This compilation presents a timeline of significant events that have shaped Singapore from 2020 to early 2025. Originating from an effort to provide a neutral overview, this list acknowledges the inherent difficulty in capturing every event without some degree of bias.
While not exhaustive, it aims to offer a more comprehensive record of key moments, including political developments, social changes, economic shifts, and notable incidents, each accompanied by relevant links for further context and information.
All of this information has been compiled from a reddit thread.
2020
10 July – Polling day for the 2020 General Elections. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/singapore-goes-to-the-polls-on-july-10
11 July – Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced that Pritam Singh will be officially designated the Leader of the Opposition in view of a strong WP win. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/pritam-singh-leader-opposition-official-designation-lee-hsien-loong-723556
15 July – NS Square announced. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.mindef.gov.sg/web/portal/mindef/news-and-events/latest-releases/story-detail/2020/July/15jul20_nr
8 September – ERP 2.0 announced. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/erp-next-generation-system-certificate-earlier-trial-1060821
16 December – Hawker culture becomes Singapore’s first Intangible Heritage on the UNESCO list. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.nhb.gov.sg/what%27s-on/programmes/our-communities/unesco-representative-list-of-the-intangible-cultural-heritage-of-humanity/singapore-hawker-culture
2021
4 January – Singapore started live-streaming Parliament sessions. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/parliament-live-streaming-started-psd-han-kok-juan-785686
10 February – The Singapore Green Plan 2030 is released. https://www.greenplan.gov.sg/
5 March – Tougher measures are announced against hurt and sexual offences. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.mha.gov.sg/mediaroom/press-releases/tougher-measures-against-hurt-and-sexual-offences/
8 April – Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat steps aside from running as 4G leader. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/heng-swee-keat-steps-aside-4g-leader-lawrence-wong-chan-chun-sing-gabriel-lim-724001
6 July – A debate ensues in Parliament over free trade agreements (FTAs) and to correct falsehoods that have spread, particularly around the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA). https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/parliament-debates-ftas-ceca-foreign-workers-jobs-july-6-2021
19 July – An attack takes place at River Valley High School with an axe, causing the death of a Secondary 1 student. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/river-valley-high-school-death-secondary-1-student-arrested-1098836
27 July – After the River Valley High School attack, measures are announced for the education system to reduce stress. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/singapore-schools-reduce-examinations-assessments-review-curriculum-stress-after-rvhs-death-1117246
27 August – The National University of Singapore announces that the Yale-NUS College will close in 2025 and merge with the University Scholars Programme (USP). https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/yale-nus-college-close-merge-with-usp-form-new-honours-college-2151616
29 August – New employment policies are announced to support lower-wage workers. Anti-discrimination guidelines will be enshrined into law. Maintenance of Racial Harmony Act is proposed. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/2021/0829-greater-support-for-lower-wage-workers-with-enhanced-workfare-and-progressive-wages https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/anti-discrimination-workplace-guidelines-racial-harmony-act-laws-2156186
14 September – Two parliamentary motions on jobs and foreign talent policy are debated simultaneously, lasting 10 hours until past midnight. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/parliament-debate-foreign-talent-jobs-motions-sep-14-2021
15 September – Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan apologised to Progress Singapore Party’s (PSP) NCMP Leong Mun Wai for his “private comments to a colleague” in Parliament. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/vivian-balakrishnan-apologises-for-his-private-comments-to-a-colleague-in-parliament
4 October – The Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act is passed in Parliament with a vote of 75–11. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/foreign-interference-countermeasures-bill-fica-passed-parliament-2220621
1 November – Mandatory tray return is extended to foodcourts and coffeeshops with enforcement from 1 January 2022. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.nea.gov.sg/media/news/news/index/extended-mandatory-tray-return-and-table-littering-enforcement-at-hawker-centres-coffee-shops-and-food-courts-from-1-january-2022
30 November – Sengkang MP Raeesah Khan resigns from Workers’ Party and as a Member of Parliament. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/raeesah-khan-resigns-workers-party-mp-parliament-lie-2349946
2022
18 February – The Government announces that the GST would be increased in two stages; to 8% on 1 January 2023 and 9% on 1 January 2024. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.mof.gov.sg/newsroom/parliamentary-replies/gst-increase-factsheet
28 March – The White Paper on Singapore Women’s Development is released. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.msf.gov.sg/policies/women/white-paper-on-singapore-womens-development
