Year 2007
SARS Outbreak
Thursday, 13th March 2003
The SARS, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, outbreaks was traced to a 23 year-old female Singaporean traveler returning from Hong Kong on 25 February 2003. In all, SARS has killed 25 Singaporeans and infected 173 more over the next two months. From March to May 2003, SARS raged in Singapore. Schools were closed. The Pasir Panjang wholesale vegetable market was closed off. Visitors stopped coming to Singapore. Changi Airport was deserted. Shopping malls and restaurants emptied out. The economy took a terrible hit as many businesses folded. Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong told Singaporeans the SAR outbreak costed the country about $1 billion. Update: On 6 May 2003, CDC Lowers SARS Travel Warnings for Singapore. On 31 May, the World Health Organization declared Singapore SARS-free.
City Harvest Church Allegations Retracted
Saturday, 25th January 2003
53-year-old Businessman, Mr Roland Poon Swee Kay, withdraws allegations about City Harvest Church (CHC) and singer Ho Yeow Sun (Sun Ho AKA Geisha), after issued four half-page apologies in The Straits Times, Lianhe Zaobao, Lianhe Wanbao and Shin Min Daily News and a fifth apology appeared in The New Paper. In all, they cost $33,372.06. Two weeks ago, Mr Roland Poon Swee Kay contacted the press to complain about what he said were improper financial practices by Rev Kong Hee and his wife.
RSAF jet in US crashes in training
Thursday, 30th May 2002
A Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-16C fighter aircraft crashed during a training flight near the Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, in the United States. A statement from the Defence Ministry (Mindef).
Second Singapore Biathlon
Sunday, 10th March 2002
Almost 1,300 men and women took part in Singapore's biggest biathlon at Sentosa, doing a 1.5km swim followed by a 10km run. Pamela CHIA, 16, and Andrew Hirst, 36, emerged winners.
Dr. Chee was fined for speaking at Speakers' Corner
Tuesday, 12th February 2002
Dr. Chee Soon Juan was fined S$3,000 for speaking at the Singapore's "Speakers' Corner" on 15 February 2002, which requires prior registration and where discussion about race and religion is prohibited. Dr. Chee was commenting about the suspension of three Muslim schoolgirls whose parents wanted them to wear headscarves in school. Dr. Chee commented that it is against the parents' personal choice to force their children not to wear headscarves. As a result of this conviction, Dr. Chee was ineligible for the 2006 general election.
Ong Teng Cheong Died
Friday, 8th February 2002
Mr Ong Teng Cheong, Singapore’s fifth President and the first President to be popularly elected by the people, died. He is also the first President in Singapore not to have an artillery carriage at his funeral that was normally according to prominent statesmen in Singapore. During his term as President, he questioned his role and responsibilities. And also openly queried the national reserve in order to protect it.
Members of Jemaah Islamiyah arrested
Sunday, 9th December 2001
Members of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) arrested for bomb plot. JI was formally founded on 1 January 1993 by JI leaders, Abu Bakar Bashir and Abdullah Sungkar while hiding in Malaysia from the persecution of the Suharto Government. After the fall of the Suharto regime in 1998, both men returned to Indonesia. Where it gained a terrorist edge when one of its founders, the late Abdullah Sungkar, established contact with Osama Bin Laden's al-Qaeda network.
Born to Read, Read to Bond project launched
Tuesday, 27th November 2001
The Born to Read, Read to Bond programme aims to promote lifelong learning and deepen family ties by increasing parent-child bonding. The programme, introduced by the National Library Board is designed for children from new borns up to three years of age.
RSAF Trainer Jet Crashed In Western Australia
Tuesday, 2nd October 2001
A trainee pilot ejects from plane a Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) his jet trainer jet during a training flight in Western Australia. The plane, a SIAI-Marchetti S.211, encountered a technical problems. The pilot, based in Pearce (Western Australia), was not injured. According to Australian media (ABC news), it was reported that two Singapore SIAI-Marchetti S.211 collided at RAAF Pearce in the afternoon.
Speak Good English Campaign
Saturday, 1st April 2000
The first Annual Speak Good English Campaign was first launched in April 2000. It was part of the Government's efforts to expand the use of standard English and discourage the use of Singlish. The campaign is targeted at Singaporeans under 40, including young working adults, parents and students in schools, tertiary institutes, polytechnics and technical institutes.
Nation Building 2 People 4 Places 9
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