Chief Minister of Singapore

Chief Minister of Singapore
Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom
Residence	Old Parliament House, Singapore
Appointer	Governor of Singapore
Formation	6 April 1955
First holder	David Saul Marshall
Final holder	Lim Yew Hock
Abolished	3 June 1959
Succession	Prime Minister of Singapore

The Chief Minister of Singapore was the head of government of the Crown colony of Singapore until its abolition on 3 June 1959. The Chief Minister was appointed by the Governor of Singapore. The Chief Minister was the party leader of the largest party in the Legislative Assembly.

In February 1955, a new constitution, the Rendel Constitution, was implemented. Singapore would create its first Legislative Assembly with majority of the seats popularly elected, to replace the existing Council. 25 out of 32 seats would be elected by the general populace, four seats would be allocated to Governor-appointed unofficial members, three seats taken by ex officio members, respectively the Chief Secretary, Attorney-General and Financial Secretary, while the remaining seat would be for the unofficial Speaker of the Assembly nominated by the Governor. Moreover, the post of the Chief Minister was added, which would be assumed by the leader of the majority party in the Assembly, sharing the responsibility with the Governor. The Governor continued to take control over areas such as external affairs, internal security, defence, broadcasting and public relations, whereas the power of policy-making for the people's welfare lied in the hands of the Chief Minister.

  SPA