No but they run the show.
you are right! I read too much into ol yew.
Raffles is the main founding guy. . hence the Raffles hotel in spore, which i have not yet visited. I am no spore expert only having overnighted a few times on lay overs 
AI Overview
Singapore came to be through its founding as a British trading port by Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819, thriving as a free entrepôt and eventually becoming the capital of the Straits Settlements. After being occupied by Japan during WWII, it gained self-governance in 1959 and joined Malaysia in 1963, only to be expelled due to ideological differences two years later, leading to Singapore’s independent sovereignty in 1965.
Colonial Origins
.
In 1819, Raffles established a trading port for the British East India Company on the island, a move intended to break Dutch dominance in the region and leverage its strategic location at the tip of the Malay Peninsula.
- Free Port and Growth:
.
Singapore quickly grew into a prosperous free port, attracting merchants and laborers from various parts of Asia and Europe.
.
The settlement became a British Crown Colony in 1867, with Singapore serving as its capital.
WWII and Self-Governance
-
Japanese Occupation: During World War II, Japan conquered Singapore in 1942, a period that left a lasting impression on Singapore’s leaders and inspired the need for self-protection.
-
Post-War Control: After Japan’s surrender, Singapore returned to British control.
-
Self-Governing Status: Singapore gained self-governance in 1959.
Independence
Singapore briefly joined the Federation of Malaysia in 1963, alongside Malaya, North Borneo, and Sarawak.
- Separation:
However, ideological differences led to Singapore’s expulsion from the federation in 1965.
- Sovereign Nation:
Singapore then achieved independent sovereignty on August 9, 1965, becoming the nation it is today.
i remember there used to be MSA Malaysia Singapore Airlines. And I used to watch planes at SongShan when it was Taiwan’s only international airport. And I recall when MSA split soon we had MAS and SIA jets coming in different liveries than MSA. I had seen all three of their liveries at some point or another.
The Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA) officially ceased operations and split into Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Malaysian Airline System (MAS) on October 1, 1972. This division followed a January 1971 announcement by the Malaysian and Singapore governments to end their partnership and establish separate national carriers for each country.
Key details about the split:
- Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA): was formed in 1966, initially representing both nations.
- Malaysian Airline System (MAS): was incorporated in April 1971 and began operations on October 1, 1972.
- Singapore Airlines (SIA): also started operating on October 1, 1972, after MSA’s assets were divided.
- The split occurred due to differing strategic visions between the governments of Malaysia and Singapore regarding their respective airlines’ development and international routes.
So really back to singapore, the real thing is how the heck did ol Lee Kuan Yew con the Brits out of Singapore?
They shoulda kept it, they could not keep Hong Kong,but seems they had a solid case with Singapore.
Seems the Brits wanted to keep HK, but why relinquish Singapore? What is your take on it>? Portugal gave up Macau after HK went PRC all on it’s own. PRC apparently did not demand the return of Macau (according to my cousin who lives on Macau). Maybe there was pressure under the table?
Racism is defined as prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism by an individual, community, or institution against a person or people on the basis of their membership in a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized. per Oxford.
don’t put it in quotes. It’s defined as a negative thing in English. Racism is what led to cases like the Scottsboro Boys or the Central Park Five. I hurts to see people talk about things that they don’t spend one lick of time looking up. and the fact that black people are brought up in a discussion about Asia is very telling.
That stat about “most black people being criminals” is based on the arrests of accused perpetrators of violent crimes, not all crimes. But when your brown its guilty until proven innocent, I guess. If it was all crimes it would be much different because you’ll see different results about perpetrators of SA crimes against children, for example.
I know not many people here care about US race relations and wont care to defend black folk, which is perfectly fine. I’m not here to argue, its just that scrolling through a forum about Taiwan and seeing someone make a statement like that about black people is kind of…off-putting, to say the least. I can’t really let that slide. 
2 Likes
Actually you are correct. Most crims in the USA are NOT black, just perceived to be black. If you look at people in prison according to Ai
No, most inmates in the U.S. are not Black, but Black people are incarcerated at disproportionately high rates compared to their share of the general population. As of 2022, Black individuals made up an estimated 32% of the sentenced prison population, while White individuals accounted for 31%. However, Black Americans are incarcerated at a rate nearly five times higher than White Americans.
Disparities in Incarceration
Black individuals are incarcerated at significantly higher rates than other racial and ethnic groups, despite representing a much smaller percentage of the total U.S. population.
In 2022, Black individuals accounted for about 32% of the sentenced prison population but only about 13% of the general U.S. population.
Black Americans were incarcerated in state prisons at nearly five times the rate of White Americans in 2021.
p.s. this shows the overal population of convicted felons the majority are not black. But Black people have a much higher rate of being imprisoned. Why is this is the question to be asked. Social Economic status probably being a high indicator?
1 Like
Yes I agree with your findings tommy. although there is definitely a dichotomy between “sentenced” and “incarcerated”.
i worked in oakland for ten years and i have many black coworkers and a few have become friends. And it saddens me that they are prejudiced against. Everyone should be judged on who they are , not what they are. One guy even said to me, tommy you are half white and half asian you don’t get the prejudice that i face.
It wasn’t completely relinquished, Singapore is still part of the commonwealth today. British forces didn’t withdraw until 1971, and there has been a small commonwealth military presence since then to date.
HK was a difficult and different scenario, bordering mainland China. Providing HK independence under the commonwealth arrangement wasn’t possible, as it would likely have led to an invasion. Plus China on taking the seat in the UN moved a successful motion to remove Hong Kong from the list of non self governing territories, removing a mechanism for recognised independence.
1 Like
Portugal couldn’t defend Macau, with their colonial neighbour Britain ceding Hong Kong to China and thus no continued British Military presence, Portugal had no choice but to cede Macau to China.
Countries that are in the Commonwealth do not have any legal ties with Britain.
1 Like
But most don’t have a military presence after independence.
Also, not strictly true… for instance Britain could refuse Australian state laws all the way up to 1984. And it was cabinet and not the Queen that had the say on that, with the Queen acting on the advice of the UK cabinet instead of the advice of the Australian State governments.
The commonwealth itself may not provide a legal relationship, but the constitutional settings, military arrangements and commerical interests did/do (depending on the member state) provide ties, influence and pressure.
1 Like
Not sure the commonwealth ties are all that anymore though outside of receiving ceremonial titles from his Majesty and such other token tidbits.
Scary to hear this happen in Taiwan, at a park.
3 Likes
Do you think there is a correlation between rape and education. I doubt having a degree in computer engineering would make any difference. It’s more about ethics and culture I guess.
They were literally hiding behind bushes? What?
Yeah, that’s exactly what made it feel off.
They weren’t just sitting openly at the tables or benches, this group was gathered behind the bushes and trees not far away from the main play area.
That’s when I thought it was best to let the church director know, and he ended up calling the police and ending the Sunday kids activities early.
3 Likes
Kind of like in the UK then.
They’d at least know it’s a more serious crime in developed countries. Also more education for both genders means more equality so yes, I’d say it’s relevant somehow.
That’s horrible 
so glad you were there to help the kids and mom!
In the 1970s, Portugal tried to return Macau to China but, for a number of reasons, China rejected the offer at the time.
1 Like
China was in turmoil at the time.
1 Like