Colonial Secretary, Straits Settlements
| Chief Secretary, Singapore | |
|---|---|
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| Style | The Honourable |
| Residence | Sri Temasek (1869–1959) |
| Appointer |
Governor of the Straits Settlements Governor of Singapore |
| Precursor | Colonial Secretary, Straits Settlements Colonial Secretary, Singapore |
| Formation | 1867 |
| First holder | Colonel Ronald MacPherson |
| Final holder | E. B. David |
| Abolished | 1959 |
| Succession | － |
The Chief Secretary, Singapore, known as the Colonial Secretary, Singapore, before 1955, and the Colonial Secretary, Straits Settlements, before 1946, was a high ranking government civil position in colonial Singapore (the Straits Settlements before 1946) between 1867 and 1959. It was second only to the Governor of Singapore (formerly the Governor of the Straits Settlements) in the colonial government.
The Straits Settlements, which mainly comprised Singapore, Penang and Malacca, became a crown colony in 1867. The position of the Colonial Secretary (CS) was subsequently created with a view to replacing the Resident Councillor in Singapore. During the Second World War, the position was vacant and suspended following the downfall of the Malay Peninsula into the hands of the Japanese invaders. In 1946, Singapore parted from Penang and Malacca, forming itself into a crown colony, so the jurisdiction of CS was reduced to Singapore only. The name "Colonial Secretary" was later changed to "Chief Secretary" in 1955 when the crown colony adopted the Rendel Constitution. Having been in existence for 92 years, the position was abolished in 1959 with the complete introduction of internal self-rule for Singapore.
Being the head of the CS's Office, the CS was an ex-officio member of both the Executive and Legislative Councils, and at the same time the head of the Colonial Secretariat from 1867 to 1955. When Singapore adopted its new constitution in 1955, although the Colonial Secretariat was abolished, the CS remained an ex-officio member of the Council of Ministers and the Legislative Assembly. The workplace of CS was located at Empress Place Building while Sri Temasek, which was next to the Government House (Istana), was the official residence of the CS.
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