Type Unicameral Disbanded 9 August 1965 | Established 2 April 1955 | |
 | ||
Preceded by Legislative Council of Singapore Succeeded by Parliament of Singapore Speaker Sir George Oehlers (First)
A. P. Rajah (Last), Independent | ||
The Legislative Assembly of Singapore was the legislature of the government of Singapore from 1955 to 1965 and the predecessor of the Parliament of Singapore. The Rendel Constitution, proposed in 1953, sought to give the local population more self-governance as the Merdeka independence movement grew. This Constitution took effect upon the conclusion of the general election of 1955, creating a new Legislative Assembly to replace the Legislative Council of Singapore. In contrast to the Legislative Council, the majority of seats in the Legislative Assembly in 1955 were allotted by election rather than appointment by the colonial administration. 25 seats were elected and 7 were appointed. The colonial administration still reserved significant power, such as that of veto and control of certain aspects of government.
Ensuing activism for self-governance by David Marshall and Lim Yew Hock led to a further amendment of the Constitution of Singapore in 1958, which proposed a fully elected body of 51 seats. This proposal took effect upon the conclusion of the 1959 general election. Upon the independence of Singapore in 1965, the Legislative Assembly was renamed the Parliament of Singapore.