security challenges

Question 1

security challenges faced by singapore

Answer 1

• british military withdrawal
• konfrontasi
• communist terrorism
• international terrorism
• vietnam war

Question 2

elab on british military withdrawal

Answer 2

• maintaining military bases in other territories was expensive, in singapore cost $70 million a year
• british could no longer afford the amount of money and resources needed to maintain their military presence in the region
• announced that it would withdraw its defence forces by 1976, then brought forward to 1971

Question 3

effect of british military withdrawal of singapore

Answer 3

• left undefended and unemployment would worsen as british bases generated employment for many locals
• 25000 workers would be rendered jobless as a result of military withdrawal
• singapore only had about 2000 men in its batallions, insufficient to defend itself against threats

Question 4

elab on konfrontasi

Answer 4

• policy pursued by indonesia to oppose the federation of malaysia and unite malay archipelago under its leadership
• launched attacks on singapore soil to terrorise the population and disrupt life, posing an external threat

Question 5

effect of konfrontasi on singapore

Answer 5

• as many as 42 bombings were carried out by indonesian saboteurs in singapore
• deadliest incident occurred during bombing of macdonald house which killed 3 and injured 33

Question 6

elab on communist terrorism

Answer 6

• threat posed by mcp led to a state of emergency being declared (malayan emergency)
• posed a danger to internal security of singapore
• communists carried out acts of violence

Question 7

elab on international terrorism

Answer 7

• threat posed by foreigners
• example: hijacked a ferry boat and held people hostage to disrupt oil supply from singapore to vietnam. took days of negotiation to finally release hostages in exchange for safe passage out

Question 8

elab on vietnam war

Answer 8

• vietnam divided into 2 independent states, communist north vietnam and non-communist south vietnam
• governments of both wanted to reunify country under their own rule, war started

Question 9

potential effect of vietnam war on singapore

Answer 9

• if north vietnam won, communism would spread to neighbouring countries and the whole region
• feared fighting would spread to rest of region which would destabilise singapore

Question 10

how did singapore overcome security challenges

Answer 10

• deterrence and diplomacy

building a defence force
- introducing national service
- establishing a home grown defence industry
- strengthening military cooperation with other countries

strengthening relations with the world
- establishing diplomatic relations with other countries
- growing bilateral relationships
- joining international and regional organisations

Question 11

elab on introduction of national service

Answer 11

• government deemed compulsory conscription the only way sg could raise a credible defence force without placing heavy burden on financials and manpower resources
• reintroduced ns in 1967 and thousands of men were conscripted for 2 years of full-time ns + liable for reservist after conscription
• those who dodged draft would be liable to be arrested, but government was sensitive to the impact of compulsory ns on families and made new rules to make it more flexible

Question 12

reactions to introduction of ns

Answer 12

• initially received with anxiety and uncertainty (entry into workforce delayed and families lose income they could earn)
• military life was unfamiliar, big change and many had to adapt to disciplined lifestyle and tough training + being away from home and family

Question 13

elab on establishing home grown defence industry

Answer 13

• inherited equipment from british not enough
• saf acquired equipment from other countries like usa and france, but relying on foreign countries for military equipment was a potential weakness
• defence minister decided to develop defence industry to provide saf with locally made equipment and supplies, so even if foreign sources were cut off saf could continue operating
• chartered industries of singapore was established to produce weapons and ammunition
• trained defence engineers and scientists to design and create new technology suitable for defence needs

Question 14

elab on strengthening military cooperation with other countries

Answer 14

• built on existing relations with commonwealth countries, established new ties with other countries
• allowed saf to buy equipment + train + learn from experienced armed forces
• established five power defence arrangements to consult one another in event of armed attack in singapore or malaysia
• regular combined military training, platform to enhance defence cooperation
• british, australian, new zealand soldiers stayed as token of military presence after most british troops withdrew

Question 15

elab on establishing diplomatic relations with other countries

Answer 15

• ensured singapore had friends that recognised its independence and had an interest in keeping it safe
• otherwise, hostile countries could claim it had no right to exist and threaten and invade it

Question 16

elab on growing bilateral relationships

Answer 16

• established new relationships with other influential countries, cultivated friendships with as many countries as possible
• sought to improve ties with countries it had tensions with
• i.e. indonesia: lky visited jakarta and scattered flowers on the graves of the soldiers who were hanged in singapore, allowed both to move on and ease tensions

Question 17

elab on joining international and regional organisations

Answer 17

• recognise sg’s existence as an independent country, allow her to participate in international and regional matters
• asean formed to prevent spread of communism during cold war and promote economic growth, social progress, cultural development
• asean has measures to increase trade, maintain peace and stability among member states and external partners