Part of a comprehensive analysis of the Singapore Tourism Board Act 1963
All Parts in This Series
Establishment and Corporate Powers of the Singapore Tourism Board
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is established as a statutory body corporate under the Singapore Tourism Board Act 1963, with specific powers and functions essential for the promotion and development of tourism in Singapore. Section 3(1) explicitly states:
"A body called the Singapore Tourism Board is established in accordance with the provisions of this Act." — Section 3(1), Singapore Tourism Board Act 1963
Verify Section 3 in source document →
This provision exists to formally create the STB as a legal entity, enabling it to operate independently and effectively in the tourism sector. The corporate nature of the Board is further detailed in Section 3(2), which confers upon it perpetual succession, a common seal, and the capacity to acquire and dispose of property, sue and be sued, and perform other acts typical of corporate bodies:
"The Board is a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal with power, subject to the provisions of this Act — (a) to acquire and dispose of property, both movable and immovable; (b) to sue and be sued in its corporate name; and (c) to perform such other acts as bodies corporate may by law perform." — Section 3(2), Singapore Tourism Board Act 1963
Verify Section 3 in source document →
The rationale behind these powers is to provide the STB with the operational flexibility and legal capacity necessary to manage tourism-related assets, enter into contracts, and engage in litigation if required, thereby fulfilling its mandate efficiently.
Constitution and Appointment of the Board
The governance structure of the STB is carefully prescribed to ensure accountability and effective leadership. Section 4(1) mandates the Minister’s appointment of the Chairperson, distinct from the Chief Executive:
"The Minister must appoint a person (other than the Chief Executive) as the Chairperson of the Board." — Section 4(1), Singapore Tourism Board Act 1963
Verify Section 4 in source document →
This separation of roles ensures a balance of power within the Board and prevents concentration of authority in a single individual.
Section 5(1) further defines the Board’s composition:
"The Board consists of — (a) the Chairperson; (b) the Chief Executive; and (c) at least 5 and not more than 12 other members to be appointed by the Minister." — Section 5(1), Singapore Tourism Board Act 1963
By prescribing a minimum and maximum number of members, the Act ensures a diverse yet manageable Board size, facilitating effective decision-making.
Additionally, Section 5(3) empowers the Minister to appoint a Deputy Chairperson from among the members, excluding the Chairperson and Chief Executive:
"The Minister may appoint a member of the Board who is not the Chairperson or the Chief Executive, to be Deputy Chairperson of the Board." — Section 5(3), Singapore Tourism Board Act 1963
Verify Section 5 in source document →
This provision ensures continuity in leadership and decision-making, especially when the Chairperson is unavailable or disqualified from participating in certain matters.
Restrictions on Board Members’ Participation and Voting
To uphold integrity and prevent conflicts of interest, Section 5(5) imposes strict restrictions on members’ participation in discussions and voting where they have an interest:
"A member of the Board must not, in any meeting of the Board, participate in any discussion relating to, and must not vote in respect of, any contract, business or other matter in which he or she is interested, and if he or she does so his or her vote must not be counted." — Section 5(5), Singapore Tourism Board Act 1963
Verify Section 5 in source document →
This provision exists to maintain impartiality in the Board’s decisions and to prevent any undue influence or personal gain from Board activities.
Moreover, Section 5(4) clarifies the Deputy Chairperson’s authority to act in place of the Chairperson when the latter is unavailable or has an interest in the matter, referencing the definition of “interested” as per the Public Sector (Governance) Act 2018:
"The Deputy Chairperson has and may exercise all the functions and powers of the Chairperson in relation to a matter if — (a) the Chairperson is unavailable; or (b) the Chairperson is interested (within the meaning given by Part 4 of the Public Sector (Governance) Act 2018) in the matter." — Section 5(4), Singapore Tourism Board Act 1963
Verify Section 5 in source document →
This cross-reference ensures consistency in governance standards across public sector bodies.
Remuneration of Board Members
Section 5(6) authorizes the payment of salaries, fees, or allowances to Board members, as determined by the Minister:
"The members of the Board are to be paid out of the funds of the Board such salaries, fees or allowances as the Minister may determine." — Section 5(6), Singapore Tourism Board Act 1963
Verify Section 5 in source document →
This provision exists to compensate members for their time and expertise, thereby attracting qualified individuals to serve on the Board and ensuring their commitment to the Board’s work.
