Singapore Country Handbook 1. This handbook provides basic reference information on Singapore, including its geography, history, government, military forces, and communications and transportation networks. This information is intended to familiarize military per- sonnel with local customs and area knowledge to assist them during their assignment to Singapore. 2. This product is published under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Defense Intelligence Production Program (DoDIPP) with the Marine Corps Intel- ligence Activity designated as the community coordinator for the Country Hand- book Program. This product reflects the coordinated U.S. Defense Intelligence Community position on Singapore. 3. Dissemination and use of this publication is restricted to official military and government personnel from the United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, NATO member countries, and other countries as required and designated for support of coalition operations. 4. The photos and text reproduced herein have been extracted solely for research, comment, and information reporting, and are intended for fair use by designated personnel in their official duties, including local reproduction for train- ing. Further dissemination of copyrighted material contained in this document, to include excerpts and graphics, is strictly prohibited under Title 17, U.S. Code. CONTENTS KEY FACTS. 1 U.S. MISSION . 2 U.S. Embassy. 2 Entry Requirements . 4 Passport/Visa Requirements . 4 Immunization Requirements. 4 Custom Restrictions . 4 GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE . 4 Geography . 4 Land Statistics. 4 Topography . 6 Climate. 7 Weather . 7 Environment . 8 TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION . 8 Transportation . 8 Roads . 8 Rail . 9 Air . 11 Maritime . 12 Communication . 12 Radio and Television. 12 Telephone and Telegraph . 13 Newspapers and Magazines . 13 Postal Services . 14 Internet . 14 iii Contents (Continued) CULTURE . 14 Statistics. 14 Society . 15 Education and Literacy Rates . 15 Religion . 17 Customs and Courtesies. 18 Greetings. 18 Gestures . 19 Visiting . 19 Dining . 19 MEDICAL ASSESSMENT . 20 Infectious Disease Risks to Deployed U.S. Personnel . 20 Foodborne or Waterborne Diseases . 20 Vector-borne Diseases. 21 Sexually Transmitted Diseases . 21 Respiratory Diseases. 21 Water-contact Diseases . 21 Animal-contact Diseases. 22 Medical Capabilities . 22 Key Medical Facilities. 23 HISTORY . 27 Chronology of Key Events . 28 GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS . 30 Government . 30 Key Government Officials . 30 National Level. 30 Local Level . 31 Politics . 31 Elections . 31 Suffrage. 31 Political Parties . 31 Foreign Relations . 32 iv Contents (Continued) ECONOMY . 33 Statistics. 33 Resources. 35 Industry . 35 Agriculture . 35 Tourism . 35 THREAT. 35 Crime . 35 Travel Security. 36 Terrorism . 37 Drug Trafficking . 37 Major Intelligence Services . 37 Opposition Forces . 37 ARMED FORCES . 37 Organization . 37 Mission . 37 Strategy . 38 Personnel. 39 Key Defense Personnel. 41 Capabilities . 41 Force Modernization. 41 Army . 41 Organization . 41 Personnel. 43 Disposition . 43 Equipment. 43 Air Force . 45 Organization . 45 Personnel. 46 Disposition . 46 Equipment. ..