Asean is a geographic, political and economic association formed of ten countries in Southeast Asia. Join The Expat Team as, over the course of 2013, we take you around this magnificent and diverse region.

The decade of the1960s was a tumultuous time throughout much of the world, and the region of southeast Asia was no exception. Singapore had just been brought into the country of Malaya in 1963, along with Sabah and Sarawak, only to be unceremoniously expelled just two years later. Cambodia was being roiled by social and political upheaval that culminated in the deadly rise of the Khmer Rouge in the 70s. Vietnam was in the throes of a deadly conflict that spread beyond its own borders to Laos and Cambodia, as well. Malaysia was dealing with race riots and a years-long effort to quell a communist insurgency that had been defeated in 1960, but was renewed in 1967. In Burma, control of the nation was seized by the military in 1962 in a coup d’état, and protests and demonstrations broke out across the country, many ending in violent suppression. Indonesia found itself embroiled in a protracted confrontation with the newly formed nation of Malaysia and was experiencing widening social divisions and political strife, highlighted and by the ouster of the country’s first president. Tough times in Indonesia were further punctuated by a spectacular natural disaster on the island of Bali with a massive volcanic eruption in 1963 that killed thousands. It was a difficult period across the whole of the region, to put it mildly.

It was against this turbulent backdrop that ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, was formed in 1967. Originally bringing together five countries, ASEAN comprised Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines. Since that time, the membership has expanded to include neighbouring countries Laos, Vietnam, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, and Brunei. The association was formed with the goals of driving economic growth, developing and sharing cultures among its member nations, promoting peace and security throughout the region, and providing a platform for discussion and problem-solving when disagreements arise. Nearly a half century on, ASEAN remains a remarkably stable and beneficial association.

As expats in Malaysia, we’re living right in the middle of a dynamic and culturally rich region that is finding itself increasingly important on the global stage. As we rush headlong into the new year, we’d like to introduce these amazing lands to you one by one. Many of you have no doubt travelled to numerous ASEAN locations and maybe even have some personal favourites. We’ll spend the next ten months profiling a nation at a time, touching on history, people, travel and tourism opportunities, and the outlook for the future.

First up is the neighbour with whom Malaysia shares the closest (if not always the friendliest) historical ties, Singapore, the Lion City.

Singapore Dream Themes

Much visited and englessly loved, David Bowden details the many adventures on offer just a short hop across the border in Singapore, where history is celebrated and modernity is constantly pushing onwards.

In less than 200 years Singapore has gone from a small tropical island covered in forests and with few inhabitants to one of the world’s most densely populated places with one of the highest living standards. While there are many parts of Singapore that retain links to the past, other precincts offer tourists a very cosmopolitan experience.

Tourism has always been, and remains, one of the main reasons for people to travel to Singapore. Tourists come for many reasons, and while shopping is important for many, there is an increasing range of other options.

The island’s historic Merlion landmark has recently been rejuvenated and reinvigorated and, in recent years, there has been a conscious effort to create tourism products, events, and activities to ensure there is always a new reason to return to the island state.

Integrated Adventure

Singapore’s tourism profile changed dramatically with the opening, a few years back, of its two integrated resorts: Resorts World Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands. Their primary purpose is tourism and leisure, especially at Resorts World (www.rwsentosa.com) which includes the region’s first Universal Studios theme park. Visitors come to chance their hand at the tables as well as for entertainment and lifestyle opportunities ranging from luxurious accommodation to theme parks and everything in between, making both these places one-stop holiday destinations.

Resorts World Sentosa on Sentosa Island is home to attractions such as Universal Studios Singapore, Marine Life Park,

Maritime Experiential Museum and Aquarium, Festive Walk, restaurants, and shops.

Visitors can relive Hollywood blockbusters in the seven zones of fun in Asia’s first Universal Studios theme park including Hollywood, New York, Sci-Fi City, Ancient Egypt, Lost World, Far Far Away, and Madagascar.

Marine Life Park, the world’s largest oceanarium, is also located within the complex. With 100,000 marine organisms living inside, it provides an interactive and multi-sensory marine experience. Rides including the 620m Adventure River as well as slides and wave pools.

The Maritime Experiential Museum and Aquarium is a showcase for the maritime trade between the East and West, with specific attention being given to the pioneer Chinese trader Admiral Zheng He and his replica treasure ship the Bao Chuan.

Living Culture

Beyond the malls and integrated resorts, culture is alive and well in Singapore. The National Museum of Singapore (www.nationalmuseum.sg) is Singapore’s biggest museum and its recent extension of glass and metal provides a revitalised and interactive appearance to the grand colonial building.

The older part of the museum, located at 93 Stamford Road, is a landmark structure topped by a dramatic stained glass dome. It was previously the Raffles Museum and Library, and was well known for its substantive collections of natural history, ethnology, and archaeology.

