The Government of Singapore - The World Countries

Singapore - Government

Based on the etymolgy of Singapore, it was name derives from the Sanskrit words "simha" (lion) and "pura" (city) to describe the city-state's leonine symbol. The Government system in this country is the parliamentary republic type and the different Administrative divisions includes: no first order administrative divisions; there are five community development councils: Central Singapore Development Council, North East Development Council, North West Development Council, South East Development Council, South West Development Council (2019)

National symbols

Lion, merlion (mythical half lion-half fish creature), orchid; national colors: red, white.

The flag

The National flag of Singapore has two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near the hoist side of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent (closed portion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle; red denotes brotherhood and equality; white signifies purity and virtue; the waxing crescent moon symbolizes a young nation on the ascendancy; the five stars represent the nation's ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice, and equality.

The National Anthem

Title	"Majulah Singapura" (Onward Singapore)
Lyric/music	ZUBIR Said

note: adopted 1965; first performed in 1958 at the Victoria Theatre, the anthem is sung only in Malay

More about the government of Singapore

Constitution
Date of Independence	9 August 1965 (from Malaysian Federation)
National holiday	National Day, 9 August (1965)
Legal system	English common law
International law organization participation	has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
History	Several previous; latest adopted 22 December 1965
Amendments	Proposed by Parliament; passage requires two-thirds majority vote in the second and third readings by the elected Parliament membership and assent of the president of the republic; passage of amendments affecting sovereignty or control of the Police Force or the Armed Forces requires at least two-thirds majority vote in a referendum; amended many times, last in 2020
Citizenship
Citizenship by birth	no
Citizenship by descent only	at least one parent must be a citizen of Singapore
Dual citizenship recognized	no
Residency requirement for naturalization	10 years
Executive Branch
Chief of state	President THARMAN Shanmugaratnam (since 14 September 2023)
Head of government	Prime Minister Lawrence WONG (since 15 May 2024)
Cabinet	Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister; Cabinet responsible to Parliament
Elections/appointments	president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 6-year term (no term limits); election last held on 1 September 2023 (next to be held in 2029); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition appointed prime minister by the president; deputy prime ministers appointed by the president
Election results	2023: THARMAN Shanmugaratnam elected president; percent of vote - THARMAN Shanmugaratnam (independent) 70.4%, NG Kok Song (independent) 15.7%, TAN Kin Lian (independent) 13.9% 2017: HALIMAH Yacob declared president on 13 September 2017, being the only eligible candidate
Legislative branch
Description	Unicameral Parliament (104 seats statutory; 93 members directly elected by simple majority popular vote, up to 9 nominated by a parliamentary selection committee and appointed by the president, and up to 12 non-constituency members from opposition parties to ensure political diversity; members serve 5-year terms)
Elections	Last held on 10 July 2020 (next must be held by 24 November 2025)
Election results	Percent of vote by party - PAP 89.2%, WP 10.6%, other 0.2%; seats by party - PAP 79, WP 10, PSP 2, independent 9; composition - men 70, women 29, percentage women 29.3%
Judicial branch
Highest court(s)	Supreme Court (although the number of judges varies - as of April 2019, the court totaled 20 judges, 7 judicial commissioners, 4 judges of appeal, and 16 international judges); the court is organized into an upper tier Appeal Court and a lower tier High Court
Judge selection and term of office	Judges appointed by the president from candidates recommended by the prime minister after consultation with the chief justice; judges usually serve until retirement at age 65, but terms can be extended
Subordinate courts	District, magistrates', juvenile, family, community, and coroners' courts; small claims tribunals; employment claims tribunals
Diplomatic representation in the US
Chief of mission	Ambassador LUI Tuck Yew (since 30 June 2023)
Chancery	3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
Telephone	[1] (202) 537-3100
FAX	[1] (202) 537-0876
Email address and website	[email protected] https://www.mfa.gov.sg/washington/
Consulate(s) general	San Francisco
Consulate(s)	New York
Diplomatic representation from the US
Chief of mission	Ambassador Jonathan KAPLAN (since December 2021)
Embassy	27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508
Mailing address	4280 Singapore Place, Washington DC 20521-4280
Telephone	[65] 6476-9100
FAX	[65] 6476-9340
Email address and website	[email protected] https://sg.usembassy.gov/
National heritage
Total World Heritage Sites	1 (cultural)
Selected World Heritage Site locales	Singapore Botanic Gardens