The Mayor of Singapore: A Guide to the Head of the Lion City
Introduction
The Mayor of Singapore is the head of government of the city-state of Singapore. The mayor is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the city, and for representing Singapore on the international stage.
The current Mayor of Singapore is Halimah Yacob, who was elected in 2017. Yacob is the first woman to hold the office of Mayor of Singapore.
Responsibilities and Powers of the Mayor
The Mayor of Singapore has a wide range of responsibilities, including:
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Appointing the Cabinet: The Mayor appoints the Cabinet, which is responsible for the implementation of government policy.
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Chairing the Cabinet: The Mayor chairs the Cabinet meetings and sets the agenda for the government.
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Representing Singapore on the international stage: The Mayor represents Singapore at international meetings and summits.
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Deciding on matters of national importance: The Mayor makes decisions on matters of national importance, such as foreign policy and economic policy.
Election of the Mayor
The Mayor of Singapore is elected by the people of Singapore for a term of six years. The most recent mayoral election was held in 2017.
Qualifications for Office
To be eligible for the office of Mayor of Singapore, a candidate must be:
- A citizen of Singapore
- At least 40 years old
- A member of Parliament
- Have held a ministerial position for at least two years
- Not have been convicted of a criminal offense
Salary and Benefits
The Mayor of Singapore receives an annual salary of S$1.9 million (US$1.3 million). The mayor also receives a housing allowance and a car allowance.
History of the Office of Mayor
The office of Mayor of Singapore was created in 1959, when Singapore became a self-governing colony of the United Kingdom. The first Mayor of Singapore was Yusof bin Ishak.
The Future of the Office of Mayor
The future of the office of Mayor of Singapore is uncertain. Some observers believe that the office will be abolished in the future, while others believe that the office will continue to play an important role in the governance of Singapore.
Useful Tips and Tricks
Here are some useful tips and tricks for dealing with the Mayor of Singapore:
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Be prepared: When meeting with the Mayor, be prepared to discuss your issue in detail.
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Be respectful: The Mayor is a high-ranking official, so be respectful of their time and position.
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Be clear and concise: When speaking with the Mayor, be clear and concise in your communication.
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Be patient: The Mayor is a busy person, so be patient when waiting for a response.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when dealing with the Mayor of Singapore:
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Don't be confrontational: The Mayor is not someone to be confronted. If you have a disagreement with the Mayor, try to resolve it calmly and respectfully.
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Don't be rude: The Mayor is a high-ranking official, so be polite and respectful.
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Don't waste their time: The Mayor is a busy person, so don't waste their time with frivolous or unimportant matters.
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Don't be pushy: The Mayor is not someone to be pushed around. If you don't get what you want, don't keep asking.
Step-by-Step Approach to Dealing with the Mayor of Singapore
Here is a step-by-step approach to dealing with the Mayor of Singapore:
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Identify your issue: Before contacting the Mayor, identify the issue that you want to discuss.
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Gather your evidence: If you have any evidence to support your claim, gather it before contacting the Mayor.
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Contact the Mayor's office: Contact the Mayor's office to schedule a meeting.
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Prepare for your meeting: Prepare for your meeting by gathering your evidence and rehearsing your talking points.
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Be respectful: When meeting with the Mayor, be respectful of their time and position.
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Be clear and concise: When speaking with the Mayor, be clear and concise in your communication.
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Be patient: The Mayor is a busy person, so be patient when waiting for a response.
Pros and Cons of Dealing with the Mayor of Singapore
Here are some pros and cons of dealing with the Mayor of Singapore:
Pros:
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The Mayor is a high-ranking official: The Mayor is the head of government of Singapore, so they have the power to make decisions that can affect your life.
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The Mayor is accessible: The Mayor is accessible to the public, so you can meet with them to discuss your concerns.
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The Mayor is accountable: The Mayor is accountable to the people of Singapore, so they are responsive to public opinion.
Cons:
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The Mayor is busy: The Mayor is a busy person, so it can be difficult to get an appointment.
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The Mayor may not be able to help: The Mayor may not be able to help you with your issue, especially if it is a matter that is outside of their jurisdiction.
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The Mayor may not be sympathetic: The Mayor may not be sympathetic to your issue, especially if it is a matter that they disagree with.
Conclusion
The Mayor of Singapore is a powerful and important figure in the governance of the city-state. By understanding the role of the Mayor and the procedures for dealing with them, you can increase your chances of success when working with the Mayor.
Tables
Table 1: Recent Mayors of Singapore
Mayor |
Term |
Yusof bin Ishak |
1959-1970 |
Wee Kim Wee |
1970-1981 |
S. R. Nathan |
1981-1993 |
Ong Teng Cheong |
1993-2004 |
S. R. Nathan |
2004-2011 |
Tony Tan Keng Yam |
2011-2017 |
Halimah Yacob |
2017-present |
Table 2: Qualifications for Office of Mayor of Singapore
| Qualification |
|---|---|
| Citizen of Singapore |
| At least 40 years old |
| Member of Parliament |
| Held a ministerial position for at least two years |
| Not have been convicted of a criminal offense |
Table 3: Salary and Benefits of the Mayor of Singapore
Salary |
Benefits |
S$1.9 million (US$1.3 million) |
Housing allowance, car allowance |