Unit 4: Singapore's Separation from Malaysia

Question 1

Main Topics

Answer 1

1. Economic Disagreements – a question of priorities
2. Disagreement over formation of Common Market & removal of tariffs
   - Common Market supposed to be set up for long-term economic survival but there was a delay in setting up the common market
   - Tariffs supposed to be removed on sg goods but it was continued to be imposed to protect MY’s industries
3. Disagreement over Singapore’s contribution to the federal government
   - Federal government increased Singapore’s contribution from 40% to 60% as defence spending had risen significantly due to Konfrontasi
   - SGs population only numbered 17% of entire federation, and yet she needs to contribute 60% of revenue to the federation, hence SG felt that it was unfair
4. Political Differences
5. Communalism (UMNO) vs Non-Communalism (Multiracial; PAP)
   - PAP: Non-Communal approach based on an idea of multiracialism, believed in equal treatment of all races and aimed to represent the interests of all racial communities
   - UMNO: Communal approach based on racial lines, believed in special rights and privileges of Malays. sought to protect Malay interests and believed that political parties should protect the interests of their respective ethnic communities
6. Emergence and Escalation of Political Rivalry between Alliance Party (UMNO-MCA-MIC & PAP)
   - Formation of Alliance Party (UMNO-MCA-MIC) during Malaysian elections
   - Formation of Singapore Alliance – SG branch of UMNO, MCA and MIC during 1963 Singapore Elections
   - This was so that they could capture more seats & retrain dominance in politics
7. 1963 State Elections
   - Singapore Alliance: A political party made up of SG branch of UMNO-MCA-MIC
   - Singapore Alliance contested in the State Election to try to reduce the no. of seats PAP would win to make sure that PAP would never dominate the federal government – did not win & lost all 7 seats previously held by SPA
   - Meant that UMNO’s pro-Malay policy had no appeal among Singapore Malay residents = felt threatened and challenged
   - Alliance Party vowed to re-organise Singapore Alliance to defeat PAP in next election = start of political rivalry, increased tensions
8. 1964 Federal Elections
   - PAP won 1 seat = increased no. of seats in federal government from 12 to 13 – became leading opposition party in the federal govt = deepened UMNO’s view of PAP as a political rival + LKY announced that PAP would remain a loyal opposition party to create a non-communal society with equal treatment for all races (opposite Alliance Party’s ideals – worsened tensions)
   - Extremists in UMNO started an anti-PAP campaign using media, spread rumours to Malays to spoil PAP’s reputation = created more tensions & problems b/w PAP & Alliance Party
9. 1964 Race Riots (21 July 1964)
   - The Alliance Party’s anti-PAP campaign created tension and anger between the Chinese and Malays in Singapore - tension turned into violence during the celebration of Prophet Muhammad’s birthday in July 1964 (clash between Chinese policemen and Malay participants – turned into full-blown riots)
   - Caused PAP and UMNO to declare a political truce
   - agreed to set aside their differences and worked together to rebuild Singapore’s social fabric and re-integrate the 2 communities affected by the riots
   - determined not to let Malaysia fall apart because of the riots (caused separation on 9 Aug 1965)

Question 2

1. Economic Disagreements – a question of priorities - summary (2pt, 3subpt, 1sspt)

Answer 2

1. Economic Disagreements – a question of priorities
2. Disagreement over formation of Common Market & removal of tariffs
   - Common Market supposed to be set up for long-term economic survival but there was a delay in setting up the common market
   - Tariffs supposed to be removed on sg goods but it was continued to be imposed to protect MY’s industries
3. Disagreement over Singapore’s contribution to the federal government
   - Federal government increased Singapore’s contribution from 40% to 60% as defence spending had risen significantly due to Konfrontasi
   - SGs population only numbered 17% of entire federation, and yet she needs to contribute 60% of revenue to the federation, hence SG felt that it was unfair

