Singapore Constitution 1963

The 1963 Constitution of Singapore is the supreme law of the Country. According to Section 1 of the Constitution, it may be cited as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Singapore. The Constitution consists of 14 parts, 166 articles and 5 schedules.

Part 1 – Preliminary

Article 1 Singapore Constitution – Citation

Article 2 Singapore Constitution – Interpretation

Part 2 – The Republic and the Constitution

Article 3 Singapore Constitution – Republic of Singapore

Article 4 Singapore Constitution – Supremacy of Constitution

Article 5 Singapore Constitution – Amendment of Constitution

Part 3 – Protection of the Sovereignty of the Republic of Singapore

Article 6 Singapore Constitution – No surrender of sovereignty or relinquishment of control over the Police Force or the Armed Forces except by referendum

Article 7 Singapore Constitution – Participation in co-operative international schemes which are beneficial to Singapore

Article 8 Singapore Constitution – No amendment to this Part except by referendum

Part 4 – Fundamental Liberties

Article 9 Singapore Constitution – Liberty of the person

Article 10 Singapore Constitution – Slavery and forced labour prohibited

Article 11 Singapore Constitution – Protection against retrospective criminal laws and repeated trials

Article 12 Singapore Constitution – Equal protection

Article 13 Singapore Constitution – Prohibition of banishment and freedom of movement

Article 14 Singapore Constitution – Freedom of speech, assembly and association

Article 15 Singapore Constitution – Freedom of religion

Article 16 Singapore Constitution – Rights in respect of education

Part 5 – The Government

Chapter 1 – The President

Article 17 Singapore Constitution – The President

Article 17A Singapore Constitution – Election of President

Article 18 Singapore Constitution – Presidential Elections Committee

Article 19 Singapore Constitution – Qualifications of President

Article 19A Singapore Constitution – Disabilities of President

Article 19B Singapore Constitution – Reserved election for community that has not held office of President for 5 or more consecutive terms

Article 20 Singapore Constitution – Term of office

Article 21 Singapore Constitution – Discharge and performance of functions of President

Article 21A Singapore Constitution – General time limit for President to exercise discretionary powers

Article 22 Singapore Constitution – Appointment of public officers, etc.

Article 22A Singapore Constitution – Appointment of members of statutory boards

Article 22B Singapore Constitution – Budgets of statutory boards

Article 22C Singapore Constitution – Appointment of directors of Government companies

Article 22D Singapore Constitution – Budgets of Government companies

Article 22E Singapore Constitution – Moneys of the Central Provident Fund

Article 22F Singapore Constitution – President’s access to information

Article 22G Singapore Constitution – Concurrence of President for certain investigations

Article 22H Singapore Constitution – President may withhold assent to certain Bills

Article 22I Singapore Constitution – Restraining order under Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act 1990

Article 22J Singapore Constitution – Civil List and personal staff of President

Article 22K Singapore Constitution – Immunity of President from suit

Article 22L Singapore Constitution – Vacation of and removal from office of President

Article 22M Singapore Constitution – Determination by Election Judge that President was not duly elected or election of President was void

Article 22N Singapore Constitution – Persons to exercise functions of President when office is vacant

Article 22O Singapore Constitution – Temporary disability of President

Article 22P Singapore Constitution – Grant of pardon, etc.

Chapter 2 – The Executive

Article 23 Singapore Constitution – Executive authority of Singapore

Article 24 Singapore Constitution – Cabinet

Article 25 Singapore Constitution – Appointment of Prime Minister and Ministers

Article 26 Singapore Constitution – Tenure of office of Prime Minister and Ministers

Article 27 Singapore Constitution – Oath

Article 28 Singapore Constitution – Summoning of and presiding in Cabinet

Article 29 Singapore Constitution – Validity of proceedings in Cabinet

Article 30 Singapore Constitution – Assignment of responsibility to Ministers

Article 31 Singapore Constitution – Parliamentary Secretaries

Article 32 Singapore Constitution – Leave of absence for Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries

Article 33 Singapore Constitution – Disabilities of Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries

Article 34 Singapore Constitution – Permanent Secretaries

Article 35 Singapore Constitution – Attorney-General

Article 35A Singapore Constitution – Deputy Attorneys-General

Article 36 Singapore Constitution – Secretary to Cabinet

Chapter 3 – Capacity as regards Property, Contracts and Suits

Article 37 Singapore Constitution – Capacity of Government as regards property, contracts and suits

