1999 in Singapore

none April 2013 April 2020 1999 The following lists events that happened during 1999 in the Republic of Singapore. Incumbents President: Ong Teng Cheong (until 1 September), S. R. Nathan (starting 1 September) Prime Minister: Goh Chok Tong Events January January – Delhaize buys up to a 49% stake in Shop N Save, with QAF Limited retaining the rest.Delhaize Group sells interest in Singapore retailer Shop N Save https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2003/11/14/302942/48266/en/Delhaize-Group-sells-interest-in-Singapore-retailer-Shop-N-Save.html Globe Newswire 23 August 2019 14 November 2003 11 January – Powergrid's 400 kV transmission system is commissioned.Official Commissioning of Powergrid's 400 KV Transmission System http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/1999011101.htm NAS 22 November 2019 11 January 1999 21 January – StarHub acquires Cyberway, an ISP. It is rebranded to StarHub Internet on 3 December.Singapore gets to surf the Net for free with StarHub Internet's latest offering https://www.starhub.com/about-us/newsroom/1999/december/03121999_singaporegetstosurfthenetforfreewithstarhubinternetslatestoffering.html StarHub 25 July 2019 3 December 1999 29 January – Construction starts on the Changi Airport Line (CAL), targeted for completion by 2001.Changi Airport Line Ground Breaking Ceremony http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/1999012901.htm NAS 22 November 2019 29 January 1999 February 2 February – Creative Resource, Creative Technology's new headquarters is officially opened in International Business Park.Official Opening of Creative Resource, Headquarters of Creative Technology http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/1999020202.htm NAS 22 November 2019 2 February 1999 11 February – The Environmental Pollution Control Act is passed to replace the Clean Air Act, giving the Ministry of the Environment (ENV) more powers to deal with pollution.Clean Air Act of 1971 http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_2014-04-07_110024.html NLB 5 August 2019 March 300px|thumb | Singapore Expo 4 March – Singapore Expo is officially opened, making it the largest meetings, incentives, conferencing, exhibitions (MICE) venue in Singapore. This comes after some exhibition space in World Trade Centre had to make way for the North East MRT line.Opening Ceremony of the International Furniture Fair Singapore 99/ 16th ASEAN Furniture Show https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/1999030401.htm NAS 13 April 2020 4 March 1999 26 March – The Civil Defence Academy is officially opened.http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/1999032602.htm Official opening of the Civil Defence Academy NAS 22 November 2019 26 March 1999 31 March – Lorong Halus Dumping Ground is closed.Lorong Halus http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_2016-11-30_193336.html NLB 29 July 2019 April 1 April – Semakau landfill begin operations after the closure of the Lorong Halus Dumping Ground. The Building and Construction Authority is formed from a merger of Construction Industry Development Board and Public Works Department's Building Control Division to develop and regulate Singapore's construction industry and ensure safe buildings, with some functions transferred to the Urban Redevelopment Authority. On the same day, PWD Corporation (present-day CPG Corporation) is formed from a corporatisation.Formation of PWD Corporation (PWD Co) and the Building & Construction Authority (BCA) http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/1998100206.htm NAS 22 November 2019 2 October 1998 The Juvenile Court moves to the Subordinate Courts building.History https://www.familyjusticecourts.gov.sg/who-we-are/history Family Justice Courts of Singapore 16 September 2019 May 11 May – The Ministry of Education announced a new Programme for Rebuilding and Improving Existing schools (PRIME) to upgrade or rebuild existing schools, ensuring all schools have access to modern and conducive learning environments.Programme for Rebuilding and Improving Existing schools http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/1999110504b.htm NAS 22 November 2019 11 May 1999 17 May – The Monetary Authority of Singapore announced rules that liberalise commercial banking and help take local banks to new heights. They include a five-year liberalisation programme with new Qualifying Full Bank (QFB) licences, increase the number of restricted banks here and greater flexibility for offshore banks' wholesale business, all local banks having