 The name of the house , Sri Temasek , means " splendour of Temasek " in the Malay language . The Malay word <unk> or sri means " charm ; quintessence ; splendour ; glory " or a " cynosure " ( something that attracts attention by its brilliancy or beauty ; a centre of attraction , interest , or admiration ) Temasek , which means " sea town " in Javanese , was the name of an early city on the site of modern Singapore . Today , it is used as an epithet for Singapore . The house was originally merely known as the official residence of the Chief Secretary of Singapore ( or the Colonial Secretary of Singapore / the Straits Settlements ) and did not have its own name . The State of Singapore was proclaimed and the first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew assumed office in June 1959 , after which the house , which has become the official residence of the Prime Minister , has been officially named Sri Temasek , while the Government House has been officially renamed as the Istana , which means palace . 