14 April – Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong is chosen as leader of the People’s Action Party’s fourth-generation (4G) team. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/lawrence-wong-pap-4g-leader-chosen-heng-swee-keat-lee-hsien-loong-2626161
18 June – The 14th edition of Pink Dot SG is held at Hong Lim Park. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.pinkdot.sg/pinkdot2022/
28 June – Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announces a year-long review of Singapore’s social compact, titled “Forward Singapore”. https://www.forwardsingapore.gov.sg/
21 August – Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced during the annual Singapore National Day Rally that the Singapore Government will be repealing Section 377A of Singapore’s penal code and amending the constitution to enshrine the definition of marriage as only being between a man and a woman. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/ndr-2022-section-377a-repeal-marriage-definition-constitution-amendment-2893261
30 December – New Nutri-Grade guidelines to encourage healthier drinks take effect. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.moh.gov.sg/news-highlights/details/nutri-grade-labelling-requirements-to-take-effect-from-30-december-2022
2023
1 January – The Goods and Services Tax was raised from 7 to 8 per cent. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.iras.gov.sg/quick-links/whats-new/tax-changes/gst-rate-change
9 January – SPH Media Trust’s circulation figures were reported to be inflated by about 10 to 12 per cent. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/sph-media-trust-announces-findings-of-review-on-circulation-data
9 February – End of the COVID Pandemic response in Singapore. TraceTogether and SafeEntry are discontinued. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.moh.gov.sg/news-highlights/details/moving-to-dorscon-green
23 May – Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong ordered the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) to investigate ministers K. Shanmugam and Vivian Balakrishnan over their rentals of state-owned bungalows at 26 and 31 Ridout Road respectively. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/k-shanmugam-vivian-balakrishnan-ridout-road-rentals-cpib-investigation-3510016
29 May – Halimah Yacob announces her decision not to seek a second presidential term. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/halimah-yacob-singapore-president-not-seek-re-election-3521586
1 June – Stricter measures against table littering and not clearing crockeries in foodcourts, coffeeshops and hawker centres kicks in. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.nea.gov.sg/media/news/news/index/mandatory-tray-return-and-table-littering-enforcement-extended-to-all-public-dining-places-from-1-june-2023 Amendments to the Misuse Of Drugs Act kick in, with increased punishments and caning for possession of selected controlled drugs above certain weight thresholds. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.mha.gov.sg/mediaroom/press-releases/amendments-to-misuse-of-drugs-act-take-effect-from-1-june-2023/
8 June – Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam announces his resignation from the People’s Action Party and his respective offices in order to announce his candidacy for the Presidential Elections. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/tharman-shanmugaratnam-run-singapore-president-election-resign-pap-sm-teo-chee-hean-3547511
3 July – Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean cleared Ministers K. Shanmugam and Vivian Balakrishnan of any criminal and ethical wrongdoing after an almost six-hour debate on the Ridout Road rentals reports. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/ridout-road-rentals-shanmugam-vivian-balakrishnan-cleared-teo-chee-hean-parliament-debate-3602146 Plastic bag charge at most Singapore supermarkets start. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/plastic-bag-charge-supermarkets-minimum-5-cents-july-3-3570436
11 July – Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin apologised to Workers’ Party MP Jamus Lim for using “unparliamentary language” that was caught on a hot mic during a Parliament sitting in April. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/tan-chuan-jin-apologises-hot-mic-comment-workers-party-mp-jamus-lim-3620691
12 July – Transport Minister S. Iswaran is announced to be assisting investigations into a corruption probe by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB). https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/s-iswaran-cpib-investigation-transport-minister-assistance-3622101
14 July – Singapore-based Malaysian businessman Ong Beng Seng’s arrest by the CPIB is reported in connection with a corruption probe involving Minister S. Iswaran. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/ong-beng-seng-arrested-cpib-investigation-s-iswaran-3627831
17 July – Speaker of Parliament and Member of Parliament for Marine Parade GRC, Tan Chuan-Jin, and Member of Parliament for Tampines GRC, Cheng Li Hui, resign from the People’s Action Party and their respective offices after revelations of an extramarital affair between them. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/tan-chuan-jin-cheng-li-hui-resign-pap-mps-affair-3633316
19 July – Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh announces the resignation of Leon Perera as a Member of Parliament for Aljunied GRC and from the Workers’ Party over an extramarital affair with fellow WP politician Nicole Seah; the latter resigning as well. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/leon-perera-nicole-seah-resign-workers-party-mp-affair-3637776
