History-Chapter 8: How Did SG Become An Independent Nation? (Secondary 2)

Why did the PAP government pursue the merger with Malaya?

1. Political Independence

• ^^British^^ would only ^^grant Singapore independence^^ if it ^^merged with Malaya^^, so a ^^merger was deemed^^ ^^necessary^^ for Singapore ^^to achieve political independence.^^
• During the ^^Cold War^^, ^^Britain feared^^ that ^^Southeast Asia^^ would ^^fall under communist control^^
• To ^^safeguard Singapore and the Borneo territories from^^ the ^^spread of communism^^, the ^^British^^ wanted to ^^provide greater political stability^^ by ^^forming a new federation^^ comprising Malaya, Singapore, Brunei, Sarawak and North Borneo.

2. Economic Survival

• Another reason the PAP wanted to pursue a merger was the belief that ^^Singapore could not survive economically in the long term without a merger.^^
• Singapore did not appear to have a ^^promising economic future^^ if ^^left on its own^^.
• It ^^lacked natural resources^^ and had a ^^rapidly growing population in need of jobs^^.
• Also facing a ^^decline in entrepot trade^^ as its ^^neighbours became independent^^ and wanted to ^^direct their exports through their own ports^^, ^^reducing Singapore’s importance as a regional trading port.^^
• The ^^Malayan government introduced tariffs^^ in the ==1950s== ^^on goods traded with Singapore^^.
• Tariffs made goods entering ^^Malaya from Singapore more expensive^^ and thus ^^less desirable to customers in Malaya^^. This ^^reduced the amount of trade between Malaya and Singapore.^^
• If Singapore and Malaya merged, a ^^common market could be established through the merger^^.

Malayan hinterland would ^^create a larger demand for Singapore’s goods^^ and ^^trade would increase^^ and ^^more jobs could be created for the people^^.

==The main cause of why Singapore’s economy was struggling:==

1. ==Lacked natural resources==
2. ==Had a rapidly growing population in need of jobs==
3. ==A decline in entrepot trades==
4. ==Tariffs (introduced in the 1950s)==

==What they plan to establish after the merger:==

1. ==Common market → trade would increase → more jobs created for the people==

What Was Malaya’s Response To A Possible Merger?

There was ==initial hesitation== in Malaya towards the merger. However, it ==eventually== turned around and ==accepted the possibility of a merger despite the doubts.==

1. Malaya’s Initial Response

• Malayan Prime Minister, ==Tunku Abdul Rahman== initially thought a ^^merger with Singapore spelt trouble^^.
• He saw ^^stark differences^^ in outlook ^^between^^ the ^^people in Singapore and Malaya^^.
• He was ^^concerned^^ that the ^^predominantly Chinese population^^ in Singapore ^^might be reluctant to accept^^ a ^^Malaya Sultan^^ as their ^^Head of State^^, ^^use Malay^^ as the ^^national language^^ or ^^accept Islam as the state religion.^^
• A merger with Singapore meant the ^^combined Chinese population would outnumber the Malays^^.
• The ^^Tunku^^ also ^^suspected^^ that many ^^Chinese in Singapore^^ had ^^sympathies for the communists^^, given that many of them had ^^led and supported the strikes of the 1950s^^.
• He was ^^worried^^ that ^^such attitudes would spread^^ to the ^^rest of the new federation^^.

2. Fear Of An Independent, Communist-Influenced Singapore

• Malaya had a representative on Singapore’s Internal Security Council.
• ^^If Singapore became^^ an ^^independent^^ state, ^^Malaya would no longer have a representative on the Internal Security Council and would lose influence over the security matter in Singapore.^^
• That, together with the ^^absence of a colonial government^^ could make the ^^threat of communism in Singapore harder to contain.^^
• The Tunku was concerned that the ^^PAP might be taken over^^ by ^^members who were sympathetic toward communism.^^
• Which would result in the ^^Singapore government being less willing^^ to ^^consider^^ a merger on ^^terms acceptable to Malaya.^^
• He ^^realised Singapore would be less dangerous^^ if it became part of Malaya as the ^^Malayan government would be able to control the communist elements in Singapore.^^
• The Tunku feared that ^^Singapore becoming an independent country that turned communist^^, could ^^influence others to consider a communist government as an alternative.^^

