He was sworn in as the seventh president of Singapore on 1 September 2011. The Presidential Standard is flown at the Istana in the day, when the President is in the country. [61] If the office of president becomes vacant before the incumbent's term expires, a poll for an election must be held within six months. 19(7). [72] If there is only one candidate nominated, he or she is declared to have been elected president. The president must be resident in Singapore at the date of their nomination for election, and must have been so resident for periods amounting in the aggregate to not less than ten years prior to that date. 19(3)(b) read with the Fifth Schedule. 3 He was succeeded by S. R. Nathan, who was elected unopposed in 1999 and 2005, and held office for two six … 1961-1962 Lim Ho Hup. [85] Voters must go to the polling stations assigned to them. As a result of constitutional amendments passed in 1991, the presidency became a popularly elected office with certain custodial powers, particularly over government expenditure and key appointments to public offices. His first term of office was from 1 September 1999 to 31 August 2005. [33], The president is also empowered to approve changes to key civil service positions, such as the chief justice, the attorney-general, the chairman and members of the Public Service Commission, the chief of Defence Force and the commissioner of police. The body of Robert Mugabe has arrived back in Zimbabwe after a private flight from Singapore, where he died last week aged 95. Here's a look back at the history of the presidential system and the men who had held the highest office in the land. A person who wishes to run for the office of president has to fulfil stringent qualifications set out in the Constitution, which are as follows: The strictness of these qualifications led to the 1999, 2005, and 2017 elections being walkovers as only one candidate had qualified on nomination day. This was a result of transitional provisions in the Constitution of Singapore in 2017,[8] which were affirmed by the High Court following a legal challenge by presidential hopeful Tan Cheng Bock. He was not elected by the people in a vote, but became president by virtue of being the sole candidate deemed qualified by the Presidential Elections Committee. The increase was to cater for higher expenses for maintaining computer systems, buildings and land, and to account for inflation. Wee Kim Wee was the first president to exercise custodial powers pursuant to the constitutional amendments of 1991. SINGAPORE — At a Chinese New Year event his school hosted for senior citizens when he was 13, Alden Tan Ming Yang said, The privy purse was reduced from $4,267,500 after the president accepted the Ministerial Salaries Review Committee's recommendations on the matter. [6], As a component of the legislature together with Parliament, the president is also jointly vested with legislative authority. [35] The president has certain powers of oversight over the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau[36] and decisions of the Executive under the Internal Security Act[37] and the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act. Nathan and Halimah Yacob are the only candidates that won in an election in a walkover in 1999, 2005 and 2017 respectively. Singapore hasn’t had a Malay president since the country’s first President Yusof Ishak, who served as head of state from 1965 to 1970. [59], The president holds office for a term of six years from the date on which they assume office. [28], The Constitution confers on the president certain executive functions to block attempts by the government of the day to draw down past reserves that it did not accumulate. 22L(1)(d) and (e). The President's Design Award, which honours Singapore designs and designers, has named its three Designers of the Year for 2015. Constitution, Art. among them are two women who will be launching out after their tertiary education into male preserves. The sixth president was S. R. Nathan. [55][56], In November 2016, further amendments provide for "reserved elections" for a particular racial group (Chinese, Malay and Indian/other minority) — if that community has not been represented for five presidential terms. If so, the returning officer declares the candidate with the highest number of votes to be elected as President. [40] In 2009, the Government requested approval from President S.R. In this assortment, I added some appealing videos about singapore president. [62] In other cases, an election can take place any time from three months before the expiry of the incumbent's term of office. The office of President also becomes vacant if it is determined that the election of the President was void and no other person was duly elected as President, or if on the expiration of the incumbent's term the person declared elected as President fails to take office: Arts. 21(2)(h), 22I; MRHA, s. 12. SINGAPORE - Five young Singaporeans were awarded the President's Scholarship on Wednesday (Aug 16) evening at the Istana. The President is the head of state of Singapore. