SwissCottageSecondary School

* Special thanks to SwissCottageSecondary School for these notes
SEC 3 SOCIAL STUDIES HANDOUTS

CHAPTER 2

Chapter 2 Summary

A.The Road to Merger

Economic Factors

Political Factors

Malaya’s reaction

A change of mind by both sides in May 1961
Political Reasons

Economic reasons
British Reaction

B.Negotiations and Points of Agreement

Citizenship

Common Market

Constitutional Matters
Borneo Loan

Malay Rights

Formation of Malaysia on 16 September 1963

C. The Road to Separation

Political Reasons

Communal Problems

Malaysian Solidarity Convention

Economic Clashes

Few Pioneer Certificates

No Common Market

Proposed Increase in Singapore’s Contributions

Closing the Bank of China

The Status of Singapore after the War

-Singapore was not included in the Malayan Union of 1946

-Governed as a Crown Colony under a British Governor

The 1955 Federal Elections in Malaya

-UMNO, MCA and MIC formed an alliance called the Alliance Party to contest the election

-Landslide victory

-Tunku Abdul Rahman became the Prime Minister. He led a mission, called the Medeka mission, to London to ask for independence, which was granted to Malaya on 31 Aug 1957.

Singapore’s Political Development

-Elections of 1948 for Legislative Council – no interest among population

-Elections of 1951 – Increase in no. of seats in legislative Council

-Progressive Party won 6 seats

-1955 Elections – 1st general elections for the Legislative Assembly

-Labour Party led by Lim Yew Hock and David Marshall won the elections

-PAP secured three seats

Progress Towards Self-Government 1956 – 1958
- 1956 – Marshall led an all party delegation to London to discuss question of self-
government
- Singapore given internal self-government, Br maintain control over defence and internal
security
- Refused to grant Singapore independence

The Peoples’ Action Party (PAP)

  • Founded in 1957, under the leadership of Lee Kuan Yew
  • Non-communal in nature
  • Pro- and non-communist members in the party
Why the PAP won the election?
  • Non-Communist
  • Main aim was to unite Singapore with the Federation of Malaya
  • Had worked closely with the people
  • Won support of the Chinese-educated of Singapore, many of whom had become citizens.

The Road to Merger

  • The idea of merger with Malaya was one of the goals of both Lim Yew Hock and David Marshall
  • When the PAP won the 1959 elections, its goal was also to have merger
Why Merger?

Economically:

  • Singapore was dependent to a large extent on Malaya for survival
  • Singapore would be granted strong economic support from Malaya
  • Singapore would be able to handle an important part of Malayan imports and exports
  • Malaya was also seen as a hinterland that would provide raw materials for Singapore’s industries and a market for manufactured goods

Politically:

  • The Communist threat was strong
  • Singapore’s independence would therefore be a big question mark
  • Malaya had successfully fought the jungle warfare against the Communists and would be able to help Singapore deal with the Communists
Malaya’s reaction
  • Tunku Abdul Rahman, the Prime Minister, was not keen because:

-Large Chinese population in Singapore (Political reason)

-Singapore’s Chinese were sympathetic to the Communist cause

-Singapore was regarded as a centre for Communist activities

-Fear of spread of communism to Malaya

A Change of Mind by both sides in May 1961

(A)POLITICAL REASONS:

1)Increasing Communist Influence in Singapore(Benefit Malaya)

- Lee Kuan Yew’s government was having a hard time dealing with the increasing
activities of the Communists

-Communist elements in PAP broke away to form Barisan Socialis in 1961

-Fear of Barisan Socialis winning the next elections worried the Tunku as it would mean the communists taking control of the government

2)Early Independence from the British (Benefit Singapore more)

-The ‘Malaysian Plan’ proposed by Tunku included the Borneo territories of Sabah and Sarawak, Brunei and Singapore

-Sabah and Sarawak were crown colonies

-Brunei depended on British for advice

-If all were included in the Malaysian Plan, they would be able to get their independence earlier

(B)ECONOMIC REASONS:

- The Tunku believed that a union of the 5 territories would bring about faster and
greater economic growth

-A central government would bring about greater co-ordination and co-operation and more effective utilisation of resources

-More developed states would be able to help the backward states

-The inclusion of Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei would offset the Chinese population of Singapore

(c)British Reaction
  • They realised that the Malaysian Plan would give the territories political stability, security and prosperity
  • Able to check the growth of communism
  • Approved of the Plan
The Responses in Singapore

Within the PAP:

(a)pro-merger group: non-communist members

(b)pro-communist member: objected to merger

They left to form the Barisan Socialis and together with the Workers Party opposed the formation of Malaysia

