SINGAPORE BRIEFING March 2005

News this month

Budget time

Lee Hsien Loong, Singapore's prime minister, stepped up to the dispatch box in parliament on February 18th to deliver the annual budget and, many suspected, pave the way for an early general election. Mr Lee, who is also Singapore's finance minister, announced a 2% cut in the top rate (22%) of personal income tax. There were also incentives to help small businesses and Singapore's financial sector.

Earlier in the month, the government announced that Singapore's economy had grown by 8.4% in 2004, faster than most economists had predicted. The forecast for economic growth in 2005 ranges from 3% to 5%. Mr Lee, who became prime minister last August, could defer a general election until 2007, but many expect him to call one this year.

Cyberspace security

Singapore's government plans to invest in protecting the city-state against internet hackers and cyber terrorists. The government has set aside $23.3m over three years to set up the National Cyber-Threat Monitoring Centre, train staff and draw up plans to cope with internet attacks.

“It is no exaggeration to say that the nation's 'infocomm' infrastructure has become the nerve system of our economy”, said Tony Tan, the deputy prime minister. Mr Tan has also overseen improvements to Singapore's physical security since the terrorist attacks of September 11th, with tightened vigilance at important buildings, and armed patrols introduced at popular tourist attractions.

Warming up

Relations between Indonesia and Singapore are warming. In mid-February, Indonesia's president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, paid a two-day visit to the Lion City. Mr Yudhoyono, who thanked Singapore for its response to the tsunami that devastated Aceh last December, has much to gain from improved ties.

The tensions that reigned during Indonesia's Suharto era were absent as the two leaders signed a bilateral agreement aimed at protecting the legitimate flow of funds between the two countries. They also agreed to start talks on an extradition treaty—a measure long desired by the Indonesian government, which suspects that many of its crooked businessmen stash their gains in Singapore. Mr Yudhoyono won Indonesia's general election last year on an anti-corruption, pro-business ticket.

War against mosquitoes

Singapore, which hugs the equator, enjoys a balmy climate throughout the year. But the Aedes mosquito, carrier of dengue fever, also favours this part of the globe. In early February, the National Environment Agency (NEA) called for action after reporting that dengue cases reached a ten-year high of 9,500 in 2004. Early indications for 2005 are worrying, with 1,145 cases reported in January alone.

Dalson Chung, head of operations at the NEA's environmental health department, said the growing number of cases was “cause for concern”. He warned residents of the dangers of stagnant pools of water. The NEA claims that about 90% of breeding sites for the mosquitoes are in peoples' homes.

A new weapon

Singapore's police patrol the city-state with truncheons and revolvers tucked in their belts. Soon they may also carry a third weapon. The government has ordered 126 50,000-volt stun guns from Taser International, an American firm. Officers from two police stations will pilot their use. If the results are satisfactory, they will be given to all frontline staff. Stun guns, increasingly common in the United States, deliver an electric shock designed to temporarily incapacitate a person.

There was early support for the move from parliamentarians, despite concerns elsewhere about the weapon's safety record. “If we have accepted revolvers as a law-enforcement weapon for so many years, there’s no reason we should not accept the stun gun,” Indranee Rajah, chairman of the government's committee for home affairs, told the Straits Times.

Catch if you can

March 2005

Labrador tunnels

March 12th & 13th 2005

Sixty years ago, the Allied Forces defeated Japan's Imperial army and brought the second world war to a close. Singapore, which was occupied by Japanese troops from 1942 until 1945, will mark the anniversary of its liberation with a series of special events. The first of these will be to unveil a network of British military tunnels at Labrador Park.

The park was a strategic site for British troops defending the island. In 2001, two hidden tunnels were unearthed, but public access was limited until now. To get there, take a cab to Labrador Villa Road, or a free shuttle bus from the nearby Harbour Front MRT Station. The event runs from 10am to 6pm.

Labrador Park, Labrador Villa Rd, off Pasir Panjang. For information about this and related events, go to this website.