chapter 8 Flashcards
Why did Singapore separate from Malaysia?(tariffs and common market)
Expectations:
- common market
- no tariffs on Singaporean’s goods
During merger
- no common market
- tariffs still placed, making Singapore goods more expensive
Malaysia did not keep their promises on the common markets and tariffs were unfair(negative impacts to economy;harder to survive, harder to earn money)
Why did Singapore separate from Malaysia?
Expectations:
-40% of Singapore’s revenue be given as tax to Federal government
During merger:
- federal government asked for 60% of Singapore’s revenue to deal with threats
Unfair to demand 60% when Singapore’s economy suffering, disproportionate to seats in federal gov
Goals of political party(PAP)
Equality for all races ‘Malaysia for Malaysians’
Goals of political party(alliance)
Alliance: made up of UMNO, MCA(Chinese), MIC
special privileges for malays ‘Malaysia for Malaya’
Treatment of races(PAP)
Equality for all
Treatment of races(Alliance)
Malays would be prioritised/more benefits(special privileges in business, and education)
How was this dissatisfaction shown?
Tensions, unhappiness
- 2 racial riots (21st July and 2nd Sept 1964) - violence
Singapore’s separation from Malaysia(problems that could not be solved which outweighed the benefits of merger)
- Racial politics(running of the country)
- Economic disagreements
Why was the Barisan socialis formed?
- Split from PAP
- They did not agree with the terms of merger: wanted citizens to oppose mergers
Who were the key leaders of the Barisan socialis?
Mr Lim chin siong, Dr Lee siew choh
What were the 2 main reasons that Barisan Socialis opposed the merger?
Felt that:
1. Federal nationals means second class citizens, unfair
2. proportion of seats were unfair, we deserved more
What actions did Barisan Socialis do to oppose the merger?
Riots/protested to show anger(students demonstrations = labour strikes)
campaigned against merger to get citizens to oppose merger
The options for referendum were
A: support merger giving SG autonomy in labour, education
b: support complete and unconditional merger for SG as a state on an equal basis with the other states
c: entering Malaysia on terms no less favourable than the terms for the Borneo authorities
Results of the referendum on merger
A had highest votes(70.8% of voter turnout)
Why did Malaya fear the rise of communism in Singapore?
Hong Lim by election showed that the communists were very popular in Singapore and were supported by the locals (may also divide the PAP)
How could merger between Singapore and Malaya help reduce the chances of
communism spreading in the region?
merger: allows Malaya to support Singapore in combating the communists, prevent communism from spreading
How: Malaya would control internal security of Singapore - can use their army to officially intervene
‘Singapore would have its own Head of State’ How would this benefit singapore and Malaya?
Singapore:
- more freedom and does not need to listen to Malaya
Malaya
- doesn’t need to be responsible for Singapore
‘Singapore citizens would be given the title of federal nationals instead of federal citizens’ How would this benefit Singapore and Malaya?
Singapore
- nil
Malaya
- Malayan citizens do not get the same rights
‘Singapore could hold its own elections to choose its own state Government. Singapore citizens would only be able to vote in its state elections.’ How would this benefit Singapore and Malaya?
Singapore
- freedom to vote the best representative into power
Malaya
- politics can be separate from Singapore
- Singapore cannot influence Malaya’s elections
‘Singapore would collect its own revenue and pay Kuala Lumpur a sum of money to cover federal services like defence and security.’
How would this benefit Singapore and Malaya?
Singapore
- Singapore more freedom in economic matters
Malaya
- more income
‘Singapore would have control over its education and labour matters, and its own civil service.’ How would this benefit Singapore and Malaya?
Singapore
- more freedom to choose the needs of the citizens
Malaya
- don’t need to plan or oversee
‘The federal government in KualaLumpur, would oversee Singapore’s defence, internal
security and dealings with foreign governments.’ How would this benefit Singapore and Malaya?
Singapore
- ensures the safety of Singapore
Malaya
- addresses the threat of communism
What were 2 reasons why the PAP wanted a merger with Malaya?
- SG to make use of Malaya’s economy/economic growth
- SG to be free from colonial rule(independence)
What were 2 reasons why the PAP wanted a merger with Malaya?
- SG to make use of Malaya’s economy/economic growth
- SG to be free from colonial rule(independence)