3. Hong Lim By-Election

The Hong Lim by-election in ==April 1961== further fuelled ^^Tunku’s fears^^ and ^^led him to support^^ the idea of a ^^merger^^. PAP’s ==Ong Eng Guan== served as ==Mayor of Singapore’s City Council==, and then ==Minister for National Development in 1959==, and then he started to ^^fall out of favour within the PAP^^ ==by 1960.==

In ==June 1960==, ^^Ong Eng Guan openly challenged^^ the ^^PAP leadership at one of its party conferences^^, he was ^^suspended, and later expelled^^. This ^^triggered the Hong Lim by-election^^. Contesting as an independent candidate, ^^Ong Eng Guan defeated the PAP’s candidate by^^ ==73.3%== ^^of the vote^^. The by-election worried the Tunku as it pointed to the ^^increasing divide within the PAP.^^

One group - had ^^moderate views^^ and wanted to bring about ^^political change gradually through elections^^.

Ong’s group - had ^^radical views^^ and ^^pushed for drastic changes^^, taking more ^^forceful measures to achieve^^ ^^their aims.^^

With Ong’s win, it seemed to Tunku the ^^moderate group was losing its influence in the PAP.^^ This increased his fear that the ^^radical group would gain control over the party^^. He was worried by the ^^radical PAP^^ that wanted to ^^free Singapore of British colonial rule^^ by ^^establishing a communist government through forceful means^^. He was worried Singapore will be used as a ^^base to spread communist ideas in Malaya^^.

4. Agreement On Proposed Merger

• ^^Tunku^^ signalled his ^^change of heart in a speech on^^ ==27 May 1961==, a month after the Hong Lim by-elections.
• Tunku ^^highlighted the prospect of a merger^^ between Malaya and Singapore ^^as part of the new formation of a new federation including other territories.^^
• ^^Bringing^^ in these ^^territories^^ would help to ^^offset Singapore’s Chinese majority^^.
• Shortly after, Singapore’s Prime Minister ^^Lee Kuan Yew^^ ^^declared his support for the Tunku’s suggestion^^.
• ^^Discussion on the merger began^^, however, the ^^radical group within the PAP objected to the merger^^ as they felt that ^^once Singapore became independent^^ through the merger, they would be ^^put down by the federal government in Malaya, which controlled internal security.^^
• ^^The radical group^^ within the PAP decided to ^^sabotage the PAP^^ by ^^asking voters to support the opposition candidates instead.^^
• This resulted in the ^^PAP candidate losing the Anson by-election on 15 July 1961^^, which ^^sealed Tunku’s commitment to the formation of Malaysia.^^
• ^^On^^ ==24 August 1961==, ^^Prime Minister Lee^^ and the ^^Tunku^^ agreed ^^on the broad terms of the merger.^^

What Was The Result Of The “Battle Merger”?

The ^^British agreed^^ to the broad ^^terms of the merger^^. However, the proposed merger ^^met with fierce opposition^^ from some ^^groups within Singapore^^.

