Did Singapore use to own Christmas Island, and if so, when?

Question

I really don't know if that is true, because I heard it somewhere. someone please enlighten me!

Answer 1

Yes. Back in 1958. Australia paid 2.9 million pound for X'mas Island.

Answer 2

You are hereby enlightened... Dear Vanessa. The first extensive exploration was in 1887, when a small party from HMS Egeria reached the summit of Murray Hill. It was this party that collected the rock specimens of almost pure phosphate of lime that were to determine the future of the Island over the next century. In 1888 Christmas Island was declared part of the British Dominion as the result of pressure from two prospective entrepreneurs. George Clunies-Ross from the Cocos (Keeling) Islands wanted exploitation rights and John Murray, a Scottish scientist, wanted to mine phosphate. Mining began in 1899 around Phosphate Hill, and later at South Point. The operation was labour intensive, using mainly Chinese workers. Mining continued until World War II, when many of the European residents were evacuated in anticipation of a Japanese invasion. The Japanese invaded in 1942 and the Island was occupied until 1945. During this time some phosphate was mined, but this was discontinued after the first two shiploads were torpedoed. Phosphate mining resumed in 1946 and has continued since, except for the two years 1988-89.

On 1 January 1958, Christmas Island, which had until then been administered as part of the Colony of Singapore, became a separate colony. On 1 October 1958, sovereignty was transferred to Australia.

Following World War II, more workers were employed from Malaysia, Singapore and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, to assist in re-establishing the mining operation and to build infrastructure. The Union of Christmas Island Workers was formed in 1975 to improve workers conditions

Answer 3

no.... singapore was only established after malaysia was.. and that is like only around 40 yrs ago...
singapore originally was a part of malaysia and only separated from malaysia a few years later.
so it is impossible for singapore to own chirstmas island...
and as far as my memory serves, the history i learnt never mentioned singapore owning any island apart from itself.