In addition to its impressive collection of natural history drawings, there are permanent living galleries on Singapore’s history, film, food, photography, and fashion. It is also the custodian of Singapore’s eleven National Treasures which includes the Singapore Stone that dates back to the 13th century. The museum is open daily from 10am to 6pm, with the Living Galleries open until 8pm.

Singapore Art Museum (www. singaporeartmuseum.sg) at 71 Bras Basah Road is the nation’s leading art gallery. It is located in a former Classic-style boys school and is now a showcase for the region’s leading contemporary art. Several large courtyards within the building are used to house installations and sculptures. The museum is open daily from 10am to 7pm (Fridays 10am to 9pm).

Garden City

Despite being one of the most densely populated parts of the world, Singapore manages to retain a close contact with its natural surroundings. While much of Singapore’s natural components are man-made (landscaped parks and gardens), it manages to retain a clean and green image. One of the best examples of this is the Botanic Gardens, but there are several other impressive, large reserves such as Bukit Timah Reserve and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.

Visitors don’t have to travel far to appreciate all things natural with the recently opened Gardens by the Bay, an ambitious development aimed at transforming Singapore into a City in a Garden. This mammoth undertaking has been championed by the National Parks Board and occupies 101ha of prime downtown waterfront land. It includes three distinctive waterfront gardens – Bay South, Bay East, and Bay Central.

Bay Central has a 3km long waterfront promenade that links the other two gardens, while the 32ha Bay East area includes food gardens, a watersports arena, water gardens, and “edutainment” areas that detail the story of water in nature.

Bay South is the largest garden at 54ha. It includes the massive Conservatory Complex, which comprises two glasshouses showcasing plants from Mediterranean-type climatic regions and tropical mountains, 18 Supertrees (tree-like, vertical gardens of nine to sixteen storeys high), an aerial walkway, a treetop bistro, and several horticultural themed gardens.

Just as in Malaysia, food is an essential component of Singaporean lifestyle and there are many exciting and innovative F&B concepts, even in Gardens by the Bay. Visitors can dine up in Supertrees Dining that includes eateries such as: Peach Garden Noodle House, Texas Chicken, Hill Street Café Shop, Casa Verde, and Canelé Pâtisserie Chocolaterie. In other parts of the gardens there is Café Crema, Seventh Heaven (with 30 ice cream flavours) and Pollen, a Mediterranean-inspired modern European restaurant.

David Bowden is the author of a new book entitled Enchanting Singapore (published by John Beaufoy Publishing of the United Kingdom). This 80 page book is full of the latest information and illustrated with lots of photographs. It is available in all good bookshops.

Now And Then

Knowledge Of Singapore's beginnings and rise a little hazy in your mind? Let Manveen Maan Provide a quick life story of this powerhouse city-state.

Officially known as the Republic of Singapore, this Southeast Asian city-state lies off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, 137 km north of the equator. The island nation is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia by the Singapore Strait to its south. Despite its small size, Singapore is a highly urbanised area and well-known for its jaw-dropping skyscrapers, flash shopping malls, beautiful scenery, and delectable cuisine.

Legend has it that a 14th century Sumatran prince spotted an animal (most likely a Malayan tiger) upon landing on the island after a thunderstorm, and thus the name Singapore stems from the Malay words singa (meaning lion) and pura (meaning city). Prior to the European settlement, the island was the site of a Malay fishing village and inhabited by several hundred indigenous Orang Laut people.

Swamp To Nation

While it may now be one of the world’s most prosperous countries and certainly stands head and shoulders above its Asian counterparts in terms of economy, Singapore took its first steps into the modern world as a British trading colony in 1819. The then Lieutenant-Governor of Bencoolen (now Bengkulu) in Sumatra, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, recognised the immense potential of the-then swamp covered island and helped negotiate a treaty with the local rulers to establish Singapore as a trading station. Soon, the island’s policy of free trade attracted merchants from all over Asia as well as from as distant as the US and the/ Middle East.

In 1832, Singapore became the centre of government for the Straits Settlements of Penang, Malacca, and Singapore. With the introduction of the telegraph and steamship, Singapore’s position as a centre of the expanding trade between the East and West increased tremendously. By 1860, the flourishing country had a population that had grown from a mere 150 in 1819 to a whopping 80,792.

However the peace and prosperity of the country was not to survive unhindered. During World War II, Singapore suffered a huge blow by being attacked by the Japanese. Once regarded as an impenetrable fortress, the city fell under Japanese control in 1942, and remained occupied for the next three and half years – a time marked by great oppression and an immense loss of life.