1. Opposition From Barisan Sosialis

• ^^Most PAP leaders^^ were ^^in favour of the proposed merger^^, and some within the party, such as ==Lim Chin Siong== ^^and^^ ==Fong Swee Suan==^^, strongly opposed it.^^
• They felt the ^^terms were unfavourable^^ to the people in Singapore and ^^tried to get support from other PAP members^^ to ^^challenge^^ ==Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew==^^’s leadership.^^
• They ^^did not succeed^^ and were later ^^expelled from the PAP^^.
• The ^^expelled members^^ subsequently ^^established a new party^^: ==Barisan Sosialis Singapore==.
• ==Dr Lee Siew Choh== became ^^Chairman^^ of the party while ==Lim Chin Siong== was its ^^Secretary-General^^.
• They ^^opposed the merger^^ because of ^^several reasons^^.
• One issue was the ==status of the Singaporean population within the federation.==
• They were concerned that ^^citizenship would not be automatically granted to Singapore citizens^^, and only ^^be known as “federal nationals”^^ and could ^^only vote in Singapore elections^^.
• Another issue was the ==allocation of seats in the federal parliament==.
• In ^^exchange^^ for ^^having control^^ over its ^^education and labour^^, ^^Singapore^^ would only have ^^15 seats^^, while ^^North Borneo and Sarawak^^ were ^^given more seats despite their smaller population^^.
• They felt that the ^^under-representation of Singapore^^ in the ^^Malaysian Parliament^^ was a ^^sign of its second-class status.^^
• In ==September 1961==, the ^^Barisan Sosialis started a campaign to oppose the merger.^^
• They ^^participated in radio forums^^ to ^^debate the issues^^ surrounding ^^the proposed merger^^.

2. The PAP’s Campaign

• At the same time, the ^^PAP embarked on a year-long campaign^^ to ==convince== the ==people of the need to merge with Malaya.==
• From ==September to October 1961==, ==Prime Minister Lee== gave a ^^series of radio talks called ‘The Battle For Merger’^^. ^^Broadcast^^ on ^^Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays^^, they were ^^delivered in the 3 main languages^^ on the same evening.
• ==Mandarin at 6:45 p.m. - English at 7:30 p.m. - Malay at 9:00 p.m==.
• The talks were ^^later re-broadcasted^^ in ^^Tamil, Hokkien and Cantonese^^.
• These radio broadcasts ^^allowed Prime Minister Lee’s talk^^ to ^^reach people in Singapore, Brunei, Malaya, North Borneo and Sarawak.^^
• They were an ^^important feature of a keenly contested battle^^ for the ^^hearts and minds of the people^^.
• The ^^PAP^^ also ^^used exhibitions^^ to ^^highlight the benefits of a merger^^.
• Example - ^^Malaysia Exhibition^^ that was ^^part of Malaysia Week^^ in ==early 1962==, ^^held at^^ the ==Victoria Memorial Hall==. It was ^^jointly organised by^^ the ^^governments of the territories^^ that were to ^^form the new federation^^.
• The ^^exhibition aimed to showcase the close cultural and social ties among the territories.^^
• It ^^exposed visitors to^^ the ^^lives and cultures of the people,^^ as well as the ^^trade and commerce of the territories.^^

3. Referendum

-%%A referendum is a direct vote by the people on a specific issue.%%

• A referendum was ^^held on^^ ==1 September 1962== following the end of these campaigns.
• The ^^purpose of the referendum^^ was ^^to find out what type of merger the people in Singapore wanted.^^
• ^^Voters^^ were ^^given three options^^, ^^each proposing^^ a ^^different form of merger^^.
• ==PAP’s preferred option was Option A==.
• While the ^^Barisan Sosialis opposed all three options^^ and ^^urged the people to cast blank votes^^.
• The ^^results of the referendum were a clear indication^^ of the ^^people’s support^^ for the ^^government’s position^^.
• ==Almost 71% of the votes were in favour of Option A==.
• While ==blank votes made up almost 26%==.
• ^^Most voters^^ had ^^rejected^^ the ^^Barisan Sosialis’ call to cast blank votes^^ during the referendum.

4. Weakening Of The Barisan Sosialis

• On ==2 February 1963==, the ^^internal Security Council detained more than 100 people^^, ^^including Lim Chin Siong and 23 other Barisan Sosialis members.^^
• They were ^^accused of attempting to sabotage^^ the ^^formation of Malaysia^^ and ^^planning to launch an uprising in Singapore.^^
• The series of arrests was ^^code-named^^ ==Operation Coldstore==.
• The Barisan Sosialis was ^^weakened by the arrests of its leaders during Operation Coldstore^^ and suffered ^^defeat in the subsequent 1963 election^^.

