Past Exhibition: Laws of Our Land
Explore how three landmark laws — the Citizenship Ordinance, Women's Charter, and Employment Act — shaped modern Singapore at this free exhibition by NLB, held at National Gallery Singapore.
Last updated 18 July 2026
Laws of Our Land: Foundations of a New Nation
ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
About seven decades ago, the identity and legal status of Singapore citizens did not exist, wives in Singapore were not treated as equal partners in marriage, and Singapore’s archaic employment laws were unsuited for a modern industrial economy. But all this changed with the introduction of three laws that are featured in a refreshed exhibition by the National Library Board (NLB).
Laws of Our Land: Foundations of a New Nation puts a spotlight on the Citizenship Ordinance, the Women’s Charter, and the Employment Act. Through the 37 artefacts and reproductions on display from the collections of the National Archives of Singapore, the National Library and partner institutions such as Singapore's Supreme Court, and a host of multimedia and interactive features, visitors will learn about the historical background and circumstances that led to the passing of these laws.
The Importance of the Three Laws:
The Citizenship Ordinance (1957) created the legal status of Singapore citizen and paved the way for Singapore to become a self-governing state and later an independent nation-state.
The Women’s Charter (1961) introduced a unitary monogamous law to govern non-Muslim marriage and protection of the rights of women and has been the legislation at the core of Singapore family law.
The Employment Act (1968) modernised Singapore’s labour laws to meet the needs of the new industrial economy and remains Singapore’s main labour law regulating the basic terms and working conditions for employees in Singapore.
These laws serve as foundation pillars of our nation by continuing to shape and underpin the rights and identities of Singapore’s citizens, women and workers.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is there a press or media release on the exhibition?
Yes there is one which can be found at this link: (Here)
Q2. What are the exhibition’s opening hours? Are you closed during public holidays?
The National Gallery and the Laws of Our Land exhibition remain open during all public holidays, from 10am to 7pm daily.
Q3. Do I need to purchase a Gallery Pass to enter the exhibition?
The exhibition is free admission for all. No admission tickets are needed. National Gallery Singapore is open daily from 10am to 7pm. Please visit https://www.nationalgallery.sg/admissionsfor more information.
Q4. Are there guided tours of the exhibition?
Visitors can participate in guided tours of the exhibition. Information on these tours can be found on NLB’s website (Here) and on National Gallery’s corporate website under Tours: (Here)
Q5. Where do I find more information on the National Archives of Singapore and National Library collections?
More information on the National Archives of Singapore’s collections can be found at its Archives Online web portal: (Here)
Information on National Library’s collections can be found at this online catalogue: (Here)
TIMELINE
Download the PDF detailing more about the exhibits here:
1. Women’s Charter
2. Employment Act
3. Citizenship Ordinance
360 Virtual Tour
Explore 360 virtual tour of Law of the Land Constitution Exhibition here!
CONTACT US
If you have any enquiries about the National Archives of Singapore or other questions or feedback on the exhibition, please write to us at: nas@nlb.gov.sg
FEEDBACK
Kindly share with us your feedback if any here.
ARTEFACT HIGHLIGHTS
The Citizenship Ordinance (1957)
Singapore Citizenship Ordinance
from Colony of Singapore Ordinances, Nos. 1–47 of 1957
Singapore, Government Printing Office, 1957
On loan from Supreme Court of Singapore
The Supreme Court version of the Citizenship Ordinance is displayed in the exhibition. It is signed off by British Governor Robert Brown Black and stamped with the seal of the Colony of Singapore’s Coat-of-Arms. The Ordinance created the legal status of Singapore citizens and marked the first time the people pledged allegiance to Singapore.
Singapore (Constitution) Order In Council
from Gazette Supplement No. 81 of 1958
Singapore: Government Printing Office, 1958
Collection of National Library, Singapore
B02939108J
This constitution was conferred on Singapore by Queen Elizabeth II. It ended Singapore’s status as a colony and redefined it as a British-protected self-governing state, and provided for a fully elected Legislative Assembly empowered to form a government. The constitution came into effect after the Legislative Assembly general election on 30 May 1959.
White Paper on Education Policy
Singapore: Legislative Assembly, 1956
Collection of National Library, Singapore
B02853737B
The White Paper on Education Policy (1956) recommended equality of Singapore’s 4 main language streams in education, and played a key role in establishing multiculturalism in Singapore.
