Year 1963
The Half-Tank Rule to Malaysia
Wednesday, 15th March 1989
To prevent Singapore motorist from crossing the border to Malaysia to fill their petrol tanks with cheaper Malaysian Petrol, the Singapore imposed the Half-Tank Rule (1/2 Tank Rule). At the Woodlands Checkpoint, Singapore Customs officials checks the fuel level before allowing the cars to cross the causeway into Johor Bahru in Malaysia. Violators can be fined up to S$500.
Ethnic Integration Policy Implemented
Wednesday, 1st March 1989
The Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP) has been implemented to ensure a balanced mix of different ethnic groups and to prevent the formation of ethnic enclaves in public housing estates. It helps to promote racial integration and fosters harmonious living among ethnic communities. Each neighbourhood was to have a limit of 84% Chinese residents, 22% Malay residents and 10% Indian and other residents. The limit per block was set at 87% for Chinese residents, 25% for Malay residents and 13% for Indian and other residents.
RSAF Trainer Jet Crashed Into River In Johor
Wednesday, 8th February 1989
Two Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) pilots ejected safely when their SIAI-Marchetti S.211 trainer aircraft crashed near the mouth of the Endau River in Johor while on a routine training flight.
Westinghouse sets up $25 m plant in Singapore
Wednesday, 14th December 1988
Singapore would be the first country outside America to have a defence service and logistics support centre set up by a US military contractor. Westinghouse Electronics Group said it was investing $25 million to build a centre in Loyang specialising in the servicing and repair of APG-66 radars fitted on F-16 fighter aircraft. The Singapore facility, called Westinghouse Pacific Electronics Service Centre (WPESC), was expected to service about 200 F-16s based in the Asia-Pacific region. This was announced by WPESC today.
Adrian Lim, wife and mistress hanged
Friday, 25th November 1988
Cult killer Adrian Lim, his wife, Tan Mui Choo, and mistress, Hoe Kah Hong, were hanged at Changi prison today. They were convicted in 1983 for the cruel sacrificial murder of two children in 1981. The trial was one of the longest murder trial in Singapore, lasting for about eight weeks, and it unveiled disturbing accounts of rites and rituals that were both cruel and perverse.
RSAF E-2C Damaged
Monday, 5th September 1988
A Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) E-2C Early Warning Aircraft was damaged during a landing incident at Tengah Air Base. No one was injured in the incident. In 1987 four Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeyes were delivered to 111 Squadron to provide Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) for RSAF.
Air Force Museum Established
Thursday, 1st September 1988
The Air Force Museum museum was first located at Changi Air Base and subsequently it was relocated to a purpose constructed new building in Paya Lebar Air Base. The Air Force Museum captures the spirit and heritage of the RSAF.
Hand-held phones go on sale
Tuesday, 16th August 1988
The first hand-held phones also know as Mobile Phone went on sale this day. Orders had to be placed and there was a waiting time of up to two weeks. The telephones cost between $2,900 and $3,400 each. In addition, buyers had to pay Singapore Telecoms a first payment of $210 for registration, subscription and licence fees. Subsequently, they were charged a $50 monthly subscription fee. About 2,500 people placed their orders for the hand-held phones (weighing between 600g and 700g - the weight of two thick paperback novels) when they were announced in June 1988.
Swing Singapore
Monday, 1st August 1988
Swing Singapore, a mass party, was first sponsored by the then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. About 250,000 people attended the party in August 1988 on Orchard Road to boogie, shimmy, shake or twist to music blasted from huge loudspeakers by popular singers and disc jockeys who were perched up nine metres on mobile cranes. Orchard Road was turned into a kaleidoscope of lights for the event. The event was organised by Singapore Armed Forces Reservists' Association (SAFRA) and sponsored and produced by Fraser Neave. Swing Singapore revelries brought fun, frolic and merry to many a Singaporean's life. However, in 1992 it was discontinued despite its continuing success.
RSAF Pilot Kill During Training
Tuesday, 24th May 1988
A Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) 23-year old pilot, Lieutenant Chung Chien Wen, dies after ejecting from jet who ejected from his Hawker Hunter aircraft. The plane was on a training flight in the Philippines.
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