In 1959, the growth of nationalism led to self-government and the country’s first general election. The People’s Action Party (PAP) won a majority of 43 seats and Lee Kuan Yew became the first prime minister of Singapore. In 1963, Singapore merged with the Federation of Malaya, Sarawak, and North Borneo to form Malaysia, but the merger proved ineffective and less than two years later, on 9 August 1965, Singapore left Malaysia to become an independent and sovereign democratic nation. December of that same year saw Singapore finally becoming an independent republic.

Money talks

Since independence, Singapore has seen a massive increase in wealth and has cemented its place in the international arena as a formidable economic development. As one of the world’s fourth leading financial centres, its port is one of the five busiest in the world in terms of tonnage handled – an impressive achievement for the second smallest country in Asia.

Boasting a remarkable 92.5% literacy rate, Singapore enjoys a highly developed and successful free-market economy. It is also commended for the remarkably open and corruption-free environment, stable prices, and a per capita GDP higher than that of most developed countries and, consequently, is regarded as one of the world’s most prosperous countries, with strong international trading links and a per capita GDP equal to that of leading Western European nations.

The Singaporean economy is heavily dependent on exports, particularly in consumer electronics, information technology products, pharmaceuticals, and on a growing financial services sector. The country has also attracted major investments in pharmaceuticals and medical technology production as well as the property market.

Socially, Singapore has relatively good relations with its neighbours, albeit with a “friendly” rivalry with Malaysia. Disputes over freshwater delivery to Singapore, extensive land reclamation works, bridge construction, and a debate on the maritime boundaries between Johor and Singapore Straits are a few examples of the somewhat contentious issues the two countries have dealt with in the past, but in general the two neighbours are tolerant.

Modern lifestyle

Possibly due to its colonial roots, Singapore has also developed a reputation of being quite a conservative nation. In a bid to boost tourism, the country has tried to shed the conventional image that has long been associated with its heritage, and strategies include opening up gambling to the wider community via the plush new casino at Marina Bay Sands (although Singaporean citizens are required to pay a casino entry levy of SG$100 a day) and lowering tax rates – the latter a move that clearly worked given that Singapore now holds the highest concentration of millionaires in the world, most notably Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin, who has lived there since 2009.

Besides being touted as a shopping haven due to its plethora of designer-goods stacked malls, Singapore is also heating up the fine dining scene. The past year has seen two restaurants making the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, as well as two more emerging in the top 100. On top of that, a host of world famous chefs have recently opened restaurants, including Australia’s Tetsuya Wakuda (Waku Ghin opened in 2010), Wolfgang Puck (his steakhouse CUT is considered one of the finest in the US), Daniel Boulud (DB Bistro Moderne), and Guy Savoy (Guy Savoy).

Rounding up the list of playgrounds for the well-heeled are the flash nightspots now synonymous with Singapore’s party scene. Housing some of the world’s most exclusive clubs, these spaces often feature decadence in detail: 1000-yearold Saur tree tops, animal skinned sofas, reservations for tables ranging from SG$2000 to SG$15000 a night, and of course, strict door policies. Fashionable clubs include the elite Pangaea, the dizzyingly-high KU DE TA, international DJ hotspot Avalon, and a collection of nightspots in Clarke Quay, all of which have catapulted Singapore into serious contender status in the “luxe nightlife” category.

With all these perks, it is no wonder that Singapore has attracted international property investors like moths to a flame in recent years. Supporting the view that the region is on the property market rise, research houses ranked Singapore as one of the five cities (including Jakarta, Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok) topping the Asian Investment Prospects list for 2013.

Today, Singapore continues to cleverly manoeuvre its way in the world of international trade, business, and entertainment. A significant part of its success is owed to its government’s proindustrialisation policies and excellence-oriented, multi-ethnic people. It comes as no surprise then the country continues to establish itself as Southeast Asia’s financial and high-tech hub, with lifestyle and fashion fast becoming a part of its national repertoire.

———————————————————————————————————

Singapore

Size: 710 km2 (World rank: 189th)
Population: 5.3 million (2012)
Government: Parliamentary constitutional republic
Official languages: English,Chinese, Malay, Tamil
GDP PPP*: $59,711 (World rank: 3rd)
HDI**: 0.886, very high (World rank: 26th)
Currency: Singapore dollar (1SGD = 2.45MYR)

Notable facts:

The country of Singapore consists of 63 islands in total.

Nearly half of Singapore’s population is foreign-born. With its expulsion from Malaysia in 1965, Singapore is the only nation to have had its
independence effectively forced upon it.

Because of ongoing reclamation efforts, Singapore’s land area has increased by over 20% since the 1960s.

——————————————————————————————————-

Source: The Expat February 2013

Read more:

• Top Six Best Places to Honeymoon in Malaysia
• Elephant Sanctuary in Kuala Gandah
• Island Hopping: From Penang to Koh Samui

What are your thoughts on this article? Let us know by commenting below.No registration needed.