Singapore in 1993: Unresolved Agendas in an Eventful Year

Abstract

Obviously an eventful, prosperous year for Singaporeans, 1993 was not without its anxieties and concerns. Events such as the highly oversubscribed Telecom shares, the unexpected strong rebound of the economy, the many programs to help lower-income groups, the launching of the Open University degree program, the hosting of top-level intergovernmental meetings, the higher profile adopted by former Prime Minister (and now senior minister) Lee Kuan Yew, and the first-ever national referendum to elect a new president were all exciting moments. The exuberance, however, was somewhat clouded by unsettling episodes such as the growing concern for Singapore's competitive edge, the leadership crisis besetting the leading opposition party, the regime's yet unresolved task of recruiting ministerial-caliber talent, despite the Cabinet reshuffle in December, and to the many soccer fans, the defeat of the Singapore Dream Team in the Malaysia Cup finals.