Appointment and Regulation of Associate Members
The Act allows the Board to appoint associate members from businesses operating in Singapore, thereby extending its network and influence within the tourism industry. Section 6(1) provides:
"The Board may appoint a person carrying on any business in Singapore to be an associate member of the Board." — Section 6(1), Singapore Tourism Board Act 1963
Verify Section 6 in source document →
Associate membership serves to foster collaboration between the STB and private sector entities engaged in tourism-related activities.
Section 6(2) outlines the obligations of associate members, including the grant of an emblem and certificate, maintenance of high standards, compliance with Board regulations, and payment of prescribed fees:
"An associate member must — (a) be granted an emblem and a certificate to be prescribed by the Board in recognition of his or her associate membership; (b) maintain high standards at all times in the conduct of his or her business for the promotion of the tourist trade in Singapore; (c) comply with all regulations made by the Board; and (d) pay to the Board any fee that the Board may prescribe." — Section 6(2), Singapore Tourism Board Act 1963
These requirements exist to ensure that associate members uphold the reputation and objectives of the STB, contributing positively to Singapore’s tourism industry.
Prohibition and Penalties for Unauthorized Use of Emblems and Titles
To protect the integrity of the STB’s associate membership scheme, Sections 6(4) and 6(5) prohibit unauthorized use of the associate member emblem, certificate, or any title suggesting such membership:
"A person who is not an associate member must not use the emblem and certificate mentioned in subsection (2)(a)." — Section 6(4), Singapore Tourism Board Act 1963
Verify Section 6 in source document →
"A person must not use any emblem, title or description reasonably calculated to suggest that he or she is an associate member unless he or she is in fact an associate member." — Section 6(5), Singapore Tourism Board Act 1963
Verify Section 6 in source document →
These prohibitions exist to prevent misrepresentation and protect the credibility of the STB and its associate members.
Section 6(6) prescribes penalties for contravention of these prohibitions, reflecting the seriousness of such offences:
"Any person who contravenes subsection (4) or (5) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both." — Section 6(6), Singapore Tourism Board Act 1963
Verify Section 6 in source document →
The imposition of fines and imprisonment serves as a deterrent against unauthorized use, thereby safeguarding the STB’s brand and the trust of the public and industry stakeholders.
Absence of Definitions in Part 2
It is notable that Part 2 of the Singapore Tourism Board Act 1963 does not contain explicit definitions of terms used within its provisions. This absence suggests that terms are either self-explanatory within the context or defined elsewhere in the Act or related legislation. The reliance on external definitions, such as the reference to the Public Sector (Governance) Act 2018 for the term “interested,” indicates an integrated legislative framework governing the Board’s operations.
Conclusion
The provisions in Part 2 of the Singapore Tourism Board Act 1963 establish a robust legal framework for the governance, operation, and regulation of the Singapore Tourism Board. The establishment of the Board as a corporate body with defined powers ensures operational autonomy and legal capacity. The detailed appointment and governance provisions promote accountability and integrity, while the associate membership scheme fosters industry collaboration under strict standards. The prohibitions and penalties safeguard the Board’s reputation and prevent misuse of its symbols. Collectively, these provisions underpin the STB’s role in advancing Singapore’s tourism sector effectively and ethically.
Sections Covered in This Analysis
- Section 3(1), Singapore Tourism Board Act 1963
- Section 3(2), Singapore Tourism Board Act 1963
- Section 4(1), Singapore Tourism Board Act 1963
- Section 5(1), Singapore Tourism Board Act 1963
- Section 5(3), Singapore Tourism Board Act 1963
- Section 5(4), Singapore Tourism Board Act 1963
- Section 5(5), Singapore Tourism Board Act 1963
- Section 5(6), Singapore Tourism Board Act 1963
- Section 6(1), Singapore Tourism Board Act 1963
- Section 6(2), Singapore Tourism Board Act 1963
- Section 6(4), Singapore Tourism Board Act 1963
- Section 6(5), Singapore Tourism Board Act 1963
- Section 6(6), Singapore Tourism Board Act 1963
Source Documents
For the authoritative text, consult SSO.