The following lists events that happened during 1968 in Singapore. Incumbents President: Yusof Ishak Prime Minister: Lee Kuan Yew Events January 17 January – Britain announces its intention to withdraw its armed forces from Singapore by 1971. 30 January – The Ellenborough Market is destroyed in a fire, causing S$253,000 in damages and affecting about 1000 hawkers and stall-holders. The market is demolished a few years later. April 13 April – The PAP wins the 1968 General Election. May 1 May – The Hindu Endowments Board is formed. 23 May – Singapore Pools is formed as a state-owned lottery firm to combat triads and illegal syndicates. June 1 June – Jurong Town Corporation is formed to develop Singapore's industries, taking over this role from the Economic Development Board. 7 June – Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) is established as a think-tank to research on trends and politics in Southeast Asia and beyond. July 1 July – The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (known as MUIS) is established. September 1 September - The Development Bank of Singapore (now DBS) commences operations. Keppel Shipyard is established to take over PSA's ship-repair and shipbuilding services. The Singapore Air Defence Command is formed. 17 September – The first A&W store opens at MSA Building, making it Singapore's first fast food restaurant. This went on until 2003, when A&W decided to leave Singapore. It made a return in 2019 to Jewel Changi Airport. October 1 October – The Keep Singapore Clean campaign is launched. 17 October – The two marines were hanged for their roles in the MacDonald House bombing. November 5 November – Intraco Ltd is formed to promote Singapore goods overseas. December 17 December – Sembawang Shipyard was handed back to Singapore. 30 December – Neptune Orient Lines is formed as Singapore's national shipping line. Births 10 January – Zoe Tay, actress. 8 July – Josephine Teo, Minister for Communications and Information. 8 August – Ng Chee Meng, Former Minister in Prime Minister's Office. 10 August – Kumar, comedian. 16 October – Mark Lee, comedian. Lau Siew Mei, writer. Deaths 27 October – Sir George Oehlers, 1st Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Singapore from 1955 to 1963 (b. 1908). References Singapore Years in Singapore