9 January – TheMinistry of Education announced that a single intake for junior college and centralised institute admissions will be implemented from January 2009. This is made possible as theSingapore Examinations and Assessment Board moves to take greater control of theO Level examinations from this year.[3]
12 January – The first $2 polymer notes are released.[4]
16 January – A statement onNS defaulters is delivered inParliament after the case ofMelvyn Tan in 2005. It sparked a controversy due to the fine imposed.[8]
17 January – TheWorkplace Safety and Health Act is passed to ensure better workplace safety and health standards, after several high-profile accidents. The law came into effect on 1 March.[9]
19 January – The Somerset Skate Park is officially opened.[10][11]
3 February – In response to theJyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS)) issued a statement that says "the inciting of hatred against a faith of a people is very unfortunate." Foreign MinisterGeorge Yeo and theMinister-in-charge of Muslim AffairsYaacob Ibrahim have similarly said that the incident shows the need to respect racial and religious sensitivities, to have a "responsible media", and to cultivate good inter-religious relations and confidence beyond just legislation.
8 February – TheMonetary Authority of Singapore announced the setting up of Singapore Deposit Insurance Corporation Limited (SDIC) to manage deposit insurance.[16]
1 March – A case of child rape and murder by drowning occurred at Pipit Road. The victim,Nurasyura binte Mohamed Fauzi, was killed by her stepfatherMohammed Ali bin Johari, who was charged with murder and sentenced to death. Mohammed Ali was hanged on 19 December 2008.
The old Clifford Pier is officially closed, with the pier conserved as part of a future development. Awards to recognise the maritime industry's contributions are announced.[34]
19 April – TheStraits Times Index sets a high of 2,585.84 points,[35] surpassing the former record of 2,582.94 points from 2000.[36] These record highs continued until 2007.
22 April – The Heritage Trees Register and the Young Arborist Programme are launched for the public to learn about the histories of Heritage Trees and raise awareness on conservation, and foster appreciation of trees in the younger generation respectively. At the same time, the number of Heritage Trees has increased from 35 to 161.[37][38]
The rulingPeople's Action Party winning 82 out of 84 seats (37 of which wereuncontested) with a percentage of 66.6% of the total vote. This was the first election since the1988 election more than a majority of seats were contested and the party did not control the government after Nomination Day (held on 27 April).
7 May – Workers' Party's candidateJames Gomez is detained in Singapore for further questioning, after trying to leave forSweden to return to work. He was released a week later with a formal warning.
19 May –Kallang body parts murder murdererLeong Siew Chor received a death sentence for murdering a 22-year-old Chinese national Liu Hong Mei.[40]
25 May – The 145 Squadron, which is theRepublic of Singapore Air Force's third generation of fighter planes and its first advanced pilot jet, was launched for the first time.
6 July – The local free newspaperToday suspends the column ofmrbrown in a noted case ofcensorship in Singapore following a letter from a government official to the letters section of the paper.
13 September – Upgrades to Changi Airport Terminal 2 are completed, resulting in improvements to the Terminal's design and more commercial space. Upgrades to Changi Airport Terminal 1 are in the pipeline.[52]
25 September – The second season ofSingapore Idol ends withHady Mirza winning the honour of being the second Singapore Idol.
28 September – TheMinistry of Education announced that EM3 and other streams will be abolished, leading to Subject-Based Banding in primary schools. The change takes effect in 2008.[53]
29 September – Changi Airport's CIP Terminal opens as a facility for commercially important people, managed by JetQuay.[54]
5 November – The first refurbishedC151 train enters service, with the whole project completed by 2008.[62]
8 November – TheMinistry of Home Affairs announced several proposed changes to thePenal Code,[63] including modifying the marital immunity currently enjoyed by a husband againstraping his wife, and to decriminalise oral and anal sex by a consenting heterosexual couple aged 16 years and above. A one-month consultation is subsequently held.[64]
10 November - Jurong West Sports and Recreation Centre is progressively opened, but officially opened on 28 October the following year.
30 November –IKEA opens a new store in Tampines Retail Park.[65]