Nominating Committees to strengthen corporate governance and the lifting of 40 percent limit on foreigners' shareholding in banks.https://www.mas.gov.sg/news/speeches/1999/mas-statement-on-measures-to-liberalise-commercial-banking-and-upgrade-local-banks--17-may-1999 Liberalising Commercial Banking and Upgrading Local Banks MAS 6 July 2019 17 May 1999MAS Announces Programme to Liberalise Commercial Banking and Upgrade Local Banks https://www.mas.gov.sg/news/media-releases/1999/mas-statement-on-measures-to-liberalise-commercial-banking-and-upgrade-local-banks--17-may-1991 MAS 4 June 2021 17 May 1999 20 May – The North East MRT line (NEL) and the Sengkang and Punggol LRT lines are awarded to Singapore Bus Service (present-day SBS Transit) to foster competition with SMRT, the first rail lines to be operated by SBS. In addition, SMRT and Trans-Island Bus Services (TIBS) will merge. As a result, SBS will take over bus operations in Sengkang and Punggol from TIBS with TIBS taking over bus services from SBS in Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Batok.Appointment of operator for the North East MRT line http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/1999200503.htm NAS 22 November 2019 20 May 1999SBS to run North-East line Tibs to merge with SMRT http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19990521-1.2.2 The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB) 6 October 2019 21 May 1999 30 May - Causeway Point shopping mall in Woodlands is officially opened. June 1 June – The National Neuroscience Institute starts operations.https://www.nni.com.sg/about-us/our-history Our History NNI 14 July 2019 13–16 June – Singapore hosts the 1999 Rotary Convention.1999 Proceedings: Ninetieth Annual Convention of Rotary International https://books.google.com/books?id=6ffIPVx2tCgC&q=1999+rotary+convention+13+to+16+june+1999&pg=PP3 Rotary (retrieved from Google) 11 August 2019 21 June – SingPost and CISCO signed an agreement to create a new certification authority for e-commerce, thereby increasing security.Joint Venture Signing Ceremony between CISCO and Singapore Post http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/1999062101.htm NAS 22 November 2019 21 June 1999 26 June – The National Sailing Centre is officially opened.Official Opening of the National Sailing Centre http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/1999260601.htm NAS 22 November 2019 26 June 1999 July 18 July – The new Woodlands Checkpoint starts operations. 21 July – DataOne (D1) is awarded a licence to run an ISP network in Singapore, thus making D1 the fourth operator after SingNet, Pacific Internet and Cyberway. The ISP commenced operations in November.Fourth ISP Receives License in Singapore https://www.computerworld.com.au/article/18677/fourth_isp_receives_license_singapore/ Computer World 26 August 2019 22 July 1998 25 July – Transfer of bus services 864, 865 and 866 to SBS, and transfer of bus service 190 to TIBS. August 12 August – The Underground Ammunition Facility starts construction, which will be ready by 2003. It eventually opened in 2008.Ground-breaking Ceremony for the Underground Ammunition Facility http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/MINDEF_19990812002.pdf NAS 13 August 2019 12 August 1999 17 August – The SAF Basic Military Training Centre is officially opened on Pulau Tekong.Opening of Basic Military Training Centre in Pulau Tekong http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/MINDEF_19990817001.pdf NAS 25 July 2019 17 August 1999 18 August – Nomination Day for the 1999 Presidential Election: S.R. Nathan won the election via an uncontested walkover since he was the only candidate eligible to contest in the election.Nathan elected President https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19990819-1.2.2 The Straits Times 20 April 2020 19 August 1999 Nathan was sworn in as the sixth President of Singapore on 1 September.Nathan sworn in as sixth President https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19990902-1.2.2 The Straits Times 20 April 2020 2 September 1999S. R. Nathan http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_490_2004-12-23.html NLB 22 July 2019 September Eng Wah closes its White Sands cinema due to low patronage. 