The Parliament of Singapore is the unicameral legislature of the Republic of Singapore, which exercises the legislative power of the country alongside the President of Singapore. Based on the Westminster system, it consists of elected Members of Parliament (MPs), Non-constituency MPs (NCMPs) and Nominated MPs (NMPs). Following the 2025 general election, 97 MPs from two political parties, the governing People's Action Party (PAP) and the opposition Workers' Party (WP), were elected to the 15th Parliament. 2 NCMPs from the latter were also appointed ("elected" in the language of Singaporean law). Nine NMPs are usually appointed by the president on a biennial basis.
The Speaker of Parliament presides over sittings and oversees the administration of Parliament. The Leader of the House is appointed by the prime minister to manage government business and the legislative programme, while the Leader of the Opposition leads the largest political party not in government, and is appointed by the prime minister. Some work is carried out by select committees of MPs. Standing committees are permanent, while ad hoc committees are established to examine specific matters, including bills. Selected backbenchers of the PAP also serve on Government Parliamentary Committees (GPCs) to review policies, programmes and proposed legislation of government ministries.
Parliament's main functions are lawmaking, managing the nation's finances and ensuring ministerial accountability. It convenes during sessions, with the first session commencing after a general election. A session ends when Parliament is prorogued or dissolved, and each Parliament has a maximum term of five years, after which a general election must be held within three months. The quorum for a sitting is one quarter of MPs, excluding the speaker. Debates begin when an MP moves a motion and delivers an opening speech, after which other MPs may participate. The mover may exercise a right of reply, and the speaker then puts the motion to a vote, with formal counting only if an MP requests a division.
Since 1990, Parliament has comprised elected, non-constituency and nominated MPs. Parliamentary committees and structured debates are used to review legislation, examine government policies and facilitate parliamentary business. Parliament first convened at the Old Parliament House from 1965 to 1999, before moving to the current Parliament House on 6 September 1999.
Terminology The term Parliament is used in a number of different senses. First, it refers to the institution made up of a group of people (Members of Parliament or MPs) who are elected to discuss matters of state. Secondly, it can mean each group of MPs voted into office following a general election. In this sense, the First Parliament of the independent Republic of Singapore sat from 8 December 1965 to 8 February 1968. The current Parliament, which started on 5 September 2025, is the fifteenth.; ; ; .
History
On 6 February 1819, Sultan Hussein Shah and the Temenggung of Johor, Abdul Rahman Sri Maharajah, entered into an agreement with Sir Stamford Raffles for the British East India Company to establish a "factory" or trading post on the island of Singapore. Raffles, who was Lieutenant-Governor of Bencoolen (now Bengkulu, Indonesia), placed Singapore under Bencoolen's jurisdiction.. As Bencoolen was itself a factory subordinate to the Bengal Presidency in British India,See the Fort Marlborough in India Act 1802 (42 Geo. 3. c. 29) (UK). only the Governor-General in Council in Bengal was authorised to enact laws for Singapore.
On 24 June 1824, Singapore was removed from Bencoolen's control and, together with Malacca, formally transferred to the East India Company.By the Transfer of Singapore to East India Company, etc. Act 1824 (5 Geo. 4. c. 108) (UK). This made them subordinate to Fort William in Calcutta (now Kolkata), the capital of the Bengal Presidency.By virtue of the Government of India Act 1800 (39 & 40 Geo. 3. c. 79) (UK). By a treaty of 19 November 1824, the Sultan and Temenggung of Johor ceded Singapore to the East India Company. In 1826, the company constituted Malacca, Prince of Wales Island (now Penang) and Singapore into the Presidency of the Straits SettlementsExercising power given to them by the Indian Salaries and Pensions Act 1825 (6 Geo. 4. c. 85) (UK). with Penang as the capital.. The general power to make laws for the Straits Settlements remained with the Supreme Government in India and the Parliament of the United Kingdom; Penang's legislative power was limited to making rules and regulations relating to duties and taxes that the Settlements was empowered to levy.East India Company Act 1813 (53 Geo. 3. c. 155) (UK), also known as the Charter Act 1813..
