BEFORE LEE KAUN YEM WAS ELECTED AS SINGAPORE'S PRIME MINISTER, THE REPUBLIC SUFFERED ECONOMICALLY AND MORALLY FROM THE ACTIVITIES OF A SECRET, QUASI-POLITICAL SOCIETY WHICH DEALT IN OPIUM SMUGGLING, PROSTITUTION, AND GAMBLING AND WHOSE MEMBERS FORCED LEGITIMATE BUSINESS OWNERS TO PAY THEM PROTECTION MONEY. THE SOCIETY HAD ORIGINATED IN CHINA IN THE 1600'S AS A POLITICAL SOCIETY OPPOSING THE MONGOLIAN OCCUPATION. THE LEGISLATION PASSED BY LEE'S GOVERNMENT RESULTED IN THE RAPID TRANSFORMATION OF SINGAPORE FROM A COUNTRY OPPRESSED BY CRIME TO A LAW-ABIDING NATION. RECENTLY, THE CRIME STATISTICS IN SINGAPORE HAVE BEGUN TO RISE AGAIN AND THE GOVERNMENT IS REACTING BY PROPOSING EVEN MORE STRINGENT LEGISLATION. IT IS CONSIDERING LAWS WHICH WOULD PROVIDE FOR A DEATH SENTENCE FOR NARCOTICS DEALERS AND ALLOW TEACHERS THE RIGHT TO FLOG STUDENTS WHO CAUSE DISCIPLINARY PROBLEMS. --IN SWEDISH. (DAG)