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 44(2)(c). [98], Class IV expenses for "special services" are $550,000. Published November 19, 2020, Your email address will not be published. Articles from the Constitution were drawn from provisions in three statutes; the Republic of Singapore Independence Act (1965), the Constitution of the State of Singapore (1963), and the Federal Constitution of Malaysia. [17] In most cases, the president is bound to exercise their powers in accordance with the advice of the Cabinet or a minister acting under the Cabinet's general authority. In other cases, he or she may consult the CPA if he or she wishes to but is not bound to do so. A person shall not be disqualified under this clause by reason only of anything done by him before he became a citizen of Singapore: Constitution, Art. Nathan established the President's Challenge with the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports and its statutory board, the National Council of Social Service. In 2016, further amendments were passed providing for "reserved elections" for a particular ethnic community, if that community has not provided a president in the past five presidential terms. I, [name], having been elected President of the Republic of Singapore, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully discharge my duties as such to the best of my ability without fear or favour, affection or ill-will, and without regard to any previous affiliation with any political party, and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Republic, and that I will preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore. The first popularly elected president was Ong Teng Cheong, a former cabinet minister. Washington finished behind only Abraham Lincoln in the inaugural presidential poll of historians by Arthur M. Schlesinger, Sr., first published in 1948. PEA, s. 62A(2), inserted by the Presidential Elections (Amendment) Act 2010 (No. S.R. [18] The President only exercises limited powers in their personal discretion[19] to block attempts by the government of the day to draw down past reserves it did not accumulate, to approve changes to key appointments, and to exercise oversight over the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau and decisions of the Executive under the Internal Security Act[5] and the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act. 45. Halimah Yacob is the first female president of Singapore who is currently serving since 2017. The president can also examine the administration's enforcement of the Internal Security Act[5] and Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act,[6] and authorise corruption investigations (see below). Constitution, Art. In addition, the president contributes to the nation's external relations by undertaking overseas trips on Cabinet's advice. [14], The president is the head of state of Singapore. [68] For the 2017 presidential election, the members of the PEC are Eddie Teo (chairman), Lim Soo Hoon, Chan Heng Chee, Po'ad Shaik Abu Bakar Mattar, Tay Yong Kwang, and Peter Seah. The returning officer then states the number of votes cast for each candidate and the date and location where the overseas votes will be counted.[90]. Before 1993, the president was chosen by the Parliament of Singapore. [54] The PEC consists of the chairman of the Public Service Commission, who is also the chairman of the PEC,[67] the chairman of the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority, and a member of the Presidential Council for Minority Rights. How much does a Vice President make in Singapore, Singapore? The Prime Minister leads the Cabinet in the administration of the Government. They were Yusof, Benjamin Henry Sheares, C. V. Devan Nair and Wee Kim Wee. As of 2011, the endeavour had raised more than S$100 million for charities supporting disabled and needy people. In the case when the president is unable to perform their duties, their powers are temporarily transferred to the chairman of the Council of Presidential Advisers (CPA). Salaries estimates are based on 591 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by Vice President employees in Singapore, Singapore. All other laws in the land are subordinate to the constitution. [13] She is also the first female President of Singapore. [86] After the poll closes, the presiding officer of each polling station seals the ballot boxes without opening them. According to Article 19 of the Singapore Constitution, to qualify for election as President, a person must: Be a Singapore citizen; Be at least 45 years old; Have his or her name appear in a current register of electors; Be resident in Singapore for at least 10 … [83], Polling day is a public holiday,[84] and voting is compulsory. 44(2)(d). [73] Otherwise, the returning officer issues a notice of contested election specifying when polling day will be. Constitution, Arts. The Istana 150th Anniversary. The Singapore Parliament is unicameral and together with the President of Singapore is known as the Legislature. Elected presidents were to serve for a six-year term, while the presidency has no term limits. [60] The office falls vacant upon the expiry of the incumbent's term or if the president is for some reason unable to complete their term; for example, due to death, resignation, or removal from office for misconduct or mental or physical infirmity. [34] He or she also appoints as Prime Minister a member of Parliament (MP) who, in his or her personal judgment, is likely to command the confidence of a majority of MPs. 1960-1961 Dr P Oorjitham. 