Those of us who have let off firecrackers will certainly not forget the thrill these noisy little things brought into our lives during the Chinese New Year when it was the custom for all Chinese - young and old - to light them up to herald the arrival of the new year.

  But many of us would have forgotten the reasons behind the banning of firecrackers in 1972. Here's a look into that part of our history.

  In February 1970, six people were killed, 68 were injured and S$350,000 worth of damage to properties was incurred as a result of explosions and fires caused by firecrackers.

  Thus, in March 1970, the Government imposed a partial ban on the letting off of firecrackers. Adults were allowed to fire firecrackers in certain defined areas and within specified hours during the Chinese New Year eve and Chap Goh Meh (15th day of Chinese New Year).

  The partial ban did not contain the number of accidents caused by firecrackers. In 1971, nine people were injured during the Chinese New Year period. In 1972, two unarmed policemen were attacked brutally when they tried to stop a group of people who were firing firecrackers unlawfully.

  In June 1972, the Government implemented the Dangerous Fireworks Act and imposed a total ban on firecrackers. However, there were many complaints on the discharge of firecackers in 1988 and the Government then enhanced the penalties for the importation and discharge of firecrackers.

  Since 1988, those caught letting off firecrackers have faced a penalty of a fine of not less than S$2000 and not more than S$10,000 or imprisonment of up to two years for first offenders. Importing firecrackers and trafficking in them carries the penalty of mandatory imprisonment and caning, of not less than six months but not more than two years and not more than six strokes of the cane.   

We received our 500,000th hit on 21 Sep 2000!

Letters to the Editor

Coca-Cola Enjoy!

NEW WEBSITES

ArabicCasino.com  an arabic casino - online casino.

d-finder.com is a one-stop source of information on discounts and other special promotions available in Singapore.

TicketCharge.com.sg was launched on 28 Sep 2000. Arts enthusiasts can now book their favourite shows online at TicketCharge's new website. Previously, TicketCharge customers could only buy tickets via phone or at their outlets.

Apply4me.com was launched on 27 Sep 2000. It provides a one-stop application process for new credit card applications. You only need to fill in their form once as the information is stored and  recycled for use in your subsequent applications.

Chameleon Productions is an independent theatre-arts group which produces, performs, and promotes the works of locally-based playwrights in Singapore and throughout the region.

Aflowerweb.com Flowers & Gifts delivery service in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, India, Thailand, etc.

AsiaHomes.com Singapore real estate Internet property advertisements for Owners and Realtors

eBookIt.com is an online travel website which offers a wide choice of flights, hotels and cars for booking online.

Lifestyle2U.com is an online shopping website where you can browse and buy lifestyle products for men and women, such as wallets, handbags, cosmetics, underwear, swimwear and many others. Accepts Visa, Mastercard and debit cards (only those not needing signatures)

Eyeball.com.sg or the print version, a morning tabloid, Project Eyeball, is a new newspaper which hit the streets on 12 Aug 2000. Brought to you by Singapore Press Holdings (SPH).

one-99shop.com has gone online! This shop already has nine branches selling everything at S$1.99 each. Items range from crockery, utensils, confectionery,  household accessories, artificial flowers to Hello Kitty stationery.

wwlegal.com is a legal website which went online in late August 2000. It provides a one-stop centre for people to find lawyers. Official launch date is 21 Sep 2000.

Click New Websites for the rest of the list.

BANKmates: Get a Personal Assistant to do your errands in Singapore.

SporesCity www.sporescity.com 

The Singaporean website community Set up your company's website here. More...

We are now 1,377 pages thick and growing.

Public Holidays DEEPAVALI is the next public holiday. It falls on Thursday 26 October 2000.

General Message Board

Madam Kang's Kitchen Message Board

Singapore Cemetery Warren Message Board 

BackPackers' Message Board

Registration for national service for all male Singaporeans and permanent residents born between 13 Dec 1982 and 12 Mar 1983 started on 31 Jul 2000 and ends on 29 Sep 2000. For those born between 13 Mar 1983 & 12 Jun 1983, registration starts on 2 Oct 2000 & ends on 24 Nov 2000.

