:1996 in Singapore
{{short description|none}}
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{{Use Singapore English|date=April 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Year in Singapore|1996}}
The following lists events that happened during 1996 in Singapore.
Incumbents
Events
=January=
- 1 January – The old laminated NRICs are no longer valid for identification in Singapore.{{cite web |url=http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/wks19941022s.pdf |title=NRIC Re-registration Exercise Closing Ceremony at the Chua Chu Kang Community Club |website=NAS |access-date=27 August 2019 |date=22 October 1994}}
- 2 January – The Land Transport Authority releases the White Paper on A World Class Land Transport System, setting out plans to improve land transport in Singapore.
- 19 January – Minister for Communications Mah Bow Tan announced the immediate construction of the North East MRT line during the parliamentary debate on the White Paper on A World Class Land Transport System, initially targeted by December 2002.{{cite web |title=Immediate start for north-east line |url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19960120-1.2.2 |website=The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB) |access-date=6 September 2019 |date=20 January 1996}} However, automation problems pushed back the date to 20 June 2003.
- 20 January – The Singapore Art Museum is officially opened.{{cite web |title=Singapore Art Museum is officially opened |url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/history/events/1857d701-7ac2-4c3b-b67e-a47ba0e662c6 |website=NLB |access-date=18 July 2019}}
=February=
- 2 February – The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore is formed from a merger between the Marine Department (under the then Ministry of Communications), National Maritime Board and the Regulatory departments of the former Port of Singapore Authority (PSA). This helps to streamline maritime operations.{{cite web |title=Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore is formed |url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/history/events/b1272c7c-0587-4a9b-9195-ec276eb1ee44 |website=NLB |access-date=18 July 2019}}
- 9 February – Tampines Mall is officially opened.{{cite web |title=Official Opening of Tampines Mall |url=http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/mbt19960209s.pdf |website=NAS |access-date=11 August 2019 |date=9 February 1996}}
- 10 February –
- The Woodlands extension of the North South MRT line opens. On the same day, the Bukit Panjang LRT line is announced, with completion in 1999. The Buona Vista LRT line will not go ahead as it is unfeasible, even with a new funding arrangement used. A new Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Checkpoint for the Malayan Railway will be built in Woodlands as well, in preparation for a train network linking Asia, particularly with Malaysia.{{cite web |title=Opening of Woodlands MRT Line |url=http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/19960210_0001.pdf |website=NAS |access-date=14 July 2019 |date=10 February 1996}}
- Woodlands Regional Bus Interchange opens as Singapore's first underground bus interchange.
=March=
- 4 March – 16 stations will be built on the {{Convert|20|km|miles|abbr=in}} North East MRT line. Construction will start in the middle of 1997 and will finish by 2002. All the stations will be finished by then except for Sennett (present day Potong Pasir), Woodleigh and Punggol, which will open when the surrounding areas develop.{{cite web |last1=Leong |first1=Chan Teik |title=16 MRT stations for 20-km North-East line |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19960305-1.2.5 |website=The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB) |access-date=19 November 2019 |date=5 March 1996}}
- 5 March – The Singapore Gamma Knife Centre is officially opened. The centre, a privately owned facility, uses gamma knife for brain surgeries, resulting in less pain than conventional brain surgery, as well as a much safer alternative.{{cite web|title=Opening of the Gamma Knife Centre |url=http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/yybg19960305s.pdf |website=NAS |access-date=31 August 2019 |date=5 March 1996}}
- 10 March – Several bus services running parallel to the Woodlands MRT extension were either withdrawn or amended.
