Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong discussed the historical development of Singapore's unique constitutional frameworks and the reasons for their creation.

These institutions define the balance of power in Singapore. Understanding their origins clarifies how the state manages minority representation and prevents the abuse of executive authority.

Lee said the elected presidency, Group Representation Constituency (GRC) system, and Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMP) scheme have stood the test of time to serve the country well. He said these laws were created to remedy real weaknesses in the political system rather than to chase ideological purity.

The NCMP scheme was introduced in 1984 [1] to enhance parliamentary representativeness. This was followed by the introduction of the GRC system in 1988 [1], which was designed to ensure minority representation within the legislature.

Finally, the elected presidency was established in 1991 [1]. Lee said the role was initially envisioned as a powerful “wicket-keeper” who could check and overrule the government. This mechanism was intended to prevent the concentration of power in a single office and avoid political impasse.

Lee said these institutional designs alongside former Deputy Prime Minister S. Jayakumar. The frameworks were developed between the mid-1980s and early 1990s to provide specific checks and balances tailored to the Republic's needs.

Lee said the drafting of such laws requires political judgment rather than just legal expertise. The resulting systems were intended to protect the state from the abuse of power, while maintaining stability.

“Singapore’s elected president was initially envisioned as a powerful “wicket-keeper” who could check and overrule the government.”

Singapore's political architecture rejects a one-size-fits-all democratic model in favor of pragmatic, engineered solutions. By implementing the GRC and NCMP systems, the state ensures that ethnic minorities and opposition voices are present in Parliament without necessarily destabilizing the governing majority. The elected presidency serves as a financial and constitutional safeguard, creating a secondary layer of oversight that limits the executive's control over national reserves.