9 September – The Portrait Series notes are officially launched.https://www.mof.gov.sg/Newsroom/Speeches/Speech-By-Dr-Richard-Hu-Minister-For-Finance-Chairman-BCCS-At-The-Launch-Of-The-Portrait-Notes-And-Opening-Of-Currency-21-The-Presidential-Notes-Exhib Launch of the Portrait Notes and opening of Currency 21-The Presidential Notes Exhibition at the Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre MOF 12 August 2019 9 September 1999 11 September – The SAR 21 rifle is launched.http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/MINDEF_19990911001.pdf Launch of New Assault Rifle at Opening Ceremony of Army Open House 1999 NAS 1 July 2019 11 September 1999 14 September 1999 – In the first case of kidnapping by ransom for over a decade, 33-year-old Vincent Lee Chuan Leong and his two Chinese accomplices Zhou Jian Guang and Shi Song Jing kidnapped a 14-year-old schoolgirl for a ransom of S$330,000. All three were arrested, and sentenced to life imprisonment.25 April 2000 Mastermind of kidnapping jailed for life The Straits Times28 April 2000 Kidnappers jailed tor life The Straits Times October thumb|Parliament House 4 October – The new Parliament House is officially opened.http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19991005-1.2.47.3 New Parliament House opens The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB) 6 October 2019 5 October 1999 18 October – The merger between TIBS and SMRT fails to go through.http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19991019-1.2.6.1 Tibs and SMRT merger is off The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB) 6 October 2019 19 October 1999 20 October – The Monetary Authority of Singapore awards four foreign banks with Qualifying Full Bank (QFB) licences, which are ABN Amro, Banque Nationale de Paris (present day BNP Paribas), Citibank, and Standard Chartered. Another eight banks are awarded Qualifying Offshore Bank (QOB) licences. In addition, eight new Restricted Banks (RB) are announced, with 4 RBs to start operations immediately and another 4 more from 1 October 2000. MAS will eventually award up to 20 RB licences compared to 18 previously after a high demand from banks.https://www.mas.gov.sg/news/media-releases/1999/mas-announces-results-of-foreign-bank-applications--20-oct-1999 MAS Announces Results of Foreign Bank Applications Four Foreign Banks named Qualifying Full Banks MAS 21 September 2019 20 October 1999 21 October – library@orchard officially opens in Ngee Ann City, operating until its closure in 2007.Library@Orchard http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_253_2005-01-24.html NLB 19 September 2019 22 October – ST Engineering announces the acquisition of Chartered Industries of Singapore through ST Auto, now called ST Kinetics. The acquisition will help make ST Engineering a successful world-class engineering company.ST Engg Acquires Chartered Industries of Singapore (CIS) http://www.stengg.com/pressroom/press_releases_read.aspx?paid=243 19 August 2019 ST Engineering 22 October 1999 https://web.archive.org/web/20080202135420/http://www.stengg.com/pressroom/press_releases_read.aspx?paid=243 2 February 2008 November thumb|Bukit Panjang LRT 6 November – The Bukit Panjang LRT line opens.http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/1999110601.htm Official Launch of the Bukit Panjang LRT System NAS 22 November 2019 6 November 1999 18 November – The Ministry of Health announced the formation of two healthcare clusters known as the Eastern (SingHealth) and Western (National Healthcare Group) Networks, which will take effect in 2000.Reorganisation and Restructuring of Public Healthcare Services https://www.moh.gov.sg/news-highlights/details/reorganisation-and-restructuring-of-public-healthcare-services MOH 1 December 2021 18 November 1999News 5 Tonight (18 November 1999) http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/record-details/5435f279-1164-11e3-83d5-0050568939ad Television Corporation of Singapore (retrieved from NAS) 18 July 2019 Golden Village opens its ninth multiplex at Eastpoint. 19 November – Smart Radio, a digital audio broadcasting (DAB) service is launched in Singapore.http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/1999111904.htm Launch of Radio Corporation of Singapore's commercial digital audio broadcast service NAS 22 November 2019 19 November 1999 30 November – Singapore Power launches a new website CAN.COM.SG.Launch of CAN.COM.SG http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/1999113003/lss19991130f.pdf NAS 25 July 2019 30 November 1999 December 1 December – The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore is launched from a merger between the National Computer Board and the Telecommunication Authority of Singapore to take charge of Singapore's infocomm sector. The Singapore Exchange (SGX) is formed from the merger of Stock Exchange of Singapore (SES), Singapore