History-Chapter 9: How Did Singapore Safeguard Its Independence After 1965?

What Security Challenges Did Singapore Face in 1965?

^^Enhancing internal security and building a strong defence force →^^

^^Ensures peace and stability →^^

^^Attracting foreign investors to set up factories and businesses →^^

^^Contributing to the development of the economy and the creation of jobs →^^

^^The government decided to bolster the security of Singapore quickly.^^

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%%The government decided to bolster the security of Singapore quickly as the development of the economy and the creation of jobs depended on the security of Singapore. Enhancing internal security and building a strong defence force, can ensure the peace and stability of Singapore. This then can help attract foreign investors to set up factories and businesses, then boosting the development of the economy and more jobs for the people will be created. Thus, the security of Singapore can help make it a better place overall.%%

1. Konfrontasi

• Konfrantasi is ^^a policy Indonesia pursued against the Federation of Malaysia^^. Which ^^Singapore^^ had been ^^part of^^ from ==16 September 1963 to 9 August 1965.==

• ==Indonesia’s President Sukarno== ^^opposed^^ the ^^Federation of Malaysia^^ as he believed ^^it would give the British continued control of the territories in the Federation.^^

• During ^^Konfrantasi^^ from ==1963 to 1966==, the ^^Indonesians, Malaysians and^^ %%Commonwealth%% ^^fought^^ along the border Indonesia and Malaysia shared.

• Konfrantasi ^^posed a serious security threat^^ even ^^before the separation^^ from Malaysia.

• As many as ==42 bombings== were carried out ^^by Indonesian saboteurs^^ in Singapore during the conflict.

• They initially targeted military and public facilities, but them being heavily guarded made it difficult to attack.

• So the saboteurs began ^^setting off bombs in public places^^ to ^^terrorise the population and disrupt life in Singapore.^^

• In ^^response to the bombings^^, the government introduced ^^several measures^^ such as ^^advising people to stay on high alert, and avoid handling suspicious-looking parcels in buildings and along streets^^.

• A ^^volunteer force^^ was also ^^deployed^^ to ^^patrol neighbourhoods^^ and ^^schools^^ started carrying out ^^emergency drills.^^

• The ^^deadliest incident^^ during Konfrontasi occurred on ==10 March 1965== when a ^^bomb exploded along Orchard Road at Mcdonald House.^^

• It ==killed 3 people== and ==injured 33==, nearby ^^buildings and cars^^ were also ^^damaged^^ by the explosion.

• ^^Two Indonesian were arrested^^, charged with murder, found guilty and ^^hanged on^^ ==17 October 1968== for the ^^MacDonald House bombing.^^

• That ^^triggered^^ an ^^angry^^ response among ^^Indonesian students^^, who ^^attacked^^ the ^^Singapore embassy^^ and the ^^homes of Singaporean diplomats^^ in Jakarta.

  %%(Commonwealth - an association of former British colonies. Its member countries cooperate informally in many areas such as defence, education and culture.%%

2. Communist Terrorism

• Singapore had to guard itself ^^against attacks by communist groups.^^
• The ^^threat posed^^ by the ^^Malayan Communist Party (MCP)^^ led to a ^^state of emergency^^ being ^^declared.^^
• Although the ^^danger^^ of a communist takeover had ^^lessened^^ and the ^^British declared the emergency over^^ in ==1960==, ^^acts of terrorism by communist groups continued.^^
• By the ==1970s,== the ^^MCP^^ had ^^split^^ into ^^smaller groups.^^
• Despite that, they still ^^posed a danger^^ to the internal security of Singapore.
• Police ^^raids^^ uncovered ^^large quantities of weapons^^ such as pistols and grenades.
• During this decade, the ^^communists carried out acts of violence^^ that ^^included^^ the ^^killing of a^^ ==7-year-old girl== ^^in^^ ==Changi== ^^in^^ ==1970==^^, the explosion of a^^ ==bomb in Katong in 1974== ^^and the^^ ==attempted assassination of Singapore’s Commissioner of Police in 1976.==

