3 Mayors of Singapore: Past, Present, and Future

Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's first Prime Minister, once said, "The office of the Prime Minister is not a bed of roses. It is a bed of thorns." This is certainly true for the Mayors of Singapore, who are responsible for the day-to-day running of the city-state.

The Mayor of Singapore is the head of the city-state's government. The office was created in 1959, when Singapore became a self-governing colony of the United Kingdom. The first Mayor of Singapore was Ong Eng Guan, who served from 1959 to 1963.

Since 1963, Singapore has had 3 Mayors. They are:

1. Ong Eng Guan (1959-1963)
2. Lim Kim San (1963-1981)
3. Goh Chok Tong (1981-1992)

The Role of the Mayor of Singapore

The Mayor of Singapore is responsible for a wide range of duties, including:

• Chairing the Cabinet of Singapore
• Appointing the members of the Cabinet
• Representing Singapore at international events
• Overseeing the implementation of government policies
• Providing leadership to the people of Singapore

The Mayor of Singapore is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Singapore Armed Forces.

The Challenges Facing the Mayor of Singapore

The Mayor of Singapore faces a number of challenges, including:

• The need to balance economic growth with social and environmental sustainability
• The need to address the needs of Singapore's diverse population
• The need to maintain Singapore's position as a global hub for trade and finance
• The need to deal with the challenges of climate change

The Future of the Mayor of Singapore

The future of the Mayor of Singapore is uncertain. The current Mayor, Goh Chok Tong, has announced that he will step down in 2012. It is unclear who will succeed him.

Some possible candidates for the next Mayor of Singapore include:

• Teo Chee Hean, the current Minister for Home Affairs
• Tharman Shanmugaratnam, the current Minister for Finance
• Heng Swee Keat, the current Minister for Education

Conclusion

The Mayor of Singapore is a powerful and important figure. The Mayor is responsible for the day-to-day running of the city-state and for providing leadership to the people of Singapore. The future of the Mayor of Singapore is uncertain, but the office will continue to play a vital role in the city-state's development.

FAQs

1. What is the salary of the Mayor of Singapore?

The salary of the Mayor of Singapore is S$2.2 million per year.

2. What are the qualifications for becoming the Mayor of Singapore?

The Mayor of Singapore must be a citizen of Singapore and must be at least 35 years old. The Mayor must also have a good understanding of the political, economic, and social issues facing Singapore.

3. What is the term of office for the Mayor of Singapore?

The Mayor of Singapore serves a five-year term. The Mayor may be re-elected for an unlimited number of terms.

4. What are the powers of the Mayor of Singapore?

The Mayor of Singapore has a wide range of powers, including the power to:

• Appoint and dismiss the members of the Cabinet
• Veto legislation passed by Parliament
• Declare war and peace
• Grant pardons

5. What are the responsibilities of the Mayor of Singapore?

The Mayor of Singapore is responsible for a wide range of duties, including:

• Chairing the Cabinet
• Representing Singapore at international events
• Overseeing the implementation of government policies
• Providing leadership to the people of Singapore