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?
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?
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)