Year 1963

Cholera Outbreak

Saturday, 18th May 1963

The first confirmed case of cholera In Singapore was officially confirmed by the Government. A Health Ministry statement said Singapore had been declared a Cholera Infected Area. The individual who reside in Potong Pasir was admitted to Middleton Hospital (CDC).


Second Malaysia Grand Prix In Singapore

Sunday, 14th April 1963

The race was held in Upper Thomson Road Street Circuit. The event was sponsored by Esso Singapore. 26-year old Police Inspector from Hong Kong, Albert Poon, won the 60 laps race. His Lotus 23 also clocked the fastest lap time of 1 minute 30.2 seconds. Second was Yong Nam Kee in his modified Jaguar E-Type. Mike Cook was third in his Cooper T45 Climax.


Television Singapura Started Transmission

Tuesday, 2nd April 1963

Television Singapura started regular transmission. Television Singapura (RTS, Radio Television Singapore) was Singapore's first television station and was launched on 15 February 1963. On the day of the first transmission, the first screen to appear was the flag of Singapore fluttered while the Singapore National Anthem was played. The first person to appear on the screen was S. Rajarathnam. In Singapore, radio transmission was started in 1923.


113 Communist Detained

Saturday, 2nd February 1963

The Internal Security Council detained 113 Communist including M. Lim Chin Siong and Dr. Lim Hock Siew. They were detained under the Internal Security Act for their involvement in Communist United Front activites. The arrested came after a massive security exercise, code name Operation Cold Store. Dr. Lim was in the top hierarchy of the PAP before they quit to throw in their lot with the breakaway group which formed the Barisan Sosialis.


Malabar Mosque Opened

Thursday, 24th January 1963

President Yusof Ishak, the Yang di-Pertuan Negara of Singapore, opened #Malabar Mosque# for Malabar Muslims from the southern state of Kerala in India. Interestingly the mosque building funds were raised by both Muslims as well as non-Muslims.


Indonesia started Confrontation

Sunday, 20th January 1963

President Sukarno of Indonesia started the policy of Confrontation to protest the formation of Malaysia which as to include Singapore.  After Malaysia was formed, there were many attacks on Singapore and other parts of Malaysia.


National Threatre of Singapore opened

Tuesday, 15th January 1963

The National Theatre of Singapore was opened in 1963 in time for the Southeast Asian Cultural Festival.  However, the Theatre last performance was to be 15 January 1984.  Where is was to be pull down due to structural issues for the building of an underground expressway.


Justice Wee Choong Jin was appointed Chief Justice

Saturday, 5th January 1963

Justice Wee Choong Jin was the first Asian to hold this appointment since 1867.


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