Background

Following revisions to the Constitution in 1959, which granted Singapore self-governance from the United Kingdom, the ceremonial office of Yang di-Pertuan Negara replaced the colonial office of Governor as the representative of the British monarch in Singapore, though the term 'governor' was also commonly used to refer to the office bearer.

Although the Yang di-Pertuan Negara was the title for the head of state, constitutionally he is only a de jure chief executive, acting as a vice-regal representative in lieu of a typical Governor-General.^[2]

Under a transitional arrangement, the last governor of Singapore, Sir William Goode, served as the first Yang di-Pertuan Negara from 3 June 1959 to 3 December 1959.^[3] He was succeeded by Yusof Ishak, who was sworn into office on the same day as the country's state flag, coat of arms, and national anthem were adopted.

The title was retained on 31 August 1963 when Singapore declare unilateral declaration of independence from the United Kingdom and accession to Malaysia as a state on 16 September 1963 (not to be confused with the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sabah). The officeholder then acted as the vice-regal representative of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia.^[2]

On 9 August 1965, Singapore was separated from the federation to become an independent state within the Commonwealth of Nations. On 22 December of that year, the Constitution was amended to make the country a republic, and had changed the title to President with retroactive effect from the date of independence.^[4]

List of officeholders