The ==PAP won 37 out of 51 seats==, while the ^^Barisan Sosialis^^ managed to only ^^win 13 seats^^.

5. Reactions To The Formation Of Malaysia Outside Of Singapore and Malaya

• %%Brunei%%

  -Decided ^^against joining Malaysia^^

  -==Gained independence from Britain in 1984==

• %%The Philipines%%

  -^^Did not recognise Malaysia^^, insisting it ^^had a rightful claim to North Borneo^^

  -==Broke off relations with Malaysia in 1963==

• %%Indonesia%%

  -^^Opposed the merger^^ as it felt that ^^it would give the British continued control over the territories^^ in the ^^new federation and that North Borneo and Sarawak should come under its influence.^^

  -==Broke off diplomatic and trade relations with Malaysia in 1963==.

  -^^Launched a policy of Konfrontasi in^^ ==January 1963==, which ^^involved military attacks^^, ^^bombings and other acts^^ aimed at ^^causing instability in the states that were to from the federation^^.

%%North Borneo and Sarawak%%

-^^Agreed to join Malaysia^^ after ^^findings from the Cobbed Commision^^ indicated that ^^two-thirds of the people in North Borneo and Sarawak wanted to join Malaysia.^^

(Cobbed Commission = was set up in January 1962 to inquire about the views of the people of North Borneo and Sarawak towards the formation of Malaysia. The findings were endorsed by the United Nations Commissions.)

6. Formation Of Malaysia

• ^^Despite opposition from the different groups, the merger went ahead.^^
• On ==9 July 1963,== the ^^Malaysia Agreement^^ was ^^signed in London by^^ ^^Britain, Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak.^^
• The ^^federation of Malaysia came into effect^^ on ==16 September 1963==.
• As ^^Singapore was now one of the^^ ==Federation’s 14 member states==, ^^control of its foreign affairs and defence would be transferred to Malaysia.^^
• Some of the ^^initial terms^^ of the merger ^^remained the same^^.
• For instance, ^^Singapore citizens^^ would ^^not^^ be ^^entitled^^ to ^^all the same rights as other Malaysian citizens^^, such as the ^^right to vote in Malaysian elections outside of Singapore^^.
• However, ^^other terms^^ of the merger were ^^modified^^.
• One ^^important modification^^ was that ^^Singapore citizens^^ would ^^automatically become citizens of the Federation of Malaysia.^^
• It was also ^^agreed^^ that the ^^Malaysian common market would be established in stages^^.
• ^^Festivals^^ were held throughout the island to ^^celebrate the establishment of the Federation^^.
• On ==16 September 1963==, ^^during^^ the ^^Malaysia Day celebrations^^, ^^Prime Minister Lee^^ jubilantly ^^proclaimed^^ the ^^formation of Malaysia^^ from the steps of ^^City Hall^^.
• ==Less than two years later==, ^^Singapore left the Federation of Malaysia.^^

Why Did Singapore Separate From Malaysia?

^^A lot of effort^^ was ^^put in^^ by the ^^various parties^^ to ^^create Malaysia^^. Yet, ^^Singapore^^ was part of it for ^^less than 2 years.^^ Both ==economic disagreements== and ==political differences== ^^strained relations between^^ the ^^federal government in Malaysia^^ and the ^^state government in Singapore^^, ^^resulting^^ in the ^^separation^^ of Singapore from Malaysia on ==9 August 1965.==

1. Economic Disagreements

There were ^^two main issues^^. One, ==Common Market==. Two, ==Revenue Contribution==.

==Common Market==

%%-What Singapore Expected as Part of the Merger:%%

• The ^^common market^^ would be ^^set up^^ for its ^^long-term economic survival^^.
• ^^Tariffs^^ on Singapore-made goods would be ^^removed^^.