New Trust Company:

UBS Trustees (Singapore) Ltd has been registered as a Trust Company on and from 11 Sep 2000 under the Trust Companies Act (Chap 336). (Not. No. 2688 dated 29 Sep 2000) 

Change of address:

*Bucks Rugby Club   c/o Mr Keith Martin 20 Jalan Hajijah #04-11 Laguna Green Singapore 468726 (6 Sep 2000)

*University of Hull Alumni (Singapore) The,   133 New Bridge Rd #09-09 Chinatown Point Singapore e059413 (8 Sep 2000)

*Renewal Self-development Centre   110 Highland Centre Singapore 549190 (9 Sep 2000)

*Medicine Dealers' Club   13C Kim Keat Lane Singapore 328871 (9 Sep 2000)

PEOPLE SEARCH: Let us flip through the phone book to help you find someone you wish to contact urgently. Email your request to peoplesearch@getforme.com.

The Straits Times Million Dollar Duck Race 2000 will be held on 12 Nov 2000. It's your chance to do something for charity and win big bucks simply by adopting a duck. More... 

GOVERNMENT MATTERS

Singapore Government Website   Police Ministry Of Education  Consular Matters & Migrating (known as permanent residency)

Setting up a business? Do a free Name Search first to see whether the name you want is available. Click RCB.

The Singapore Economy

Current issues affecting our community:

Charging of Mobile-phone batteries at MRT Stations

Death of children at childcare centres suspected to be caused by foot, hand and mouth disease

Insurance agents who use "survey" ruse to collect personal information

Timeshare companies which use high-pressure sale tactics

Late Power Supply utilities bills

Motor-vehicle COE Insurance

Speakers' Corner opens at Hong Lim Park

Killer-Litter

School Discipline: Put the cane in our teachers' hands

Others

Food Stalls Suspended From Business

The Sock - A Comedy Presented by Adhoc Works & Luna Id Productions.     6 - 14 October 2000  8pm S$45 & S$35   7, 8 & 14 October 2000 2pm S$35 & S$25. Jubilee Hall, Raffles Hotel.    Tickets from SISTIC at Tel: (65) 348 5555 or click SISTIC

Triple Bill - 3 One-Act Comedies 1. Mother Figure   2. Seven Menus   3. Loose Tongues.  Presented by Hotcurrie Theatre (Producers of The Expat Wife)     18 - 20 Oct 2000   YMS Theatre 54 Waterloo Street 8pm  21 Oct 2000   YMS Theatre 54 Waterloo Street   3.30pm & 8pm. Tickets at S$45 (Includes two glasses of wine). Tickets from SISTIC at Tel: (65) 348 5555 or click SISTIC

Mee Pok Man: The Play R(A) 18   Presented by Fiction Farm. Based on one of the most provocative Singapore films of the 90s. A brand new stage version from the Director of The Blue Room. 18 - 28 Oct 2000*   8pm   SICEC Auditorium, Suntec City  21, 28 Oct 2000 3.15pm Matinee *No performance on 23 Oct 2000 Tickets at S$60, S$50, S$37.50, S$25 & S$17.50 from SISTIC at Tel: (65) 348 5555 or click SISTIC

See Entertainment for more information on local happenings!

8 and still counting That's the number of MediaCorp Studios artistes so far to have resigned to cross over to rival MediaWorks set up by the SPH group.

TOURISTS

Tourism Board

Tourist Arrival Statistics

BackPackers' Corner

Luggage Repair

Rent A Car

To get free copies of brochures on Singapore, including Singapore Official Guide, please click HERE.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Low Lying Areas In Singapore  Lists the flood-prone areas in Singapore.

Things you should know  Tells you things you need to be aware of - disasters, drowning cases, Hotel New World... 

Good Eats

10 MUST VISIT places

FleaMarts

2nd-hand Watches

Shopping Complaints

Nature