1959: Singapore’s first fully-democratic election >500 000 people voted as it was compulsory for all Singapore citizens Citizenship Ordinance (1957) Q: Where was the average voter from?

Average voter profile From China Spoke Chinese Worked in blue collar jobs In 1959, only 45% of the voters were born in Singapore

1959: Singapore’s first fully-democratic election >500 000 people voted as it was compulsory for all Singapore citizens Citizenship Ordinance (1957) 13 parties took part but PAP emerged the winner Q: Why did the PAP win?

Importance of 1959 elections High voter turnout Exciting time for the people as there were varied methods of campaigning by the parties – increased interest by the people on who should govern Singapore Victory of PAP Further on the road to Full Independence Sources from p 165-170

Results of 1959 elections PAP – 43 out of 51 seats Lim Yew Hock – 4 out of 51 seats First Prime Minister : Lee Kuan Yew, leader of the PAP First Head of State (Yang Di Pertuan): Yusof Bin Ishak.

3rd June 1959 at City Hall Q: Why was a new national flag, crest and anthem introduced?

Internal Self-Government in 1959 The first task of the new PAP government was to instill a sense of unity and loyalty in Singapore's diverse ethnic populace. A new national flag, crest, and anthem were introduced, and the new Ministry of Culture organized open-air cultural concerts and other events designed to bring the three main ethnic groups together. Malay, Chinese, Tamil, and English were all made official languages, but, with its eye on a future merger with Malaya, the government made Malay the national language. Considered the indigenous people and yet the most disadvantaged, Malays were provided with free primary and secondary education.