Singapore Standard Time is eight hours ahead of GMT (GMT +8).

And in case you didn't know, GMT stands for Greenwich Mean Time, which sets out the world's different time zones based on longitude. At 0° longitude, Greenwich in London is the reference point for determining time all over the world.

The world is divided into 24 time zones in relation to GMT (+0):

If you look closely, the geographical location of Singapore lies somewhere in the GMT+7 zone. But, our clocks are officially set at 8 hours ahead of GMT (GMT+8).

Gasp! Aren't we in the wrong time zone?

Before we explain this curious phenomenon, check out this table showing the changes in Singapore 'Standard Time' over the years:

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Throughout history, Singapore time has changed several times (haha!).

1933-1942: Daylight Saving Time

When Singapore was under the British, a bill was proposed to adopt Daylight Saving Time just like in England. The proposed time was 30 minutes forward of the mean time, i.e. 7 hours 30 minutes ahead of GMT.

However, the Legislative Council found 30 minutes to be too large a shift and compromised on 20 minutes instead. On January 1, 1933, the Daylight Saving Ordinance came into effect with Singapore's time set at 7 hours 20 minutes ahead of GMT.

Eventually, the Daylight Saving Ordinance was amended to 30 minutes ahead. What this meant was that Singapore time would be 7 hours 30 minutes (instead of 7 hours 20 minutes) ahead of GMT. The amendment came into effect in 1941.

1942-1945: Japanese Occupation

During the Japanese Occupation, Singapore time moved ahead by 1 hour 30 minutes to conform with Tokyo Standard Time, which is 9 hours ahead of GMT.

1945 to present: Post-WW2 and independence

After the war, Singapore time reverted to 7 hours 30 minutes ahead of GMT.

However, there was one final change in store for Singapore time.

In 1981, Malaysia declared that West Malaysia would move their clocks ahead by 30 minutes to match the time in East Malaysia (8 hours ahead of GMT).

Singapore announced that it would follow suit, as a press release from the Ministry of Trade and Industry explained:

“In view of the many close ties between the peoples and governments of Singapore and Malaysia, and to avoid inconvenience to businessmen and travellers, the government has decided that Singapore will also adjust its present time half an hour ahead on 1 January 1982 so that both countries have a common time zone."

These pragmatic reasons explain why Singapore time is 8 hours ahead of GMT despite our geographical location.

This setting of Singapore Standard Time was legally documented in the Singapore Statutes:

Throughout history, Singapore time has changed from GMT+7 to GMT+8 due to different events and players, such as influence from the British and our close ties with Malaysia.

So, geography is not everything in determining time.

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Photo from Time and date.

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