Prime Minister of Singapore in the context of "15th Parliament of Singapore"

The president of Singapore, officially the President of the Republic of Singapore, is the head of state of Singapore. The president represents the country in official diplomatic functions and possesses certain executive powers over the government of Singapore, including the control of the national reserves and the ability to revoke and appoint public service appointments.

After Singapore achieved full internal self-governance from the British Empire in 1959, the ceremonial office of the Yang di-Pertuan Negara (lit. 'Lord of the State') was created, where it was first held by the governor of Singapore William Goode. The office was later succeeded by the president of Singapore following Singapore's independence from Malaysia in 1965. The initial role of the president was predominantly a ceremonial institution, serving as the representative of the Singaporean state both at home and abroad. It carried limited residual powers, and prior to 1991, the president was solely appointed by the parliament of Singapore. Singapore follows a non-executive model of the Westminster parliamentary system whereby the president is not the head of government but rather the head of state; these powers are instead vested in the Cabinet, which is led by the prime minister.

The Cabinet of Singapore forms the executive branch of the Government of Singapore together with the President. It is led by the Prime Minister who is the head of government. The Prime Minister is a Member of Parliament (MP) appointed by the president who in the president's judgment is likely to command the confidence of the majority of the Members of Parliament (MPs). The other ministers in the Cabinet are Members of Parliament appointed by the president acting in accordance with the advice of the prime minister. Ministers are prohibited from holding any office of profit and from actively engaging in any commercial enterprise.

The Cabinet has the general direction and control of the Government and is collectively responsible to Parliament. It also has significant influence over lawmaking. Ministers may be designated by the prime minister to be in charge of particular ministries, or as ministers in the Prime Minister's Office. Singapore's ministers are the highest paid in the world. Prior to a salary review in 2011, the prime minister's annual salary was S$3.07 million, while the pay of ministerial-level officers ranged between S$1.58 million and S$2.37 million. On 21 May 2011, a committee was appointed by the prime minister to review the salaries of the prime minister as well as the president, political appointment holders, and Members of Parliament. Following the recommended wage reductions by the committee which were then debated and subsequently accepted in Parliament, the prime minister's salary was reduced by 36% (includes the removal of his pension) to S$2.2 million. Nonetheless, the prime minister remains the highest-paid political leader in the world.

Following the devastation of the United States and Gulf Coast by Hurricane Katrina, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong sent his personal letter of condolences to U.S. President George W. Bush while the Singaporean Foreign Minister George Yeo sent his personal letter of condolences to the U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, promising support for the American people in their relief effort in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

National Day, sometimes known internationally as Singapore Independence Day, is a major public holiday in Singapore commemorating the establishment of an independent and sovereign Republic of Singapore. Observed annually on 9 August since 1965, it marks the date when Singapore became fully sovereign following its separation from Malaysia. The day is a statutory public holiday and features the National Day Parade (NDP), a National Day Message by the Prime Minister of Singapore and National Day Fireworks Celebrations, among other festivities like Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Chinese New Year.

The NDP is a large-scale event featuring military and civil contingents, cultural performances and aerial displays. Alongside the parade, the Prime Minister delivers an annual message reflecting on national progress and future challenges. The holiday originates from the formal proclamation of Singapore's independence on 9 August 1965 that was drafted by the Minister for Law Edmund W. Barker and signed by prime minister Lee Kuan Yew. Since then, National Day has become a focal point for national identity and unity among Singaporeans.

The Proclamation of Singapore was the official declaration that marked Singapore's separation from Malaysia and its emergence as an independent and sovereign nation. The document was drafted by E. W. Barker, Minister for Law, and signed by Lee Kuan Yew, the first Prime Minister of Singapore, on 9 August 1965. Its announcement marked the end of Singapore's status as a constituent state within the Federation of Malaysia, established on 16 September 1963, and signified the beginning of a new chapter of full sovereignty and national responsibility in both domestic governance and international affairs.

