Chapter 3 The evolution of the Singapore Civil Service (1819–1959)

Abstract

The origins of the SCS can be traced to the civil service established by the English East India Company (EIC) in 1786, when the EIC began its operations in Malaya with the acquisition of Penang as a settlement from the Sultan of Kedah (Tilman, 1964, p. 40; Jones, 1953, p. 7). The EIC used the term “civil service” to distinguish its civilian employees from those working in the military, maritime, and ecclesiastical organizations. There were three types of civil servants then: those who were covenanted, i.e., occupying senior positions requiring a bond of 500 British pounds as security to ensure the performance of their duties; those who were uncovenanted; and extra-covenanted officers who were granted covenants locally because of their exceptional administrative capabilities (Blunt, 1937, pp. 1–2).

Citation

Quah, J.S.T. (2010), "Chapter 3 The evolution of the Singapore Civil Service (1819–1959)", Quah, J.S.T. (Ed.) Public Administration Singapore-style (Research in Public Policy Analysis and Management, Vol. 19), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 25-39. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0732-1317(2010)0000019008