Security Challenges and Responses in Singapore (1965–1975)

VOCABULARY flashcards covering key terms related to Singapore's security challenges in 1965 and the strategies adopted to overcome them.

Konfrontasi

Indonesian policy of confrontation against the Federation of Malaysia (1963–1966), including attacks on Singapore such as bombings and the aim to prevent Malaysia–Singapore merger.

MacDonald House Bombing

The most serious incident during Konfrontasi in Singapore, illustrating Indonesian saboteur activity.

Malayan Communist Party (MCP)

Communist group in Malaysia/Singapore that split into smaller factions by the 1970s but remained a security threat; violence included the 1970 killing of a 7-year-old girl and the 1974 Katong bombing.

Killing of a 7-year-old girl (1970)

A violent act attributed to MCP-related groups, highlighting ongoing domestic security threats.

Katong bombing (1974)

Explosion of a bomb in Katong, Singapore, as part of MCP-linked violence.

Laju incident

31 January 1974 ferry hijacking by Japanese Red Army and PFLP; attack on Shell refinery and hostage-taking; Singapore’s first major encounter with international terrorism, prompting security upgrades.

National Service (NS)

Policy introduced to grow Singapore’s armed forces; first batch of 900 full-time national servicemen enlisted in the SAF in 1967.

Ministry of the Interior and Defence (MID)

Singapore’s government ministry established in October 1965 to oversee internal security and defence.

British military withdrawal

Britain announced withdrawal of its forces by the mid-1970s, increasing Singapore’s vulnerability and accelerating the shift to a home-grown defence.

Chartered Industries of Singapore (CIS)

Industry established in 1967 to build a local defence capability, supporting the SAF and fostering technological and economic growth.

Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA)

1971 agreement among the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, and Singapore to consult immediately in case of armed threat to Malaysia or Singapore; no automatic military intervention commitment.

Deterrence

Defence strategy aimed at convincing potential aggressors that attack would be costly or unlikely to succeed.

Diplomacy

Establishing and maintaining official government relations, embassies, and participation in international organizations.

United Nations membership

Singapore became the 117th member of the UN on 21 September 1965.

Commonwealth membership

Singapore became the 22nd member of the Commonwealth on 15 October 1965.

ASEAN

Association of Southeast Asian Nations, formed in August 1967 by Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Domino theory

Belief that if South Vietnam fell to communism, a chain reaction could follow leading to the fall of other countries including Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Vietnam War (security context)

Conflict between communist North Vietnam and non-communist South Vietnam; concerns about regional instability and potential impact on Singapore’s law and order.