International Monetary Exchange (Simex) and Securities Clearing and Computer Services Pte Ltd (SCCS),Launch of the Singapore Exchange http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/1999120104.htm NAS 22 November 2019 1 December 1999 first announced on 4 August.Simex and SES to merge to form Newco http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19990805-1.2.46.7 The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB) 7 October 2019 5 August 1999 28 December – Keppel Land and PSA Corporation (now Mapletree) start construction of the HarbourFront office towers, which is completed in 2003.https://www.mapletree.com.sg/en/Media/News/1999/Dec/28121999-KeppelPSABreakGroundTwinOfficeTowers.aspx Keppel and PSA Break Ground for Twin Office Towers at the HarbourFront Mapletree 29 July 2019 28 December 1999 31 December – The redevelopment of Changi Prison starts, eventually having consolidated clusters and facilities to optimise land use.Ground-Breaking Ceremony for the Redevelopment of Changi Prison Complex http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/1999123102.htm NAS 22 November 2019 31 December 1999 The Antarctica 2000 team becomes the first Singapore team to reach the South Pole after a 1,125 km trek.First Singapore team to reach the South Pole http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/history/events/48fe23f6-8923-40ed-9df6-a1b74646ddc2#1 NLB 14 August 2019 31 December 1999 Date unknown The last quarry on Pulau Ubin is closed.Quarries in Ubin http://www.wildsingapore.com/ubin/places/quarry.htm Wild Singapore 25 July 2019 Hougang 1 and Rivervale Plaza are officially opened to the public. Woodlands Mart and Woodlands North Plaza are completed and opened to the public. Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore announced that they have banned the exports of pig blood curd, in response to the 1998–1999 Malaysia Nipah virus outbreak. The ban would last until 27 years later on 1 April 2026.Pig blood: Why and when was it banned in Singapore? https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/pig-blood-why-and-when-was-it-banned-singapore-1398776 CNA 13 April 2026 enPig blood products to return to Singapore after ban https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/pigs-blood-food-products-to-return-to-singapore-markets-after-nearly-three-decades The Straits Times 13 April 2026 en 2 April 2026Singapore gives green light for pork blood products after almost three decades https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/singapore-food-agency-thailand-pig-blood-products-6033126 CNA 13 April 2026 en Deaths 8 January – Punch Coomaraswamy, High Court judge and envoy (b. 1925).Punch Coomaraswamy http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_852_2004-12-28.html NLB 25 July 2019 23 February – Pan Shou, Chinese calligrapher and poet (b. 1911).Pan Shou http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_799_2004-12-28.html NLB 29 October 2019 1 March – Khoo Eng An, 5th Commander of the Republic of Singapore Navy (b. 1926).Leong Carol 3 March 1999 'He was a quiet, philosophical man' https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/newpaper19990303-1.2.6?qt=khoo,%20eng,%20an&q=Khoo%20Eng%20An%20 23 September 2026 The New Paper 4 11 March – Rahmat Kenap, former PAP Member of Parliament for Geylang Serai Constituency (b. 1925).12 March 1999 Ex-Geylang Serai MP dies https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/newpaper19990312-1.2.3.3?qt=mp,%20dies&q=%22MP%22%20%22dies%22 1 December 2025 The New Paper 2 20 March – G. Kandasamy, veteran trade unionist and former PAP legislative assemblyman for Kampong Kapor Constituency (b. 1921).G. Kandasamy http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_1193_2008-11-30.html NLB 12 November 2019https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19990322.2.6.7 Veteran trade unionist dies Osman Ahmad 22 March 1999 4 1 December 2025 The Straits Times 25 March – Koh Mew Chin, murder victim of Chan Choon Wai (b. 1981).27 March 1999 Youth, 19, on murder charge https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19990327-1.2.60.28 17 May 2024 The Straits Times 64 NewspaperSG 17 April – Ahmad Mohamed Ibrahim, 1st Attorney-General of Singapore (b. 1916).Ahmad bin Mohamed Ibrahim https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/article-detail?cmsuuid=aa60d648-d989-4a4b-96fa-5f983d90b6fc www.nlb.gov.sg 2025-12-01 en _People:Cornelius, Vernon,Mohamad Tauhid Bin Mohd Bakhit24 April 1999 Spores first A-G dies at 82 