- 16 March – The first bendy bus is officially launched by Trans Island Bus Services.{{cite web |title=Mercedes-Benz O405G |url=https://landtransportguru.net/mercedes-benz-o405g/#targetText=The%20bus%20made%20its%20debut,between%20Yishun%20and%20Marina%20Center. |website=Land Transport Guru |access-date=18 August 2019 |date=1 January 2018}}
- 22 March – Cyberway Internet is officially launched as Singapore's third ISP.{{cite web |title=Cyberway Internet Service Launch |url=http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/19960322_0001.pdf |website=NAS |access-date=7 August 2019 |date=22 March 1996}}
=April=
- 1 April – The Singapore Productivity and Standards Board (renamed SPRING Singapore) is formed from the merger of three agencies, namely National Productivity Board (NPB), Singapore Institute of Standards and Industrial Research (SISIR) and the SME development function of the Economic Development Board (EDB). The agency aimed to encourage productivity and growth in the economy.{{cite web |title=SPRING Singapore |url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_301_2005-02-02.html |website=NLB |access-date=18 July 2019}}
- 6 April – The Gleneagles Hospital is officially opened.{{cite web |title=Official Opening of the new Gleneagles Hospital |url=http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/19960406_0001.pdf |website=NAS |access-date=26 August 2019 |date=6 April 1996}}
- 14 April – The S.League, a professional tournament, is launched.{{cite web |title=Launch of S.League |url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/history/events/75e83ec5-3019-4558-a45e-6cdc371e3457#1 |website=NLB |access-date=18 July 2019}}
=May=
- 2 May – The Advance Medical Directive Act is passed to allow people to apply for a Directive should they not want to continue treatment. The law came into effect in 1997.{{cite web |title=Advance Medical Directive |url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_543_2004-12-18.html |website=NLB |access-date=30 June 2019}}
- 11 May – The Government announced that it will end SingTel's monopoly on the mobile network by 2000 as part of a move to start competition in the telecoms industry.{{cite web |title=Govt ending SingTel's monopoly in year 2000 |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19960512.2.2 |website=The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB) |access-date=17 April 2020 |date=12 May 1996}}
- 21 May – A debate happened in Parliament over the HPL saga.{{cite web |title=Nassim Jade and Scotts 28 |url=http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/066-1996-05-21.pdf |website=NAS |access-date=2 July 2019 |date=21 May 1996}}
=June=
- 20 June – The National Youth Centre and Youth Park are officially launched.{{cite web |title=PM to launch National Youth Centre and park |url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19960620-1.2.45.14 |website=The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB) |access-date=1 September 2019 |date=20 June 1996}}
- 24 June – The Singapore Chinese Orchestra is launched as Singapore's second orchestra.{{cite web |title=Inauguration of the Singapore Chinese Orchestra Company |url=http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/1996062406.pdf |website=NAS |access-date=1 August 2019 |date=24 June 1996}}
=July=
- 1 July – The National Parks Board (NParks) is formed, building on the vision of a 'City in a Garden'.
- 5 July – Plans to replace the Causeway are announced by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.{{Cite web |date=1996-07-06 |title=Malaysia 'may replace Causeway with bridge' |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19960706-1.2.2 |access-date= |website=The Straits Times}}{{cite web |title=Malaysia announces plans to replace the Causeway |url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/history/events/5c92f680-de9c-4194-93f2-fd75e42a0019#3 |website=NLB |access-date=18 July 2019}}
- 12 July – In response to mobile liberalisation, a sum of $1.5 billion is approved as compensation to SingTel for the early end of its monopoly.{{cite web |title=House approves $1.5b payment for ending monopoly rights early |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19960713-1.2.37.4 |website=The Straits Times |access-date=17 April 2020 |date=13 July 1996}}
- 20 July – New finger piers are opened in Changi Airport's Terminal 2.{{cite web |title=Official Opening Ceremony of the new finger piers of Terminal 2, Changi Airport |url=http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/mbt19960720s.pdf |website=NAS |access-date=18 August 2019 |date=20 July 1996}}
- 24 July – The Tourism 21 plan is unveiled.{{cite web |title=Tourism 21 Blueprint is unveiled |url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/history/events/d7b9c291-d48b-4a48-9ee2-34468124e390#2 |website=NLB |access-date=18 July 2019}}
=August=
- August – Lot One opens to the public.
- 11 August – Construction starts on The Esplanade, which will enhance the arts in Singapore.{{cite web |title=Ground-Breaking Ceremony of The Esplande – Theatres on the Bay |url=http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/041-1996-08-11_tt.pdf |website=NAS |access-date=18 August 2019 |date=11 August 1996}}
- 18 August –
- Plans to develop Punggol are announced known as Punggol 21. The town will incorporate residential areas, clustered community areas linked up by an LRT system. However, the plan did not fully materialise after the 1997 Asian financial crisis, low demand of flats and construction troubles plagued the project.
