MILNET: Singapore

Singapore (map)

The modern Singapore history actually begins in 1819 when it became a British trading colony, one of the most successful Asian ports for clipper ships, and a port of call that flashed images of the mysterious Orient for nearly a century. While providing an excellent trade station for all of Asia to ships plying the Arabian Seas, Singapore was also a home for pretty wild and seedy denizens, at times offering trade in "shang-haied" sailors and sales of female sex slaves.

In the early 1900s, changes in government also swept much of the crime and corruption aside, only to face a threat to themselves to be swept aside at the onset of World War II. During World War II, Singapore, like most of Asia tried to keep a neutral port position, not entirely successfully. After the War, Singapore resumed its strict interpretation of its laws.

In June of 1959, a new constitution was put in place and a Prime Minister was elected along with an 83 seat Parliament.

Singapore briefly joined Malaysia in 1963, but quickly returned to its independent statehood.

Singapore's economy is one of the most high tech in Asia, with some 75% based on the tech services, and nearly 25% in the manufacturing sector. All others make up under 1% of the GNP. It's chief commercial revenue sources are financial, business, and other services 38%, manufacturing 21.6%, commerce 21.4%, construction 7%, other 12% .Chief exports are machinery and equipment (including electronics) 63%, chemicals, mineral fuels. Its imports are similar, trading one type for another being quite common. Growth in its economy was just over 5% in 1999.

Singapore military services Army, Navy, Air Force, People's Defense Force, and Police Force have nearly 1,000,000 military capable. Singapore, like most Asian SEA nations faces a continued drug grower and producer problem despite extreme laws with extreme punishment. Singapore's financial sectors have been lucrative for money laundering and other clandestine movements of currency.

Recent Events in Singapore

April 30, 2002 - Australia's Treasurer Peter Costello says he is forging trade agreements with Philippines, Thailand, U.S. and Japan.
April 29, 2002 - Singapore looking at lowering taxes to halt commercial "defections" to Hong Kong and Malaysia - A second large shipper has decided to move operations out of Singapore for competitive reasons and Singapore is not only listening, but taking steps to stop the "slippage".
April 29, 2002 - Singapore's Secretary of Labor warned workers that the recession may mean lower wages as the country try to woo more investors.
April 27, 2002 - North Korean defector, Oh Se Hyuk, 24, entered the German Embassy in Beijing on Thursday and asked for asylum, and today was permitted transit through Philippines on his way to South Korea. This follows a group 25 North Koreans the previous week who asked for asylum in the Spanish Embassy, used the same route.
April 26, 2002 - Chinese Vice President Hu Jintao, who is expected to succeed President Jiang Zemin, asked Singapore Friday to help develop China's western provinces and called for early negotiations for a regional free-trade agreement.
April 26, 2002 - Chinese Vice President Hu Jintao and Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong agreed on the need for a quick start to talks on a free trade area. This follows a free trade agreement with ASEAN member Singapore in January.
April 25, 2002 - U.S. President Bush to take up Singapore free trade bill with the U.S. Congress.
April 24, 2002 - Singapore was noted as the best Asian country for business, beating out long time favorite Hong Kong. which according to the respected economic "think tank", Economist Intelligence Unit, took the top spot from 1997-2001. But this year Singapore wins because of Hong Kong's lip due to adverse political trends, a labor force ill suited for highs killed jobs, a rising budget deficit and competition from mainland China.
March 25, 2002 - Frank Lavin, the U.S. ambassador to Singapore, is complaining about restrictions on foreign professional firms, such as lawyers, architects, engineers and bankers. Wants Singapore to open up trade in these areas.
February 4, 2002 - The U.S. ambassador to Singapore Frank Lavin said the United States expects the Indonesian government "to take action" against the suspected planners of the failed bombing plot last month against the U.S. Embassy in Singapore.
January 13, 2002 - Singapore announced the arrests of two suspected militants tied to the al-Qaida terror network and linked Malaysian extremists to a cell in Singapore that plotted to bomb Western embassies. The government said more al-Qaida members were likely still at large, even after the arrest of 30 suspected militants so far Singapore and and neighboring Malaysia.
January 7, 2002 - Singapore has arrested 15 Muslims and accused them of planning to blow up military targets and embassies - terrorists may have had links with Al-Qaida.

Terrorist Groups Active in Singapore

al-Qaida- Osama Bin Laden's international offshoot of the Islamic Jihad organization, this group is active in the Philippines due to its current goal is to "reestablish the Muslim state" throughout the world. Works with allied Islamic extremist groups to overthrow regimes it deems "non Islamic" and remove Westerners from Muslim countries. This includes supports for Moros and their efforts to form independent states, as well as funding Filipino communist rebels from safe locations on islands in Indonesia that are south of the Philippines.

Japanese Red Army (JRA)

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