Although the Yang di-Pertuan Negara was the title for the head of state, constitutionally he is only a de jure chief executive, acting as a vice-regal representative in lieu of a typical Governor-General.
[2] Under a transitional arrangement, the last governor of Singapore, Sir William Goode, served as the first Yang di-Pertuan Negara from 3 June 1959 to 3 December 1959.
[3] He was succeeded by Yusof Ishak, who was sworn into office on the same day as the country's state flag, coat of arms, and national anthem were adopted.
The title was retained on 31 August 1963 when Singapore declared independence from the United Kingdom and accession to Malaysia as a state on 16 September 1963 (not to be confused with the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sabah).
On 22 December of that year, the Constitution was amended to make the country a republic, and the title of Yang di-Pertuan Negara was changed to President with retroactive effect from the date of independence.