Why did the Barisan Socialis oppose merger?
  • Radical and leftist (i.e. Communist influenced)
  • Afraid that with Federal control over the internal security of Singapore, their activities would be suppressed
  • They had wanted Singapore to remain a separate country so that they can make Singapore a centre of communism in Southeast Asia
THE SINGAPORE REFERENDUM
  • Strong opposition from Barisan Socialis and Workers’ Party
  • Stated that the Malaysian Plan was a plot to preserve British control in Southeast Asia
  • Singapore government decided to put the Malaysian Plan to a direct vote of the citizens
  • A referendum was held on 1 September 1962
RESULT OF THE REFERENDUM
  • Benefits of merger were printed in booklets and given to the pple
  • PAP leaders went on radio to talk about the benefits too
  • 71% of the people voted in favour of merger
  • The PAP government could now go ahead with its plans to negotiate for terms for merger

EXTERNAL OPPOSITION TO MALAYSIA

A) Indonesia

- Government was under communist influence

- The Communist Party was against the formation of Malaysia because it claimed that:

  1. Malaysia was a plan to preserve Br power in SEA
  2. Malaysia planned to take over Sumatra
  3. The people of Sabah and Sarawak were forced to join Malaysia against their wishes
  4. The Indonesian government under Sukarno was afraid that the effects of a prosperous and progressive Malaysia would be bad on the Indonesian economy which was breaking down

B) The Philippines

-The Philippines claimed that Malaysia was a new colonial power that had to be defeated

-They claimed that Sabah which had formerly been under the Sultan of Sulu had not really been ceded to the British

-Sulu was part of the Philippines, Sabah should belong to them

  • The Tunku met both the leaders of the 2 countries, who agreed to allow a United Nation team to survey the wishes of the people in Sabah and Sarawak
  • People had wanted to form merger
  • Indonesia rejected the UN report and launched ‘Confrontasi’, a campaign to crush Malaysia
  • Trade between the 2 countries was banned
  • Confrontation only ended in 1966 when Suharto took over the leadership of Indonesia
  • The Philippines broke off diplomatic relations with Malaysia until 1966 when President
  • Marcos took over the reins of the country.

Negotiations and Points of Agreement

  • Usually long and stormy due to different expectations from Singapore and Malaya

See next page

A Common Market
  • Goods can be bought and sold freely without taxes
  • Increase in trade would eventually lead to growth in trade and employments
  • Singapore’s idea: Singapore wanted this to be included in the Agreement
  • Fear of competition from Singapore and then its industries and factories would be affected
  • Different views: Malaya wanted to discuss this after the signing of the Malaysia Agreement. Malaya was reluctant to establish the Common market
  • Singapore agreed to contribute 40% of its annual revenue to Kuala Lumpur in return for the Kuala Lumpur’s government to establish a Common market
  • Issue of pioneer certificates: new industries were to enjoy certain privileges such as tax holiday for 5-10 years
  • Certificates would be granted after Malaysia was formed

The Borneo Loan
  • Singapore was asked to contribute M$50m as an outright gift to help develop Sabah and Sarawak
  • Singapore instead proposed a loan of M$50m
  • Finally agreed that Singapore would provide a loan of M$150m to be repaid in 15 years
  • No interest charged for M$100m
  • 50% of the labour used in Sarawak and Sabah would come from Singapore
/ Malay Rights
  • Special privileges enjoyed by the Malays in Malaya would not be enjoyed by the Malays in Singapore
  • They would be recognised as the indigenous people of Singapore
  • Free edu up to University level
  • Privileges of Malays in Malaya:
- granting of licenses for business
- reserved lands
- jobs reserved for Malays in civil
service
Citizenship
  • Citizens of Singapore would retain their Singapore citizenship while becoming nationals of Malaysia
  • Singapore citizens could not vote in Malaysia and vice versa
  • Large numbers of Chinese voters would not upset the political control in Malaysia
/ Constitutional Matters
  • Singapore was entitled to 24 seats based on her population but was given 15 seats
  • Control over education and labour

FORMATION OF MALAYSIA

  • 16 Sep 1963, Singapore officially became part of Malaysia
  • Trouble however started brewing as problems soon surfaced between Singapore and the Federal govt in Kuala Lumpur
  • Uneasy relationship due to differences in expectations, views and practices
  • These differences became a source of conflicts within the next 2 years

THE 1963 SINGAPORE GENERAL ELECTIONS

  • UMNO, MCA, MIC set up branches in Singapore as early as the 1950s
  • Joined forces with a political party in Singapore to form the Singapore Alliance
  • SA wanted to be more involved in Singapore politics
  • Supported by the Federal govt in Kuala Lumpur
  • Hoped to win next election in Singapore to form next govt

-In 1963 elections SUMNO even lost 3 seats, predominantly Malay wards, to PAP

-Tunku was very upset with the loss

-2 messages were sent to UMNO:

Malays in Singapore not interested in communal pol

PAP’s non communal approach, its social & economic programs to better society
was more attractive

