BY: JILL JAYCOX The Laws of Singapore

Background Annual GDP competes with leading European nations 92.5% literacy rate “Garden City of Asia” 100% of the population live in the city Population: 4.5 million 3.5 times the size of Washington D.C. Arable land: 1.47% The happiest country in Asia 95% of people are somewhat or very happy

Laws and Punishment Singapore is known as one of the happiest, safest and cleanest countries in the world Why? Because of its notoriously strict laws

DRUGS MANDATORY DEATH PENALTY FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING MINIMUM 5 YEARS PRISON FOR POSSESION CIGARETTES ARE ILLEGAL IN PUBLIC Drug offences per 100,000: Singapore: 48.6; America: Laws and Punishment

LITTERING ONE PIECE OF LITTER: 1,000S (771$) UP TO 5,000S (3,855$) IF ONE LITTERS MORE THAN THREE TIMES HE IS EMBARRASSED BY HAVING TO PICK UP LITTER WITH A VEST STATING “ I’M A LITTERER”

Laws and Punishment JAYWALKING FINE OF 20S (15$)

Other Weird Laws Gum was previously illegal; fines up to 8,600$ Gum can now only be distributed by pharmacists Homosexuality is illegal Bungee jumping is illegal Failure to flush a public toilet is illegal; fines up to 150$ Peeing in an elevator is illegal If crime is committed, some elevator doors close permanently until police arrive

Forms of Punishment CANING CRIMINAL IS HIT WITH A RATTAN CANE OCCASIONALLY IN PUBLIC EACH HIT IS ONE STROKE AT INTERVALLS OF SECONDS

Forms of Punishment EXECUTION METHOD USED IS HANGING USED FOR OFFENCES SUCH AS KIDNAPPING, DRUG TRAFFICKING, AND POSSESSION OF UNAUTHORIZED FIREARMS Executions per 1 million people: Singapore: 6; America:.2

U.S. Involvement MICHAEL P. FAY 18 YEAR OLD AMERICAN CONVICTED OF VANDALISM AND THEFT SENTENCED TO 6 STROKES OF THE CANE BECAME A FAMOUS HUMAN RIGHTS CASE U.S. BECAME INVOLVED; ASKED SINGAPORE TO FORGIVE SENTENCE WAS LOWERED TO 4 STROKES