Year 1999

The Millennium Swing Singapore

Friday, 31st December 1999

The Millennium Swing Singapore party was held on 31 December 1999 as a countdown to year 2000 at Orchard Road. Called the Millennium Swing, the stretch of road between Claymore Road and Buyong Road turned into a huge dance floor for the party-goers through the night between 12.30 a.m. to 5.30 a.m. the next day morning.


Malay-Muslim group starts Adopt-A-Family

Tuesday, 7th December 1999

The Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP) launched a scheme to help poor Malay families upgrade their skills. The scheme, a first for the community, linked up needy families with a sponsor, who would give a one-off donation of $250 to last a year. Depending on the family’s needs, the funds would be used to subsidise programmes like IT courses for housewives, courses in financial management, literacy classes and motivational camps for children. More than 2,400 families were identified. For the first year, AMP was targeting 200 needy families to be sponsored.


RSAF Air Grading Centre Moved To Tamworth

Wednesday, 1st December 1999

Earlier in 1999, the RSAF signed a contract with British Aerospace(BAe) Flight Training Australia, allowing the company to take over initial screening and testing of potential RSAF pilots. The new 6 weeks Air Grading Course (AGC) is held at Tamworth in New South Wales, Australia using CT-4B Airtourers. The detachment in Tamworth, Australia, tests RSAF pilots at the Air Grading Centre. This is vital in the selection process as only candidates who show good air sense will be shortlisted for further flying training at RSAF Flying Training School in Pearce (Western Australia).


Digital Radio Launched In Singapore

Wednesday, 3rd November 1999

Singapore's Mediacorp is the first broadcaster in South-east Asia to offer digital radio. The new digital radio was launched in November 1999. Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) service will be the "replacement technology" for FM radio.


New Singapore Parliament House Opened

Monday, 4th October 1999

The new Singapore Parliament House was officially opened.


DBS Group Holdings Limited

Saturday, 18th September 1999

The Development Bank of Singapore Ltd (DBS) was restructured to become a wholly-owned subsidiary of DBS Group Holdings Limited. The principal activities of the DBS Group consists of investment holding, banking and financing, the provision of mortgage financing, lease and hire purchase financing, corporate advisory services, nominee and trustee services, funds management services, stockbroking, primary dealership in Singapore Government securities, merchant banking, factoring, credit card and venture capital operations, and other financial services.


Singapore Turf Club Moved To Kranji

Wednesday, 1st September 1999

Singapore Turf Club moved from its old location at Bukit Timah to a new racecourse in Kranji. Twilight and night racing begins.


S R Nathan As President

Wednesday, 1st September 1999

Mr S. R. Nathan (Sellapan Ramanathan Nathan) was sworn in as the Republic of Singapore’s sixth President and the second popularly elected President. The President of the Republic of Singapore is the Presidency of popularly-elected office. In the 1991 constitutional amendments gave the President certain reserve powers over government expenditure of financial reserves and appointments to key public offices. The President’s official residence is the Istana.


RSAF Helicopter Detachment in Oakey Opened

Friday, 20th August 1999

Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Dr Tony Tan, and Australia's Defence Minister, Mr John Moore, jointly officiated at the opening ceremony of the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF) Helicopter Detachment in Australia this afternoon, 20 Aug 99. The detachment is based at the Australian Army Aviation Centre (AAAC) in Oakey, Queensland. The projected started in 1997.


National Sailing Centre Launched

Saturday, 26th June 1999

Sitting on 2.4 hectares of land, the National Sailing Centre (NSC) was officially launched by the former Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Goh Chok Tong. The strategic location of the NSC enables sailors to make full use of the South-West and North east Monsoons for year round sailing.


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