Part 5A – Council of Presidential Advisers

Article 37A Singapore Constitution – Interpretation of this Part

Article 37B Singapore Constitution – Council of Presidential Advisers

Article 37C Singapore Constitution – Alternate members

Article 37D Singapore Constitution – Qualifications of members and considerations in appointing members

Article 37E Singapore Constitution – Disqualifications of members

Article 37F Singapore Constitution – Termination of membership

Article 37G Singapore Constitution – Determination of questions as to membership

Article 37H Singapore Constitution – Oaths of Allegiance and Secrecy

Article 37I Singapore Constitution – Function of Council

Article 37IA Singapore Constitution – President’s general duty to consult Council

Article 37IB Singapore Constitution – President to immediately refer to Council certain cases concerning veto powers

Article 37IC Singapore Constitution – Referred cases — time limit for Council to make recommendation

Article 37ID Singapore Constitution – Referred cases — matters to be stated in Council’s recommendation, etc.

Article 37IE Singapore Constitution – Referred cases — Prime Minister to receive President’s grounds and Council’s recommendation if President exercises veto, etc.

Article 37IF Singapore Constitution – Referred cases — Parliament may overrule Presidential veto exercised contrary to Council’s recommendation

Article 37IG Singapore Constitution – Quorum and voting

Article 37J Singapore Constitution – Proceedings of Council

Article 37K Singapore Constitution – [Repealed by Act 28 of 2016]

Article 37L Singapore Constitution – Fees

Article 37M Singapore Constitution – Appointment of staff

Part 6 – The Legislature

Article 38 Singapore Constitution – Legislature of Singapore

Article 39 Singapore Constitution – Parliament

Article 39A Singapore Constitution – Group representation constituencies

Article 40 Singapore Constitution – Speaker

Article 41 Singapore Constitution – Remuneration of Speaker

Article 42 Singapore Constitution – Deputy Speaker

Article 43 Singapore Constitution – Performance of functions of Speaker

Article 44 Singapore Constitution – Qualifications for membership of Parliament

Article 45 Singapore Constitution – Disqualifications for membership of Parliament

Article 46 Singapore Constitution – Tenure of office of Members

Article 47 Singapore Constitution – Provision against double membership

Article 48 Singapore Constitution – Decision on questions as to disqualification

Article 49 Singapore Constitution – Filling of vacancies

Article 50 Singapore Constitution – Penalty for unqualified persons sitting or voting in Parliament

Article 51 Singapore Constitution – Staff of Parliament

Article 52 Singapore Constitution – Standing Orders

Article 53 Singapore Constitution – Use of languages in Parliament

Article 54 Singapore Constitution – Presiding in Parliament

Article 55 Singapore Constitution – Validity of proceedings of Parliament

Article 56 Singapore Constitution – Quorum

Article 57 Singapore Constitution – Voting

Article 58 Singapore Constitution – Exercise of legislative power

Article 59 Singapore Constitution – Introduction of Bills

Article 60 Singapore Constitution – Words of enactment of laws

Article 61 Singapore Constitution – Oath of Allegiance

Article 62 Singapore Constitution – Address by President

Article 63 Singapore Constitution – Address by President

Article 64 Singapore Constitution – Sessions of Parliament

Article 64A Singapore Constitution – Continuity of Parliament

Article 65 Singapore Constitution – Prorogation and dissolution of Parliament

Article 66 Singapore Constitution – General elections

Article 67 Singapore Constitution – Remuneration of Members

Part 7 – The Presidential Council For Minority Rights

Article 68 Singapore Constitution – Interpretation of this Part

Article 69 Singapore Constitution – Establishment of Presidential Council for Minority Rights

Article 70 Singapore Constitution – Temporary appointment during incapacity of member

Article 71 Singapore Constitution – Qualifications of members

Article 72 Singapore Constitution – Disqualifications of members

Article 73 Singapore Constitution – Termination of membership

Article 74 Singapore Constitution – Determination of questions as to membership

Article 75 Singapore Constitution – Oaths of Allegiance and Secrecy

Article 76 Singapore Constitution – General function of Council

Article 77 Singapore Constitution – Functions of Council in respect of Bills and subsidiary legislation

Article 78 Singapore Constitution – Copies of Bills and amendments thereto to be sent to Council

Article 79 Singapore Constitution – Functions of Council in regard to Bills enacted on a certificate of urgency

Article 80 Singapore Constitution – Functions of Council in regard to subsidiary legislation

Article 81 Singapore Constitution – Functions of Council in regard to certain written law

Article 82 Singapore Constitution – Duties of Chairman

Article 83 Singapore Constitution – Quorum and voting

Article 84 Singapore Constitution – Proceedings of Council to be in private

Article 85 Singapore Constitution – Council’s report

Article 86 Singapore Constitution – Validity of proceedings notwithstanding vacancy in membership

Article 87 Singapore Constitution – Attendance of Minister, etc.

