Singapore: Merger & Separation

an integrated humanities core projectabout Singapore history

1963:1963:

MergerMerger

Political◦ Full independence from British◦ Too small to be independent states

Economical◦ Little natural resources◦ Economy depended on trade◦ Increase in free trade◦ Greater economic growth◦ More jobs created

Security◦ Curb communism threat

Economic◦ Most important port in SEA Singapore◦ Borneo territories rich in natural resources◦ Greater growth for Malaya

Lansdowne Committee◦ New system of government for Sabah & Sarawak◦ Details of the new Constitution of Malaysia◦ Vice-Chairman: Malaya DPM Tun Abdul Razak

PAP government welcomed proposals◦ Central government at Kuala Lumpur

Campaigns◦ Support for proposed merger◦ Strong opposition from Barisan Sosialis

Referendum◦ Different choices of merger

71% in favour of Singapore joining Malaysia

Referendum (01 Sep 1962)

◦ First & only held in Singapore to date◦ Called for people to vote on terms of merger◦ 3 options; No option to vote against merger

◦ Option A All Singapore citizens would automatically become citizens of Malaysia, and Singapore would retain a degree of autonomy and state power

◦ Option B Singapore would become a federal state with no more autonomy than the other states would

◦ Option C Singapore would enter on terms no less favourable than the Borneo territories, Sabah & Sarawak

◦ Barisan Sosialis alleged that the people didn’t support merger

◦ Referendum did not have an option objecting the merger No one legitimately raised the issue in the Legislative Assembly

◦ Methods debatable

◦ Barisan Sosialis strongly against referendum◦ Called for boycott of referendum Telling

supporters to submit blank votes in protest◦ 26% of votes left blank◦ Move anticipated by ruling PAP government◦ Insertion of clause stating that all blank or

defaced votes would be counted as a vote for Option A

Operation Coldstore (2 Feb 1963)

◦ Security operation◦ At least 111 anti-government left-wing activists

arrested & detained, including members from Barisan Sosialis

◦ Malaysia had strong anti-communist policy◦ Tunku insisted Singapore round up all pro-

communists before merger occurred◦ Heavy blow to Barisan Sosialis◦ SATU deregistered NTUC main trade union

Initially undecided◦ Politically & economically backward◦ Feared domination by bigger states in Federation◦ Independence before merger

Tungku Abdul Rahman◦ Convinced leaders of benefits◦ British unlikely to grant independence

Malaysian Solidarity Consultative Committee◦ Work out practical steps towards Formation of Malaysia◦ Collated information from representatives◦ Led by Datuk Donald (Fraud) Stephen, North Borneo

unofficial

Initially in favour of merger◦ Opposition within Brunei

July 1963: Brunei against merger

Oct 1961: British support obtained Nov 1961: Official approval of merger Britain retain military control in Singapore

Merger delayed until 16 Sep 1963 Strong objection from countries

Claimed ownership of Sabah Once belonged to Sultan of Sulu Leased

to British in 1878 Sulu become part of Philippines Sabah

should follow 1963: Philippines broke off diplomatic

relations with Malaysia

Malaya take over Borneo Sabah & Sarawak forced to join Malaysia Jan 1963: President Sukarno launched policy

of Confrontation against Malaysia & British 31 Aug 1963: Singapore granted independence Lee Kuan Yew-led PAP govern Singapore

until formation of Malaysia

Results: 70% of Sabah & Sarawak in favour of merger

Indonesia & Philippines refused to accept report

Indonesia suspended trade with Malaysia & Singapore

Commonwealth troops from Britain, Australia & New Zealand assisted

Made up of 14 states, including Singapore Each state had its own state government Malaya & Singapore West Malaysia

◦ Later renamed Peninsular Malaysia North Borneo renamed Sabah Sabah & Sarawak East Malaysia

Singapore given special rights & powers◦ Elections to elect state government

Singapore retain control of education, labour policies & finance

Singaporeans not automatically Malaysians◦ Strict citizenship laws

14-pointed star & 14 stripes represent 14 states that made up Malaysia

1965:1965:

SeparationSeparation

State Government of Singapore could not agree on certain matters with Central Government

The Alliance Committed to preserve old order, tradition & class privilege

PAP Social reforms for a more just & equal society

Common market◦ Singapore hoped for one Promote Singapore’s

industries & create jobs◦ Central Government not convinced of benefits◦ Singapore did not benefit as much as expected

from merger with Malaya

Contributions to Federal Treasury◦ Dec 1964: Federal Minister of Finance increased

Singapore’s contribution from 40% to 60%◦ Threatened to divert new industries to Malaya◦ PAP refused to increase Singapore was bearing

its fair share◦ Central Government pressed for $50m gift for

development of states◦ Singapore agreed loan of $150m to finance

projects in Sabah & Sarawak

Imposition of taxes & quotas◦ Imposition on duty on imports of light bulbs◦ Central Government indirectly protecting light

bulb industry in Malaysia◦ Quotas imposed on textiles exported to Britain◦ Lower quota for Singapore◦ Singapore Finance Minister Goh Keng Swee

threatened to boycott British goods◦ Became clear that Singapore couldn’t decide

future directions for economy within merger

Presence of the South African Consulate in Singapore◦ Tunku led Commonwealth Prime Ministers’