Poster showing elected assemblymen in 1959 General Election
Singapore: Government Printing Office, 1959
Ministry of Culture Collection, National Archives of Singapore
PO4928/2007
This rare poster from Singapore’s 1959 General Election features the 51 members of the first fully elected assembly, marking a significant milestone in the country’s political history.
The Women’s Charter (1961)
The Women’s Charter, 1961
from State of Singapore Ordinances, Nos. 1–33
Singapore: Government Printer, 1961
On loan from the Supreme Court
The signed copy of Women’s Charter, was assented to by the Yang di-Pertuan Negara on 30 May 1961.
Power of Attorney, 1906
Koh Seow Chuan Collection, National Library, Singapore
B26057119I
Under British law during the colonial period, married women lost rights to their property. Even though Muslim law allowed women to retain their property rights even after marriage, the patriarchal structure of Singapore’s colonial society made it difficult for women to administer their own property, and led them to legally depend on their husbands or male relatives. Such powers of attorney are documentary traces of how some Muslim women signed over the rights to administer their property to their male relatives in this patriarchal society.
Identification Card of a Mui Tsai, 1930s
Lee Siew Hong Collection, National Archives of Singapore
25/1992
Mui tsai were young girls sold to affluent Chinese families as domestic servants. This identification card for Ang Chooi Bah was issued by the Chinese Protectorate under the Mui Tsai Ordinance of 1932. It indicates the terms and conditions for their employers, providing the girls with basic protection.
Civil Marriage Register Book, 1960
Registry of Marriages Collection, National Archives of Singapore
BV0503605L
While the Marriage Registrars’ Ordinance of 1880 was the first colonial legislation passed to administrate Christian marriages in the Straits Settlements, it was not until 1940 when the Civil Marriage Ordinance was passed, allowing non-Christians to register a monogamous marriage with the Registry of Marriages.
The Employment Act (1968)
Employment Act
from Republic of Singapore Acts, Nos. 1–47 of 1986
Singapore: Government Printer, 1968
On loan from Supreme Court, Singapore
The Employment Act of 1968 is a landmark legislation that has had a profound impact on the nature of work and workers in Singapore. It was enacted shortly after Singapore’s independence and is the cornerstone of employment law. The act consolidated previous labour laws and introduced a range of crucial employment standards and protections. Over time, the act has evolved to keep pace with changing labour market dynamics and societal needs, reflecting Singapore’s commitment to maintaining a competitive yet equitable legal framework that balances the interests of employers and employees, fostering industrial harmony, and supporting Singapore’s economy.
The Indian Immigrants’ Protection Ordinance, 5 February 1876,
from Straits Settlements Government Gazette (January–December, 1876)
National Library, Singapore
B02969451B
Many of the early Indian labourers came to Singapore to work in construction, cargo handling, ship repair, domestic labour and plantations. The Indian Immigrants’ Protection Ordinance of 1876 saw the appointment of a Protector of Immigrants. It stipulated forms of labour contracts and regulated who could leave India for work
Labour Ordinance, 15 October 1920,
from Straits Settlements Government Gazette (October–December, 1920)
National Library, Singapore
B02969298A
The Labour Ordinance of 1920 was a significant consolidation of previous labour laws, both race-specific and non-race-specific. It covered in detail the terms and conditions of labour agreements and contracts pertaining to wages, termination, leave and more. It also abolished the ‘truck system’ where workers were paid in forms other than money, and mandated access to housing, water, sanitation and medical treatment for estate workers, who worked in remote areas.
Singapore Traction Company Employees Union Suara
National Library, Singapore
B29005361D
The Singapore Traction Company (STC) ran tram, trolleybus and motor bus operations in Singapore from 1925 to 1971. In 1955, STC bus workers carried out what became the longest strike in postwar Singapore, lasting 142 days. This was the culmination of union demands since the late 1930s.
The STC Employees’ Union newsletter, Suara (‘Voice’ in Malay), featured content in English, Malay, Chinese and Tamil.
Pamphlet on the Shop Assistants Employment Ordinance
Singapore: Department of Information Services, 1957
Francis Thomas collection, National Archives of Singapore
84
The Shop Assistants Employment Ordinance of 1957, established statutory rights for this large group of workers who had been excluded from the Labour Ordinance of 1955. This handbook was published to help employers and employees navigate the new laws, including requirements such as the closure of shops to give workers a weekly rest day and standardising the number of hours in a work week.