Term 2 Week 3

Reasons for Separation

Formation of MalaysiaDate of Malaya’s achievement of

independence – 31 Aug 1957Date of formation of Federation of Malaysia

– 16 Sept 1963Date of Separation – 9 Aug 1965What do you think were the problems that

led to Separation?

The new map of Malaysia

Singapore - a state in Malaysia

What does this tell you about Singapore?

A promising beginning in 1963

Why do you think the billboard was put up?

Political conflict – Different approachesBoth Singapore and KL governments had

adopted different approaches to politicsKL adopted a communal approachSingapore adopted a multi-racial approach

Political conflict – KL’s approach

What do you think is communal politics?

Why did Peninsular Malaysia take such an approach to politics?

MCA(Malayan

Chinese Association)

UMNO(United Malays National Organisation)

MIC(Malayan

Indian Congress)

THE ALLIANCE PARTY

Political conflict – Singapore’s approach

What is meant by a multi-racial approach to politics?

Why did the PAP favour such an approach?

PAP government

Indians Malays OthersChinese

Political conflict – Different approachesThe PAP government called for a “Malaysian

Malaysia”Everyone, regardless of race, language and

religion, would be allowed to succeedThe Malaysian Solidarity Convention (MSC) was

held to provide a challenge against the communal politics of the Alliance Party.

The MSC was made up of non-communal parties from Singapore, Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia.

Political conflict – ElectionsIn 1963, Singapore held its state electionAlliance leaders in KL supported the

Singapore Alliance Party against the PAPThe Singapore Alliance Party failed to win

any seatsHow did KL feel about the election results?

Political conflict – ElectionsIn 1964, the Federal Election was

held in Peninsular MalaysiaThe PAP contested 11 seats in the

election1 seat was won by the PAPWhy did KL object to the PAP’s

participation in the Federal election?

Economic conflict – The Common MarketCan you remember why Singapore

wanted to have the Common Market?The KL government placed tariffs on

goods from SingaporeTariffs refer to taxes that a government

collects on goods entering a countryWhy do you think the KL government

imposed tariffs?

Economic conflict – Pioneer Certificates

For new businesses to start and strengthen, pioneer status was given to new companies

These companies were not required to pay taxes on profits for a certain number of years

Alternatively, the government could provide subsidies to these companies

Singapore wanted pioneer status for its new companies

Only the KL government could issue this within the Federation

“… Out of 69 applications,only 2 were approved, one of which had so many restrictionsattached that it amounted to a refusal …”

PM Lee Kuan Yew, 1960s

Economic conflict – Closure of Bank of China

Why do you think the KL government wanted to close down the bank?

How do you think Singapore felt?

Social conflict – Race riotsInitial suspicion between races grew

with communal politicsGreater distrust exploded into full-scale

racial riots21 July 1964 was a dark day in

Singapore historyFights broke out during procession on

Prophet Muhammad’s birthdayAnother race riot broke out in Sept

1964, suggesting the situation was getting out of hand

Social conflict – Race riots

What do you think would be the result of the clashes?

How do you think the government responded to the clashes?

Social conflict – Race riots

Why did the authorities impose a curfew during the race riots?

Decision on Separation

Tunku Abdul Rahman was fearful that race riots would happen repeatedly

Decided that Separation was unavoidable

Underlying reasons for SeparationThere were several reasons that led to Separation apart from race riots

Political reasons (Elections and Political Styles)

Social reasons (Race Riots)Economic reasons (Common Market, Pioneer Certificates and Bank of China)

Singapore as an independent state