Exciting Singapore

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David Blocksidge. Exciting Singapore

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Esplanade and Padang, an oil painting by A.L. Watson of the Padang in the early 1900s.

a visual journey

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aFTER RAFFLES, Singapore prospered for many years under the British. In 1929, however, tin and rubber prices collapsed and thousands lost their jobs in the Great Depression. Although considered impregnable by the Allies during the Second World War, Singapore was quickly overrun by the Japanese in 1942. After peace in 1945, Singaporeans began planning for independence. Under a new constitution David Marshall was elected first chief minister in 1955, and he lobbied Britain unsuccessfully for full independence. Meanwhile a young Straits-born Cambridge graduate led a group of lawyers, teachers and journalists in forming a left-wing political party whose rallying cry was “Merdeka!” (freedom). In the 1959 elections, Lee Kuan Yew and his People’s Action Party swept to power. After failing in an attempt to become a Malaysian state in 1963, Singapore became fully independent in 1965. Lee became the first prime minister, and stayed in that position for 31 years, stepping aside in 1990 into the specially created position of senior minister to allow a younger generation to take the political reins. His vision, intellect and integrity have earned him a place in history.

Most of the world’s major players in banking and finance maintain a significant presence in Singapore and it is likely that their offices will be found here in the downtown financial district, overlooking the waterfront.

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