In an eventful year that kicked off with a general election and a resounding win for the ruling People's Action Party (PAP), there were plenty of reminders that Singapore's island status belies a susceptibility to neighborhood influences. The fundamental strength of the Singapore economy was not enough to prevent the city-state from being dragged into regional financial and stock market crises. Pollution from fires in nearby Indonesia also tested Singaporeans' neighborly spirit during the year. Relations with Malaysia were strained too as one incident after another kept alive a war of words across the causeway.
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