok Song (independent) 15.7%, TAN Kin Lian (independent) 13.9% 2017: HALIMAH Yacob declared president on 13 September 2017, being the only eligible candidate |
| Legislative branch | |
| Description | Unicameral Parliament (104 seats statutory, 103 current; 93 members directly elected by simple majority popular vote, up to 9 nominated by a parliamentary selection committee and appointed by the president, and up to 12 non-constituency members from opposition parties to ensure political diversity; members serve 5-year terms); note - the number of nominated members increased to 12 for the 2020 election for the first time |
| Elections | Last held on 10 July 2020 (next must be held by 24 November 2025) |
| Election results | Percent of vote by party - PAP 89.2%, WP 10.6%, other 0.2%; seats by party - PAP 83, WP 10; composition - men 70, women 29, percentage women 29.3% |
| Judicial branch | |
| Highest court(s) | Supreme Court (although the number of judges varies - as of April 2019, the court totaled 20 judges, 7 judicial commissioners, 4 judges of appeal, and 16 international judges); the court is organized into an upper tier Appeal Court and a lower tier High Court |
| Judge selection and term of office | Judges appointed by the president from candidates recommended by the prime minister after consultation with the chief justice; judges usually serve until retirement at age 65, but terms can be extended |
| Subordinate courts | District, magistrates', juvenile, family, community, and coroners' courts; small claims tribunals; employment claims tribunals |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador LUI Tuck Yew (since 30 June 2023) |
| Chancery | 3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 |
| Telephone | [1] (202) 537-3100 |
| FAX | [1] (202) 537-0876 |
| Email address and website | [email protected] https://www.mfa.gov.sg/washington/ |
| Consulate(s) general | San Francisco |
| Consulate(s) | New York |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Jonathan KAPLAN (since December 2021) |
| Embassy | 27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508 |
| Mailing address | 4280 Singapore Place, Washington DC 20521-4280 |
| Telephone | [65] 6476-9100 |
| FAX | [65] 6476-9340 |
| Email address and website | [email protected] https://sg.usembassy.gov/ |
| National heritage | |
| Total World Heritage Sites | 1 (cultural) |
| Selected World Heritage Site locales | Singapore Botanic Gardens |
Key Political parties and their leaders in Singapore
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note: the PAP has won every general election since the end of the British colonial era in 1959
International organization participation
All Important Facts about Singapore
Want to know more about Singapore? Check all different factbooks for Singapore below.
