City State

Venice of Asia

Singapore is a modern equivalent of mediaeval Venice. Both cities are built on islands and have become wealthy by trade. Like mediaeval Venice, Singapore is an independent city-state and is governed by a small group of powerful politicians and businessmen.

The story goes that in 1299, a prince of Sumatra (now part of Indonesia) was hunting a lion. It disappeared on an island, which he named Singa (lion) pura (city). Modern Singapore was founded in 1819 by Sir Stamford Raffles, the British Governor of Sumatra. He saw that the island was in a key position for trade with Asia, a gateway to the East. Its deep-water harbour was ideal for refuelling large steamships with coal.

In the 1920s, Singapore became Britain's main naval base in Asia. During World War II, the Japanese took the British by surprise; they invaded from the land side, and took the city in 1942. All Britain's defensive guns faced the sea.

The British returned in 1945, but not for long. Singapore joined independent Malaysia, but there was tension between the Malay and Chinese communities, which led to race riots. The majority Chinese population of Singapore, led by Lee Kuan Yew, wanted independence from Malaysia, which was agreed in 1965. But the future did not look bright. The small Chinese city-state was dominated by two large Muslim neighbours, Malaysia and Indonesia.

The Lion Roars

Lee Kuan Yew and his People's Action Party quickly modernised Singapore. They improved transport, housing and education. Foreign investors built hi-tech factories, oil refineries and banks. The old city was redeveloped so that Western tourists could visit a clean, safe part of Asia, with drinkable tap water. Business boomed and is still growing fast. Local companies, such as Singapore Airlines and Times Publishing, have helped to make Singapore the second richest country in Asia (after Japan).

All this progress has a price. There is strict control over free speech and the press always supports the government. Even the trade unions are a branch of the government. The legal system is extremely strict. It is illegal to import chewing gum into Singapore. There is physical punishment for vandalism and the death penalty for smuggling drugs into the country.

There is a tiny opposition party. At election time, the government tells voters that if they do not support it, public projects will be cancelled. Foreign criticism has no effect. The People's Action Party simply points to Singapore's commercial success.

English-speaking China

Singapore has three main communities. The largest group are the Chinese, who make up 76 per cent of the three million population. The next largest group are Malays (15 per cent). The smallest group at seven per cent, is Indian. Chinese Singaporeans feel a close connection to China, partly because most of them speak Mandarin, the language of Beijing.

Singapore has four official languages: Mandarin, Malay, Tamil (an Indian language) and, most important of all, English. It is the language of government, television and universities. In schools it is a compulsory subject. With so many multicultural influences, it is not surprising that Singapore has developed its own Singlish expressions. If someone asks you how you are, the local reply is, 'OK, lah!'

Multiculturalism also makes Singapore the eating capital of Asia. Its people love to eat out. They have a vast choice that includes Chinese shark fin soup, traditional Indian food, Indonesian mee goreng (fried noodles), or even an English tea.

“In the English-speaking World”