Key changes

• Legislative Assembly (LA) formed in 1955• Constitution amended in 1959: LA made up of 51 elected members;head of state has power to appoint PM and other Cabinet ministers.

• Independencein 1965:LA renamedParliament of Singapore. Opposition Barisan Sosialis boycotts �rst session of Parliament in December 1965 (below), and the 1968 General Election.

• 1981: Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam is the�rst opposition MP to be elected after the Anson by-election.

• 1984: Non-Constituency MP (NCMP) scheme introduced; Constitution and Parliamentary Elections Act amended to allow at least three opposition MPs, andup to a maximumof six, in Parliament.

• 1987: Government Parliamentary Committees (GPCs) introduced to scrutinise policiesand provide feedback.

• 1990: Nominated MP (NMP) scheme introduced to provide non-partisan and alternative views; Constitution provides for up to six NMPs.

• Lead the oppositionin presenting alternative views in parliamentary debates.

• Lead and organise scrutiny of government positions and actions.

• Be consulted on appointment of opposition members to parliamentary select committees.

• Be called upon to attend of�cial state functions, take part in government visits and meetings.

Workers' Party chief Pritam Singh (below left, with Prime MinisterLee Hsien Loong) of�cially designated Leader of the Opposition (LO).LO to:

1950s to1960s

1980s to2000s

2020

President Wee Kim Wee congratulating the newly appointed NMPs on Sept 7, 1992.

TEXT: GRACE HO PHOTOS: ST FILE, LIANHE ZAOBAO, DESMOND WEE STRAITS TIMES GRAPHICS

Swearing-in of �rstCabinet in 1959.

• 1997: Constitutional amendment to increase number of NMPs to up to nine.

• 2010: Constitutional amendment to increase number of NCMPs to up to nine.

• 2016: Announcement to increase number of NCMPs to up to 12, with equal voting rights as elected MPs.