SINGAPORE

March 15

Singapore:  Put this place on your bucket list!  So much to say about it.   

It is a very prosperous city island state at the southern tip of the Malay peninsula.   It has a population of about 3 million citizens in addition to approximately 4 million guest workers.  

In the early 1800s Britain colonized Singapore.   Japan invaded in 1942 and controlled the city until the end of WWII.   After the war Britain reasserted control but later allowed the island to become part of Malaysia, a conglomeration of territories that included the Malay peninsula and territories to the east.   In 1965 Malaysia leadership booted Singapore out because Singapore was largely populated by people of Chinese heritage.   Lee Kuan Yew, the legendary founder of modern-day Singapore, convinced Britain to allow Singapore to become an independent country.  Many people thought tiny Singapore was doomed to failure.  However Lee embraced capitalism, established constructive relations with the U.S. and Europe, and, most importantly, set specific principles for Singaporeans to follow and prosper.    And prosper it did--today their GDP/capital is the highest in South East Asia and twice that of the U.S.   

For all practical purposes Singapore is an autocracy, although it claims to be a democracy.   Its dominant party  (95+%), established by Lee Kuan Yew,  controls all political offices.  He was head of state until 2015 when he stepped down and promoted his son to the position which the son still holds.   

Singapore enforces tight regulations on everyday life in an effort to minimize conflict.  One of Lee Kwan Yew’s sayings was “Give me Liberty or Give me Wealth.”   They balance Order versus Freedom and tilt toward the former.   Some examples: chewing gum or even having gum on your person carries a heavy fine as well as jaywalking and dropping litter.   Possessing more than an ounce of cocaine or heroin is considered a capital crime, punishable by death!   So is possessing a gun!  To buy a car one pays a fee of $50,000 to $75,000 and then a 41% tariff on imported cars, so it takes about $150,000 to own a car and after 10 years you have to pay the fee again.   This effectively reduces car ownership and traffic.  To compensate they have built a terrific public transportation system.  Home ownership is about 90%.  The government builds high-rise apartment buildings and assists citizens, particularly married couples, with purchase.   Since its total area is only 281 square miles (about 20x15 miles), there are few single family homes with yards because there is simply not enough land space to accommodate them.   

Government administrators and teachers are paid very well.   Their head of state makes 7 times the amount our President makes.   Their theory is to get the best people for a job, pay them very well and then don’t tolerate corruption.   It seems to work.   Their equivalent K through 12 education system is ranked number one in the world.   Unemployment is around 2% and crime rates are very low.    

The architecture in Singapore is striking—colonial buildings mingled with modern skyscrapers and original ethnic neighborhoods (Chinese, Indian, Malaysian).   Included are some photos to illustrate.     

                          Seeing Singapore in the distance as our ship approaches the harbor

                                 Modern condo/apartments near the marina where we docked.

                                   Colonial building built in the 1880s.   Now an art museum

          Financial district in center of Singapore, the 3rd largest in the world after London & New York.

Marina Bay Sands Hotel and Casino.   The spaceship looking thing on top is an observation deck, restaurant and the largest infinity pool in the world.   

                                                                          Marriott Hotel

                                                            Museum on the Singapore River

Citizens can buy an apartment in this high-rise building with financing help from the government.