Singapore is a good example how a poor entity maximizes its potential and still grows even more. Malaysia declared independence in 1957, and Singapore was part of Malaysia. The first 8 years were tough episodes for Malaysia (and Singapore). Singapore was still (and still) a small place, and was poor. The central government of Malaysia didn't pay enough attention to this tiny region. You can imagine a large country. What can it do with its tiny island outside the main island? Just a support island. Just another territory of the country.

Lee Kuan Yew is a visionary person. He saw that Singapore could grow even more. Much more. Yet, the central government wouldn't bother itself with a person, who asked for more money to develop a tiny region within the country. What's the big deal?

With sufficient support from the people, Lee Kuan Yew led the separation of Singapore from Malaysia. The separation was complete in 1965. Singapore started its own currency, the Singaporean Dollar, in contrast to Malaysian Ringgit. The exchange rate at the time of separation was: SGD 1 = MYR 1.

Malaysian national language is the Melayu language (some say Malaysian language). This language was also the national language of Singapore, because it was part of Malaysia. At the time of separation, Singapore's national anthem (until today) is "Majulah Singapura", a song of Melayu/Malaysian language. Lee Kuan Yew saw more. He changed the national language from Melayu, a language unknown to the international world, to English, an international language. People were forced to learn English and speak English in daily life. Of course, people struggled. Change of language is no easy thing. Until today, Singaporean English still adopts Malaysian grammar to certain degrees.

With its tiny area, Lee Kuan Yew stopped all businesses in the field of agriculture. People may not raise pigs and some other cattles. Lee Kuan Yew focused Singapore to be a strong tiny region. He encouraged high technology industry and trading. He invited large corporations to open up regional branches in Singapore. He set up Changi International Airport to be the best airport in the world, and still the most efficient airport as of today. Singapore Harbor is also one of the best in the world, promoting Singapore to be transit point of choice, before being distributed to other regions in Asia. Singapore Airlines (also separated from Malayan Airlines) becomes one of the best airlines in the world.

Despite scarce natural resources, possessing no oil field, Singapore has the power to set oil prices for the region, through MOPS (Mid Oil Platts Singapore). It's because Singapore distributes the oil to other regions in Asia.

In government side, Lee Kuan Yew was very strict not to allow any things like corruption took place. As the compensation, Lee Kuan Yew was ready to pay a lot of money to government officials, expecting to get the best human resources possible to work for the government. Lee Kuan Yew simple didn't want dirty things to smear the name of Singapore. Today, Singapore's government is among the cleanest and most effective in the world. The salary of Prime Minister of Singapore is also (one of) the highest in the world (among any other heads of states).

Singapore developed very quickly and became the name that indicates quality. We can say Singapore is a master trader, the best trader in South East Asia. Income per capita rose to be the highest in SE Asia. It surpasses the standard income per capita of a developed country. And hence, Singapore became the first developed country in SE Asia. SGD 1 is now over MYR 2.5. Singapore has surpassed even Malaysia, its parent country.

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