Singapore: 50 Years of Self-Governance
1969: The Milestone of Singapore's First Decade
Overview
For Singapore, 1969 marks not only the milestone of our first decade of self-governance, but also the 150th anniversary of our foundation1. It was a year of constitutional continuity and political stability.
To mark this milestone, celebrations in the form of displays, cultural shows and parades, were held throughout the year. Exhibitions were held, showcasing Singapore’s growth in various fields such as education, trade, port facilities, industries, civil aviation and architecture.
There were no major political changes – Ministerial or Parliamentary – in 1969. Multi-racialism was constitutionally defined and strengthened by a Constitutional Amendment Bill. A Presidential Council was set up to report on matters related to Singapore's multi-racial and religious groups.
Our leaders knew the way forward was the need for technological modernisation, and this was reflected in most public speeches.
Left: Proud citizens don the colours of Singapore's flag at Singapore's 4th National Day Parade
Right: The Singapore Youth Festival highlights the role of youth in the Republic
Left: Aircraft engineering offers an exciting new field for technical skills
Right: Singapore's labour force adapted to the demand for industrial skills and technological innovation
1 Singapore was founded in 1819 by Sir Stamford Raffles.
Economic
Singapore's economic development continued on a path of sustained and successful expansion. Gross Domestic Product grew from $1,968 million in 1959 to $4,833 million in 1969 – an increase of 245%. Total investment, industrial output, entrepot trade and public finance also continued to grow.
While we derived our economic prosperity from international trade, we also diversified our portfolio. Industries became increasingly export-oriented.
Tyres, carpets and ceramics are some of Singapore's export-oriented industries
Rubber continued to be the largest single item of Singapore's trade. Petroleum and its related products was the second largest commodity. Ship-repairing had grown vigorously over the last few years. A ship of 3,000 tons, the largest yet to be built in Singapore, was launched.
Overseas trade promotion and the search for investments intensified over the decade. The Economic Development Board added offices in London and Chicago to those in New York, San Francisco and Stockholm. At the end of 1969, Singapore's official overseas assets stood at $2,445 million, a fourfold increase in four years.
Left: Singapore was the largest petroleum refining, blending and distributing centre in Southeast Asia
Right: Singapore's shipyards provide efficient and comprehensive services
Physical
The government continued its urban renewal plans. The total number of housing units built by the Housing and Development Board reached 106,418.
This provided housing for almost one-third of the total population. When new incentives were introduced and the Provident Fund was allowed to be tapped upon as part of the purchase price, 23% of the flats built by the Board were sold under the Home Ownership Scheme.
Improved design and facilities are keynotes of housing estates
A campaign which was started in 1967 to transform Singapore into a Garden City continued. Some 52,000 trees and shrubs were planted along the roads. Circuses and traffic islands were landscaped and green hedges planted between buildings.
Island-wide, 27 parks were maintained to enhance the city's greenness. Other campaigns to "Keep Singapore Clean" and "Keep Singapore Mosquito-Free" linked cleanliness and greenness to an expression of collective house-pride.
Parks are not forgotten in urban development
Urban community development in the form of parks and sports facilities also did its part in transforming Singapore’s increasingly green landscape.
To meet tourism needs, attractions like a 50-acre Bird Park were built. Plans were also put in place for a zoological garden, a new aquarium, and the development of a tourist resort of the largest and nearest island to the south of Singapore. This would later be known as Sentosa.
Sports and athletics are encouraged and proper facilities were built for sports enthusiasts
The Jurong Bird Park was the largest in the region
Social
By 1969, Singapore's population was estimated to have surpassed the 2 million mark. Enough schools had been built to meet the needs and demand for education. There were 526 schools with a total enrolment of 514,462, or 26%, of the population. Bilingual instruction and extracurricular activities were promoted. Major changes were introduced to technical education.
In the academic stream, all boys and half the girls in the first two years of secondary education were required to take technical subjects. This was to meet the urgent need for technical skills in industry.
Technical training, arts and crafts, and music have a special place in schools
Degree courses at the polytechnic in accountancy, architecture and engineering were transferred to the University of Singapore in 1969. Revised and more liberal syllabi in the faculties of Arts, Social Sciences and Science were also introduced. Nanyang University began honours degree courses.
With the rapid decline in the occurrence of infectious diseases, the Ministry of Health concentrated on raising standards and widening concepts of public health (i.e. pollution and vector control) and tightening control of markets and hawkers.
Culturally, 1969 was a rich year. Ballet performances, concerts and choirs were given in the Victoria Theatre by artistes from Italy, Hungary, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cambodia, France and New Zealand. Singapore artists also put up regular exhibitions to reflect their different cultural backgrounds. Gracious living was consciously promoted.
Traditional dances reflect Singapore’s multi-cultural heritage