The Proclamation was broadcast nationwide over Radio Singapore at 10:00 SST on the same day, with the official reading performed by announcer Steven Lee. It was also published in the Government Gazette, reinforcing its legal and constitutional weight. The original signed copy of the document is currently preserved in the National Archives of Singapore, and remains an enduring artefact of the republic's founding moment.

The People's Action Party (PAP) is a major conservative political party in Singapore and is the governing contemporary political party represented in the 15th Parliament, followed by the opposition Workers' Party (WP).

The PAP was established in 1954 as a conventional centre-left party. Following its initial electoral success in 1959, Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew sought to reposition the party ideologically toward the centre. In pursuit of this objective, he expelled the party's leftist faction in 1961, during the period of Singapore's merger with Malaysia. Over the course of the 1960s and since then, the PAP continued its ideological shift towards the centre-right. After Singapore's separation from Malaysia and subsequent independence in 1965, the majority of opposition parties, excluding the WP, boycotted the 1968 general election. Consequently, the PAP secured all parliamentary seats in that election. In the ensuing decades, the PAP consolidated its political dominance through successive electoral victories. It consistently formed the executive branch of government and exerted substantial influence over key national institutions, including the country's sole trade union, the National Trade Union Congress (NTUC), which is affiliated with the party, as well as the civil service.

Lee Kuan Yew GCMG CH SPMJ DK (born Harry Lee Kuan Yew; 16 September 1923 – 23 March 2015), often referred to by his initials LKY, was a Singaporean statesman and barrister who was the first prime minister of Singapore from 1959 to 1990. A founding father of the modern Singaporean state, his political leadership transformed post-independence Singapore into a highly developed country and one of the four Asian Tigers.

Born in Singapore during British colonial rule to a family of Chinese descent, Lee studied law in England at Cambridge University and was called to the bar at the Middle Temple in 1950. Shortly after, he returned to Singapore and practised law, founding the law firm Lee & Lee. In 1954, Lee co-founded the People's Action Party (PAP), which won significant support among the working class and trade unions in the lead up to the 1955 general election, securing him a seat in the Tanjong Pagar division and making him the de facto leader of the opposition. In 1959, Lee led the PAP to its first electoral victory, becoming Singapore's first prime minister. Seeking sovereignty from the British Empire, Lee led Singapore to a merger with Malaya along with Sarawak and Sabah, forming Malaysia in 1963. Racial strife and ideological differences later led to Singapore's expulsion from Malaysia and consequent independence in 1965.

Goh Chok Tong AC SPMJ (born 20 May 1941) is a Singaporean retired politician who served as the second prime minister of Singapore from 1990 to 2004 and as a senior minister of Singapore from 2004 to 2011. He served as the secretary-general of the People's Action Party (PAP) from 1992 to 2004 and was the member of Parliament (MP) for Marine Parade Single Member Constituency from 1976 to 1988, and Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency from 1988 to 2020.

Prior to his appointment as prime minister, he was the country's deputy prime minister, where he advocated for the Medisave, a savings scheme that allows Singaporeans to set aside part of their income into a Medisave account to meet future medical expenses. Goh also advocated for the Edusave Awards, a monetary reward for students who did well in school based on either their academic achievements or character to enshrine meritocracy.

Lee Hsien Loong PPA(E) SPMJ DK AC (born 10 February 1952), also known by his initials LHL, is a Singaporean politician and former military officer who has served as the Senior Minister of Singapore since 2024, having previously served as the third Prime Minister between 2004 and 2024. He also served as the secretary-general of the governing People's Action Party (PAP) between 2004 and 2024. As a Member of Parliament (MP), he has represented the Teck Ghee division of Ang Mo Kio Group Representation Constituency (GRC) since 1991, having previously represented Teck Ghee Single Member Constituency (SMC) between 1984 and 1991.

Born and raised in Singapore during British colonial rule, Lee is the eldest son of Singapore's first prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew. He graduated from Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1974 with first class honours in mathematics and a Diploma in Computer Science with distinction (equivalent to a first-class master's in computer science). He served in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) between 1971 and 1984, and attained the rank of Brigadier-General, completing a Master of Public Administration degree at Harvard Kennedy School in 1980. Lee discharged from the SAF in 1984 to enter politics.