21 July – Uvaraja Gopal, a police sergeant of Indian origin, commits suicide. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/police-officer-who-died-in-punggol-was-facing-disciplinary-proceedings
20 August – New HDB flats will be classified as Standard, Plus or Prime and there will be no more differentiation by mature or non-mature estates. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/hdb-flats-standard-plus-prime-model-national-day-rally-lee-hsien-loong-3711256
21 August – Singapore will use an assessment framework known as COMPASS to assess new EP applicants. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/employment-pass/requirements
1 September – 2023 Singaporean presidential election: Former senior minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam is elected. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/singapore-presidential-election-2023-results-tharman-shanmugaratnam-elected-3740041
14 September – Tharman Shanmugaratnam is sworn in as Singapore’s 9th President. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/tharman-shanmugaratnam-sworn-in-singapore-president-3771011
5 November – Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced at the People’s Action Party convention that he will hand over the position to Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong before the PAP’s 70th year and the next General Election. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/lee-hsien-loong-handover-lawrence-wong-pap-70th-ge-4579751
17 November – LTA announced that bus service 167 to cease from Dec 10. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/bus-service-167-to-be-discontinued-from-dec-10-affecting-commuters-in-sembawang-and-cbd
28 November – LTA reverses decision to stop bus service 167; route to be retained with 30-minute intervals. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/lta-reverses-decision-to-stop-bus-service-167-route-to-be-retained
2024
1 January – The Goods and Services Tax is raised from 8 to 9 per cent. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.iras.gov.sg/quick-links/whats-new/tax-changes/gst-rate-change
9 January – Land Transport Authority announced that EZ-Link cards that had not yet been upgraded to SimplyGo, and Nets Flashpay cards would be deprecated on 1 June 2024. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/ez-link-nets-flashpay-cards-simplygo-transition-public-transport-fares-4032556
18 January – S. Iswaran resigns as Minister for Transport, Member of Parliament for West Coast GRC, and from People’s Action Party after being charged with 27 counts relating to bribery and corruption by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/s-iswaran-resigns-minister-mp-pap-charged-cpib-corruption-case-4056286
22 January – Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat reverses an initial decision to terminate EZ-Link cards without SimplyGo and NETS FlashPay cards after 1 June, pledging S$40 million to extend the system’s lifespan. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/ez-link-nets-flashpay-cards-simplygo-lta-withdraws-transition-chee-hong-tat-4065361
19 March – Secretary-General of the Workers’ Party Pritam Singh gets charged with two counts of perjury, with Faisal Manap issued an advisory. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/pritam-singh-charged-perjury-raeesah-khan-parliament-faisal-manap-advisory-4204146
15 April – Lee Hsien Loong announces his resignation as the Prime Minister of Singapore effective on 15 May 2024. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/pm-lee-hsien-loong-resign-step-down-lawrence-wong-take-over-may-15-4263761
16 April – All employers must have a process in place for workers to make formal requests for flexible work arrangements. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/2024/0416-new-tripartite-guidelines-on-flexible-work-arrangements
15 May – Lawrence Wong is sworn in as the fourth Prime Minister of Singapore. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/lawrence-wong-prime-minister-singapore-swearing-in-ceremony-4336821
14 June – An accident involving a Dutch-flagged dredger and a stationary Singapore-flagged bunker vessel occurs at the Pasir Panjang terminal, causing an oil spill. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.mpa.gov.sg/media-centre/press-releases/detail/update-on-oil-spill-at-pasir-panjang-terminal
4–5 August – The Ministry of Education removes Mobile Guardian from all iPads and Chromebooks of secondary students after a global security breach. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/moe-mobile-guardian-ipads-chromebooks-security-breach-students-remove-4542501
22 August – Platform workers to be fully covered in first year of higher CPF payments. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/2024/0822-platform-workers-to-be-fully-covered-in-first-year-of-higher-cpf-payments
24 September – S. Iswaran pleads guilty to receiving S$403,000 in gifts while he was transport minister. [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/s-iswaran-pleads-guilty-receiving-s403000-gifts-transport-minister-5023801](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/s-iswaran-pleads-guilty-receiving-s403000-gifts-transport-minister-5023801)
25 September – Train services on the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) East–West line (EWL) were disrupted when a faulty Kawasaki C151 train caused a power trip. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/mrt-ewl-disruption-power-fault-faulty-train-track-damage-5027651
3 October – S. Iswaran is sentenced to a year of imprisonment for receiving illegal gifts.
