Chapter 9 How Did Singapore Achieve Independence 4469

8/6/2019 Chapter 9 How Did Singapore Achieve Independence 4469

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Chapter 9 How did SingaporeChapter 9 How did Singaporeachieve Independence?achieve Independence?


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Terms to RememberTerms to Remember

MergerMerger the joining of two countries as one.the joining of two countries as one. FederationFederation -- a group of states united with onea group of states united with one

central government but each state has owncentral government but each state has ownstates govt to deal with local matters.states govt to deal with local matters.

ProPro--CommunistsCommunists people who support the thepeople who support the theCommunists and their ideas.Communists and their ideas.

ReferendumReferendum a direct vote carried out by thea direct vote carried out by thepeople of the country to decide something onpeople of the country to decide something onwhich there is a disagreement.which there is a disagreement.

ConfrontationConfrontation Indonesias opposition to theIndonesias opposition to theformation of Malaysia.formation of Malaysia.

RadicalsRadicals party members who supported theparty members who supported thecommunists.communists.


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Poor HousingPoor Housing

Many were staying inMany were staying inthe city.the city.

Overcrowding,Overcrowding,unhygienic squatters.unhygienic squatters.

Health wasHealth wascompromised ascompromised as

many squeezed intomany squeezed intosmall living areas.small living areas.


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Lack of SchoolsLack of Schools

Many children did notMany children did notattend schools as feesattend schools as fees

in private schoolsin private schoolswere not affordable.were not affordable.

There wereThere wereinsufficientinsufficient

government schoolsgovernment schoolsto take in all childrento take in all childrenof schoolof school--going age.going age.


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

materials in Malaya were much needed bymaterials in Malaya were much needed bySingaporeans. Singapores market was too small forSingaporeans. Singapores market was too small for

our goods. Malaya was the big market we wereour goods. Malaya was the big market we werelooking for.looking for.

Common market so goods could be bought and soldCommon market so goods could be bought and soldwithout being taxed. Industries in Spore would growwithout being taxed. Industries in Spore would grow

and more jobs could be created for our people.and more jobs could be created for our people. Complete break from British rule. Merger wouldComplete break from British rule. Merger would

resolve the Communist problem and Spore wouldresolve the Communist problem and Spore wouldgain independence.gain independence.


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

Communists were too strong in SingaporeCommunists were too strong in Singaporefor their comfort. If Singapore fall to thefor their comfort. If Singapore fall to thecommunists, it would be a big threat tocommunists, it would be a big threat tothe security of Malaya which is so close tothe security of Malaya which is so close toSingapore.Singapore.

With a merger, Tunku Abdul RahmanWith a merger, Tunku Abdul Rahmanhoped to contain and fight against thehoped to contain and fight against thecommunists in Singapore.communists in Singapore.


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Proposal for MergerProposal for Merger

May 1961Tunku Abdul Rahman firstMay 1961Tunku Abdul Rahman firstproposed the idea of merger withproposed the idea of merger with

Singapore when he visited.Singapore when he visited.

British supported the idea.They wantedBritish supported the idea.They wantedto grant independence to Singapore,to grant independence to Singapore,

Sabah and Sarawak but felt they couldSabah and Sarawak but felt they couldnot survive on their own.not survive on their own.

A merger with Malaya would help theseA merger with Malaya would help thesecountries fight against Communism.countries fight against Communism.


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Singapores responseSingapores response Lee Kuan Yew and some PAP leadersLee Kuan Yew and some PAP leaders

supported the idea.supported the idea.

The proThe pro--Communists within PAP led byCommunists within PAP led byLim Chin Siong were against the idea.Lim Chin Siong were against the idea.

They knew that if Singapore became partThey knew that if Singapore became partof Malaya, the governement in Kualaof Malaya, the governement in KualaLumpur would clamp down on CommunistLumpur would clamp down on Communistactivities and arrest and imprison the proactivities and arrest and imprison the pro--

Communists.Communists.

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


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Split in PAP and ReferendumSplit in PAP and ReferendumAugust 1961 ProAugust 1961 Pro--Communists left PAP andCommunists left PAP and

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

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

1 Sept 1962 A referendum was held to let1 Sept 1962 A referendum was held to let

Singaporeans decide if they wantedSingaporeans decide if they wantedmerger.merger.

71% of Singaporeans voted in favour of71% of Singaporeans voted in favour of

merger with Malaya.merger with Malaya.


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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 PerakPerak

SelangorSelangor


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Central GovernmentCentral Government Central government was in Kuala Lumpur andCentral 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 ofTunku Abdul Rahman was the Prime Minister of

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

continue with elections to elect own statecontinue with elections to elect own stategovernment.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, labourSingapore would control own education, labour

and finance.and finance.


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Aftermath of MergerAftermath of Merger

Philippines broke off ties withPhilippines broke off ties withMalaysia.Malaysia.

Indonesia broke off ties withIndonesia broke off ties withMalaysia, raided Sabah and SarawakMalaysia, raided Sabah and Sarawakand got agents to set off bombs inand got agents to set off bombs in

public places in Singapore to disruptpublic places in Singapore to disruptlife of people.life of people.

Documents

Chapter 9 How Did Singapore Achieve Independence 4469