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Asia and Oceania
Singapore |
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Last reviewed: 05 November 2009 |
Country information
HISTORY
Recent History
The most recent election in May 2006 resulted in a victory for the People's Action Party (PAP). They won 66.6% of the popular vote and, as in 2001, won 82 out of 84 parliamentary seats. 47 of the 84 seats were contested in this election with the remaining seats being a walk-over for the ruling PAP.
Singapore coped well with the Asian economic crisis of 1997-1998 and was out of recession by 1999. It was subsequently hit by the US/global economic slowdown. Singapore was also affected by the outbreak of SARS in 2003. But the Singaporean economy bounced back strongly in 2004, showing 9.3% growth for the year, and Singapore’s economy performed similarly strongly every year until the global economic downturn of 2008.
Longer Historical Perspective
Singapore has been a trading centre since probably the thirteenth century when it may have been part of the Sumatran Srivijaya Empire. Singapore was largely abandoned for over 400 years, except for a few Malay settlements under the rule of the Sultan of Johore. In 1819, Sir Stamford Raffles, seeking a base from which to extend British influence in South East Asia, obtained permission from local rulers to establish a trading post at Singapore, and in 1824 the island was ceded in perpetuity. It was Raffles who laid the foundations of modern Singapore.
In 1826, Singapore joined Penang and Malacca to form the Straits Settlements. Singapore soon became Britain's most important trading centre in the area. In 1867, the Straits Settlements became a Crown Colony. Singapore prospered throughout the nineteenth century, boosted by the opening of the Suez Canal and the gradual extension of British influence throughout the Malay peninsula, to become the commercial and financial hub of South East Asia. Its naval base was one of a chain of British bases from Gibraltar to the Far East. Singapore's population rapidly expanded with the arrival of thousands of Chinese settlers.
Singapore's reputation as a British stronghold did not deter the Japanese from attacking Malaya in 1941 and then Singapore itself, which fell in 1942. British rule was restored in 1945.
In 1946, Singapore became a separate Crown Colony and in 1959, was granted internal self-government. The People’s Action Party (PAP) led by Lee Kuan Yew won an outright majority in the first fully elected Legislative Assembly that year and the PAP has been in power ever since.
In 1963 Singapore, together with the Crown Colonies of Sabah and Sarawak joined the recently independent Federation of Malaya to form Malaysia. Singapore left the Federation in 1965, achieving full independence. There were considerable doubts, on economic and security grounds, about Singapore's ability to survive. The doubts were fuelled by Britain's decision in 1966 to withdraw its bases 'East of Suez' by the mid-1970s, later brought forward to 1971. The British base had made a sizeable contribution to the Singapore economy. Singapore responded with a programme of rapid industrialisation, supported by foreign investment, and the training and regulation of the Singapore workforce. The foundations were laid for Singapore's rapid economic development in the following decades.
PAP control of Singapore continued unchallenged until 1981 when the first post-independence opposition MP was elected. There are now two elected opposition MPs in Parliament. The Constitution also provides for the appointment of other MPs not voted in at a General Election. Up to three Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMPs) from the opposition political parties can be appointed. Currently there is one MP within this category in Parliament which brings the total number of Opposition MPs to three.
In 1990, Lee Kuan Yew (LKY) stepped down as Prime Minister in favour of Goh Chok Tong, but remained in PM Goh’s cabinet as Senior Minister and is now Minister Mentor in PM Lee’s cabinet. In 1991, the constitution was amended to provide for an elected president. Although largely ceremonial, the President has a role in safeguarding the national reserves – the so-called 'dual-key' policy. The parliamentary system has also been adjusted to provide for non-elected nominated MPs and grouped constituencies.