THE 1964 FEDERAL ELECTION

  • The PAP took part with the aim to end corruption, narrow the gap between the rich and the poor and to introduce social and economic policies
  • Called for non-communal approach to Malaysian politics
  • The Alliance Party saw this as a challenge to their control of Malaysia
  • PAP’s criticism of MCA that it was a poor representative of the urban Chinese in Malaysia and ineffective partner of the Alliance
  • PAP was condemned and accused of trying to replace MCA
  • Large turnout at rallies alarmed both UMNO & MCA
  • UMNO was disturbed about the PAP’s programme to create a just and equal society
  • PAP only won 1 seat in Bungsar near Kuala Lumpur
  • Impact on Singapore-Kuala Lumpur relations
  • Tunku was displeased and senior Alliance leaders were less tolerant; thus, stepped up criticisms of PAP
  • Saw the party as threat to Malay dominance in politics
  • Tried to confine the PAP to Singapore

THE ROAD TO SEPARATION

Political
1) Communal Problems

  • UMNO began to upstage anti-PAP campaign
  • Focused on poverty of Singapore’s Malay
  • PAP govt’s redevelopment and resettlement scheme was seen as anti-Malay
  • Dissatisfaction of Malays towards the PAP government was aroused
  • UMNO accused the PAP government of displacing the Malays, being resettled from their homes in traditional Malay areas
  • Anti-PAP campaigns was carried in Utusan Melayu, a Malay newspaper printed in Jawi scripts familiar to most Malays
  • PAP was seen as adversely affecting the Malays’ traditional way of life

PAP’s Reaction and SUMNO’s response

-Planned a meeting on 19 July 1964 to explain its policies

-SUMNO organised an earlier one on 12 July to discuss the future of Malays in Singapore

-Attended by 2000 to 4000 people

-Syed Ja’afar Albar, UMNO’s secretary-general’s fiery speeches stirred up the angry mood in the audience

-Communal tension was high

-On 19 July, Lee Kuan Yew promised the Malays that he would improve their social and economic standing through education and training

  • Race Riots

-21 July 1964, celebration of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday

-Some 20 000 people gathered at the Padang

-Procession from Padang to Geylang

-Clash along the way between a Chinese policeman and some Malays at Kallang

-This sparked off the race riots of 1964

  • Aftermath

-Singapore was put under a curfew

-Heavy casualties when curfew was lifted

-23 people died and 454 injured

  • September 1964

-Fresh round of riots, 13 killed & 106 injured

-Federal police had to come in to help

  • Some lessons to be learnt:

-Danger of communal politics in a multi-racial Singapore

-Racial harmony must never be taken for granted

-A breakdown of that would result in loss of lives, destruction of property & law & order

Malaysian Solidarity Convention

  • The Alliance Party re-organised the branches in Singapore. Their aim was to challenge PAP in the 1968 elections
  • Singapore responded by forming the Malaysian Solidarity Convention to create a united opposition against the communal-based Alliance Party.
  • Members were non communal parties from Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak
  • Such non-communal approach of ‘Malaysian Malaysia’ by PAP was conflicting UMNO’s insistence of Malays’ special rights and privileges in Singapore and Malaysia
  • Convention was seen as an attack on such view
  • Tension was high as UMNO members demanded for Lee’s arrest
Economic Clashes

Few Pioneer Certificates

  • Only 2 certificates were awarded out of 69 applications for new industries in Singapore during the 2 years of merger
  • Programme of industrialisation was hindered by KUALA LUMPUR’s policies and actions

No Common Market

  • Kuala Lumpur was not keen to start one
  • She continued to place high taxes on Singapore’s goods entering Malaya
  • Attractive financial packages given to foreign investors who were keen to invest in Malaya
  • Singapore was badly affected

Proposal to increase Singapore’s contribution

  • Malaysian Finance Minister, Tan Siew Sin, proposed that Singapore increased its financial contribution to the Federal government from 40 to 60% to help Kuala Lumpur deal with Confrontation
  • Goh Keng Swee, Singapore’s Finance Minister, rejected the proposal

Closing the Bank of China

KL claimed that funds were sent to help Communists fighting in the jungles of Northern Malaya. Wanted bank to close

Singapore’s argument:

The closure would produce econ hardships for Singapore as Chinese goods were affordable. Bank of China was important in promoting trade between Singapore and China

SEPARATION

  • Various political and economic differences strained the relationship between Singapore and Malaya
  • Tunku believed that racial conflicts would occur if Singapore stay in Malaysia
  • Fear that he might not be able to control certain UMNO leaders who were anti-Lee Kuan Yew
  • No way out but to go separate ways
  • His fear of Communism was no longer relevant
  • 9th August 1965Singapore was separated from Malaysia
  • Singapore had become an independent nation

REACTION OF THE PEOPLE

  • Mixed reaction and uncertainty over the future
  • Singapore left Malaysia without establishing a common market
  • No defence force
  • The question of survival. Future challenges

Original Notes prepared by Ms Wong QL 2003

Updated by Kamaludin B

1

Social Studies Unit 2004