Aug 7 declared public holiday as part of SG50 celebrations

SINGAPORE - With Singaporeans all set to celebrate the nation's 50th birthday this Aug 9, President Tony Tan Keng Yam has declared Friday, Aug 7, a public holiday.

This will make for an extended "Jubilee Weekend" from Aug 7 to Aug 10, which will enable all Singaporeans to participate in commemorating the special milestone, said the SG50 Steering Committee in a statement on Saturday.

Minister Heng Swee Keat, Chairman of the SG50 Steering Committee, said that SG50 is a unique moment in Singapore's history.

"It is a time for us to show appreciation to our pioneers, to strengthen our ties as one big Singaporean family, and to celebrate all that is special, all that we love, about our home," he said.

Mr Heng, who is also Education Minister, added that he hoped that all Singaporeans would use the SG50 public holiday and Jubilee Weekend to take part in the activities and events organised around the island.

Over the Jubilee Weekend, special programmes have been prepared at various locations around the island, including the Marina Bay area, the Singapore Botanical Gardens, the Singapore Sports Hub and at various parks around Singapore.

Museums and heritage galleries will also remain open over the Jubilee Weekend.

For more information on the Jubilee Weekend programme, visit www.singapore50.sg.

seanyap@sph.com.sg