Chief Minister of Singapore

The Chief Minister of Singapore was the head of government of the Crown colony of Singapore until its abolition on 3 June 1959 replaced by the role of Prime Minister. The Chief Minister was appointed by the Governor of Singapore. The Chief Minister was the party leader of the largest party in the Legislative Assembly.

Chief Minister of Singapore
Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom
ResidenceOld Parliament House, Singapore
AppointerGovernor of Singapore
Formation6 April 1955
First holderDavid Saul Marshall
Final holderLim Yew Hock
Abolished3 June 1959
SuccessionPrime Minister of Singapore

Powers of Chief Minister

In February 1955, a new constitution, the Rendel Constitution, was implemented. Singapore would create its first Legislative Assembly with majority of the seats popularly elected, to replace the existing Council.[1] 25 out of 32 seats would be elected by the general populace, four seats would be allocated to Governor-appointed unofficial members, three seats taken by ex officio members, respectively the Chief Secretary, Attorney-General and Financial Secretary, while the remaining seat would be for the unofficial Speaker of the Assembly nominated by the Governor.[1] Moreover, the post of the Chief Minister was added, which would be assumed by the leader of the majority party in the Assembly, sharing the responsibility with the Governor.[1] The Governor continued to take control over areas such as external affairs, internal security, defence, broadcasting and public relations, whereas the power of policy-making for the people's welfare lay in the hands of the Chief Minister.[1][2]

List of Chief Ministers
Colour key (for political party)
  LF

  SPA

№ Chief Minister Term of office Political Party Government Elected
Name Took Office Left Office Gen.
1 David Saul Marshall
(1908–1995)
Assemblyman for Cairnhill		 6 April 1955 7 June 1956 LF Marshall I
LF–UMNO-MCA		 1955
The first Chief Minister of Singapore, he led the Labour Front to victory in the 1955 general election. He resigned due to the failed Merdeka mission.
2(1) Lim Yew Hock
(1914–1984)
Assemblyman for Havelock		 8 June 1956 3 June 1959 LF Lim I
LF–UMNO-MCA (1956–1958)
SPA–UMNO-MCA (1958–1959)		 -
SPA
2(2) The second and last Chief Minister of Singapore. He served as Minister of Labour and Welfare in David Marshall's Cabinet and concurrently held this position as Chief Minister. He led the breakout from the Labour Front to form the Singapore People's Alliance. He was defeated by Lee Kuan Yew in the 1959 general election. The latter was appointed as the first Prime Minister of Singapore.
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See also

References
  1. Ng (2009)
  2. Quah, p. 37.
  • The Parliament of Singapore Book


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