The speaker of the Parliament of Singapore is the presiding officer of the Parliament of Singapore. They are nominated by the prime minister before being appointed by Parliament, and are second in the presidential line of succession. The speaker is assisted by two deputy speakers, who preside over parliamentary sessions in the event that they are unavailable.
The current speaker is Seah Kian Peng, a Member of Parliament (MP) for Marine ParadeâÂÂBraddell Heights Group Representation Constituency (GRC), who took office on 2 August 2023. The current deputy speakers are Christopher de Souza, an MP for HollandâÂÂBukit Timah GRC, who took office on 31 August 2020, and Xie Yao Quan, the MP for Jurong Central Single Member Constituency (SMC), who took office on 22 September 2025. All individuals are members of the governing People's Action Party (PAP).
Parliament must elect a speaker at the beginning of each new parliamentary term after a general election. The Constitution states that Parliament has the freedom to decide how to elect its speaker. By tradition, the prime minister nominates a person for the role. The person's name is then proposed and seconded by MPs, before they can be elected as speaker.
The speaker is not required to be an elected MP, but must possess the qualifications to stand for Parliament as listed in the Constitution. They cannot be an incumbent cabinet minister or parliamentary secretary.
Once elected, a speaker continues in office until the dissolution of Parliament, unless they resign, are appointed as a cabinet minister, minister of state or parliamentary secretary, or are disqualified from being an MP.
The role of the speaker in Singapore is similar to that in most Commonwealth legislatures. They preside over the sittings of Parliament, and enforce the rules prescribed in standing orders for the orderly conduct of parliamentary business. In carrying out their duties, the speaker must remain impartial and fair to all MPs.
The speaker regulates and enforces the rules of debate. They decide who has the right to speak, and put the question for Parliament to debate on and vote. The speaker does not take part in debates, but, being an elected MP, can abstain from or vote on a motion if they have a vote.
As the speaker is considered the guardian of parliamentary privileges, MPs look to them for guidance on procedures, and for rulings on any points of order.
The speaker is second in the line of succession for the office of President of Singapore. In situations where the president's office is vacant, and the chairperson of the Council of Presidential Advisers is unable to take up the role, the speaker will assume presidential duties until a new president is elected. In terms of state protocol, they sit at the same level as the chief justice of Singapore.
The speaker acts as Parliament's representative in its relations with other legislatures and outside bodies. They also welcome visiting dignitaries, and represent Parliament at national events and during official visits abroad. Overall, they are in charge of the administration of Parliament and its Secretariat.
The speakership is one of the few public sector roles in Singapore which allow officeholders to automatically qualify as candidates in presidential elections.