three luxury hotel towers connected by a sky terrace on the roof, the Sands SkyPark.
aFTER RAFFLES, Singapore prospered for many years under the British. In 1929, however, tin and rubber prices collapsed and thousands lost their jobs in the Great Depression. Although considered impregnable by the Allies during the Second World War, Singapore was quickly overrun by the Japanese in 1942. After peace in 1945, Singaporeans began planning for independence. Under a new constitution David Marshall was elected first chief minister in 1955, and he lobbied Britain unsuccessfully for full independence. Meanwhile a young Straits-born Cambridge graduate led a group of lawyers, teachers and journalists in forming a left-wing political party whose rallying cry was “Merdeka!” (freedom). In the 1959 elections, Lee Kuan Yew and his People’s Action Party swept to power. After failing in an attempt to become a Malaysian state in 1963, Singapore became fully independent in 1965. Lee became the first prime minister, and stayed in that position for 31 years, stepping aside in 1990 into the specially created position of senior minister to allow a younger generation to take the political reins. His vision, intellect and integrity have earned him a place in history.
Most of the world’s major players in banking and finance maintain a significant presence in Singapore and it is likely that their offices will be found here in the downtown financial district, overlooking the waterfront.
The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system serves most HDB estates and New Towns. It is soon to be augmented by a Light Rapid Transit (LRT) system.
Singapore Art Museum is housed in a beautifully restored school building, the former St Joseph’s Institution, which was the first Catholic school in Singapore.
A picturesque sunset view of Marina Centre showcasing recent additions to Singapore’s skyline. Behind the Singapore Flyer from left to right are the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, the Millenium Towers and the Suntec City office towers.
Elgin Bridge and the Singapore River; Cruise Centre and one of the cable car towers, with a cable car heading for Sentosa Island; cruising on the river is popular now that the waterway has been largely turned over to leisure usage.
pOST-COLONIAL SINGAPORE is an astonishing success story. The People’s Action Party, in power to this day, began alleviating poverty early. Infrastructure has always been a high priority. Low-cost, high-rise housing replaced over-crowded downtown areas, and most Singaporeans now own their homes. The container port is one of the world’s busiest and most efficient. The Mass Rapid Transit system is the envy of other nations. Business travellers consistently rate Changi Airport the best in the world. Manufacturing industries fuelled much of the annual growth of eight per cent or so over many years, aided by the famous Chinese work ethic. Tourism, too, has been encouraged and is a thriving industry.
Siloso Beach on Sentosa Island, Singapore’s very own holiday isle.
The soaring downtown skyscrapers overlook the river’s restored shophouses and godowns, many of which have been transformed into popular eating and drinking spots, where colleagues mingle socially after a typically long day’s work.
a dynamic melting pot of cultures
Since the Sixties, Singapore has been a peaceful, multicultural society composed of Chinese, Malays, Indians, Eurasians and others.
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