Year 1962

Politics

President Devan Nair

Friday, 23rd October 1981

C V Devan Nair became the President of Singapore. Devan Nair was elected by Parliament as the Republic of Singapore’s Third President.


PAP Won 1980 General Election

Tuesday, 23rd December 1980

Singapore’s incumbent PAP (People’s Action Party) won all 75 seats in the 1980 General Election. It was the 4th General Election in Singapore since independence.


Lim Hock Siew Released

Friday, 17th November 1978

Dr. Lim Hock Siew was released from prison, but was put on exile in Pulau Tekong, as small island off Singapore. While in Pulau Tekong, he read medical books and became the only doctor for the few thousand villagers on the island. In appreciation, grateful villagers would ply him and his wife with durians, prawns and fish.


Minster of State for Environment Jailed

Wednesday, 15th September 1976

Wee Toon Boon, then Minster of State for Environment, was jailed 18 months for corruption involving $839,023 in April 1975. Wee was involved with a developer Lauw Tjin Ho, then Chairman of Lauw & Sons Pte Ltd (UEN:197000860E). He used his ministerial status to make representation to civil servants on behalf of Lauw. In return, he was rewarded with a bunglow, worth $532,000, galvanised roofing for his home worth $3,500, and free air tickets for him and his family to Indonesia.


The Laju Hijacking

Thursday, 31st January 1974

The Shell Oil Refinery located on Pulau Bukom Besar, (an island lying south of Singapore) was attacked by four terrorists who were armed with submachine guns and explosives. The group comprised two Japanese from the Japanese Red Army (JRA) or 'Sekigun' and two Arabs from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). The bloop attack on the refinery forces them to hijack the "Laju", a Ferry Boat, with five crew members as hostages. The terrorists started their bargaining. The terrorists agreed to release the crew of the ‘Laju’ in exchange for a party of 'Guarantors' . The team was led by Mr S.R. Nathan, then MINDEF’s Director of Security & Intelligence (now President of Singapore). The 12-men-team was made up of four SAF Commandos and eight other government officials. On 7 Feb 1974, arrangements were made to transfer the terrorists by boat from "Laju" to the Marine Police Headquarters and then by minibus to the airport. On 8 February 1974 at 0125 hours, the four


Malaysian PM visit Singapore

Tuesday, 13th November 1973

Singapore gave Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak and his wife Toh Puan Rahah a cordial welcome when they flew in today for a three-day official visit. They were met on arrival at Paya Lebar airport by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and Mrs Lee, Cabinet ministers and members of the diplomatic corps. This was the first official visit of a Malaysian Prime Minister to Singapore since the Republic became independent in August 1965.


Time Capsule Buried

Saturday, 18th August 1973

Dr Toh Chin Chye, who was the Minister-in-charge of the Science Board, buried a time capsule at the site of the Singapore Science Centre.


Singapore Dollars and Malaysia Ringgit Parted

Tuesday, 8th May 1973

The currencies of Singapore and Malaysia ceased to be interchangeable. The pact, since 1967, had allowed the Singapore Dollar and Malaysian Ringgit to be used at par in the two countries. Singapore Finance Minister Hon Sui Sen announced that the Malaysian Government had conveyed to him its decision to terminate the Interchangeability Agreement with the Singapore Government.


Eighth Singapore Grand Prix

Sunday, 22nd April 1973

SIA (Singapore Airlines) replaces MSA (Malaysia-Singapore Airlines) as the sponsor. Singapore Airlines hosted most of the top overseas racer. The main race was won by Vern Schuppan in his March 722. Graeme Lawrence and John Macdonald came in second and third respectively. The Motorcycle GP was won by Bill Molloy in his Kawasaki 750. This was the last Grand Prix that was held in the Upper Thomson Road Street Circuit.


PAP Won 1972 General Election

Saturday, 2nd September 1972

The PAP wins the 1972 General Election. In this General Election, there were a total of 138 candidates (from six parties and two Independents) vying for 57 out of the 65 contested seats. The PAP won all 65 seats.


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