Chapter 9 How did Chapter 9 How did Singapore achieve Singapore achieve

Independence?Independence?

Terms to RememberTerms to Remember Merger – the joining of two countries as one.Merger – the joining of two countries as one. Federation - a group of states united with Federation - a group of states united with

one central government but each state has one central government but each state has own states govt to deal with local matters.own states govt to deal with local matters.

Pro-Communists – people who support the Pro-Communists – people who support the the Communists and their ideas.the Communists and their ideas.

Referendum – a direct vote carried out by Referendum – a direct vote carried out by the people of the country to decide the people of the country to decide something on which there is a something on which there is a disagreement.disagreement.

Confrontation – Indonesia’s opposition to Confrontation – Indonesia’s opposition to the formation of Malaysia.the formation of Malaysia.

Radicals – party members who supported Radicals – party members who supported the communists. the communists.

Problems in 1950s / 1960sProblems in 1950s / 1960s

UnemploymentUnemployment Most pressing of the problems faced by Most pressing of the problems faced by

the government.the government. Ports near Singapore were developing Ports near Singapore were developing

and Singapore faced stiff competition.and Singapore faced stiff competition. Many students educated in Chinese Many students educated in Chinese

schools but there were not enough jobs schools but there were not enough jobs for them when they left school.for them when they left school.

Poor HousingPoor Housing

Many were staying Many were staying in the city.in the city.

Overcrowding, Overcrowding, unhygienic unhygienic squatters.squatters.

Health was Health was compromised as compromised as many squeezed into many squeezed into small living areas.small living areas.

Lack of SchoolsLack of Schools

Many children did Many children did not attend schools as not attend schools as fees in private fees in private schools were not schools were not affordable.affordable.

There were There were insufficient insufficient government schools government schools to take in all children to take in all children of school-going age.of school-going age.

Reasons for MergerReasons for Merger Solve problem of Unemployment. Jobs and Solve problem of Unemployment. Jobs and

raw materials in Malaya were much needed raw materials in Malaya were much needed by Singaporeans. Singapore’s market was too by Singaporeans. Singapore’s market was too small for our goods. Malaya was the big small for our goods. Malaya was the big market we were looking for.market we were looking for.

Common market so goods could be bought Common market so goods could be bought and sold without being taxed. Industries in and sold without being taxed. Industries in Spore would grow and more jobs could be Spore would grow and more jobs could be created for our people.created for our people.

Complete break from British rule. Merger Complete break from British rule. Merger would resolve the Communist problem and would resolve the Communist problem and Spore would gain independence. Spore would gain independence.

Why did Malaya wanted a Why did Malaya wanted a merger?merger?

Communists were too strong in Communists were too strong in Singapore for their comfort. If Singapore for their comfort. If Singapore fall to the communists, it Singapore fall to the communists, it would be a big threat to the security of would be a big threat to the security of Malaya which is so close to Singapore.Malaya which is so close to Singapore.

With a merger, Tunku Abdul Rahman With a merger, Tunku Abdul Rahman hoped to contain and fight against the hoped to contain and fight against the communists in Singapore. communists in Singapore.

Proposal for MergerProposal for Merger May 1961 Tunku Abdul Rahman first May 1961 Tunku Abdul Rahman first

proposed the idea of merger with proposed the idea of merger with Singapore when he visited.Singapore when he visited.

British supported the idea. They British supported the idea. They wanted to grant independence to wanted to grant independence to Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak but Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak but felt they could not survive on their felt they could not survive on their own.own.

A merger with Malaya would help A merger with Malaya would help these countries fight against these countries fight against Communism.Communism.

Singapore’s responseSingapore’s response Lee Kuan Yew and some PAP leaders Lee Kuan Yew and some PAP leaders

supported the idea.supported the idea. The pro-Communists within PAP led by The pro-Communists within PAP led by

Lim Chin Siong were against the idea.Lim Chin Siong were against the idea. They knew that if Singapore became They knew that if Singapore became

part of Malaya, the governement in part of Malaya, the governement in Kuala Lumpur would clamp down on Kuala Lumpur would clamp down on Communist activities and arrest and Communist activities and arrest and imprison the pro-Communists.imprison the pro-Communists.