On 20 June 1830, as a cost-cutting measure, the Straits Settlements ceased to be a separate presidency and were placed under the Bengal Presidency's control by the East India Company. In 1833, the Government of India ActGovernment of India Act 1833 (3 & 4 Will. 4. c. 85) (UK), also known as the Charter Act 1833. passed by the British Parliament created a local government for the whole of India made up of the Governor-General and his counsellors. They were collectively known as Governor-General of India in Council and had the sole power to pass laws for the Straits Settlements. However, India's slow response to problems in the Settlements such as the ineffective court system and the lack of Straits representation in the Indian legislative council prompted merchants and other prominent people to call for the Settlements to be governed directly by the Colonial Office in London. Finally, on 1 April 1867, the Straits Settlements were separated from the Government of India and became a Crown colony.By the Straits Settlements Act 1866 (29 & 30 Vict. c. 115) (UK)Tan, pp. 35–37.
Under letters patent dated 4 February 1867, the Straits Settlements were granted a colonial constitution in the usual form. The Governor of the Straits Settlements ruled with the help of an executive council and a legislative council. The executive council was made up of the governor, the commanding officer of the troops in the Straits, and six senior officials—including the colonial secretary, lieutenant-governor of Penang, attorney-general and colonial engineer. The legislative council, in which legislative authority was vested, consisted of the executive council and the chief justice—together known as the official members, and four unofficial members nominated by the governor. As the unofficial members were outnumbered by the official members, they and the governor—who had a casting vote, had effective control of the council. Legislation was generally initiated by the governor, and they had the power to assent to or veto bills. During legislative debates, official members were required to support the governor, but the unofficials could speak and vote as they wished. In 1924, the system was changed such that two unofficial members of the legislative council were nominated by the governor to sit on the Executive Council. In addition, the number of members of the legislative council was increased to 26, with equal numbers of officials and unofficials. The governor retained his casting vote. The Penang and European chambers of commerce each nominated one unofficial, while the governor nominated the others on an ethnic basis: five Europeans, including one each from Penang and Malacca, three Chinese British subjects, one Malay, one Indian and one Eurasian. This system remained in place until Singapore fell to the Japanese in 1942 during World War II.Tan, pp. 37 and 40; Turnbull, p. 78.
Following the Second World War, the Straits Settlements were disbanded and Singapore became a Crown colony in its own right.By the Straits Settlements (Repeal) Act 1946 (9 & 10 Geo. 6. c. 37) and the Singapore Order in Council 1946, S. R. & O., 1946, No. 462 (UK), dated 27 March 1946. The reconstituted Legislative Council consisted of four ex officio members from the Executive Council, seven official members, between two and four unofficial members, and nine elected members. The governor continued to hold a veto and certain reserved powers over legislation. As there was a majority of official members in the council, the constitution was criticised for not allowing locals to play an effective role in public affairs. Governor Franklin Charles Gimson therefore formed a Reconstitution Committee that proposed, among other things, recommended that the council should be made up of four ex officio members; five officials; four nominated unofficials; three representatives nominated by the Singapore Chamber of Commerce, Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the Indian Chamber of Commerce to represent the European, Chinese and Indian economic interests; and six members to be elected by universal suffrage. For the first time, non-officials held a majority in the legislature. A new constitution embodying these arrangements came into force on 1 March 1948Singapore Colony (Amendment) Order in Council 1948 (SI 1948/341) (UK), dated 24 February 1948. and Singapore's first democratic elections were held on 20 March that year. Three out of the six elected seats were won by the Progressive Party.Tan, pp. 43–44.
In 1951, three more elected seats were created in the council.By Order in Council dated 21 December 1950 (S.I. 1950 No. 2099) (UK). In February 1954, the Rendel Constitutional Commission under the chairmanship of Sir George William Rendel, which had been appointed to comprehensively review the constitution of the Colony of Singapore, rendered its report. Among other things, it recommended that the Legislative Council be transformed into a legislative assembly of 32 members made up of three ex officio official members holding ministerial posts, four nominated unofficial members, and 25 elected unofficial members. In addition, a Council of Ministers would be created, composed of the three ex officio members and six elected members appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the Leader of the House, who would be the leader of the largest political party or coalition of parties having majority support in the legislature. The recommendation was implemented in 1955.By the Singapore Colony Order in Council 1955, S.I. 1955, No. 187 (UK). In the general election held that year, the Labour Front took a majority of the seats in the Assembly, and David Marshall became the first Chief Minister of Singapore.
Major problems with the Rendel Constitution were that the powers of the chief minister and ministers were ill-defined, and that the official members retained control of the finance, administration, and internal security and law portfolios. This led to confrontation between Marshall, who saw himself as a prime minister governing the country, and the governor Sir John Fearns Nicoll, who felt that important decisions and policies should remain with himself and the officials..Tan, pp. 44–46.