45(2). Singapore has named its first female president, Halimah Yacob. [71] A deposit must also be paid. [64] The process begins when the prime minister issues a writ of election to the returning officer specifying the date and place of nomination day. singapore's 11 president scholars received their awards from president dr benjamin henry sheares in a floodlit ceremony at the istana. Constitution, Arts. The last Yang di-Pertuan Negara, Yusof Ishak, became the first president. If both are unavailable the presidential functions are performed by an individual appointed by the Parliament, The Parliament of Singapore is required to provide a civil list for the maintenance of the president,[96] and it does so by way of the Civil List and Gratuity Act. The eighth and current president, Halimah Yacob, took office on 14 September 2017, becoming the first president elected as she was the sole eligible candidate under the new reform terms which took effect earlier that year. The office of President was created in 1965 after Singapore became a republic upon its secession from the Federation of Malaysia that year. 1954-1955 K M Byrne. [89] After all counts, and recounts if any, have been completed, the returning officer ascertains whether the total number of electors registered to vote overseas is less than the difference between the number of votes for the two candidates with the highest number of votes. Thus, a guarantee may only be given or a loan raised by the Government if the president concurs,[29] and his or her approval is also needed for budgets of specified statutory boards and Government companies that draw on their past reserves. Nathan to draw $4.9 billion from past financial reserves to meet current budget expenditure, the first time it had done so. Constitution, Arts. Background. The president's name must appear in a current register of electors. Constitution, Art. Constitution, Art. not hold any other office created or recognised by the Constitution; not actively engage in any commercial enterprise; not be a member of any political party; and, This page was last edited on 14 January 2021, at 05:28. [39] Discussions culminated in the Government issuing a non-binding white paper entitled The Principles for Determining and Safeguarding the Accumulated Reserves of the Government and the Fifth Schedule Statutory Boards and Government Companies (1999). [97] With effect from 17 February 2012, the sum under Class I of the list, which includes the president's personal pay ($1,568,900, known by the British term the "privy purse"), an entertainment allowance ($73,000) and an allowance for an acting president ($4,500), is $1,646,400. Ed. 19(2)(d) read with Art. Constitution, Art. 19(2)(c) read with Art. The President’s Scholarship is widely regarded as Singapore’s most prestigious undergraduate scholarship. 11 of 2010) ("PEAA"). Required fields are marked *. Presidential clemency, or presidential pardon, is an authority held by the President under the Singapore Constitution.It allows him, on Cabinet’s advice, to extend leniency towards those convicted of crimes upon receiving a petition for clemency.. Clemency is most commonly sought in respect of death sentences. [20] The president's primary role in the exercise of legislative power to make laws is assenting to bills passed by Parliament. 19(3)(c) and Art 19(4)(b). 2 After the legislation on elected presidency came into effect on 30 November 1991, Singapore held its first presidential election on 28 August 1993 and Ong Teng Cheong became the country’s first elected president. He was re-elected on 17 August 2005; both his election came on walkovers without any opposing contestants. Constitution, Art. The 2011 presidential election was the first election with a ballot since the 1993 election, and was also Singapore's first presidential election contested by more than two candidates. 1957-1958 Dr V Thambipillai. [66] In particular, the PEC must be satisfied that the potential candidates are persons of integrity, good character and reputation;[49] and if they have not previously held certain key government offices or acted as chairman of the board of directors or CEO of a company incorporated or registered under the Companies Act with shareholders' equity of at least $500 million, that they held a position of comparable seniority and responsibility in the public or private sector that has given them experience and ability in administering and managing financial affairs. [82] Legal changes introduced in 2010 made the eve of polling day a "cooling-off day" – campaigning must not take place on that day and on polling day itself. [2][3]. The constitution was amended in November 1991, making the provision for a president to be elected by Singaporean citizens. The Constitution of Singapore is the country’s supreme law and has been in effect since its enactment on December 22nd, 1965. 21(2)(e), 21(2)(f), 22B and 22D. [38], The term of office of the first elected president, Ong Teng Cheong (1993–1999), was marked by differences between him and the Government concerning the extent of his discretionary fiscal powers. [30] The president also possesses personal discretion to withhold assent to any bill in Parliament providing directly or indirectly for the direct or indirect variation, changing or increase in powers of the Central Provident Fund Board to invest moneys belonging to it;[31] and the borrowing of money, the giving of any guarantee or the raising of any loan by the Government if in the president's opinion the bill is likely to draw on reserves not accumulated by the Government during its current term of office. 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