2002. August 29 August – "AM Singapore" as Singapore's first English-language breakfast programme begins on TCS Channel 5 aired live on Monday to Friday at 6:00am SST. September 1 September – SingTel launched its fully digitalised telecom network. 2 September – Tuas Naval Base is officially opened. 16 September – A sergeant with the Republic of Singapore Navy, Chong Peh Choong, 26, kills his three children aged between 3 and 10 before failing in his attempts to kill his wife and himself. He was jailed for life. 23 September Dutchman Johannes van Damme is executed for drug trafficking. FM97.2 starts broadcast. October 1 October Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) was privatised into a new holding company Singapore International Media (SIM Group of Companies) with three business units: Television Corporation of Singapore (TCS), Radio Corporation of Singapore (RCS) and Television Twelve (TV12). Singapore Broadcasting Authority is formed. 12 October - Singapore English very first television drama series, Masters of the Sea was aired on TCS Channel 5. 15 October – Madam Mona Koh, 46, a mamasan, survives two gunshot wounds at Katong People's Complex. 22 October - The last National Registration Identity Card (NRIC) replacement exercise takes place in Choa Chu Kang Community Club, marking the end of a three-year replacement programme. For those who did not re-register yet, a grace period will be given until 1995. From 1 January 1996, the old laminated NRICs will be invalid. 31 October to 3 November – A three-day debate on ministerial salaries ensues. Eventually, the white paper is approved on 3 November. 31 October – Power98FM is launched by SAFRA. November November – Tiong Bahru Plaza opens to the public. 21 November – The Singapore People's Party is formed after several members broke off from the Singapore Democratic Party. 30 November – Police officer Senior Staff Sergeant Boo Tiang Huat, 47, dies after sustaining an axe wound to the head while conducting routine vehicular inspection at Newton Road. He was given a field promotion to the rank of Station Inspector posthumously. December 31 December - Panasonic New Year Countdown Celebrations is an annual multi-tiered event held every New Year's Eve in Raffles Hotel and Changi Airport its main events are pyrotechnic displays. It was officially launched by President of Singapore Ong Teng Cheong including from the midnight countdown New Year to midnight firework New Year both of which are terrestrial televised nationally free-to-air on