%%-What the Federal Government Decided:%%

• There was a ^^delay^^ in ^^setting up^^ the ^^common market^^.
• ^^Tariffs continued^^ to be imposed on Singapore-made goods ^^to protect some of Malaya’s industries^^.

==Revenue Contribution==

%%-What Singapore Expected as Part of the Merger:%%

• ^^Singapore^^ would ^^contribute 40%^^ of its ^^revenue to the federal government.^^

%%-What the Federal Government Decided:%%

• The ^^federal government increased Singapore’s contribution to 60%^^ as ^^defence spending^^ had ^^risen significantly due to Konfratasi.^^
• ^^Singapore^^ felt that the decision was ^^unfair^^ and that its ^^original contribution was sufficient.^^

2. Political Differences

There were ^^two main issues^^. One is the ==composition of political parties==. Two, the ==treatment of races.==

==Composition of Political Parties==

%%-Singapore:%%

• ^^Singapore’s^^ major ^^political parties,^^ such as the ^^PAP,^^ were ^^multiracial^^ and ^^sought to represent the interests of all communities.^^

%%-Federal Government of Malaysia%%

• The ^^federal government^^ was ^^formed by^^ the ^^Alliance Party^^, which ^^comprised three communal parties: the^^ ==UMNO, MCA and MIC.==
• These parties ^^sought to look^^ after the ^^interests^^ of the ^^respective ethnic communities.^^

1. %%UMNO - United Malays National Organisation%%
2. %%MCA - Malayan Chinese Association%%
3. %%MIC - Malayan Indian Congress%%

==Treatment Of Races==

%%-Singapore:%%

• ^^Singapore’s government^^ felt that ^^everyone, regardless of race^^, should be ^^given equal opportunity to succeed.^^
• It believed that the ^^best way^^ of ^^enabling^^ the ^^Malays^^ to ^^gain better employment opportunities^^ was by ^^providing free education.^^

%%-Federal Government of Malaysia:%%

• ^^Special privileges in employment, business and education^^ were ^^given to the Malays^^ with the ^^aim of improving their economic and social position.^^
• For instance, a ^^certain number of jobs^^ in the ^^government^^ were ^^reserved for Malays.^^

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Over time, these ^^differences in views^^ would ^^strain the relationship between the two governments.^^

The Call For A Separation

• By ==mid-1965==, ^^Tunku Abdul Rahman^^ was ^^convinced^^ that the ^^differences between the federal government and the state government of Singapore^^ could ^^not be resolved.^^
• He saw the ^^1964 racial clashes^^ as a sign of the disorder that would ^^spread throughout the Federation^^ if these ^^differences persisted^^.
• He felt that it would be ^^best for Singapore to leave Malaysia^^.
• A ^^few PAP leaders^^ also ^^thought^^ the ^^separation would help^^ bring an ^^end^^ to ^^the problems^^.
• By ==July 1965==, secret ^^negotiations^^ on ^^Singapore’s exit^^ from the Federation had ^^begun^^.
• Within a few weeks, the ^^independence of Singapore Agreement was signed^^ and ^^Singapore was no longer a part of Malaysia.^^
• On ==9 August 1965==, an emotional ^^Prime Minister Lee announced Singapore’s separation^^ from the Federation in a live televised press conference.
• The ^^proclamation of Singapore^^ was ^^signed by Prime Minister Lee^^ on ==9 August 1965==.
• It formally ^^declared that Singapore was no longer “a state of Malaysia^^ and shall ^^become^^ an ^^independent^^ and sovereign state and nation separate from and independent of Malaysia.”
• With its ^^departure from^^ the ^^Federation^^, ^^Singapore was now an independent nation.^^
• It ^^became a republic^^ with ^^Yusof bin Ishak as its first President.^^

%%(republic - a country without a king or queen, usually governed by elected representatives of the people and a president)%%

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