Yvonne & I were in Singapore for a week in February.

Singapore is an island, a city & a nation.

Population: 5 million. 65% Chinese. Malays are next largest group.

When the British created Malaysia in the early 1960s, ending British colonial rule in the region, Singapore was part of Malaysia. But Malaysia kicked Singapore out in 1965, because the Malays feared Chinese domination.

Singapore’s prime minister at the time cried on TV, wondering how the island, with no natural resources, would survive on its own. 

But Singapore has survived very well. It’s a manufacturing, trading & financial center, & an economic powerhouse.

Singapore has been dominated politically by the authoritarian People’s Action Party since 1959. The only obvious sign of the authoritarianism, to us, was the propaganda on the subway. We saw many people fearlessly commit the crime of jaywalking, & saw few police while we were there.

Link to PHOTOS