19 January – Minister for CommunicationsMah 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.[2] However, automation problems pushed back the date to 20 June 2003.
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.[4]
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.[6]
4 March – 16 stations will be built on the 20 km (12 miles) 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.[7]
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.[8]
10 March – Several bus services running parallel to the Woodlands MRT extension were either withdrawn or amended.
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.[11]
14 April – The S.League, a professional tournament, is launched.[13]
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.[14]
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.[15]
21 May – A debate happened in Parliament over the HPL saga.[16]
June
20 June – The National Youth Centre and Youth Park are officially launched.[17]
11 August – Construction starts on The Esplanade, which will enhance the arts in Singapore.[24]
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.
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.[27]
28 September – Construction starts on the Opera Estate Drainage Scheme to relieve floods in the area, targeted for completion by 2000.[29]
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.[30]
26 November – The CashCard is officially launched.[36]
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.[37]
5 December – The SCORE Counselling Centre is officially opened, in operation since 1995. The centre aims to help drug addicts steer clear of drugs.[38]
