Constitution of Singapore

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The Constitution of Singapore is the supreme law of Singapore ^{[#endnote_supremelaw]} and it is a codified constitution.

The constitution cannot be amended without the support of more than two-thirds of the members of parliament on the second and third readings ^{[#endnote_constitutionalamendment]}. The president may seek opinion on constitutional issues from a tribunal consisting of not less than three judges of the Supreme Court. Singaporean courts, like the courts in Australia, cannot offer advisory opinions on the constitutionality of laws ^{[#endnote_questionvalidity]}.

Fundamental liberties

Part IV of the constitution guarantees the following ^{[#endnote_fundamentalrights]}:

liberty of a person
prohibition of slavery and forced labour
protection against retrospective criminal laws and repeated trials
equal protection
prohibition of banishment and freedom of movement
freedom of speech, assembly and association
freedom of religion
right to education

Part XII of the constitution allows the Parliament of Singapore to enact legislation designed to stop or prevent subversion. Such legislation is valid even if it is inconsistent with Part IV of the constitution.

History timeline

1946, following the end of the Japanese Occupation of Singapore, the Straits Settlements was dissolved and Singapore became a separate Crown Colony. A new Colonial Constitution was passed.
1955, the Rendel Constitution was passed which gave the local population more power to determine the government but the colonial administration still held most of the authority over internal matters.
1958, after Lim Yew Hock's successful negotiation with the British government, the British Parliament passed a State of Singapore Act and Singapore's status was changed from a colony to a state. The Singapore (Constitution) Order-in-Council was enacted and it created the position of a Yang di-Pertuan Negara as the constitutional head of state, a prime minister and a 51-elected member Legislative Assembly.
1963, Singapore joined the Federation of Malaysia. The Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore (State Constitutions) Order-in-Council was enacted.
1965, Singapore was separated from Malaysia, effected by three documents: The Constitution of Malaysia (Singapore Amendment) Act, the Constitution of Singapore (Amendment) Act and the Republic of Singapore Independence Act of 1965.
1970, to safeguard the rights of the racial, linguistic and religious minorities, the Presidential Council was established and later renamed the Presidential Council for Minority Rights in 1973.
1984, a constitutional amendment was passed to provide for non-constituency members of Parliament.
1988, a constitutional amendment was passed to introduce group representation constituencies (GRCs). At least one member of the GRC must be from a minority race.
1988, the constitution was amended to provide for nominated members of Parliament.
1991, the constitution was amended to provide for a popularly elected president.

References

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