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Published: August 9th 2005
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The Fine City
Locals discovered a way to cash in on its government's strict laws, and T-shirts never fail - Singapore "Singapore is certainly the handiest city I ever saw, as well planned and carefully executed as though built entirely by one man. It is like a big desk, full of drawers and pigeon-holes, where everything has its place, and can always be found in it." William Hornaday, 1885. Hornaday's appraisal is certainly more valid today than it was in 1885.
Singapore-a city, island, and country-is the land of skyscrapers and high-rise buildings. The envy of S.E. Asia, it is shockingly hi-tech and ultra-modern, with meticulous, regimented, yet stunning civil engineering. From road planning to its highly efficient and eye-popping MRT (mass rapid transit - a train system) system, the entire island is a marvelous piece of engineering wizardry. Four million people of 77% Chinese, 14% Malay, and 8% Indian descent call the "Lion City," or Singapura, home.
While it is an economic powerhouse-boasting the world's second busiest port after Rotterdam-and prime financial banking centre today, this was not so even forty years ago. Singapore was not in an enviable position then, as it never had natural resources to depend upon and all 580 sq km of it was a colonial backwater. In 1818, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles was authorized
A Street Market
Clothing, handicrafts, and souvenirs are the main items - Chinatown, Singapore by the governor-general of India to establish a British colony at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. While he saw a swampland with a tiger-infested jungle that was to be called Singapore, he envisioned this island's potential for a free-trading strategic post as a deep-water harbour.
Fast-forward to 1942, the year that Singapore fell into brutal Japanese occupation, a year and two months after Japan had bombed Pearl Harbour. Churchill called the British surrender "the worst disaster and the largest capitulation in British history." Singapore was under a murderous siege for three and a half years. Thousands of civilians were executed in horrendous anti-Chinese campaigns and Europeans were destined to Changi Prison or to work on Thailand's infamous "Death Railway." 25,000 Chinese males were shot dead on the island's beaches. After the bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Singapore was passed back into British rule. Things were never the same after that, as Singaporeans were determined to have their own government. Enter Cambridge law graduate Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's first prime minister. He quickly looked for a merger with neighboring Malaysia, and it was done so in 1963. Within two years, Singapore was asking to leave the federation, causing
Hawker Centre
Chinatown, Singapore an outrage in Kuala Lumpur. Though Singapore became fully independent, Lee appeared on national TV, lamenting about Singapore's predicament, an island with no natural resources, and describing this event as "a moment of anguish." Yet, his personal vision and drive transformed Singapore into what it is today. This came at a heavy price as there was heavy media censorship and political suppression of other political parties. Despite this and because of Lee's unbridled success, the people of Singapore unquestioningly followed their government's lead. Even today, Singaporeans have a rather paternalistic trust towards their government, earning a reputation for their submissive and unquestioning subservience and loyalty towards its prime minister. It is a proud country, proud of what it has achieved, and National Day - which is today, August 9th - is a yearly opportunity for Singapore to pat itself on the back and put on grand celebratory displays of nationalism.
Because it tries so hard sometimes, Singapore falls into self-parody. George Yew's answer to some foreigners who found the country dull was this: "We have to pursue this subject of fun very seriously if we want to stay competitive in the 21st century." Singapore is also a "fine city."
A Common Sight
Chinatown, Singapore Famous for its anti-chewing gum law, it has also imposed heavy fines on those who dare to litter, jaywalk, speed, pick a leaf off a tree, just to mention a few infractions. Tourists flock to Sentosa Island, a small island a few hundred metres away from the southern tip of Singapore. Chinatown, Raffles City, Orchard Road, and Little India are also tourist attractions. The Merlion, a gigantic statue and Singapore's national symbol, is located near the city's towering banking institutions. The Singapore Zoo and the Night Safari are two attractions that no tourist should ever miss out on. They are both world-class facilities, hosting perhaps the most species of animals on the planet in any one zoo. And for the avid shopper, Singapore is it, as it is one of the premier shopping cities in the world.
Personally, if I were to choose anywhere to live in S.E. Asia, Singapore would be it for obvious reasons. The only thing that would probably prevent me from doing so is its hot and humid climate. It is either hot or hotter, or wet or wetter. And perhaps seeing high-rises in every direction everyday would make me yearn for the rolling prairie
Chinatown Building
Chinatown, Singapore plains of Alberta. Enjoy the pictures!
**Note: Singapore Zoo, Botanical Gardens, and Jurong Bird Park pictures will be in the next blog.
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tango
non-member comment
Singapore seperation from Malaysia
When Singapore and Malaysia were together as one country, Singapore wanted changes that were deemed threating. One of which was to reduce the roles and responsibilities of the Sultanage. Hence, it was Malaysia who asked Singapore to leave the Federation. Mr Lee Kuan Yew wept as he spoke at a press conference which is captured on black-n-white t.v. It was his dream to have Malaysia as part and parcel of his vision of development and commerce in this part of the world. But alas it was not meant to be - Karma rules the day! :)