1966 in Singapore

Incumbents

• President: Yusof Ishak
• Prime Minister: Lee Kuan Yew

Events

January

• 18 January – The Bukit Merah by-election was held. PAP candidate Lim Guan Hoo won by 82.94% of the vote.

February

• 17 February – The Internal Security Department and Security and Intelligence Division are formed to maintain national security.

March

• 1 March – By-elections were held in three constituencies, namely Choa Chu Kang Constituency, Crawford Constituency and Paya Lebar Constituency.

April

• 16 April – Two top Barisan Sosialis leaders and MPs, Chia Thye Poh and Koo Young were arrested on sedition charge.

May

• 5 May – The National Registration Act comes into effect.
• 9 May – Registration starts for the National Registration Identity Card (NRIC), which comes in laminated plastic.

June

• 20 June – The first passports are issued.
• 28 June – The "Aid Vietnam Committee" of the Parti Rakyat Singapura and Barisan Sosialis announced that they will be planning a rally on 4 July to protest against the American involvement in the Vietnam War.

August

• August – The Constitutional Commission Report is issued. Most of the recommendations were not followed except a Council to make sure policies do not discriminate against any racial or religious communities.
• 3 August – Singapore joins the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. This will enable Singapore to borrow loans for development and share best practices in monetary management.
• 9 August – The first National Day Parade is held to commemorate Singapore's independence.
• 12 August – Confrontation ends, after a peace treaty is signed.
• 22 August – Singapore founds the Asian Development Bank as part of 31 nations. It aims to provide another source of funds for development works.
• 23 August – The sea curfew is lifted after the end of Confrontation, a decision widely applauded by villagers.
• 24 August – The National Pledge is recited for the first time, which is written by S. Rajaratnam.
• 26 August – A new TV studio is officially opened for Radio and Television Singapore in Caldecott Hill.

October

• 8 October – Barisan Sosialis announced the resignation of all of its MPs. Party chairman Lee Siew Choh indicated that the party's new strategy is to struggle outside parliament.
• 29 October – Chia Thye Poh, former Barisan Sosialis MP for Jurong Constituency and other leftists were detained in a security swoop.

November

• 2 November – The third wave of by-elections were held in three constituencies, namely Bukit Timah Constituency, Jurong Constituency and Joo Chiat Constituency.
• 4 November – A strike which turned into a riot occurred at the City Hall by Ngee Ann College students to protest against the Thong Saw Pak Report. Eight policeman and three civilians were injured in the protest.

December

• 6 December – Five members from Barisan Sosialis have resigned as Members of Parliament, sparking the 1967 by-elections. They are Tan Cheng Tong (Jalan Kayu), Poh Ber Liak (Tampines), Ong Lian Teng (Bukit Panjang), Loh Miaw Gong (Havelock) and Koo Young (Thomson).

Births

• 8 January – Adrian Pang, Malaysian-born Singaporean actor.
• 4 February – Harpreet Singh Nehal, lawyer and opposition politician.
• 16 March – Fatimah Lateef, former politician.
• 31 March – Adrian Tan, lawyer and author (d. 2023).
• 28 May – Jessica Tan, Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
• 16 June – Hri Kumar Nair, lawyer and former politician.
• 18 October – Aileen Tan, actress.

Deaths

• 25 January – Khoo Kay Hian, broker and founder of UOB-Kay Hian (b. 1886).
• 31 January – Arthur E. Percival, known for surrendering to the Japanese on 15 February 1942 during World War II (b. 1887).
• 9 April – Ko Teck Kin, first High Commissioner to Malaysia (b. 1911).
• 2 June – Richard Olaf Winstedt, colonial administrator (b. 1878).
• 5 June – Lee Choon Seng, Singaporean Chinese businessman and philanthropist (b. 1888).
• 15 November – Roland St John Braddell, lawyer (b. 1880).

References

References

1. "Singapore Parliamentary By-Election January 1966".
2. "ELD {{!}} 1966 Parliamentary By-election Result".
3. "March 1966 Parliamentary By-election".
4. "Two Barisan leaders arrested on sedition charge".
5. (5 May 1966). "All is set for registration for new S'pore cards".
6. "National registration for Singapore identity cards begins".
7. "Rally planned against U S in Vietnam".
8. "Constitutional Commission Report is issued".
9. "Singapore's first national day".
10. "Konfrontasi (Confrontation) ends".
11. "Singapore joins the Asian Development Bank".
12. (24 August 1966). "Mid-sea joy as the curfew is lifted". The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB).
13. "The National Pledge is taken".
14. (27 August 1966). "New home for TV...".
15. "25 YEARS AGO".
16. "25 YEARS AGO".
17. "November 1966 Parliamentary By-election".
18. Singapore, National Library Board. "Riot by students of Ngee Ann College at steps of City Hall, 4 November 1966".
19. (6 December 1966). "Five more Barisan MPs quit seats". The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB).
20. Boland, Geoffrey. (26 January 1966). "Leading Singapore share broker dies, 81". [[The Straits Budget]].
21. "Arthur E. Percival".
22. "ENVOY KO TECK KIN DIES IN HONG KONG HOSPITAL".
23. "福建侨报数字报刊平台-高德根 为抗日历史立碑 替蒙难民众伸冤".
24. "Richard Olaf Winstedt".
25. "Leading S'ore banker Lee dies at 82".
26. "Roland St John Braddell".