Question 3

2. Political Differences - summary
   2pt, 4 subpt (2 2)

Answer 3

2. Political Differences
3. Communalism (UMNO) vs Non-Communalism (Multiracial; PAP)
   - PAP: Non-Communal approach based on an idea of multiracialism, believed in equal treatment of all races and aimed to represent the interests of all racial communities
   - UMNO: Communal approach based on racial lines, believed in special rights and privileges of Malays. sought to protect Malay interests and believed that political parties should protect the interests of their respective ethnic communities
4. Emergence and Escalation of Political Rivalry between Alliance Party (UMNO-MCA-MIC & PAP)
   - Formation of Alliance Party (UMNO-MCA-MIC) during Malaysian elections
   - Formation of Singapore Alliance – SG branch of UMNO, MCA and MIC during 1963 Singapore Elections
   - This was so that they could capture more seats & retrain dominance in politics

Question 4

3. 1963 State Elections summary (2pt, 2subpt)

Answer 4

3. 1963 State Elections
   - Singapore Alliance: A political party made up of SG branch of UMNO-MCA-MIC
   - Singapore Alliance contested in the State Election to try to reduce the no. of seats PAP would win to make sure that PAP would never dominate the federal government – did not win & lost all 7 seats previously held by SPA
   - Meant that UMNO’s pro-Malay policy had no appeal among Singapore Malay residents = felt threatened and challenged
   - Alliance Party vowed to re-organise Singapore Alliance to defeat PAP in next election = start of political rivalry, increased tensions

Question 5

4. 1964 Federal Elections summary - 1pt, 1subpt

Answer 5

• PAP won 1 seat = increased no. of seats in federal government from 12 to 13 – became leading opposition party in the federal govt = deepened UMNO’s view of PAP as a political rival + LKY announced that PAP would remain a loyal opposition party to create a non-communal society with equal treatment for all races (opposite Alliance Party’s ideals – worsened tensions)
• Extremists in UMNO started an anti-PAP campaign using media, spread rumours to Malays to spoil PAP’s reputation = created more tensions & problems b/w PAP & Alliance Party

Question 6

5. 1964 Race Riots (21 July 1964) summary - 1pt, 1subpt, 2sspt

Answer 6

5. 1964 Race Riots (21 July 1964)
   - The Alliance Party’s anti-PAP campaign created tension and anger between the Chinese and Malays in Singapore - tension turned into violence during the celebration of Prophet Muhammad’s birthday in July 1964 (clash between Chinese policemen and Malay participants – turned into full-blown riots)
   - Caused PAP and UMNO to declare a political truce
   - agreed to set aside their differences and worked together to rebuild Singapore’s social fabric and re-integrate the 2 communities affected by the riots
   - determined not to let Malaysia fall apart because of the riots (caused separation on 9 Aug 1965)

Question 7

1. Economic Reasons for Separation
   i. Disagreement over formation of the common market
   2pt

Answer 7

• A question of priorities - the one in the position to command was Malaya - now does not place priority on SG’s concerns (e.g. SG tried to place priority on removing tariffs - but it wasn’t mutually beneficial for MY - MY didnt not place priority on it)
• conflict rose from the tensions that came from the terms agreed on – the 2 key terms was that there would be a common market set up & the removal of tariffs (both did not happen)

Question 8

1. Economic Reasons for Separation
   ii. Disagreement over Singapore’s contribution to the Federal Government
   2pt, 3subpt

Answer 8

ii. Disagreement over Singapore’s contribution to the Federal Government
* Based on the terms of the Malaysia Agreement – Singapore would contribute 40% of its revenue to the federal government
- Federal government increased Singapore’s contribution of its revenue from 40% to 60%
- Singapore felt that this was an unfair decision since its original contribution was already a larger proportion of her revenue
- (SGs population only numbered 17% of entire federation, and yet she needs to contribute 60% of revenue to the federation, hence Singapore felt that it was unfair)
* Singapore was seen as an economic rival (for Malaya)

Question 9

1. Economic Reasons for Separation
   Summary

Answer 9

Issue
What Singapore expected as Part of the Merger
What the Federal Government Decided