Conference in trade boycott of South Africa because of her apartheid policy

Bank of China & Bank Negara Indonesia operating in Singapore◦ Representing Chinese communist government◦ Bank of China believed to channel funds for

communist subversive activities◦ Closure ordered PAP refused Hinder trade

with China

1963 September General Elections◦ Alliance leaders wanted Malays to gain more

seats in Singapore Legislative Assembly Supported UMNO-Alliance leaders

◦ Tunku Abdul Rahman called on Singapore Malays to vote for UMNO UMNO failed to gain any seat

◦ PAP swept 37 of 51 seats PAP gaining support◦ Alliance leaders in KL bitter about defeat

Accused Singapore Malays of being traitors

1964 Federal Elections◦ PAP announced taking part in Federal Elections

Angered Malaysia◦ PAP believed it could build a prosperous &

peaceful Malaysia◦ Tunku Abdul Rahman accused PAP of not keeping

is promise to keep out of Federal Elections

Fiery Exchanges◦ Racial tensions from 1964 elections◦ Malay extremists stepped up anti-PAP campaigns

PAP accused of oppressing Malays in Singapore◦ PAP criticised KL government’s policy of granting

special rights to Malays in Malayan states◦ PM Lee Kuan Yew warned of the danger &

stressed importance of nation building based on equality

◦ Alliance suspected PAP’s intentions in criticising policy Harbouring ambitions of replacing it

Singapore Malays unhappy with PAP treatment

UMNO held meeting for them to express dissatisfaction

Othman Wok planned to get all Malay organisations to meet to discuss problems affecting Malay community

Syed Jaafar Albar accused PAP of oppressing Malays Called for boycott of Othman Wok’s meeting

Attacks from both side of Causeway led to 1964 racial riot in Singapore

1964 Racial Riots (21 Jul 1964)

◦ 25,000 Malays took part in a Muslim procession in Geylang district to celebrate Prophet Mohammed’s birthday

◦ Lasted 11 days At least 22 killed & 461 injured◦ Whole island under curfew◦ Barricades set on roads; Soldiers patrolled◦ Curfew lifted a few hours daily to allow people to

buy food◦ PM Lee discouraged grassroots from stirring

discord for selfish political gains◦ 2nd communal violence 2 Sep 1964

Tunku blamed riots on Indonesians Trying to crush Malaysia

2 Sep riot due to Indonesian provocation Extremists blamed PM Lee & PAP PM Lee met Tunku in KL Agreed to avoid

political discussions on sensitive issues which would arouse communal feelings

Basic differences remained unresolvedYusof bin Ishak appealed for forbearance

Tension reached breaking point Fighting broke out between Malay & Chinese youths

PAP maintained aim to build society based on equality Refused to be bias government

Alliance leaders appeared to rule Malaysia mainly for the good of 1 community

PAP insisted on building a Malaysia meant for all communities & cultures

This meant abolition of special rights & privileges of Malays & equal treatment of all Malaysian citizens, regardless of race or religion

May 1965: PAP united opposition parties to form Malaysian Solidarity Convention Fight for equal treatment of all races

MSC aimed to end communal politics & win political affiliation

Alliance leaders unhappy with PM Lee

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41ND3U_9HgQ

Content: “Impact: History of South-East Asia” by Yeo Hwee Joo Content: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore_in_Malaysia Content:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singaporean_national_referendum,_1962 Content: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Coldstore Content: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1964_race_riots_in_Singapore Microsoft Clipart Merge 1: http://blogs.oracle.com/fusionecm/merge-700542.jpg Merge 2: http://artfulwriter.com/merger.jpg Merge 3: http://www.rainbowskill.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/is-this-

a-merger.jpg Singapore flag:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v7Tyb0nWjEk/TQjT9pllJlI/AAAAAAAACik/WVsYjlvJ3M0/s1600/Singapore_flag1.jpg

Merge 4: http://fbcdanville.com/fbc/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/600px-merge_sign.jpg

Malaysia flag: http://nice3z.myfinejob.com/files/nice3z/images/flag_malaysia.png

Brunei flag: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_W5DkIRv10M0/TP2Vt9Ftd_I/AAAAAAAAAAc/73yDfeEoFaM/s1600/brunei+flag.jpg

Union Jack: http://www.worldofsouvenirs.com/designs/Round-Union-Jack-small.jpg

Opposition: http://alternatives-economiques.fr/blogs/daubenton/files/opposition.jpg

Philippines flag: http://www.sxc.hu/pic/m/s/sa/salingpusa/1034783_philippine_flag.jpg

Indonesia flag: http://www.veryicon.com/icon/png/Flag/Rounded%20World%20Flags/Indonesia%20Flag.png

United Nations logo: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/media/images/UN-LOGO%20copy.jpg

Malaysia land: http://www.iskandarmalaysia.com.my/os/images/malaysia_map.jpg

Malaysia coat-of-arms: http://en.academic.ru/pictures/enwiki/67/Coat_of_arms_of_Malaysia.png

Separation: http://www.accountingweb.com/files/siftmedia-accountingwebus/images/Separation.jpg

Malaysian flag: http://media.expedia.com/media/content/expaus/flags-of-the-world/malaysia-flag-large.gif

Boundary: Google Earth PAP logo: http://www.fotw.net/images/s/sg%7Dpap.gif Tax comic:

http://portlandhomesales.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/property-tax-good-grief2.gif

Singapore flag: http://www.flagsinformation.com/singapore-flag.png Malaysia flag: http://www.flagsinformation.com/malaysian-flag.png