https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/stoverseas19990424-1.2.6.13?qt=former,%20ibrahim,%20dies&q=%22former%22%20%22Ibrahim%22%20%22%22%20%22dies%22 13 August 2026 The Straits Times 7 Khalik Salma 21 April – T. Maniam, murder victim of Loganatha Venkatesan, Chandran Rajagopal, and Julaiha Begum (b. 1943).14 March 2000 Public Prosecutor v Loganatha Venkatesan and Others [2000] SGHC 38 https://www.singaporelawwatch.sg/Portals/0/Docs/Judgments/%5b2000%5d%20SGHC%2038.pdf 17 May 2024 Singapore Law Watch 2 May – S. Salim Ahmad, murder victim of Seah Kok Meng (b. 1943).5 May 1999 Man, 56, beaten to death https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19990505-1.2.45.12 17 May 2024 The Straits Times 39 NewspaperSG 3 June – Andy Ang Wei Jie, murder victim in the Ang Mo Kio child abuse case (b. 1991–1992).Wong Fei Wan 12 May 2004 Mother jailed for abetting lover's abuse of her son https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/today20040512-1.2.9.2 17 May 2024 TODAY 4 NewspaperSG 8 June – Muhammad Taha bin Fadhlullah Suhaimi, prominent figure in the Muslim community (b. 1916).Muhammad Taha bin Fadhlullah Suhaimi https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/article-detail?cmsuuid=9bf79558-3ed8-488c-86d9-0407af65f02c www.nlb.gov.sg 2025-12-01 24 June – Ong Tiang Wee, former Chairman of the Straits Chinese British Association and later Peranakan Association (b. 1909).26 June 1999 Obituary https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19990626-1.2.95.1?qt=%22ong%20tiang%20wee%22&q=%22Ong%20Tiang%20Wee%22 13 August 2026 The Straits Times 74 28 June – Dewan Singh Randhawa, former owner, publisher and editor of Punjabi newspaper Navjiwan and a leading member of the Sikh community (b. 1911).Singh Surinder 3 July 1999 Ex-Punjabi paper boss dies https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19990703-1.2.48.25?qt=former,%20dies&q=%22former%22%22dies%22 23 September 2026 The Straits Times 51 21 July – M. Karthigesu, judge of appeal (b. 1923).Ooi Boon Tan 22 July 1999 Top appeal judge Karthigesu dies https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19990722-1.2.7.1?qt=mp,%20dies&q=%22MP%22%20%22dies%22 15 February 2026 The Straits Times 2 30 July – Ling Siew May, First Lady of Singapore and wife of 5th President Ong Teng Cheong (b. 1937).Ling Siew May http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_898_2004-12-24.html NLB 26 July 2019Ibrahim Zuraidah 31 July 1999 First Lady dies at 62 https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19990731-1.2.2?qt=former,%20dies&q=%22former%22%22dies%22 23 September 2026 The Straits Times 1 21 August – Paddy Chew, actor and HIV patient (b. 1960). 28 August – Ho Rih Hwa, businessman and ambassador (b. 1917).Ho Rih Hwa http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_454_2005-01-14.html NLB 12 November 2019 4 September – Lee Kim Chuan, journalist, poet and member of Force 136 during WW2 (b. 1916).Yue Pak Au 12 September 1999 李金泉二战期间 在印度策划反攻马来亚 https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/lhzb19990912-1.2.79.1?qt=%22%E5%BA%84%20%E6%83%A0%20%E6%B3%89%22&q=%22%E5%BA%84%E6%83%A0%E6%B3%89%22 26 January 2026 Lianhe Zaobao 51 7 September – Lim Shee Ping, former Barisan Sosialis politician (b. 1931).8 September 1999 Obituary https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19990908-1.2.67.1?qt=%22lim%20shee%20ping%22&q=%22Lim%20Shee%20Ping%22 22 September 2026 The Straits Times 50 19 September – Kee Soon Bee, national swimming and water polo coach (b. 1919).Robert Godfrey 20 September 1999 Swim coach Kee dies https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19990920-1.2.59.11?qt=former,%20dies&q=%22former%22%22dies%22 23 September 2026 The Straits Times 45 28 September – A. P. Rajah, Singapore's first High Commissioner to UK and first Supreme Court judge to remain after 70 (b. 1911).Arumugam Ponnu Rajah http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_1191_2007-04-24.html NLB 26 July 2019 19 October – Robert Black, 3rd Governor of Singapore (b. 1906).Keatley Patrick 1999-11-23 Sir Robert Black https://www.theguardian.com/news/1999/nov/23/guardianobituaries1 2025-06-09 The Guardian en-GB 0261-3077Robert Black https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/article-detail?cmsuuid=197ba2c8-01a9-4068-9482-bdf074922905 2025-06-09 www.nlb.gov.sg 1 December – Hsu Tse Kwang, former tax commissioner for 21 years (b. 1929).Hsu Tse Kwang http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_1544_2009-08-29.html NLB 12 November 2019 References 1999 Singapore Category:Years of the 20th century in Singapore