9 January – The Ministry 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 the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board moves to take greater control of the O Level examinations from this year.[3]
12 January – The first $2 polymer notes are released.[4]
16 January – A statement on NS defaulters is delivered in Parliament after the case of Melvyn Tan in 2005. It sparked a controversy due to the fine imposed.[8]
17 January – The Workplace 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 the Jyllands-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 Minister George Yeo and the Minister-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 – The Monetary Authority of Singapore announced the setting up of Singapore Deposit Insurance Corporation Limited (SDIC) to manage deposit insurance.[16]
10 February – The Secretary General of Singapore Democratic Party, Chee Soon Juan, was declared bankrupt by the High Court, after failing to pay S$500,000 in damages awarded to Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew in a defamation lawsuit concerning comments he made during the 2001 election and later, the comments relating to last year's National Kidney Foundation Singapore scandal. Per the bankruptcy order, Chee was barred from participating in the politics (as well as the forthcoming election) for five years.
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 stepfather Mohammed 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 – The Straits Times Index sets a high of 2585.84 points,[35] surpassing the former record of 2582.94 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]
May
1 May – The National Family Council is formed to promote families in Singapore.[39]
The ruling People's Action Party winning 82 out of 84 seats (37 of which were uncontested) with a percentage of 66.6% of the total vote. This was the first election since the 1988 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 candidate James Gomez is detained in Singapore for further questioning, after trying to leave for Sweden to return to work. He was released a week later with a formal warning.
19 May – Kallang body parts murder murderer Leong 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 the Republic of Singapore Air Force's third generation of fighter planes and its first advanced pilot jet, was launched for the first time.
14 June – STOMP is launched as a citizen journalism service.[45]
26 June – The first wheelchair-accessible bus service is launched.[46]
30 June – Marina South Pier is officially opened.[47]
July
6 July – The local free newspaper Today suspends the column of mrbrown in a noted case of censorship 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 of Singapore Idol ends with Hady Mirza winning the honour of being the second Singapore Idol.
28 September – The Ministry 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 refurbished C151 train enters service, with the whole project completed by 2008.[62]
8 November – The Ministry of Home Affairs announced several proposed changes to the Penal Code,[63] including modifying the marital immunity currently enjoyed by a husband against raping 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]
