Singapore Parliament

Singapore Parliament
Name	Parliament of Singapore
House type	Unicameral legislature
Leader1 type	Speaker
Leader1	Lee Hsien Loong
Members	93 (variable)
Meeting place	Parliament House, Singapore

Singapore Parliament

The Parliament of Singapore is the unicameral legislative body that enacts Constitution of Singapore, scrutinises executive actions of the Prime Minister of Singapore, holds ministers from the People's Action Party and opposition parties such as the Workers' Party (Singapore) to account, and debates national policy issues including fiscal measures like the Budget of Singapore and statutes such as the Internal Security Act 1960 and amendments to the Plebiscite of 1962. It operates within institutions including the Istana and interacts with entities like the Supreme Court of Singapore, the Attorney-General's Chambers, the Elections Department (Singapore), and statutory boards such as the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

History

From colonial origins under the Straits Settlements Legislative Council and the Singaporean general election, 1948 to post-war reforms influenced by events like the Malayan Emergency and the Singaporean general election, 1959, the legislature evolved through constitutional milestones including the Rendel Constitution and the Federation of Malaya negotiations. The modern body was shaped by the Independence of Singapore in 1965, legal instruments such as the Republic of Singapore Independence Act 1965, and contemporary reforms under leaders like Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong. Key parliamentary episodes include debates over the Internal Security Act 1975, the passage of the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act, and high-profile sittings during crises such as the Asian financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic that triggered extraordinary legislative responses and supply measures.

Composition and Membership

Membership consists of elected Members of Parliament from constituencies contested in elections administered by the Parliamentary Elections Act and the Elections Department (Singapore), Non-Constituency Members from the Workers' Party (Singapore) and other opposition entities, and Nominated Members appointed under the Nominated Members of Parliament scheme. Prominent figures have included party leaders and officeholders like the Leader of the Opposition (Singapore), ministers who previously served in the Cabinet of Singapore, and committee chairs drawn from professionals with ties to institutions such as the National University of Singapore, the Singapore Management University, and statutory bodies like the Housing and Development Board. The President, elected under the Presidential Elections Act, has powers that intersect with parliamentary funding and appointments but does not sit as a regular member.

Powers and Functions

Parliament exercises law-making authority under provisions of the Constitution of Singapore including the passage of bills, money bills such as the Supply Bill, and constitutional amendments requiring supermajorities. It exercises oversight through question time, motions of no confidence addressed to the Prime Minister of Singapore and ministers, and through scrutiny assisted by the Public Accounts Committee and the Committee of Privileges. Parliamentary powers interact with judicial review by the Supreme Court of Singapore in matters of constitutional interpretation and with executive decisions made by the Cabinet of Singapore, while fiscal powers encompass approval of estimates affecting institutions like the Ministry of Finance (Singapore) and statutory boards including the Economic Development Board.

Procedure and Sittings

Sittings follow standing orders modelled on Westminster practices adapted to Singaporean statutes such as the Parliamentary Elections Act and internal rules developed by the Clerk of Parliament. Proceedings include opening addresses such as the President's Address read at the State Opening of Parliament and regular items like oral questions, written questions, ministerial statements, and the second and third readings of bills. Debates are moderated by the Speaker of Parliament (Singapore) with participation by MPs from constituencies including Ang Mo Kio, Aljunied GRC, and others; emergency sittings have been convened for crises like the SARS outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore.

Committees

Parliamentary committees include select committees such as the Public Accounts Committee, the Standing Orders Committee, the Select Committee on Deliberate Online Falsehoods, and ad hoc committees formed to examine legislation affecting institutions like the Central Provident Fund and the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Committee membership draws MPs from parties including the People's Action Party and the Workers' Party (Singapore), and committees interact with external bodies such as the Attorney-General's Chambers and academic experts from the National University of Singapore for inquiries and reports.

Parliamentary Buildings and Administration

The primary chamber is located at Parliament House, Singapore with administrative support from the Office of the Clerk of Parliament, security coordination with the Singapore Police Force, and protocol links to the Istana and the Prime Minister's Office (Singapore). Hansard-like records, committee reports, and bills are maintained by parliamentary staff and archived alongside materials at repositories including the National Archives of Singapore and research institutions such as the Institute of Policy Studies (Singapore). Previous meeting places included venues associated with colonial-era institutions like the Old Parliament House and municipal buildings used during the Straits Settlements era.

Relationship with Other Branches of Government

Parliament's relationship with the executive is institutionalised through mechanisms linking the Cabinet of Singapore, ministerial responsibility, and obligations under the Constitution of Singapore. Judicial interactions arise with the Supreme Court of Singapore on constitutional questions and with the Court of Appeal of Singapore on statutory interpretation. Oversight and accountability are mediated by constitutional offices such as the President of Singapore, the Attorney-General of Singapore, and independent bodies like the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau. Electoral legitimacy is sustained through contests managed by the Elections Department (Singapore) and legal challenges heard by courts appearing before the Judicial Service Commission.

Category:Politics of Singapore