Singapore was an independent state within Malaysia and had its own constitution by 16th September 1963. It however broke away from Malaysia on 9th August 1965. The form of government prevailing in Singapore is a unicameral parliamentary government. According to the constitutional Amendment passed on 22nd December 1965, Singapore would have a President elected every four years by the Parliament, whose role would be ceremonial.

However in 1991, the constitution was again amended to have a popularly elected President who would also enjoy veto powers in certain matters of national importance. Being small in area, the government works at just one level, the national and the local government being the same.

The Cabinet of Singapore headed by the Prime Minister wields the executive powers of the state. The dominant political party in Singapore is the People's Action Party (PAP) since its independence in 1965. The other parties are the Worker's Party of Singapore and the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP). Currently Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his cabinet head the government. Elections are held every five years and the party, which gains a 50% majority, is elected to form the government. Singapore's government has always been rated as one of the most politically transparent and least corrupt government in the world.

Singapore Ministers

President: Sellapan Ramanathan

Prime Minister & Finance Minister: Lee Hsien Loong

Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports: Dr Vivian Balakrishnan

Minister for Defense: Teo Chee Hean

Minister for Education: Mr. Tharman Shanmugarantnam

Minister for the Environment and Water Resources: Dr. Yaacob Ibrahim

Minister for Foreign Affairs: George Yeo

Minister for Health: Khaw Boon Wan

Minister for Home Affairs: Wong Kan Seng

Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts: Dr. Lee Boon Yang

Minister for Law: Professor S. Jayakumar

Minister for Manpower: Dr Ng Eng Hen

Minister for National Development: Mr. Mah Bow Tan

Minister for Trade and Industry: Mr. Lim Hng Kiang

Minister for Transport: Mr. Raymond Lim

Know more about Departments in Singapore Government