. >> anthony: stamford raffles arrived in singapore in 1819 with the british east india company, establishing at first as a trading post for the british empire. soon thereafter, singapore grew, quickly becoming a economic hub and regional capital for the british empire's new colony on the malay peninsula. after world war ii, singapore clamored for independence, first becoming part of the malaysian federation, then a fully independent state in 1965. helmed by its first prime minister, lee kwan yeu, tiny singapore famously went from a third world outpost to a first world nation in a single generation. >> cab driver: in singapore, rules and regulations in singapore is very strict. we have to follow them. like, i am taxi, i can't break any laws. >> anthony: so if a camera catches you? >> cab driver: yeah, everything is in camera. so it is important everyone, we have to follow the rules and regulations, that's the reason singapore is very good. same time, singaporeans are very hard working. as human beings, what we need? food to eat, clothes to wear, a place to sleep, you can get in singapore. so