History Flashcards
Why did PAP want merger?
Political Independence
- Only way for British to let go of control of SG
- Reduce communist threat from nearby influences Eg. China, Vietnam and Indonesia
British will be willing to let go of SG if merger
Economic survival
- SG lacked natural resources, had a rapidly growing population in need of jobs.
- Had declining entrepot trade due to other countries becoming independent therefore wanting to use their own ports
- tariffs were introduced to SG goods reducing profits
By merging, they can establish common market and remove tarrifs to allow economic survival, they would have access to Malaya’s natural resources which will help them boost the industry economy giving more jobs to the rapidly growing population
Why did Tunkul initially oppose merger?
Difference in outlook of races
- SG population is mostly Chinese, so they may be reluctant to accept a Malay Sultan as their Head of State, use Malay as the national language or accept Islam as the state religion
There will be tension and uneasiness in the community.
- Racial make-up, merger with SG will cause Chinese population will be more than Malays
A larger Chinese population could also threaten Malay dominance in politics, economics, and culture, which were key concerns for maintaining Malay sovereignty in the new federation.
- Communist ideas being spread, concerned that some Chinese had sympathies for communist and will spread ideas to the rest of the federation.
Given the ongoing battle against communism in Malaya, he saw this as a direct threat to the security and unity of the federation.
Why did Tunkul change his mind?
Fear of communism
- If SG became independent, Malaya will have no Internal Security Council and thus lose influence over security matters in SG.
That together with the fact that there is no colonial government, makes communist threat harder to contain
Hong Lim By-Election
- Ong Eng Guan won a seat over the PAP representative (with 73 percent of votes). He had more radical views and wanted to free SG from colonial rule by establishing a communist government through forceful means. He would use SG as a base to spread communist ideas to Malaya
Why did the Barisan sosialis oppose merger?
Status of SG citizens in the new federation
- Citizenship will not be automatically granted to SG citizens. SG citizens would only be known as “federal nationals” and could vote only in Singapore elections.
For Barisan Sosialis, this arrangement was seen as unfair and discriminatory, as it relegated Singaporeans to a second-class status within the federation. They feared that this limited citizenship would weaken Singapore’s political influence and autonomy, and diminish the rights of its people, particularly the working class and Chinese majority, whom they represented. Thus, they viewed the merger terms as a way to limit the political voice of Singaporeans within the larger federation.
Allocation of seats in parliament being unfair
- SG would only have 15 seats, North Borneo and Sarawak were given more seats despite their smaller population.
Overall they felt that it was unfair and the under-representation of SG in the Malaysian Parliament was a sign of its second-class status.
This under-representation reinforced the perception that Singapore would hold a second-class status within the federation, with diminished political power and influence. The Barisan Sosialis believed that such an arrangement would limit Singapore’s ability to advocate for its own interests and the interests of its citizens within the larger Malaysian political framework. The unequal seat distribution was seen as a deliberate move to marginalize Singapore and prevent it from having significant influence in national decision-making, further justifying their opposition to the merger.
Why did Singapore Separate from Malaysia?
EXPECTED
-SG wanted a common market to be set up
-Tariffs on Singapore-made goods would be removed
REALITY
-Delay of setting up of common market
-Tariffs continue to be impose on SG made-goods.
Revenue Contribution
EXPECTED
-SG would contribute 40% of its revenue to the federal government
REALITY
-Federal government increase SG contribution to 60%
-SG felt that decision was unfair
Composition of Political Parties
SINGAPORE
-SG major political parties such as PAP were muiltracial
MALAYA
-Political parties was raced-based (UMNO, MCA, MIC)
-These parties only looked after their interests of their respective ethnic communities
Treatment of Races
SINGAPORE
-SG felt that everyone should be given a equal opportunity to succeed
-They believed that the best way of enabling Malays to gain better employment opportunities was by providing free education
MALAYA
-Special privileges in employment, business and education were given to Malays with the aim of improving their economic and social position
What are the security threats that Singapore faced post-independence?
External threats
-Konfrontasi (1963-1966) was Indonesia’s armed opposition to the formation of Malaysia, exemplified by the McDonald House bombing in Singapore on March 10, 1965, where Indonesian saboteurs detonated a bomb, killing three people and injuring 33, as part of the broader conflict.
Communist Terrorism
-Malayan Emergency (1948-1960)
-Continued presence of small-scale communist attacks in Singapore led by the Malayan Communist Party (MCP).
International Terrorism
-The Laju Incident (1974) - Four armed men—two from the Japanese Red Army (JRA) and two from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). Their goal was to disrupt Singapore’s oil supply and attract international attention to their cause. After failing to destroy the oil tanks, the attackers hijacked a ferry, the Laju, and took five crew members hostage. The Singapore government surrounded the ferry and engaging in negotiations. The crisis ended when the attackers agreed to release the hostages in exchange for safe passage to the Middle East. Singaporean officials, including security personnel, accompanied the attackers to Kuwait, where they were handed over to local authorities.
Lack of Defence Forces
-British Military Withdrawal from SG - they could no longer afford to maintain this military commitment. They needed to rebuild economy back home.
-SG had relied on British for defence
-SG was left with only 2 battalions of regular infantry of 50 officers and 1000 men each which was no sufficient
What did Singapore do to overcome the security threats?
Deterrence
-Introducing National Service, NS in Singapore is a mandatory conscription program where male citizens and permanent residents serve for two years in the military, police, or civil defense forces.
-SAF
-Establishing a Home-Grown defence industry, SG would produce its own military equipment and supplies. eg. M16S1
Dipolmacy
-Strengthening Military Cooperation with other countries, SG built on existing relations with commonwealth countries such as Britain, Australia and Malaysia, and established new ties with other countries like the US. SG was part of the FPDA and ASEAN with gave them more regional peace and stability.
-Growing Bilateral r/s eg. economic and military important countries like the US and China.
