Prime Minister of Singapore

Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore
Incumbent Lawrence Wong since 15 May 2024
Government of Singapore Cabinet of Singapore Prime Minister's Office
Style	Prime Minister (informal) His Excellency (diplomatic)
Residence	Sri Temasek
Appointer	President
Term length	5 years; renewable
Inaugural holder	Lee Kuan Yew
Formation	3 June 1959; 65 years ago (1959-06-03)
Deputy	Deputy Prime Minister
Salary	S$2,200,000 annually
Website	www.pmo.gov.sg

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore is the head of the government of the Republic of Singapore. The President of Singapore chooses as Prime Minister a Member of Parliament (MP) who, he thinks, will have the highest chance of being supported by a majority of MPs.^[1]

The first time there was a Prime Minister was in 1959 and it was chosen by the Governor of Singapore and later the Yang di-Pertuan Negara (head of state), when Singapore could have the power to govern as the State of Singapore inside the British Empire. The title of Prime Minister did not change after Singapore merged with the Federation of Malaya, Sarawak and British North Borneo, while Singapore was a state in the Federation of Malaysia from 1963 to 1965, and after independence in 1965.

Lee Kuan Yew was the first prime minister of Singapore from 1959 to 1990 and retired on 26 November 1990. Goh Chok Tong took over Lee Kuan Yew, while Lee Kuan Yew was given the job of Senior Minister in the Prime Minister's Office. Goh Chok Tong retired on 12 August 2004 and was replaced by Lee Kuan Yew's son Lee Hsien Loong. Goh was given the job of Senior Minister, and the older Lee the job of Minister Mentor.

1. ↑ Art. 25(1), Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (1999 Reprint)