asean travel guide_ a potrait of singapore

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6/12/2014 Asean Travel Guide: A Potrait of Singapore

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A Potrait of Singapore

The small city-state of Singapore is bustling, cosmopolitan, trendy, modern, and

plays a part on theworlds financial and political stage that seems

disproportionate to its size. Its varied traditions and intriguing mix of the old and

new (in its people and way of life) make Singapore a great multicultural city in the

truest sense.

Located at the tip ofthe Malay Peninsula on the Strait of Malacca, Singapore consists of

one large island encircled by several smaller islets. Gleaming high-rise buildings and a

fascinating diversity of foliage are crammed into a tiny area of just 269 sq m (697 sq km),

some of it reclaimed land. Humidity and heavy downpours define its climate; showers are

so sudden that the umbrella is a regular accessory.

When Sir Stamford Raffles of the British East India Company landed on its shores in

1819, Singapore was little more than a nondescript fishing village. However, the town

soon went on to become a British stronghold. After gaining independence from the

British, Singapore was incorporated into the Federation of Malaysia in 1963, and went on

to become a wholly independent nation in 1965.

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Singapore is a democratic republic that follows the British parliamentary system, with a

government led by a prime minister. Political affairs have long been dominated by the

Peoples Action Party, which was led by statesman Lee Kuan Yew from its inception in

the 1960s right up to the 1990s. Even with the presence of an active opposition, a one-

party system has prevailed on the whole. While critics deem it autocratic, the party is

seen as having been instrumental in helping Singapore become the super-developed,

modern nation that it is today. Singaporeans give credit to Lee Kuan Yew who has

enjoyed unrivaled popularity as a nation builder.

Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of Singapore
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THE ECONOMY

Singapore has a highly successful and transparent economy. Despite accusations of the

government having too many stakes in the market, the economy is believed to be among

the most powerful in the world, chiefly because of government efficiency, the exceptional

infrastructure, minimal corruption, and a skilled workforce.

Singapores economy thrives on the electronics and chemical sectors, as well as

business and financial services. Due to its strategic location linking the mainland and the

islands of Southeast Asia with the rest of the world, Singapore has the busiest port in the

region. Canned food, biotechnology, rubber processing, and, lately, tourism have

emerged as other key revenue generating industries.

PEOPLES, LANGUAGES, AND RELIGIONS

Singapore is a country of immigrants, with a multiracial ethnicity comprising mainly 77

percent Chinese, 14 percent Malay, and 7.6 percent Indians, with a small number of

Western expatriates. Ethnic neighborhoods, the norm in the 19th century, have given way

to government-provided public housing.

Old enclaves that have been left behind are now used only for shopping or entertainment

that is unique to that particular community. The cultural heritage of the British colonialists

is also deeply woven into the Singaporean lifestyle. Malay, Chinese, English, and Tamil

are all official languages in Singapore. The unique Singlish a patois that combines

English with Malay and Chinese words and intonation is understood by most resident

Singaporeans but rarely by visitors.

Except for certain radical groups that are banned, religion is freely practiced. Mahayana

Buddhism is the most common, followed by Islam, Christianity, and Hinduism. Since the

racial riots of the 1960s, society has been considerably harmonized, with the government

making every possible effort to keep it so.

Marina Bay Sands Singapore
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CULTURE AND THE ARTS

The arts flourish in this diverse city. Chinese opera and drama, Western classical music,

Indian classical dance forms, and English theater are all part of local culture, and several

theater and dance ensembles keep Malay culture alive. However, government censorship

is rigid; each performance needs a seal of approval before being shown to the public. A

plethora of museums, festivals, and religious places complement the visual arts.

Food is an integral part of Singaporean culture, and eating out is considered the best way

of socializing. Although Chinese, Indian, and Malay flavors dominate, international cuisine

ranging from African to Eastern European is also widely available. Being a food haven

has added to the popularity of this gateway between the East and the West, and it

remains as alluring today as it was centuries ago.

Cultural diver sity i n Singapore
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asean travel guide_ a potrait of singapore

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