Common Market
* Common market set up for its long-term economic survival
* tariffs of Singapore-made goods would be removed

• There was a delay in setting up the common market
• tariffs continued to be imposed on Singapore-made goods to protect Malaya’s industries
• meant Singapore products became more expensive and could not compete with the locally made goods in the federation

Revenue Contribution
* Singapore would contribute 40% of its revenue to the federal government

• Federal government increased Singapore’s contribution to 60% as defence spending had risen significantly due to Konfrontasi
• Singapore felt that the decision was unfair and that its original contribution was sufficient. (bc SGs population only numbered 17% of entire federation, and yet she needs to contribute 60% of revenue to the federation)

Question 10

2. Political Reasons for Separation
   Communalism vs Multiracialism (Non-Communalism)
   5pt, 4subpt (2 2), 1sspt

Answer 10

• The basis of the political conflict between Singapore and the Federal Government was the conflicting political approaches adopted by the ruling parties of these countries that caused each to view the other as a political rival. (UMNO – Communal-based approach, PAP – Non-Communal based approach)
• Tensions arose from the conflicting political approaches adopted by the ruling parties of the federation, UMNO and PAP (main opposition party).
• Singapore’s leading party, the PAP’s political approach: characterised by non-communal ideals based on an idea of multiracialism
• believed in equal treatment of all races (racial equality)
• aimed to represent the interests of all racial communities
• Malaya’s leading political party, UMNO’s political approach: characterised by communal ideals based on racial lines
• believed in special rights and privileges for Malays
• It was a distinctively pro-Malay organisation and sanctioned the policy of how Malays were to be given special privileges and rights.
• sought to protect Malay interests and believed that political parties should protect the interests of their respective ethnic communities
• While the contrasting political approaches did not, in themselves, mean that there would be conflict between the two political parties, the fact that each of them (ie UMNO and the PAP) sought to compete against each other (for their own reasons) in state and federal elections was what created the rising tensions as each began to view the other as political rivals.

Question 11

2. Political Reasons for Separation
   What was PAP’s political approach?
   1pt, 2subpt

Answer 11

• Singapore’s leading party, the PAP’s political approach: characterised by non-communal ideals based on an idea of multiracialism
• believed in equal treatment of all races (racial equality)
• aimed to represent the interests of all racial communities

Question 12

2. Political Reasons for Separation
   What was UMNO’S political approach?
   1pt, 2subpt, 1sspt

Answer 12

• Malaya’s leading political party, UMNO’s political approach: characterised by communal ideals based on racial lines
• believed in special rights and privileges for Malays
• It was a distinctively pro-Malay organisation and sanctioned the policy of how Malays were to be given special privileges and rights.
• sought to protect Malay interests and believed that political parties should protect the interests of their respective ethnic communities

Question 13

2. Political Reasons for Separation
   Emergence and Escalation of Political rivalry between Alliance Party (UMNO-MCA-MIC) and PAP
   3pt, 2subpt

Answer 13

• The rising tensions & conflict can be seen from the 1963 Singapore Elections, 1964 Federal Election and the Malaysian Solidarity Convention.
• This communal approach reflected in the formation of the Alliance Party formed along racial lines:
• UMNO (United Malays National Organisation), MCA (Malayan Chinese Association), MIC (Malayan Indian Congress)
• Formation of Alliance Party (UMNO-MCA-MIC) during Malaysian elections
• Formation of Singapore Alliance – SG branch of UMNO, MCA and MIC during 1963 Singapore Elections
• This was so that they could capture more seats & retrain dominance in politics
• NOTE: SAP (Singapore Alliance Party) is NOT Singapore People’s Alliance (SPA)

Question 14

2. Political Reasons for Separation
   Emergence and Escalation of Political rivalry between Alliance Party (UMNO-MCA-MIC) and PAP
   Summary Table

Answer 14

Issue
Singapore (PAP)
Federal Government of Malaysia

Political Approach
* Non-communal approach based on multiracialism
- believed in racial equality and sought to represent the interests of all racial communities

• Communal approach based on racial lines
• recognising that certain races (the Malays) have special rights and privileges – believed that political parties should protect the interests of their respective ethnic communities

Composition of Political Parties
* Singapore’s major political parties, such as the governing PAP, were multiracial and sought to represent the interest of all communities.

