For centuries, Singapore, in South East Asia, was a major trading port. A British colony from 1819, it summoned images of a relaxed tropical lifestyle, slowly turning fans in Raffles hotel and streets ending in palm tree lined beaches. What are some interesting aspects of its recent history?

Answer: Singapore’s situation changed when the dynamic and brilliant prime minister Lee Kuan Yew took over in 1959. He transformed Singapore into the Switzerland of Asia, with a greatly elevated standard of living.

Lee was once criticised by British prime minister Harold McMillan. Lee casually replied, “Harold McMillan doesn’t have a double first from Cambridge”.

Proud taxi drivers would tell visitors how they used to live in kampongs, or villages, but now owned their own air-conditioned apartment.

Chewing gum is banned in Singapore. Tourists may bring in two packs per person. Anymore and they may be charged with ‘gum smuggling’, which carries a penalty of jail and a big fine.

Highly regulated societies can produce unusual reactions from citizens. Some building lifts have signs asking people to kindly refrain from urinating in them.

Source: General Historical Texts

More at: History

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