Milestones in Singapores Journey

to Independence

Jap Opp

1942

1955
Elections

Year of
Strikes

1945

BMA:
PostWar

1947

1948

1948
Elections

1955

Merger

1959

1959
Elections

1963

Separation=
Independence

1964

Racial
Riots

1965

 1945 Singapore was still a British

colony
1948 Our baby step
1955 Child
1959 Teenage years
Now, we want
independence!

 Merge with the Federation of Malaya

Federation of Malaya: the 11 states in
the Malay Peninsular (Malaya)

Was the merger successful?

Nope!
(We had a break-up in 1965)

Essential question for the

chapter:
What were the aspirations of the
people before and during the
merger with Malaya?

 Aspirations for Merger

Singapore
Malaya

Process of merger
Referendum
Konfrontasi

Competing Aspirations that led to

separation
Singapore
Malaya

 Political reasons
Economic reasons
Hm

Lets merge!
Here are my
reasons

 A jingle that was aired in Singapore at the

time of the creation of Malaysia :
Unite through merger
And we will stand
Happy and free in one strong band
Equal through merger, citizens all
Malaysia brings wealth for one and all
Equality, special rights and freedom are
yours
With merger and Malaysia.

 To gain independence (freedom from

British!)
Singapore government saw that
Singapores best hope for complete
freedom was through a merger with
Malaya. With you, I can be
freeeeeeeeeee

 To be free from communist threats

PAP believed that if Singapore were to
join Malaya, Malaya can suppress the
communist threats in Singapore. This is
because Malaya was a strong anticommunist With
country.
you,
I can be protected!

 To fulfill their promise that was made

during the 1959 elections
PAP promised the Singaporeans that PAP
will achieve independence. Now that
they are the government, they need to
fulfill the promise made. Or else, the
locals will lose their trust in PAP.
I need to keep
the support of
my people

 Situation that Singapore was in

Singapore lacked natural resources
Slow economic growth: declining
entrepot trade
Increasing unemployment: there was a
growing population that required jobs.
Declining trade due to tariffs introduced
by Malaya on goods traded between the
two countries.

 AND SO Merger as a solution to all

the problems!
Raw materials
Malaya had many natural resources.
Singapore could tap on these resources
if both countries merges.
We need raw
materials

 Merger can increase trade and industries, job

opportunities and economic growth for
Singapore!
Common Market: an agreement between
countries allowing goods produced in one country
to enter another country without having to pay
taxes.
Goods can be bought and sold freely
in the Common Market. This will lead to
an increase of trade, expansion of
industries and in turn, can create more
jobs for Singaporeans.

 Political reasons
Hm Well
Im not
convinced

Having heard all

my reasons,
whadyathink?

 Initially, before 1961, Malaya DID

NOT WANT Singapore.
Why not?

First, Singapore has about one million

Chinese The inclusion of this one
million into the Federation will upset
the racial balance of power in the
Federation. Second, Singapore has
too many pro-Communists who are
supported by the Chinese in Singapore.
- Tunku Abdul Rahman
(Malayas Prime Minister)

 Initially, before 1961, Malaya DID

NOT WANT Singapore.
Why not?
Tunku was scared that Malaya will have
more Chinese than Malays.
Tunku was scared that Malaya would be
influenced by the communists in
Singapore.

 After 1961, Tunku changed his mind!

Well OK!
=D

So how? How?
How? How?
Im still waiting
for you

 Wah.. How come he changed his mind?

Troublesome Situation in Singapore:
Pro-communist PAP leader, Ong Eng Guan left
PAP and challenged them in a by-election.
He won the Hong Lim by-election and
defeated the PAP candidate.
This made Tunku scared that the radicals
would take over PAP and make Singapore a
communist country. Communists could use
Singapore as a base to spread Communism to
Malaya.
Tunku did not want this to happen.

For Singapore and Malaysia, they

wanted to MERGE:

Manage the communist threats

Ensure the continued support from
people
Raw materials please
Get my independence!
Economic growth (money!)

But.. You
know, I have
some
conditions to
the merger

Er.. Actually, me
also.. heehee

 Different political and economic demands

by both Singapore and Malaya
WE OPPOSE!!!
Konfrontasi: Protests by Indonesia and
Both of you
Philippines
cannot be
together!
Referendum: Winning the support of
Singaporeans

Referendum
Radicals in PAP hated merger (because
they supported communism)
PAP split! The Radicals left PAP and
formed Barisan Socialis, where they
organized campaigns to oppose the
merger.
PAP had to try to convince Singapore
that Malaya was necessary for
Singapores stability and survival

Referendum
Held on 1st Sept 1962
Referendum:
a direct vote by people of the country to
decide on a particular issue, instead of
the government making the decision.

Results
71% of the people supported what PAP
wanted.

Pg. 183 of your

textbook

Konfrontasi
BUT Indonesia and Philippines
opposed the merger.
Konfrontasi: A campaign by Indonesia
and Philippines to oppose the merger
Indonesia: felt that Sabah and Sarawak
should join Indonesia and NOT Malaya
Philippines: claimed that Sabah
belonged the
You Philippines
belong
to meeeee

 Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak

joined the Federation of Malaya to
form Malaysia on the 16th September
1963

 Singapore and Malaysia broke up in

1965.
WHY?!

 Economic reasons
Political reasons

Problems faced during the merger

Disagreements
Regarding:
Common Market
Taxation
Political Beliefs
Privileges for the
Malays

Reasons for separation

Economic
Common Market
The Central Government was worried that the
Common Market would lead to greater competition
from Singapore.
Singapore was seen as an economic rival (for
Malaya)
The Central Government delayed the formation of the
Common Market.

Reasons for separation

Economic
Taxation
- Introduction of new taxes by the Central Government
Increase of Singapores contribution of its
revenue to Central Government (from 40% to 60%)
- Singapore felt that these were was an unfair
decision

Reasons for separation

Differences in political ideology:
Communalism vs Multiracialism
- Malaya expected Singapore to follow their
political system
Malaya: Communal politics (where
political parties were formed along
racial groups)
Singapore: multiracialism (where
interests of all communities were
represented regardless of race)

Reasons for separation

Political reasons:
Privileges of the Malays
- Malaya: Malays were given special
privileges and rights to help them improve on
their standard of living
- Singapore: meritocracy for all - everyone is
equal and is treated equally regardless of
race or religion

Page 110 of TB
Are you able to list further events that
led to a strain of the relationship
between the Central Government
and the Peoples Action Party?

What eventually led to

separation?
These political
and economic
differences led to
disagreements
and increased
tensions
between the
Alliance Party
and PAP.

 In the end, Tunku

Abdul Rahman
realized that the
many disagreements
could not be settled.
He felt that it was
best for Singapore to
leave Malaysia. PAP
finally agreed to the
decision.

And so
This love story between Malaysia and
Singapore comes to an end

Separation
7th Aug 1965: Separation Agreement
signed
9th Aug 1965: Singapore became
independent

https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=41ND3U_9HgQ
What was Mr Lee Kuan
Yews reaction to
separation?
Why do you think he
reacted this way?
Do you think separation
was something that the
people wanted?
What were the issues
that arose from merger
and what did the people
aspire to during this
period?

MERDEKA!!!
Singapores independence!
9th August 1965
Independent nation
Nation: consists of an organized population
and government

a Republic:
a republic is a nation governed by
representatives elected by the people, and
where the Head of State is not a king or
queen, but a President.

Conclusion
So, what are your
thoughts on
Singapores
political journey
from 1945-1965?