The following lists events that happened during 1996 in Singapore. Incumbents President: Ong Teng Cheong Prime Minister: Goh Chok Tong Events January 1 January – The old laminated NRICs are no longer valid for identification in Singapore. 2 January – The Land Transport Authority releases the White Paper on A World Class Land Transport System, setting out plans to improve land transport in Singapore. 19 January – Minister for Communications Mah Bow Tan announced the immediate construction of the North East MRT line during the parliamentary debate on the White Paper on A World Class Land Transport System, initially targeted by December 2002. However, automation problems pushed back the date to 20 June 2003. 20 January – The Singapore Art Museum is officially opened. February 2 February – The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore is formed from a merger between the Marine Department (under the then Ministry of Communications), National Maritime Board and the Regulatory departments of the former Port of Singapore Authority (PSA). This helps to streamline maritime operations. 9 February – Tampines Mall is officially opened. 10 February – The Woodlands extension of the North South MRT Line opens. On the same day, the Bukit Panjang LRT line is announced, with completion in 1999. The Buona Vista LRT line will not go ahead as it is unfeasible, even with a new funding arrangement used. A new Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Checkpoint for the Malayan Railway will be built in Woodlands as well, in preparation for a train network linking Asia, particularly with Malaysia. Woodlands Regional Bus Interchange opens as Singapore's first underground bus interchange. March 4 March – 16 stations will be built on the North East MRT line. Construction will start in the middle of 1997 and will finish by 2002. All the stations will be finished by then except for Sennett (present day Potong Pasir), Woodleigh and Punggol, which will open when the surrounding areas develop. 5 March – The Singapore Gamma Knife Centre is officially opened. The centre, a privately owned facility, uses gamma knife for brain surgeries, resulting in less pain than conventional brain surgery, as well as a much safer alternative. 16 March – The first bendy bus is officially launched by Trans Island Bus Services. 22 March – Cyberway Internet is officially launched as Singapore's third ISP. April 1 April – The Singapore Productivity and Standards Board (renamed SPRING Singapore) is