- On the same day, the formation of Community Development Councils (CDCs) are announced, which numbered nine in 1997.{{cite web |title=Community Development Councils are envisaged |url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/history/events/27e53f92-2b03-4e63-9b0b-4dbf127008ed#8 |website=NLB |access-date=18 July 2019}}{{cite web |title=Full map of CDCs released for first time |url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19970821-1.2.39.1 |website=The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB) |date=21 August 1997 |access-date=18 July 2019}}
=September=
- 3 September – The third phase of the Tampines Expressway opens. More roads are planned for upgrading and widening, including on stretches of the Pan Island Expressway and East Coast Parkway, the PIE/TPE flyover and Upper Bukit Timah Road. The ERP system is still being tested.{{cite web |title=Speech by Minister for Communications Mr Mah Bow Tan at the Opening of Tampines Expressway (Phase III) on 3 September 1996 at 9.00 am at Punggol Bridge |url=https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/mbt19960903s.pdf |website=NAS |access-date=9 August 2022 |date=3 September 1996}}
- 9 September – The Singapore government launched the year-long "Smile Singapore" campaign.{{cite news |title=Smile, it’s a campaign |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/newpaper19960910-1.2.6.1 |access-date=20 October 2024 |work=The New Paper |date=10 September 1996}}
- 27 September – The Sengkang LRT line is unveiled during a ceremony to start construction on the Bukit Panjang LRT line, to be completed by 1999.{{cite web |title=Ground-breaking ceremony for Bukit Panjang Light Rapid Transit (LRT) |url=http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/tkyt19960927s.pdf |website=NAS |access-date=10 July 2019 |date=27 September 1996}}
- 28 September – Construction starts on the Opera Estate Drainage Scheme to relieve floods in the area, targeted for completion by 2000.{{cite web |title=Launching Ceremony for the Opera Estate Drainage Scheme |url=http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/at19960928s.pdf |website=NAS |access-date=30 July 2019 |date=28 September 1996}}
=October=
- 18 October – St Luke's Hospital is officially opened in Bukit Batok, being the first hospital to cater for the elderly. The hospital also has inpatient rehabilitation facilities and long-term residential care services as well.{{cite web |title=Official Opening of St Luke's Hospital for the Elderly |url=http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/1996101803.htm |website=NAS |access-date=18 October 2020 |date=18 October 1996}}
- 19 October – The Cantonment Complex (now Police Cantonment Complex) starts construction. It will have state-of-the-art features, housing the Central Narcotics Bureau, Criminal Investigation Department and Central Police Division, strengthening cooperation between the agencies. The building will retain the historic Fairfield Methodist Girls' school as an anti-crime and drug education and exhibition centre, and covered walkways will be built for comfort. The Complex is completed in 2001.{{cite web |title=Ground Breaking Ceremony for Cantonment Complex |url=http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/1996101808.htm |website=NAS |access-date=18 October 2020 |date=19 October 1996}}
=November=
- 8 November – SingTel opens the new Telepark building in Tampines as a state-of-the-arts telecommunications facility.{{cite web|title=Opening Ceremony of Telepark |url=http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/1996110803.htm |website=NAS |access-date=18 October 2020 |date=8 November 1996}}
- 15 November
- The Changi Airport Extension Line (CGL) is announced to serve Changi Airport, with another station in future. The extension will be finished by 2001.{{cite web |title=Singapore Mass Rapid Transit Employees' Union (SMRTEU)'s annual Dinner and Dance |url=http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/1996111503/lhl19961115s.pdf |website=NAS |access-date=10 July 2019 |date=15 November 1996 |archive-date=10 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710173937/http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/1996111503/lhl19961115s.pdf |url-status=dead }}
- Eastpoint Mall's soft opening to the public.