Article 88 Singapore Constitution – Power of Council to make rules regulating procedure

Article 89 Singapore Constitution – Annual report

Article 90 Singapore Constitution – Salaries and fees

Article 91 Singapore Constitution – Appointment of staff

Article 92 Singapore Constitution – Power to make rules generally

Part 8 – The Judiciary

Article 93 Singapore Constitution – Judicial power of Singapore

Article 93A Singapore Constitution – Jurisdiction to determine questions as to validity of Presidential election

Article 94 Singapore Constitution – Constitution of Supreme Court

Article 95 Singapore Constitution – Appointment of Supreme Court Judges, etc.

Article 96 Singapore Constitution – Qualifications of Supreme Court Judges

Article 97 Singapore Constitution – Oath of Office of Supreme Court Judges, etc.

Article 98 Singapore Constitution – Tenure of office and remuneration of Supreme Court Judges, etc.

Article 99 Singapore Constitution – Restriction on Parliamentary discussion of conduct of person holding high judicial office

Article 100 Singapore Constitution – Advisory opinion

Article 101 Singapore Constitution – [Repealed by Act 38 of 2019]

Part 9 – The Public Service

Chapter 1 – General Provisions

Article 102 Singapore Constitution – Public services

Article 103 Singapore Constitution – Interpretation of this Part

Article 104 Singapore Constitution – Provisions about public service

Chapter 2 – The Public Service Commission

Article 105 Singapore Constitution – Public Service Commission

Article 106 Singapore Constitution – Disqualification for appointment to Commission

Article 107 Singapore Constitution – Tenure of office

Article 108 Singapore Constitution – Terms of service of Chairman and members of Commission

Article 109 Singapore Constitution – Secretary to Commission

Article 110 Singapore Constitution – Functions

Article 110A Singapore Constitution –  [Repealed by Act 11 of 1998]

Article 110B Singapore Constitution – [Repealed by Act 11 of 1998]

Article 110C Singapore Constitution – [Repealed by Act 11 of 1998]

Article 110D Singapore Constitution – Personnel boards

Article 111 Singapore Constitution – [Repealed by Act 32 of 2021 wef 14/01/2022]

Article 111AA Singapore Constitution – [Repealed by Act 32 of 2021 wef 14/01/2022]

Article 111A Singapore Constitution – Promotion to significant grade

Chapter 3 – The Judicial Service Commission

Article 111B Singapore Constitution – Judicial Service Commission

Article 111C Singapore Constitution – Disqualification for appointment to Commission

Article 111D Singapore Constitution – Tenure of office of appointed members

Article 111E Singapore Constitution – Terms of service of appointed members, etc.

Article 111F Singapore Constitution – Functions

Article 111G Singapore Constitution – Procedure

Article 111H Singapore Constitution – Secretary to Commission

Article 111I Singapore Constitution – Personnel boards

Chapter 4 – The Legal Service Commission

Article 111J Singapore Constitution – Legal Service Commission

Article 111K Singapore Constitution – Disqualification for appointment to Commission

Article 111L Singapore Constitution – Tenure of office of appointed members

Article 111M Singapore Constitution – Terms of service of appointed members, etc.

Article 111N Singapore Constitution – Functions

Article 111O Singapore Constitution – Procedure

Article 111P Singapore Constitution – Secretary to Commission

Article 111Q Singapore Constitution – Personnel boards

Chapter 5 – Supplementary Provision

Article 112 Singapore Constitution – Protection of pension rights

Article 113 Singapore Constitution – Power of Commissions in relation to pensions, etc.

Article 114 Singapore Constitution – Pensions, etc., to be charged on Pension Fund or Consolidated Fund

Article 115 Singapore Constitution – Pension rights on transfer

Article 116 Singapore Constitution – Regulations regarding public service

Article 117 Singapore Constitution – [Omitted (as the Article has had its effect).]