There was a power struggle within PAP.There was a power struggle within PAP.

Split in PAP and ReferendumSplit in PAP and Referendum August 1961 Pro-Communists left PAP August 1961 Pro-Communists left PAP

and formed Barisan Sosialis (Socialist and formed Barisan Sosialis (Socialist Front)Front)

Nov 1961 LKY (Lee Kuan Yew) and TAR Nov 1961 LKY (Lee Kuan Yew) and TAR (Tunku Abdul Rahman) held talks to (Tunku Abdul Rahman) held talks to discuss terms of merger.discuss terms of merger.

1 Sept 1962 A referendum was held to 1 Sept 1962 A referendum was held to let Singaporeans decide if they wanted let Singaporeans decide if they wanted merger.merger.

71% of Singaporeans voted in favour of 71% of Singaporeans voted in favour of merger with Malaya.merger with Malaya.

Responses of other Responses of other countriescountries

Sabah and Sarawak voted to join Sabah and Sarawak voted to join Malaysia.Malaysia.

Brunei was excluded as both Brunei and Brunei was excluded as both Brunei and Malaya could not agree on the terms of Malaya could not agree on the terms of merger.merger.

Indonesian government was influenced by Indonesian government was influenced by Communist Party of Indonesia (KPI). Communist Party of Indonesia (KPI).

Jan 1963 The Confrontation by Indonesia Jan 1963 The Confrontation by Indonesia was launched against Malaysia.was launched against Malaysia.

Philippines wanted to keep Sabah as part Philippines wanted to keep Sabah as part of Philippines but had no proper evidence. of Philippines but had no proper evidence.

Formation of MalaysiaFormation of Malaysia 31 Aug 1963 Scheduled for formation of 31 Aug 1963 Scheduled for formation of

Malaysia but Philippines and Indonesia Malaysia but Philippines and Indonesia strongly opposed so a UN mission was strongly opposed so a UN mission was sent to Sabah and Sarawak to check if sent to Sabah and Sarawak to check if people there wanted merger.people there wanted merger.

1414thth Sept 1963 UN mission found out Sept 1963 UN mission found out merger was favourable for people there.merger was favourable for people there.

1616thth Sept 1963 Singapore, Sabah & Sept 1963 Singapore, Sabah & Sarawak joined Malaya to form Sarawak joined Malaya to form Federation of Malaysia.Federation of Malaysia.

Federation of MalaysiaFederation of MalaysiaThe 14 states wereThe 14 states were JohorJohor Negri SembilanNegri Sembilan PerlisPerlis SingaporeSingapore KedahKedah PahangPahang SabahSabah TrengganuTrengganu KelantanKelantan PenangPenang SarawakSarawak MelakaMelaka Perak Perak SelangorSelangor

Central Government Central Government Central government was in Kuala Lumpur and Central government was in Kuala Lumpur and

was controlled by the Alliance Party.was controlled by the Alliance Party. Tunku Abdul Rahman was the Prime Minister of Tunku Abdul Rahman was the Prime Minister of

Malaysia.Malaysia. Singapore had own government and could Singapore had own government and could

continue with elections to elect own state continue with elections to elect own state government.government.

Singapore gained independence from Britain.Singapore gained independence from Britain. Central government controlled armed forces, Central government controlled armed forces,

police & international relations.police & international relations. Singapore would control own education, labour Singapore would control own education, labour

and finance.and finance.

Terms of MergerTerms of Merger Common Market would be set up Common Market would be set up

in stages.in stages. Singapore to provide $150 Singapore to provide $150

million loan for development of million loan for development of Sabah and Sarawak.Sabah and Sarawak.

Singapore would collect own Singapore would collect own revenue and contribute a certain revenue and contribute a certain sum of money from its taxes.sum of money from its taxes.

Aftermath of MergerAftermath of Merger Philippines broke off ties with Philippines broke off ties with

Malaysia.Malaysia. Indonesia broke off ties with Indonesia broke off ties with

Malaysia, raided Sabah and Malaysia, raided Sabah and Sarawak and got agents to set Sarawak and got agents to set off bombs in public places in off bombs in public places in Singapore to disrupt life of Singapore to disrupt life of people.people.