Year 1985

Stocks Plunge In Singapore

Friday, 6th December 1985

Prices plunged in frantic selling on the Singapore and Kuala Lumpur stock exchanges today as trading reopened after a three-day halt. Trading on both exchanges was suspended on Monday to prevent panic selling after Pan-Electric Industries went into receivership. Prices dropped by 20 to 30 percent today, and brokers warned that the worst was yet to come. The  share values fell more than USD $460 million across the board.


SES Trading Suspended

Monday, 2nd December 1985

All trading on Stock Exchange of Singapore (SES) was suspended. 5 December 1985, Trading resumes on SES on immediate delivery basis only and was lifted the following day.


Pan-El Rescue Plan Failed

Saturday, 30th November 1985

The Pan-Electric Industries Company Rescue plan falls through as Tan Koon Swan, a Malaysian politician and millionaire refuses to pump in SGD $40m unless repayment priority is raised; creditors refuse. Earlier on 24 November 1985, Tan Koon Swan had agrees on an interest-free loan Legal impediment arises – money from Tan Koon Swan comes from Sigma, which owns more than 20% of Pan-El and is therefore not allowed to lend it money under the Companies Act.   the troubled company that had triggered a crisis on the Singapore and Kuala Lumpur stock markets. On 9 October 1986, the Singapore Court orders Pan-El to  wound up.


Social Development Section formed

Tuesday, 12th November 1985

Non-graduate single youths could now turn to the Social Development Section for more opportunities to meet and pair off with members of the opposite sex. The SDS, formed under the People’s Association’s youth division, followed the example of the Social Development Unit, the match-making body for graduates. Initially aimed at youths with GCE O Levels, the SDS was extended to those with A Levels in 1990. The SDS merged with the Social Promotion Unit in 1995 to become the Social Development Service. And, in a further synergisation, this new SDS itself would come together with the SDU to become one. This new outfit would, among other things, do accreditation of private sector dating agencies.


RSAF Skyhawk Crashed Into Sea

Tuesday, 22nd October 1985

A Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) A-4 Skyhawk crashed into the sea south of Tengah Airbase. The plane was on a routine flight. The pilot, Lt Leow Yong Yean, 22, ejected safely and was picked up by a boat nearby. An RSAF rescue helicopter was sent to take him to Tengah Medical Centre.


Two Areas In Singapore Flooded

Friday, 13th September 1985

Heavy morning rain caused flooding along Braddell Road, near Westlake Secondary School, and the junction of Bukit Timah and Cluny roads were under 0.3 Meters of floor water.


Wee Kim Wee as President

Friday, 30th August 1985

Mr Wee Kim Wee was elected by Parliament as the Republic of Singapore’s fourth President. He succeeded Mr Devan Nair who had resigned earlier.


RSAF pilot safe after crash in Luzon

Monday, 26th August 1985

A Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) pilot, Captain Tan Jui Song, ejected safely when his A-4 Skyhawk crashed in Central Luzon in the Philippines. Capt Tan was rescued by a United States Air Force helicopter operating from Clark Air Base.


First Reserve Recall

Monday, 8th July 1985

For the first time, SAF recall code names were flashed across cinema and TV screens and announced over radio and Rediffusion.  Sea King, Fire Fly, Rare Gem and Baby Tooth were the first names used for units affected by the open mobilisation exercise for reservists. Some 8,400 out of 10,000 men responded within three-and-half hours, though they were given up to six hours to do so.


First HIV Infection in Singapore

Thursday, 16th May 1985

The first case of HIV infection in Singapore was detected in May 1985 and this patient was warded at the Middleton Hospital which later became the Communicable Diseases Centre. Soon after this two more cases were reported. All the three cases of AIDS here were discovered by Dr. K.V. Ratnam, a dermato-immunologist at the Middle Road Hospital. The government reacted immediately to the discovery of HIV-positive cases in Singapore by forming the Advisory Committee on AIDS in the same year, 1985. This committee formulated an action plan called the National AIDS Control Programme to implement control measures for the prevention of HIV incidences in Singapore.


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