The famous Raffles Hotel

O

nce a British naval base, Singapore is now a sleek, efficient international business centre at the crossroads of Asia and one of the busiest ports. This densely populated (4.700.000 inhabitants) country comprises 60 islands, just over 700 km2, at the foot of Malaysia just north of the Equator and like so many areas in Southeast Asia there was unemployment, bad housing and illiteracy. But these were all wiped out by the new Premier Lee Kuan Yeu who came to power in 1959 representing the People’s Action Party and who held an overwhelming majority of the seats in parliament.

The 11th green at Keppel golf course

The price is a strictly regulated society; the prize is the cleanest, most efficient, most corruption free state in Southeast Asia. Jaywalking, litter offences and smoking in public places are punished with fines in excess of 200 US$. Islanders are admonished not to chew gum (to save public cleaning bills), not to waste the water when cleaning their teeth and not to have more than two children. There is a heavy import tax on cars to reduce traffic jams. In addition, cars carrying less than four people are forbidden to enter the centre of Singapore City during peak traffic hours without a special pass. It’s been called “The Switzerland” of the area. Lee Kuan Yeu was in power for more than a quarter of a century and today his eldest son, Lee Hsien Loong, holds the reigns.

Laguna National golf course

A post-round must for thirsty golfers

The city-state also employs tens of thousands of foreign blue collared workers around the world.

Singapore is a popular travel destination making tourism one of its largest industries. About 9.7 million tourists visited Singapore in 2006.

To attract more tourists the government has decided to legalize gambling and to allow two casino resorts to be developed.

And yet, there has been plenty of room left for golf.

Raffles Golf

Sentosa golf course

Sentosa golf course