3. International Terrorism

• Independent Singapore experienced its ^^first encounter^^ with ^^international terrorism^^ on ==31 January 1974==.
• Foreign terrorists ^^hijacked^^ the ^^ferry boat^^ ==Laju== and ^^held crew members hostage^^.
• The terrorists had ^^earlier attacked the Shell oil refinery^^ in an ^^attempt to disrupt the oil supply from Singapore to South Vietnam.^^
• After ^^several days of negotiation^^, the ^^hijackers finally agreed to release the hostages^^ in ^^exchange for safe passage from Singapore to Kuwait.^^

4. The Vietnam War

• At the same time, a large-scale conflict in Vietnam was ^^threatening the stability of Southeast Asian countries, including Singapore.^^
• ^^North Vietnam^^ was ^^communist^^ while ^^South Vietnam^^ was ^^non-communist/democratic.^^
• ^^South Vietnam feared^^ that if ^^North Vietnam won^^, ^^communism would spread^^ to the neighbouring countries and eventually the whole region.
• The ^^United States^^ committed vast military resources to ^^support South Vietnam^^ in the war.
• The ^^Singapore government feared^^ that the ^^fighting^^ would ^^spread^^ to the ^^rest of the region^^ and ^^destabilise Singapore.^^
• ^^South Vietnam^^ eventually ^^fell to North Vietnam in^^ ==1975==, bringing an end to the Vietnam War.

5. British Military Withdrawal From Singapore

• Since ==1819==, ^^Singapore relied^^ on the ^^British Empire^^ to ^^defend^^ it ^^against external threats^^, with the majority of the troops coming from Britain, India and Australia.
• Although ^^local^^ volunteer ^^troops^^ had been ^^recruited and trained from the 19th century onwards^^, they were a ^^small number^^.
• British ^^plans^^ to ^^develop Singapore^^ as a major ^^naval base^^ to ^^better protect British interests^^ in ^^Asia^^ ^^remained central^^ to the British ^^defence strategy^^.
• ^^Singapore’s role^^ as a ^^military base^^ ^^expanded^^ in the ==1950s.==
• British ^^warships^^ and ^^Commonwealth servicemen^^ were ^^stationed^^ in Singapore.
• By the ==1960s==, the ^^British^^ had ^^different views^^ of their ^^military involvement in Asia.^^
• The ^^British^^ could ^^no longer afford the large amount of money^^ and ^^resources^^ to ^^maintain^^ this ^^military commitment^^ despite knowing its importance in maintaining its military presence.
• They needed to ^^focus on rebuilding their economy at home^^ and ^^announced^^ in ==1967== that they would ^^withdraw their defence forces from Singapore^^.
• By ==1971,== the ^^majority of the British forces had left^^ and the ^^withdrawal was completed in^^ ==1976.==
• The ^^announcement of the withdrawal added^^ to Singapore’s ^^defence challenges^^ since they were practically ^^left unprotected.^^
• Since the ^^British failed to defend against^^ the ^^Japanese invasion^^ in ==1942,== with ==90,000 men== and ==50,000 British men== stationed in the region to ^^defend against the threat from Indonesia during Konfrantasi.^^ How could ^^Singapore^^ hope to ^^cope with only 2,000 men?^^

How Did Singapore Overcome Its Security Challenges?

Singapore approached its security challenges in two ways.

==First== - Through %%deterrence%%, by ^^building a credible defence force^^ that would ^^make^^ any ^^potential enemies think twice before attacking.^^ If deterrence ^^failed^^ and war broke out, the ^^defence force^^ would be ^^capable of defeating the enemies swiftly and decisively.^^

==Second== - Through %%diplomacy%%, by ^^establishing and developing strong relationships with governments and defence forces around the world.^^ So Singapore could ^^train with and learn from more advanced militaries elsewhere, have access to advanced technologies^^, and ^^ensure that others would have a stake in preserving Singapore’s peace and stability.^^

%%(Deterrence - the creation and maintenance of a defence force that is powerful enough to convince potential enemies not to launch an attack, as it would either fail or be very costly.)%%