• The federal government was formed by the Alliance Party, which comprised three communal (race-based) parties: the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), Malayan Chinese Association (MCA), and Malayan Indian Congress (MIC).
• These parties sought to look after the interests of their respective ethnic communities.

Treatment of Races
* Singapore’s Government felt that everyone, regardless of race, should be given an equal opportunity to succeed.
- It believed that the best way of enabling Malays to gain better employment opportunities was by providing free education.

• Employment, business and education were given to the Malays with the aim of improving their economic and social position.
• For instance, a certain number of jobs in the government were reserved for Malays.

Question 15

3. 1963 Singapore State Elections
   Backgrond + Motivation
   4pt, 1subpt + chain reaction

Answer 15

• 21 September 1963
• Singapore Alliance: A political party made up of SG branch of UMNO-MCA-MIC
• Singapore Alliance decided to challenge PAP in the Singapore Election of 1963.
  Aim: to win seats in the Singapore Legislative Assembly
• they came to contest in the Singapore state election to try to reduce the number of seats PAP would win - tunku was just happy if it was less – wanted to make sure that PAP would never dominate the government
• tunku was afraid that sg would uphold a political approach in complete divergent to Malaysia - did not want to sustain such a party in federal govt
• If the Singapore Alliance wins seats in Singapore’s state election,
  = less seats for PAP in state parliament
  = less seats for PAP in federal parliament
  = more seats for Malay representatives (from UMNO-MCA-MIC) in federal govt
  = more dominance in politics
  -> consequence: started tension b/w PAP and federal govt

Question 16

3. 1963 Singapore State Elections
   Results
   2pt

Answer 16

• Results: Singapore Alliance did not win any seat in the election, not even in those areas where there were a majority Malays (i.e. Geylang Serai, Kampong Kembangan, Southern Islands).
• What is more, all 7 seats previously held by the Singapore People’s Alliance and the Singapore Alliance had been lost to PAP candidates.

SG 1963 State Elections
31/51 PAP
13/51 Barisan Sosialis
1/51 Independent (Ong Eng Guan)

Representatives from SG in Federal Govt in 1963 – 15 seats
12 PAP
3 Barisan Sosialis

Question 17

3. 1963 Singapore State Elections
   Consequences for UMNO (4pt, 1subpt)

Answer 17

• UMNO felt especially shocked and alarmed at the fact that their (UMNO) Malay candidates in all three constituencies that had a majority of Malay voters had lost their seats to Malay PAP candidates.
• To Tunku Abdul Rahman and UMNO, this had serious implications as it showed how UMNO’s pro-Malay policy had no appeal among Singapore Malay residents.
• Consequences: UMNO became unhappy because it meant that they were not popular in Singapore. UMNO felt threatened and challenged.
• Alliance Party vowed to re-organize Singapore Alliance to defeat PAP in next election
• Such comments affected the relationship between UMNO and PAP in a negative manner ⇒ Start of political rivalry, increased tensions

Question 18

4. 1964 Malaysia Federal Elections
   Background (When,Why,Who)
   3pt

Answer 18

• In April 1964, The PAP’s decision to participate in the 1964 federal election further strained the relationship between the PAP and the Alliance Party/federal government.
• LKY broke his promise not to contest in federal election (because tunku came down first so its fair that PAP could go up and contest)

Who was involved?
* Alliance Party (UMNO-MCA-MIC)
* PAP (wanted to establish itself as a Malaysian political party)

Question 19

4. 1964 Malaysia Federal Elections
   Impact of PAP’s participation
   Results + Consequence
   (4pt, 5 subpt (2 2 1))

