Legislative Assembly of Singapore

Legislative Assembly of the State of Singapore Dewan Undangan Singapura 新加坡立法議會 சிங்கப்பூர் சட்டமன்றம்
Type
Type	Unicameral
History
Established	2 June 1955;70 years ago (1955-06-02)
Disbanded	9 August 1965;59 years ago (1965-08-09)
Preceded by	Legislative Council of Singapore
Succeeded by	Parliament of Singapore
Elections
Last election	21 September 1963;61 years ago (1963-09-21)
Meeting place
Old Parliament House, Singapore

The Legislative Assembly of Singapore was the unicameral legislature that governed Singapore from 1955 to 1965 during its transition from a British colony to a self-governing state. Established under the Rendel Constitution, it marked a significant shift toward representative government, with a majority of its members elected by the public. The Assembly underwent constitutional reforms in 1958 to provide for full internal self-government, and it functioned as the legislature of the State of Singapore until the country's full independence in 1965. It was then succeeded by the Parliament of Singapore, which continues to serve as the country's legislative authority. ^[1]

Overview

The Rendel Constitution first came into effect following the 1955 general election, marking a significant step in Singapore's constitutional development. It replaced the Legislative Council, featuring a substantial increase in elected representation. Of the 32 seats in the Legislative Assembly, 25 were filled through direct elections, while the remaining 7 were appointed by the British colonial administration. This marked a shift from the previous structure, in which most members were nominated rather than elected. Despite this move toward greater self-governance, the British retained considerable authority, including the power of veto and control over key areas such as internal security, foreign affairs and defence. ^{[2] [3] [4]}

History

Ongoing political agitation for greater self-governance in Singapore intensified during the 1950s. Chief Minister David Marshall, who led the Labour Front government formed after the 1955 general election, initiated constitutional talks with the British government in 1956. However, his first delegation to London failed to secure full internal self-government due to concerns over Singapore's political stability and public order. Marshall resigned following this failure, as he had pledged to do if the mission was unsuccessful. ^[2]

His successor, Lim Yew Hock, adopted a more hardline approach to internal security and took action against left-wing trade unions and pro-communist elements, measures that reassured the British authorities of Singapore's administrative capability. Under Lim's leadership, renewed negotiations with the British culminated in the 1958 Constitutional Agreement, formally known as the Singapore (Constitution) Order in Council 1958. This agreement led to amendments to the Constitution, providing for a fully elected Legislative Assembly with 51 seats and granting the colony full internal self-government, except in the areas of defence and foreign affairs, which remained under British control. ^{[2] [3]}

The new constitutional framework took effect after the 1959 general election, in which the People's Action Party (PAP) won a decisive victory. This marked the beginning of self-governing rule under Lee Kuan Yew with the newly created position of Prime Minister. The Legislative Assembly, now operating with significantly expanded powers, functioned as the primary law-making body of the state. ^{[3] [4]}

Following Singapore's separation from Malaysia and the declaration of independence on 9 August 1965, the Legislative Assembly was formally reconstituted as the Parliament of Singapore under the country's new constitutional framework. The existing members of the Assembly became the first Members of Parliament (MPs), ensuring institutional continuity as a newly sovereign nation. ^[4]

List of sessions

Legislative Assembly	Commenced	Session	Session dates	Dissolved	By-elections
1st (1955)	22 April 1955	1st	22 April 1955 – 7 June 1956	31 March 1959	1957
		2nd	29 August 1956 – 8 January 1958
		3rd	9 April 1958 – 19 March 1959
2nd (1959)	1 July 1959	1st	1 July 1959 – 1 June 1960	3 September 1963	1961 (April, July)
		2nd	20 July 1960 – 20 July 1961
		3rd	31 October 1961 – 13 July 1962
		4th	27 March 1963 – 1 August 1963
3rd (1963)	22 October 1963	1st	22 October 1963 – 16 June 1965	9 August 1965 (Disbanded)	1965

See also

• Legislative Council of the Straits Settlements
• Legislative Council of Singapore
• Parliament of Singapore

References

1. "The Legislative Council". nlb.gov.sg. 17 April 2019.
2. Turnbull, Constance M. (2009). A History of Modern Singapore, 1819–2005 (Revised ed.). Singapore: NUS Press. pp. 229–231. ISBN   9789971694302.
3. Lau, Albert (1998). A Moment of Anguish: Singapore in Malaysia and the Politics of Disengagement. Singapore: Times Academic Press. pp. 7–8. ISBN   9789812101341.
4. Drysdale, John (1984). Singapore: Struggle for Success. Singapore: Times Books International. pp. 131–133. ISBN   9789971650810.