Political developments in Singapore from 1946 to 1959

After Japanese Occupation people started making more demands for changes from the colonial government.

Citizenship

Local civil servants Political groups

(demand for better treatment) (more say in govt.)

Constitutional changes from 1946 to 1959

• British introduced constitutional changes to increase local involvement in the government.

• Limited elections introduced in 1948 .

Significance Eligible voters to vote their local representatives elected representatives could

in the Legislative Council raise concerns about local issues

Elections held between 1948-1959

1948 About 14,000 voters x X = 50,000 votes

1955 About 160,000 voters X X Xx1959 About 525,000 voters XXXXXXXXXXx

*Only Br. Subjects eligible to vote*No automatic registration of voters*Voting was not compulsory

*Automatic registration of voters*Voting was not compulsory

• Citizenship Ordinance

passed in 1957• More people

became citizens with right to vote

• Automatic registration of voters

• Voting compulsory

1948 1955 1959

Control over Government (1)

• 1955 – RENDEL COMMISSION recommended limited self-government

6 elected locals

25 elected non-officials

1948 1955

Developments that led to Constitutional Changes in Singapore

External developments(pg64-66)

• Independence movements in countries under colonial rule.

• British India

• Dutch East Indies (Indonesia)

• French Indochina (Vietnam)

• Fear of S’pore & Malaya turning

communist. Activities of MCP led to

declaration of Emergency.( pg65-66)

Internal Developments (pg67)

• Rise of political consciousness

• More local born who began to take an interest in how Singapore was ruled.

• British government recognized that they had to give more political control to the people.

PEOPLE’S ASPIRATIONS 1945-1959

• POLITICAL PARTIES 1945-1959 ( Pg.70-77)Labour FrontFormed in 1954Leader: David MarshallMembers –multi-racial/low-income /English educated members of trade unionsNo clear political aim : protect workers’ interestanti-communist/work withBr. to attain self-government

People’s Action PartyFormed in 1954Leaders: Dr.Toh Chin Chye/Lee Kuan Yew/Dr. Goh Keng Swee/S. RajaratnamMembers: Eng-educated lawyers/journalists/tTrade unionists.Political aim: immediateindependence

Singapore Progressive PartyFormed in 1947Leaders: John Laycock, C.C TanN.A.MallaiMembers:multi-racial/mainly English-educated professionals and businessmenPolitical aim: to achieve self-government/work with British govt. /introduce changes gradually.

CHINESE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS

GRIEVANCES

UNFAIR TREATMENT BY THE BRITISH

Limited opportunity for National Service Registration

University education for males age 18-20(pg79-80)

Poor job prospects ( compared to English

Visitors to China not educated)(source7pg78)

allowed to return (fear of spread

of Communist ideas)

TRADE UNIONS (pg. 81-84)(SET UP TO PROTECT RIGHTS AND WELFARE OF WORKERS)

• UNDER COMMUNIST INFLUENCE

Leadership:

former leaders from Chinese middle schools (Lim Chin Siong and Fong Swee Suan)

Activities: organized anti-colonial activities

• NON COMMUNIST

Leadership: English educated

(Devan Nair and Sidney Woodhull)

Activities: Street protests to demand for better working conditions for workers.

BRITISH RESPONSE

• Suspicious of trade unions

• Arrest of members

• Negotiations: for example in 1955 workers from Hock Lee Bus Company went on strike and riots broke out.

British negotiated settlement and riots ended.

1955 ELECTIONS

• More voters

• Political parties worked hard during election campaign to get people’s interest. i)made house visits

ii) distributed pamphlets

iii)gave rally speeches

iv) newspapers published

articles about political parties

• Election results Party No/candidates Seats won

Labour Front 17 10

S’pore Progressive P 22 4

People’s Action Party 4 3

Alliance 5 3

Independent candidates 10 3

Democratic 20 2

LIMITED SELF GOVERNMENT 1955-1959

COUNCIL OF MINISTERS

• CHIEF MINISTER 3 British officials

6 ELECTED LOCALS nominated by Governor

In charge of Education In charge of External

Health affairs, defence,

Housing finance, internal

Trade security & law

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

• 25 elected non-officials

3 British officials

4 nominated non-officals

LABOUR FRONT GOVERNMENT 1955-1959 (pg88-90)( Formed coalition government with Alliance party)

DAVID MARSHALL AS CHIEF MINISTER

• Pushed British colonial government for internal self-government

• Launched Merdeka campaign

• Led first delegation to London for Merdeka talks in 1956

• Resigned when talks failed

LIM YEW HOCK AS CHIEF MINISTER

• Took strong actions against Chinese middle school students and trade unions.

• Led 2nd delegation to London in 1957

• Succeeded in securing internal self-government

Control over Government (2)INTERNAL SELF GOVERNMENT 1959

In charge of external affairs

and defence

Internal security

Head of StateYang di-Pertuan Negara

Cabinet

* Prime Minister8 local ministers appointed from 51 elected members

*In charge of education,finance, health, housing, law & labour trade & industry

British government in London

Legislative Assembly 51 elected members

Area of shared control

1959 GENERAL ELECTIONS (pg 91)( To elect people to form the new government)

• 51 seats in Legislative Assembly to be contested

• 525,000 voters

• More parties took part.(12 ) * Singapore People’s Alliance ( won 4/39)

* Workers’ Party

* People’s Action Party (won 43/ 51)

* Liberal Socialist Party

• 5 June 1959 PAP formed the government of Singapore.

• Lee Kuan Yew became its First Prime Minister.

• Yusof Bin Ishak was chosen as the Yang di-Pertuan Negara

( Head of state)