%%(Diplomacy - the establishment and maintenance of official government relations between countries. Countries typically set up embassies in foreign capitals, where their diplomats would represent their interests.)%%

Building a Defence Force (Deterrence)

1. Introducing National Service (NS)

• This ^^allowed^^ the government to ^^conscript young men^^ to ^^serve in the military.^^
• The ==National Service Ordinance (NSO)== that was ^^originally introduced in 1954^^ was ^^never carried out^^ while the ^^British ruled Singapore^^ because of the ==unpopularity of and resistance towards the 1954 NSO==.
• Despite that, the ^^Singapore government deemed^^ that ^^conscription was the only way^^ Singapore could ^^raise a credible defence force^^ after independence.
• Thus, ==NS was introduced in 1967==, which ^^rapidly expanded the defence force^^ which is known as the ==Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).==
• ^^Thousands of men^^ were ^^conscripted^^ for ^^at least two years^^ of ^^full-NS.^^
• After ^^completing NS^^, they would still ^^continue to receive occasional military training^^ and take up arms in times of emergencies.
• By the ==end of the 1970s==, the ^^SAF had grown into a sizable defence force^^ with an ^^army, an air force and a navy^^ which was ^^supplemented by the People’s Defence Force (PDF).^^
• ==Dr Goh Keng Swee and Jek Yeun Thong==, ^^Members of the Parliament^^ and ^^senior civil servants^^ were among those who ^^joined the PDF^^.
• These ^^forces gave^^ Singapore a ^^large pool of manpower^^ to ^^meet its defence needs^^.
• ^^Men^^, especially those ^^from poorer families^^ were ^^expected^^ to quickly ^^find a job^^ upon leaving school to ^^contribute to the household income^^.
• However, ^^with NS,^^ they are ^^unable to find a job^^ as they ^^have to enter NS^^ and their ^^families would lose the income they could have earned.^^
• ^^Life in the military was unfamiliar^^ to the ^^majority^^ of Singaporeans since ^^only a small number had experienced military life^^ as regulars or as part-time volunteers with the colonial forces.
• ==Winston Choo== became ==Singapore’s first Chief of Defence Force.==
• NS was a ^^big change^^ for many men and they had to ^^adapt to the disciplined lifestyle of the military.^^
• The training was ^^physically tough^^ and both the ^^NS men^^ and ^^their families worried^^ about ^^each other.^^
• The ^^first generation^^ of NS men ^^defended Singapore^^ knowing Singapore ^^faced genuine threats^^ to its ^^defence and security^^, despite having to ^^make sacrifices.^^
• Because of NS, ^^Singapore today^^ has a ^^sizeable force^^ that can be ^^mobilised to defend the country,^^ ^^contributing to Singapore’s peace and stability.^^
• NS is the ^^foundation^^ of Singapore’s ^^national defence^^, which remains ^^critical^^ to ^^Singapore’s continued survival and success^^, and ^^created a common experience^^, ^^bringing people of different races, religions and backgrounds together.^^

2. Establishing a Home-Grown Defence Industry

• ^^With NS,^^ Singapore now ^^had^^ the ^^power to defend itself^^ but they ^^still need^^ a whole range of ^^equipment^^, ranging from ^^basic items^^ such as uniforms and boots ^^to sophisticated weapons^^ like tanks and aeroplanes.
• Despite the ^^SAF inheriting equipment from the British^^, it was ^^mostly obsolete^^ and ^^inadequate^^ for the ^^growing demands of^^ the ^^SAF.^^
• Over time, they ^^acquired equipment from other countries^^ like the ==US and France== but Singapore was ^^aware that relying on other countries for all their military equipment was a potential weakness.^^
• So, ==Defence Minister Dr Goh Keng Swee== decided to ^^develop Singapore’s defence industry^^ to ^^provide^^ the ^^SAF^^ with ^^locally made equipment and supplies.^^
• That would mean the ^^SAF^^ would be ^^able to operate^^ even if ^^foreign sources were cut off.^^
• ==In 1967==, the ==Charted Industries Singapore (CIS)== was ^^established^^ to ^^produce locally made weapons^^ for the ^^SAF.^^
• Singapore also ^^trained defence engineers and scientists^^ who ^^designed and created new technology^^ that was ^^suitable for Singapore’s defence needs^^.