Answer 19

• Results of Election:
• PAP won only 1 seat in Bangsar. (By Devan Nair)
• The Alliance Party won 89 out of 104 seats.
• Even though the Alliance Party had a resounding victory, they still felt politically threatened.
• This was because the PAP already had 12 seats/representatives in the Federal Parliament so the one additional seat won in the federal elections meant that the PAP was the leading opposition party in the Federal Parliament.
• This deepened UMNO’s view of the PAP as a political rival.
• The strained relations between UMNO and the PAP was further aggravated when the PAP announced that it would set up branches in all states where it had contested in the 1964 elections.
• To UMNO/the federal government, such aims seemed to suggest that the PAP had political ambitions in securing more seats in the federal government.
• The rising tensions was worsened when Lee Kuan Yew made an announcement by emphasising in the Singapore Parliament that the PAP would remain a loyal opposition party whose aims was to create a non-communal society in which there would be equal treatment of all races. (was opposite Alliance Party’s ideals)

Representatives from SG in Federal Govt in 1964 – 16 seats
12+1 PAP = 13 PAP (Leading Opposition Party)
2 Barisan Sosialis (unconfirmed)

Question 20

4. 1964 Malaysia Federal Elections
   UMNO’s Response
   4pt

Answer 20

• Given all these developments, UMNO was not about to believe PAP’s earlier reassurance that they had participated in the federal elections only to present better alternative to the Malayan Chinese Association and was not meant to be a direct challenge to UMNO.
• The extremists in UMNO, led by Syed Ja’afar Albar, started an anti-PAP campaign using media (newspapers)
• Spread rumors to Malays about PAP not taking care of the Malays and to spoil PAP’s reputation.
• Created more tension and problems between PAP and Alliance Party

Question 21

5. 1964 Race Riots
   When & Who was involved (2pt)

Answer 21

• When it happened: July and September 1964
• Who was involved: UMNO, PAP, Singapore’s Chinese and Malays

Question 22

5. 1964 Race Riots
   What happened? (4pt)

Answer 22

What happened?
* During the celebration of Prophet Muhammad’s birthday in July 1964, there was a clash between Chinese policemen and Malay participants.
* It turned into full-blown race riots.
* July is purely internal caused
* September riots were sabotaged by outside forces / instigated riots among those in the Malay community

Question 23

5. 1964 Race Riots
   Why did the riots break out? (2pt)

Answer 23

• The Alliance Party’s anti-PAP campaign created tension and anger between the Chinese and Malays in Singapore.
• The tension turned into violence during the celebration.

Question 24

5. 1964 Race Riots
   Consequences (3pt, 3 subpt, 1sspt)

Answer 24

• 23 killed, 454 injured, roughly 3000 arrested
• damage of properties
• fear and suspicion between the Chinese and the Malays
• After the racial riots, both PAP and UMNO declared a political truce.
• Truce: an agreement between enemies or opponents to stop fighting or arguing for a certain time.
• Both governments agreed to set aside their differences and worked together to rebuild Singapore’s social fabric and re-integrate the 2 communities affected by the riots.
• Both governments were determined not to let Malaysia fall apart because of the riots. (which caused Singapore to separate from Malaysia on 9 August 1965)

Question 25

Beyond Ethnicity: Malaysian Solidarity Convention (May 1965)
- Ideological differences between Singapore and Malaysia

Background (4pt) + Consequences (3pt)

Answer 25

• A political alliance formed by PAP and other Malaysian political parties who opposed the UMNO-MCA-MIC Alliance
• Main aim: to campaign for a ‘Malaysian Malaysia’ where everyone would be treated equally regardless of their race or religion
• A response to what the Alliance Party did
• After the riots, Alliance Party and PAP had an agreement not to challenge each other politically.
• The Alliance Party went back on their word and said they wanted to participate again in Singapore’s elections in 1967.
  Consequences
• Seen as a challenge to Alliance Party (PAP)
• Seen as a threat to the special privileges enjoyed by Malays
• Caused a further strain in relations between PAP and UMNO