President of Singapore - Definition and Overview

Flag of the President of Singapore

The President of Singapore is the head of state, being elected by universal suffrage since 1993. Previously, the President was elected by the unicameral Parliament, with executive power remaining with the Prime Minister. The President's official residence is called the Istana. The President's flag is a banner of the country's coat of arms. The Presidency is modelled after the Westminster Model.

The office of President was created in 1965 after Singapore became a Republic on its departure from the Federation of Malaysia in that year. It replaced the office of Yang di-Pertua Negara, which had been created when Singapore gained self-government in 1959. The last Yang di-Pertua Negara, Yusuf Ishak, became the first President. He was replaced by Benjamin Sheares, who served as President until his death in 1981, when he was succeeded by CV Devan Nair. Owing to personal problems, Nair stepped down in 1985 and was replaced by Wee Kim Wee, who served as President until 1993.

In January 1991, the Constitution was amended to allow for the direct election of the President, who would have the right of veto over civil service appointments and the use of government reserves. The creation of the elected presidency is a major constitutional and political change in Singapore's history as under the revision, the President is empowered to veto government budgets and appointments to public office. The President also have the rights to veto government budgets and appoinments to public office. He can also examine the Government's exercise of its powers under the Internal Security Act and religious harmony laws, and in investigations into cases of corruption.

The first directly elected President was Ong Teng Cheong, a former government minister.

The incumbent President is SR Nathan.

 bar:Leaders color:red width:25 mark:(line,white) align:left fontsize:S

 from:start till:1970 shift:($dx,5)   text:Yusuf~Ishak
 from:1970  till:1981 shift:($dx,5)    text:Benjamin~Sheares
 from:1981  till:1985 shift:($dx,3)    text:CV~Devan Nair
 from:1985  till:1993 shift:($dx,5)    text:Wee~Kim Wee
 from:1993  till:1999 shift:($dx,5)  text:Ong~Teng Cheong
 from:1999  till:end  shift:($dx,4)    text:S.R.~Nathan

List of presidents

1. 1965-1970: Yusuf Ishak (1910-1970)
2. 1970-1981: Benjamin Sheares (1907-1981)
3. 1981-1985: CV Devan Nair (born 1923)
4. 1985-1993: Wee Kim Wee (born 1915)
5. 1993-1999: Ong Teng Cheong (1936-2002)
6. From 1999: SR Nathan (born 1924)

External link

• Office of the President of the Republic of Singapore (http://www.istana.gov.sg)