Major events of this
period
When Singapore found herself on her own on Aug 9, 1965, her leaders decided that they had to act quickly on all fronts to ensure her survival and prosperity.
They formulated and implemented many new policies in all major areas of life. This meant that Singaporeans in post-independence Singapore saw drastic changes in their lives and lifestyles.
Defence
Singapore had no defence force of its own.An urgent priority was to create Singapore’s armed forces, virtually from scratch. The government realised that, given a small population and the need for manpower for the civilian sector, it would be too costly to maintain a large standing army. So they decided that Singapore’s defence would be a citizen’s army backed by trained reserves.
Compulsory national service for young men from all the different ethnic, cultural and social backgrounds was introduced.
(ST, July 1, 1992)
In 1982, the idea of self-defence and self-dependence was extended to the rest of the population when the civil defence force was set up to teach citizens about fire-fighting, first aid and rescue skills.
CPF
In 1968, the government allowed Central Provident Fund savings to be used to pay for HDB flats.Ten years later, in 1978, the government also allowed Singaporeans to use their CPF savings to buy shares.
(ST, Oct 2, 1972)
74,000
go on MRT fun rides
(ST, Nov 9, 1987)
Singapore Airlines was formed in 1972 after the split of Malaysia-Singapore Airlines. SIA has since gained recognition worldwide as "a great way to fly" and recently won Executive Travel's coveted Airline of the Year award for 1997.
After many years of planning and deliberation, Singapore’s first Mass Rapid Transit train started running in 1987 from Yio Chu Kang to Outram Park.
Today, the MRT line stretches to Woodlands, and is used by at least 840,000 people a day.
To cut down on the number of cars on the road, the vehicle quota system was introduced in 1990. Car buyers now have to bid for a Certificate of Entitlement to own a new car.
(ST, June 11, 1967)
The ‘Sing’ dollar
Two years after the separation from Malaysia, Singapore issued its own currency with the orchid motif. The Singapore dollar and Malaysia ringgit ceased to be interchangeable in 1973.Jury system
In 1969, the jury system was abolished. This meant judges were given the power to decide on capital cases as well and, of course, no jury duty for Singaporeans.Family planning
In 1966, the Family Planning and Population Board was set up to curb the increasing birth rate. Almost two decades later, the campaign tone changed. This time it was not to "stop at two" but to have "three or more if you can afford it".In 1983, the Prime Minister sparked off the great marriage debate when he commented that not enough graduate women were marrying and having babies.
(ST, Feb 9, 1996)
To help graduate women get hitched, the Social Development Unit was set up in 1984.
Non-graduates could turn to the Social Development Section which was set up in 1985.
(ST, Nov 8, 1996)
Sweep
ticket sales will fund new arts centre
(ST, Nov 26, 1997)
Culture
Since the formation of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) in 1979 with only 41 musicians, the SSO has firmly established itself as a world-class orchestra with 90 professional musicians, 80 per cent of whom are Singaporeans.The Singapore Arts Festival is organised biennially while the Singapore International Film Festival is held every year. Aside from watching programmes on national television stations, Singaporeans can also subscribe to a more varied television diet via cable.
In 1996, the ground-breaking ceremony was held for The Esplanade, a $513-million world-class arts centre located at Marina Bay. Phase 1, consisting of theatres and an amphitheatre among other facilities, is expected to be ready in 2001. The arts centre will help push Singapore into the forefront of the international arts scene.
Copyright © 1998 Singapore Press Holdings. All Rights Reserved.
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