Singapore - Singapore country profile

Singapore country profile (Source: BBC)

Singapore is a hi-tech, wealthy city-state in south-east Asia, also known for the conservatism of its leaders and its strict social controls.

The country comprises the main island - linked by a causeway and a bridge to the southern tip of Malaysia - and around 50 smaller islands.

Once a colonial outpost of Britain, Singapore has become one of the world's most prosperous places - with glittering skyscrapers and a thriving port.

OVERVIEW

Most of its people live in public-housing tower blocks. They enjoy one of the world's highest standards of living, but also a system of punishments for acts deemed to be anti-social.

Government-led initiatives have encouraged Singaporeans to have more babies and to be more courteous. Citizens are urged to "Speak Good English" in place of a local slang known as "Singlish".

Chinese make up more than 75% of the community; Malays and Indians make up much of the remainder. There are many foreign workers.

Although Singapore is a multi-party nation, the People's Action Party (PAP) has been the dominant force since independence, regularly winning well over 60% of the vote.

But some critics say the PAP cements its hold on power by an electoral system that makes it difficult for opposition parties to gain seats, as well warnings that it will target investment at constituencies that vote PAP.

Singapore is often referred to as one of Asia's economic "tigers". Its economy is driven by electronics manufacturing and financial services and has weathered regional crises, including the 1997 Asian markets slump, the 2003 Sars virus outbreak and the 2009 world banking crisis.

In the face of strong competition from regional manufacturers, Singapore is seeking to strengthen its services sector and tourism industry.

Singapore argues that its use of capital punishment - applied mostly for drugs trafficking offences - has stopped the growth of narcotics syndicates.

FACTS

Full name: Republic of Singapore

Population: 4.8 million (UN, 2010)

Capital: Singapore

Area: 660 sq km (255 sq miles)

Major languages: English, Malay, Mandarin, Tamil

Religions: Taoism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism

Life expectancy: 79 years (men), 83 years (women) (UN)

Monetary unit: 1 Singapore dollar = 100 cents

Main exports: Computer equipment, machinery, rubber products, petroleum products

GNI per capita: US $37,220 (World Bank, 2009)

Internet domain: .sg

International dialling code: +65

LEADERS

President: Tony Tan

Tony Tan, a former deputy prime minister, won the 2011 presidential election by a narrow margin. He was seen as the establishment candidate.

All four candidates in the election - the first of its kind for 18 years - shared the same surname, Tan.

Presidential candidates run as individuals because Singapore's head of state is supposed to be non-partisan.

Prime minister: Lee Hsien Loong

The elder son of Singapore's founding father Lee Kuan Yew, Lee Hsien Loong took office in August 2004, without an election, as part of a planned handover of power.

He vowed to continue the policy of opening up Singapore's society.

Mr Lee won re-election with typically large PAP majorities in 2006 and 2011. However, the opposition made some significant gains in 2011, spurred by voter concern about income inequality and immigration.

The prime minister said the election marked a "shift in the political landscape", and said his party would undergo "soul-searching".

A former army officer, Mr Lee followed his father into politics at the age of 32, becoming deputy prime minister in 1990.

As finance minister in his predecessor's cabinet, he was credited with helping to secure Singapore's competitive edge amidst growing competition from China.

Mr Lee's father, who oversaw the transformation of Singapore into an economic power, is the cabinet's official mentor - a newly-created post.

Goh Chok Tong, Lee Hsien Loong's predecessor, is the senior minister in the cabinet, and thus the most senior advisor to the prime minister.

MEDIA

Singapore's media environment is highly regulated. Censorship is common, internet access is regulated and private ownership of satellite dishes is not allowed.

The government vigorously punishes the press for perceived personal attacks on officials, says Freedom House. "As a result, the vast majority of print and broadcast journalists practice self-censorship." Senior officials have been known to sue foreign newspapers.

Two players dominate the media scene. Singapore Press Holdings, which has close links to the ruling party, has a virtual monopoly of the newspaper industry. MediaCorp, owned by a state investment agency, operates TV and radio stations.

Singapore is a regional pioneer of high-definition and mobile TV services. The government's multi-million dollar "Media 21" blueprint aims to turn the country into a regional hub for the digital media industry and to create thousands of jobs.

The BBC World Service broadcasts on 88.9 FM.

There were 3.66 million internet users by June 2010 (InternetWorldStats). There is token filtering of pornographic sites, but licensing controls and legal pressures are used to regulate internet access and curb "objectionable" content, says OpenNet Initiative.

Political debate has found an outlet online, but those who post political material are expected to register with the authorities. There were around 2.5 million active Facebook users by June 2011.

The press

Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) - publishes 15 newspapers and six periodicals

The Straits Times - published by SPH

Business Times - published by SPH

Today - published by MediaCorp

Television

MediaCorp - operates entertainment-based Channel 5 and Channel 8, Malay channel Suria, Mandarin-language Channel U

Channel NewsAsia - news TV operated by MediaCorp

Radio

MediaCorp - operates more than a dozen stations including English-language news and talk station 938Live, music stations and Chinese, Malay and Indian services

SPH Unionworks - operates English-language Radio 91.3 and Mandarin station Radio 100.3

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