newly built factories, which are important for Singapore's economy. December December – Work starts on Toa Payoh, which will house 250,000 people when completed. 4–21 December – The first sports festival, Pesta Sukan, is held in Singapore. Births 29 March – Grace Fu, Minister of Sustainability and the Environment 26 April – Nicky Moey, writer. 6 June – Junie Sng, Olympic swimmer 22 August – Kelvin Tan, musician, writer and lecturer. 20 November – Ong Keng Sen, artistic director of TheatreWorks. 24 December – Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry. Sabri Buang, writer, theatre director. Philip Jeyaretnam, counsel, writer. Liang Wern Fook, Chinese literature pioneer. Deaths 24 January – Lee Wee Nam – Entrepreneur, community leader (b. 1881). 20 June – Loke Wan Tho – Cathay Organisation founder (b. 1915). 1 July – Awang Bakar – Footballer (b. 1930/1936). References Singapore Years in Singapore