Source: MICA

Casting of Referendum votes on merger, 1 September 1962. (Above)People keeping vigil outside the Singapore Badminton Stadium where vote counting took place. (Below)

Source: Singapore Government Gazette, 1965

Independence of Singapore Agreement signed by ministers from both Malaysia and Singapore on 7 August 1965.

August 1965 Birth of the Republic of Singapore

Source: IWM

Source: IWM

The British flag was hoisted on 12 September after 44 months of Japanese Occupation. There was great exhilaration as the population expected good times to return soon. However, the hope was short-lived.

Source: MICA

Secretary-General of PAP, Mr Lee Kuan Yew.

Source: SPH - The Straits Times

Mr David Marshall of Labour Front.

Source: MICA

Mr C C Tan, founding member of Progressive Party.

Source: NAS

Mr Philip Hoalim, Chairman of Malayan Democratic Union. (Standing on right side of podium)

september 1945 Returning to British Rule

Scarcity of essential goods and failure of the British Military Administration to regulate prices brought further hardship to the population. Within two days of resuming control, Japanese currency became worthless. Many people were caught by surprise and left penniless overnight.

Source: MICA

At PAP’s inauguration on 21 November 1954, the party announced its manifesto: to obtain independence for Singapore through union with Malaya.

mAY 1959 Singapore became Self-governing

End of World War II also saw an uprising of decolonisation movement across the British Empire. In 1956 Singapore’s first Chief Minister, David Marshall, led the First All-Party Mission to London to negotiate for self-government. However the talks broke down due to disagreement on internal security control. Mr Marshall resigned on his return and was succeeded by his deputy Mr Lim Yew Hock. Af ter two more rounds of Constitutional Talks in 1957 and 1958, Singapore was granted self-government after the May 1959 General Elections.

Source: David Marshall Collection

First Constitutional Talks in progress at Lancaster House, London, April 1956. Singapore delegation includes (Left to right)• Lim Cher Kheng (Democratic Party) • Lim Koon teck (Progressive Party)• William tan (Democratic Party)• Lim Choon mong (Progressive Party)• A J braga (Labour Front)• Lim Yew Hock (Labour Front)• David marshall (Labour Front)• Abdul Hamid bin Haji Jumat (Singapore Alliance) • J m Jumabhoy (Labour Front)• seah peng Chuan (Labour Front)• Wong Foo Nam (Singapore Alliance)• Lee Kuan Yew (PAP)• Lim Chin siong (PAP)

Source: SPH - The Straits Times

A big crowd sending off the second mission led by Mr Lim Yew Hock, Singapore’s second Chief Minister to London, March 1957. The four other members were:• Abdul Hamid bin Haji Jumat, Deputy Chief

Minister and leader of UMNO• Chew swee Kee, Minister for Education and

Chairman of the Labour Front• Lim Choon mong, leader of the Liberal

Socialists and of the Opposition in the Assembly• Lee Kuan Yew, Secretary-General and

Assembly leader of PAP

Source: SPH - The Straits Times

Delegation leaving for final round of Constitutional Talks in London, May 1958.

september 1963 Merger with Malaya

Momentum for merger gained speed in 1961 after Tunku Abdul Rahman, PM of Federation of Malaya, proposed creation of Malaysia. 71% of electorate in Singapore voted in favour of a new nation comprising the Federation of Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak. Amidst internal tension and external hostility, Singapore became part of Malaysia on 16 September 1963. Mr Lee remained as PM of the State of Singapore.

Source: SPH - The Straits Times

Proclamation ceremony held outside City Hall against the backdrop of a large canvas depicting the multi-racial people of Malaysia marching forward hand-in-hand. Singapore and Malaysia flags fly side by side above it.

Source: SPH - The Straits Times

PAP formed Singapore’s first fully elected government under the new Constitution following its victory in the 1959 General Elections. The Cabinet of Self-government was sworn in on 5 June (Left to right)• Yong Nyuk Lin, Minister for Education • Ong eng guan, Minister for National Development• s rajaratnam, Minister for Culture• Ahmad Ibrahim, Minister for Health• Ong pang boon, Minister for Home Affairs• Dr goh Keng swee, Minister of Finance• Dr toh Chin Chye, Deputy Prime Minister• K m byrne, Minister for Labour and Law• Lee Kuan Yew, Prime Minister (PM)

Though foreign relations and defence matters were still in the hands of the British, it was a step closer to its long-term vision in seeking independence through merger with a democratic, socialist but non-communist Malaya.

pOLITICAL MILesTOnes leading to the birth of the Republic

Source: SPH - The Straits Times

Mr Lee (right) holding a press conference to announce the separation of Singapore from Malaysia.

Source: MICA

World War II brought about political awakening that Malayans should govern themselves. Volatile political environment of post-war Singapore led to the formation of several political parties, among them the Malayan Democratic Union (1945), Progressive Party (1947), Labour Front (1954) and People’s Action Party (PAP).

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Source: Singapore Government Gazette, 1965

On 22 December 1965, Parliament passed the motion to amend the Constitution of Singapore. In August 1966, the Constitutional Commission submitted recommendations for further amendments, including safeguarding of rights of racial, linguistic and religious minorities, thus laying the foundations for a multi-racial society.

Source: MICA

Proclamation of Malaysia in four official languages.