- 16 November – The Selegie Arts Centre is officially opened.{{cite web |title=Official Opening of Selegie Arts Centre |url=http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/1996111502.htm |website=NAS |access-date=18 October 2020 |date=16 November 1996}}
- 23 November – The S'pore Discovery Centre is officially opened.{{cite web |title=Our History |url=https://www.sdc.com.sg/history.php |website=SDC |access-date=30 July 2019 |archive-date=30 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730174020/https://www.sdc.com.sg/history.php |url-status=dead }}
- 26 November – The CashCard is officially launched.{{cite web |title=Official launch of CashCard |url=http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/1996112603.htm |website=NAS |access-date=18 October 2020 |date=26 November 1996}}
=December=
- 2 December – The Government announced the building of Terminal 3 in Changi Airport to handle more passengers, with completion initially targeted by 2004. However, several crises have delayed the project, which started operating on 9 January 2008. An airport hotel is also considered for travellers, which is ultimately built as Crowne Plaza Changi Airport.{{cite web |title=Annual Airport Reception 1996 |url=http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/1996120201.htm |website=NAS |access-date=18 October 2020 |date=2 December 1996}}
- 5 December – The SCORE Counselling Centre is officially opened, in operation since 1995. The centre aims to help drug addicts steer clear of drugs.{{cite web |title=Official Opening Ceremony of SCORE Counselling Centre |url=http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/1996120404.htm |website=NAS |access-date=18 October 2020 |date=5 December 1996}}
- 9–13 December – The World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference of 1996 took place in Singapore, the first Ministerial Conference to be held.{{cite web |title=Inaugural WTO Ministerial Conference is held |url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/history/events/94032d24-83f8-4b81-bd6b-fb5f92e7d375 |website=NLB |access-date=18 July 2019}}
- 23 December – Nomination day for 1997 General Election: The People's Action Party wins 47 uncontested seats and hence returns to power.{{cite web |title=PAP is back in power |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19961224-1.2.3 |website=The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB) |access-date=5 December 2019 |date=24 December 1996}}
=Date unknown=
Births
- 12 January – Adam Swandi, footballer
- 20 February – Zong Zijie, actor
- 19 March – Tyler Ten, Singaporean actor
- 14 May – Herman Keh, Singaporean actor
- 20 September – Shanti Pereira, track and field athlete.
- 29 September – Quah Zheng Wen, swimmer.
- 27 October – Hannah Delisha, actress and singer
- 5 November – Zhai Siming, Singapore based actor
Deaths
- 5 February – Lim Chin Siong, trade union leader and politician (b. 1933).{{cite web |title=Lim Chin Siong |url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_1462_2009-02-18.html |website=NLB |access-date=29 October 2019}}
- 13 March – T. T. Rajah, short time Secretary General of the PAP (b. 1919).{{Cite web |title=NewspaperSG |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19960314-1.2.33.4 |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=eresources.nlb.gov.sg}}
- 23 May – Benny Probocemdana Oen, murder victim in the Pacific Plaza stabbing (b. 1958).{{Cite news |last=Miller |first=David |date=24 May 1996 |title=Indonesian dies after being stabbed |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19960524-1.2.6.7 |access-date=17 May 2024 |work=The Straits Times |pages=3 |via=NewspaperSG}}
- 26 August – Neo Lam Lye, murder victim in the Bedok Reservoir flat murder (b. 1986–1987).{{Cite news |date=29 August 1996 |title=Man charged with murder |work=The Straits Times |via=NewspaperSG}}
- 14 September – E. J. H. Corner, botanist and Assistant Director of Singapore Botanic Gardens (b. 1906).{{cite web |title=E. J. H. Corner |url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_2013-05-14_144213.html |website=NLB |access-date=12 November 2019}}
- 4 October – Phang Ai Looi, murder victim of Kwan Cin Cheng (b. 1973).{{Cite news |date=23 April 1997 |title='I tried to hang myself, but failed' |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19970423-1.2.28.17 |access-date=17 May 2024 |work=The Straits Times |pages=26 |via=NewspaperSG}}
- 4 December – Albert Winsemius, economic advisor (b. 1910).{{cite web |title=Albert Winsemius |url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_1457_2009-02-11.html |website=NLB |access-date=12 November 2019}}
References
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{{Years in Singapore}}
{{Year in Asia|1996}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:1996 In Singapore}}