About

The Parliament House of Singapore is a public building and cultural landmark and houses the Parliament of Singapore. Located in the Civic District of the Downtown Core within the Central Area. Within its vicinity is Raffles Place, which lies across it from the Singapore River, and the Supreme Court’s building across the road. The building was designed to represent a contemporary architectural expression of stateliness and authority. The prism-shaped top, designed by former president Ong Teng Cheong, was similarly a modernist take on the traditional dome. The legislature of Singapore consists of a single house and the President of Singapore. The President is the head of the unicameral parliament of Singapore. Presently, the Singapore Parliament is composed of 84 members with the maximum incumbency for each of them being five years. It is customary to conduct elections within three months after the Parliament gets dissolved.

The Old Parliament remained operational from 1995 till 1999 as after this the parliament was shifted to a new location. The present Parliament is based on the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy. The election of the members of the Parliament is done by conducting general elections and the leader of the political party gaining a majority (maximum number of seats) is generally called by the President of Singapore who gives him the option to become the Prime Minister. After the appointment of the Prime Minister, the ministers are selected. The Prime Minister does the task of making his cabinet by selecting the elected members of Parliament for various ministerial positions. At the meeting of the new Parliament, the selection of the speaker is done, which is succeeded by an oath-taking ceremony.

Being one of the major Singapore tourist attractions, the Singapore Parliament is visited by tourists frequently. The Parliament House was established as a representation of authority. Designed by Ong Teng Cheong, the Parliament House’s structure is a modernized version of the traditional structures. It is evident in the construction of the prism-shaped top replacing the domes. There are several interesting spots for visitors in the Singapore Parliament, such as a dining room, a library, a gymnasium, fully equipped IT and meeting rooms and a 100-seat cafeteria. The Parliament has an underground car parking. There is a beautiful garden area of around 2,500-square meters stretching over the parking area.

Proceedings of Parliament are open to the public. The Public Entrance is located along Parliament Place. Visitors who drive can find ample parking space at the public basement carpark. The entrance of the public carpark is situated along Parliament Place. The dates of Parliament sittings are announced through the media and official website. The sittings commence at 1:30 PM and continue until Parliament adjourns. 

Public Tour

Groups from organizations can now take an hour tour of the Parliament House with our experienced guides. Minimum of 25 pax to proceed with the tour. Each tour can accommodate a maximum of 40 visitors. A freelance parliamentary guide will be engaged at a fee of $80 per tour. Confirmation of tour is subject to availability of guides. Please arrange for the cash payment to be passed to the guide BEFORE the tour begins.

*for more information about Public tour visit Parliament House Singapore official website or E-mail to Please parl_edu@parl.gov.sg.

Tips

• Admission Orders are issued on a first-come-first-served basis at the Public Entrance Lobby.
• Visitors should bring along their identity card or passport to exchange for an Admission Order.
• Visitors are kindly requested to dress modestly and not to come in round-neck T-shirts, shorts or slippers.
• Photography is not allowed in the Parliament House.
• Visitors are required to deposit their bags and belongings, including electronic devices such as handphones with camera features into the lockers available at the Terrace.
• Lockers are chargeable at 40 cents (small-sized lockers) and 60 cents (medium-sized lockers) for one-time use only. The lockers only accept 20-cent coins.
• Visitors are required to bow to the Chair upon entering and exiting the Public Gallery. They must also remain silent and not gesticulate, read books or papers, sketch or draw while in the Public Gallery. They should also abstain from creating any disturbance or interruption during parliamentary proceedings.
  
• Children of the age of six and above are allowed to observe Parliament sittings, provided they are accompanied by an adult. 

Timings