Strengthening Relations With The World (Diplomacy)

1. Establishing Diplomatic Relations with Other Countries

• ^^Besides pursuing military cooperation^^, Singapore also ^^developed diplomatic relations with countries around the world.^^
• This was ^^important^^ so that ^^other countries can recognise Singapore’s independence.^^
• ^^Without^^ this ^^recognition^^, ^^hostile countries^^ could ^^claim^^ that ^^Singapore had no right to exist,^^ and ^^could threaten, coerce and even invade it.^^
• Developing diplomatic relations would ^^ensure that Singapore had friends that recognised its independence and had an interest in keeping it safe and secure.^^

2. Growing Bilateral relationships

• Singapore had already ^^many close ties^^ with many ^^Commonwealth countries^^, such as ==Australia, Britain and Malaysia.==
• It needed to ^^establish new relationships^^ with ^^other influential countries^^ in the region and the world.
• %%Bilateral relationships refer to the relationship between two individual countries.%%
• An example is the ^^relationship between Singapore and the United States^^ which is one of the ^^most economically and military important countries^^ with an interest in Asia.
• ^^Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew^^ made his ^^first visit to China in^^ ==1976,== ^^beginning a process of engagement with Chinese leaders^^ as China’s ties with Southeast Asia were expanding.
• Singapore needed to ^^cultivate friendships with as many countries as possible^^, despite ^^them not having any direct interests in the region^^, or are ^^located far away,^^ and ^^regardless of their stance on the Cold War.^^
• Singapore also ^^sought to improve ties with countries it had tensions with^^, such as ^^Indonesia.^^
• ^^Bilateral ties^^ were ^^further strained^^ after Singapore ^^executed the Indonesian soldiers^^ for the ^^bombing of the MacDonald House in^^ ==1968.==
• ^^Tensions between Singapore and Indonesia^^ only ^^eased in^^ ==1973== when ^^PM Lee scattered flowers on the graves of the two soldiers, allowing both countries to move on from the incident.^^

3. Joining International and Regional Organisations

• It was ^^important^^ for Singapore ^^to join International organisations^^ that would ^^recognise its existence as an independent country.^^

• ^^Membership^^ in these organisations would ^^allow Singapore to participate actively^^ in ^^international and regional matters^^ and ^^have its voice heard^^ by the world.

• Singapore became the ^^117th member of the^^ ==United Nations (UN)== on ==21 September 1965==, just ^^over a month after its separation^^ from Malaysia.

• The ^^UN is an international organisation^^ that ^^gathers all countries to work togethe^^r in ^^maintaining peace and dealing with international problems.^^

• In ==1967==, Singapore became a ^^founding member of the^^ ==Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)== which is a ^^regional organisation^^ formed to ^^prevent the spread of communism^^ during the Cold War and to ^^promote economic growth^^, ^^social progress^^ and ^^cultural development^^ in the ^^Southeast Asian region through^^ %%multilateral%% ^^cooperation.^^

• For instance, ^^ASEAN^^ introduced ^^measures to increase trade among its members.^^

• It also ^^aims^^ to ^^maintain peace and stability^^ among member states and external partners.

• One example is when ^^Vietnam invaded Cambodia in^^ ==1978,== ^^ASEAN worked with the UN^^ and major countries such as the US and China ^^to get Vietnam to withdraw their forces.^^

  (Multilateral - involving several countries or groups)

CONCLUSION

^^After^^ its ^^independence in^^ ==1965,== Singapore ^^faced various security challenges^^ from the region and internally. To ^^overcome these challenges^^, Singapore ^^adopted a two-pronged approach^^, which is ==deterrence and diplomacy.== To ^^deter attacks^^, it ^^established a credible force^^. At the same time, it e^^stablished diplomatic and military relations with countries around the world^^. This e^^nsures that other countries had an interest in keeping Singapore safe and secure.^^