Branches of Government in Singapore

Certain issues, like constitutional amendments, supply bills, money bills, votes of no confidence, and presidential removal, are not subject to debate and vote in the Singaporean Parliament.

A committee in Singapore focused on racial/religious community issues. It's made up of appointed members.

The PCMR committee has a chairman, permanent members (appointed for life), and ordinary members (appointed for 3 years).

The President appoints the PCMR committee members, taking advice from the Cabinet.

Bills go through various stages in Parliament: consideration, drafting, vetting, readings (short title, main body, final), and committee review for amendments.

In Parliament, the bill's title is read and discussed in the next session.

The Minister explains the bill, and MPs debate it, scrutinize clauses; the bill is then assigned to a committee to examine its details.

Parliament votes on the finalized bill with all amendments included.

Laws created by the executive branch, delegated by Parliament.

Parliament creates laws that guide the country.

President appoints Prime Minister from Parliament members who likely command majority support.

Cabinet and other high-level officials that manage daily governance.

President can appoint and remove Prime Minister based on their majority support in Parliament.

High-ranking officials; directs state policy and manages daily administration.

Specific government agencies with self-governance, run by acts of parliament.

Parliament can create laws in emergencies without President's approval.

Parliament has the ultimate authority in making laws and the executive government is accountable to it.

The executive branch of government, including ministers and the Prime Minister, comes from the parliament, and are answerable to it.

The principle that everyone, including government officials, must obey the law.

Multiple political parties can exist and operate in a political system.

The East India Company received a charter granting it rule-making powers in its territories.

Act granting legislative powers to the East India Company and extending the Supreme Court's powers.

Established a Board of Control to oversee the East India Company's acts related to government and revenues.

Courts can scrutinize government actions to ensure they are within the boundaries set by parliament

The Second Charter required the application of English Law in the Straits Settlements, adapted to local circumstances.

This Privy Council case established the presence of common law marriage in Singapore, confirming the application of English Common Law.

The Straits Settlements were separated from India and became a separate Crown Colony, governed directly by the Colonial Office in 1866.

A fully nominated and non-elected legislative council was established in Singapore in 1867. It included officials and prominent Europeans.

The Court of Judicature was replaced by the Supreme Court in 1868, marking a shift in the judicial structure.

A Court of Appeal was instituted in 1873, providing an appeal process for legal decisions.

The Executive Council was formed in 1877 to advise the Governor on matters of importance.

The Council provided advice to the Governor on significant affairs except for urgent or confidential issues.

This constitutional change prevents Singapore from losing its sovereignty through mergers or federations without a strong public mandate (⅔ of the electorate's support).

A 1984 amendment ensured that Parliament has representatives from opposition parties or groups (NCMPs), ensuring diverse viewpoints are heard.

A 1988 change grouped single-member constituencies into GRCs, with each GRC having at least one minority candidate.

In 1997, the number of members in each GRC was expanded to 6, probably to accommodate more representation.

In 1990, NMPs (Nominated Members of Parliament) were introduced to provide alternative perspectives on policies.

Singapore's common law rule of marriage, initially limited to one man and one woman, was expanded to recognize the polygamous marriages practiced by Chinese and Muslims.

No exceptions were made in commercial and land law with respect to local customs during Singapore's development

Personal laws were adapted to create a local Straits law system to reflect native customs in Singapore.

Criminal law modifications based on local customs and religion in Singapore primarily occurred in the first 50 years and ceased after the introduction of the Penal Code in 1872

Before Singapore's independence and merger, the British Parliament at Westminster continued to make laws for Singapore.

Article 162 of the constitution ensured all pre-independence laws remained valid after Singapore's independence.

A significant reorganisation of Singapore's legal system occurred between 1827 and 1832 leading to important legal changes, but also to initial legal chaos.

The inability to administer justice due to the absence of a court official, led to disruption and courts being shut down.