Article 118 Singapore Constitution – Performance by Public Service Commission of other functions

Article 119 Singapore Constitution – Annual reports

Part 10 – Citizenship

Article 120 Singapore Constitution – Status of citizen of Singapore

Article 121 Singapore Constitution – Citizenship by birth

Article 122 Singapore Constitution – Citizenship by descent

Article 123 Singapore Constitution – Citizenship by registration

Article 124 Singapore Constitution – Registration of minors

Article 125 Singapore Constitution – Effect of registration

Article 126 Singapore Constitution – General provisions as to registration

Article 127 Singapore Constitution – Citizenship by naturalisation

Article 128 Singapore Constitution – Renunciation of citizenship

Article 129 Singapore Constitution – Deprivation of citizenship

Article 130 Singapore Constitution – Deprivation of citizenship of child of person losing citizenship

Article 131 Singapore Constitution – General provisions as to loss of citizenship

Article 132 Singapore Constitution – Cancellation of enrolment as citizen

Article 133 Singapore Constitution – Procedure for deprivation

Article 134 Singapore Constitution – Deprivation of citizenship on acquisition of foreign citizenship

Article 135 Singapore Constitution – Deprivation of citizenship on exercise of rights of foreign nationals, etc.

Article 136 Singapore Constitution – Termination of citizenship of Malaysia

Article 137 Singapore Constitution – Deprivation of citizenship or cancellation of enrolment of child of person losing citizenship

Article 138 Singapore Constitution – Grant of certificate of citizenship in cases of doubt

Article 139 Singapore Constitution – Commonwealth citizenship

Article 140 Singapore Constitution – Application of Third Schedule

Article 141 Singapore Constitution – Repeal

Part 11 – Financial Provisions

Article 142 Singapore Constitution – Interpretation of this Part

Article 143 Singapore Constitution – No taxation unless authorised by law

Article 144 Singapore Constitution – Restriction on loans, guarantees, etc.

Article 145 Singapore Constitution – Consolidated Fund

Article 146 Singapore Constitution – Withdrawal from Consolidated Fund, etc.

Article 147 Singapore Constitution – Annual estimates and financial statements

Article 148 Singapore Constitution – Authorisation of expenditure from Consolidated Fund and Development Fund

Article 148A Singapore Constitution – Withholding of assent to Supply Bill, etc.

Article 148B Singapore Constitution – Power to authorise expenditure on account, etc., or for unspecified purposes

Article 148C Singapore Constitution – Contingencies Funds

Article 148D Singapore Constitution –  [Repealed by Act 28 of 2016]

Article 148E Singapore Constitution – Debt charges and moneys required to satisfy judgments

Article 148F Singapore Constitution – Appointment of Auditor-General

Article 148G Singapore Constitution – Duty to inform President of certain transactions

Article 148H Singapore Constitution – Publication of President’s opinion regarding certain liabilities of the Government

Article 148I Singapore Constitution – Transfer of Government’s past reserves

Part 12 – Special Powers Against Subversion and Emergency Powers

Article 149 Singapore Constitution – Legislation against subversion

Article 150 Singapore Constitution – Proclamation of Emergency

Article 151 Singapore Constitution – Restrictions on preventive detention

Article 151A Singapore Constitution – Defence and security measures

Part 13 – General Provisions

Article 152 Singapore Constitution – Minorities and special position of Malays

Article 153 Singapore Constitution – Muslim religion

Article 153A Singapore Constitution – Official languages and national language

Article 154 Singapore Constitution – Impartial treatment of Government employees

Article 154A Singapore Constitution – Exemption

Article 155 Singapore Constitution – Authorised reprints of Constitution

Article 156 Singapore Constitution – [Omitted in 1999 Reprint]

Part 14 – Transitional Powers

Article 157 Singapore Constitution – Existing Standing Orders

Article 158 Singapore Constitution – Public officers to continue in office

Article 159 Singapore Constitution – Terms of service of persons who continue in office

Article 160 Singapore Constitution – Succession to property

Article 161 Singapore Constitution – [Omitted in 1999 Reprint]

Article 162 Singapore Constitution – Existing laws

Article 163 Singapore Constitution – Person holding office of President immediately prior to 30 November 1991 to continue to hold such office

Article 164 Singapore Constitution – Transitional provisions for Article 19B

Article 165 Singapore Constitution – Transitional provisions for Council of Presidential Advisers

Article 166 Singapore Constitution – Transitional provision for persons who hold or have held office as Judge of Appeal immediately before date of commencement of Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (Amendment) Act 2019

Schedules

First Schedule Singapore Constitution 1963 – Forms of Oaths

Second Schedule Singapore Constitution 1963 – Oath of Renunciation, Allegiance and Loyalty

Third Schedule Singapore Constitution 1963 – Citizenship

Fourth Schedule Singapore Constitution 1963 – Appointment of Nominated Members of Parliament

Fifth Schedule Singapore Constitution 1963 – Key Statutory Boards and Government Companies