SINGAPORE From Crown Colony to Independent Nation

1.Post-War Political Changes in Singapore 2.Post-War Political Changes in Malaysia 3.Malaysia 4.The Road to Merger 5.Negotiations and Points of Agreement 6.External Pressures 7.Formation of Malaysia 8.Trouble in Malaysia 9.Separation 10.Facing the Future

7.Formation of Malaysia  16 Sep 1963

D A Y 16 Sep 1963 : New nation of Malaysia came into existence Made up of 14 states 11 from Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore

8.Trouble in Malaysia  1963 Singapore General Election  1964 Federal Election  Communal Problems  Malaysian Solidarity Convention  Clash of Economic Interests

TROUBLE IN MALAYSIA Sep 1963 Singapore State Elections Formation of Singapore AllianceFormation of Singapore Alliance Greater involvement in Singapore politicsGreater involvement in Singapore politics To have more seats in the Singapore Legislative AssemblyTo have more seats in the Singapore Legislative Assembly Tunku wanted to work with SA; did not agreeTunku wanted to work with SA; did not agree Singapore Alliance did not win any seatsSingapore Alliance did not win any seats won 37 out of 51 seats won 37 out of 51 seats UMNO was most unhappyUMNO was most unhappy

Sep 1963 Singapore State Elections Election results showed 1.Singapore Malays were no longer attracted to SUMNO 2.Most people rejected the communal-based politics of the Alliance TROUBLE IN MALAYSIA

1964 Federal Election Before 1964, had no branches outside SingaporeBefore 1964, had no branches outside Singapore decided to take part in the 1964 Federal Election as a Malaysian political party decided to take part in the 1964 Federal Election as a Malaysian political party Goals : 1. Build a Malaysian MalaysiaGoals : 1. Build a Malaysian Malaysia 2. Provide all with necessary skills and equal opportunities to succeed 2. Provide all with necessary skills and equal opportunities to succeed Alliance leaders were upset because had promised not to take part in Federal ElectionsAlliance leaders were upset because had promised not to take part in Federal Elections TROUBLE IN MALAYSIA

1964 Federal Election PAP criticised MCA; made Alliance more unitedPAP criticised MCA; made Alliance more united Only one seat was wonOnly one seat was won Far-reaching effects :Far-reaching effects : –Senior Alliance leaders were unhappy with PAP –No longer as tolerant –UMNO stepped up its criticisms of PAP –PAP seen as a future threat TROUBLE IN MALAYSIA

Communal Problems UMNO – communal politics – anti-PAP campaignsUMNO – communal politics – anti-PAP campaigns Focused on poverty of Singapore MalaysFocused on poverty of Singapore Malays Resettlement projectsResettlement projects Utusan MelayuUtusan Melayu TROUBLE IN MALAYSIA

Over time, more misleading articles appeared in the UMOver time, more misleading articles appeared in the UM Main culprit : Syed Ja’afar Albar, UMNO’s Sec-GenMain culprit : Syed Ja’afar Albar, UMNO’s Sec-Gen Aroused anger of the audience against the PAPAroused anger of the audience against the PAP TROUBLE IN MALAYSIA

To ease growing racial tension, LKY met 900 Malay representatives in July 1964To ease growing racial tension, LKY met 900 Malay representatives in July 1964 –Govt would do its best to help Malays overcome problems of education, employment and housing UM continued with its anti-PAP campaignUM continued with its anti-PAP campaign In the end, the racial tension in Singapore lead to two race riotsIn the end, the racial tension in Singapore lead to two race riots TROUBLE IN MALAYSIA

Race Riots : The 1964 Race Riots 21 July 1964 : 25,000 Malays gathered at the Padang to celebrate Prophet Mohammed’s birthday21 July 1964 : 25,000 Malays gathered at the Padang to celebrate Prophet Mohammed’s birthday Anti-PAP speeches by various Malay leadersAnti-PAP speeches by various Malay leaders Procession to GeylangProcession to Geylang The procession on its way to Geylang TROUBLE IN MALAYSIA

Internal Threat : The 1964 Race Riots Singapore Government’s version : Small incident sparked off race riotsSingapore Government’s version : Small incident sparked off race riots After that, more groups became unruly and attacked Chinese passers-by and spectatorsAfter that, more groups became unruly and attacked Chinese passers-by and spectators Soon, clashes between Malays and Chinese in various parts of Singapore reportedSoon, clashes between Malays and Chinese in various parts of Singapore reported Curfew imposed 9.30 pm to 6.00 amCurfew imposed 9.30 pm to 6.00 am Lifted only on 2 Aug 1964Lifted only on 2 Aug 1964 TROUBLE IN MALAYSIA

Police cordon beside the Kallang Gas Works after the outbreak of racial riots TROUBLE IN MALAYSIA

Race Riots : The 1964 Race Riots Goodwill committees set upGoodwill committees set up Made up of community leaders from various racial groupsMade up of community leaders from various racial groups Help to restore peace and harmonyHelp to restore peace and harmony LKY and Tun Razak toured the island to calm things downLKY and Tun Razak toured the island to calm things down TROUBLE IN MALAYSIA

LKY urging people to remain calm TROUBLE IN MALAYSIA

Race Riots : The 1964 Race Riots Second riot in Sep 1964Second riot in Sep 1964 Malay trishaw rider murdered; Chinese accused of murderMalay trishaw rider murdered; Chinese accused of murder Led to another race riot and curfew imposed againLed to another race riot and curfew imposed again 13 dead, 106 injured13 dead, 106 injured TROUBLE IN MALAYSIA

Race Riots : The 1964 Race Riots Riots showed the dangers of communal politics in SingaporeRiots showed the dangers of communal politics in Singapore Communal feelings were played upCommunal feelings were played up Resulted in loss of lives and property, breakdown in peace and orderResulted in loss of lives and property, breakdown in peace and order Singapore’s views ns Malaysia’s viewsSingapore’s views ns Malaysia’s views International viewsInternational views TROUBLE IN MALAYSIA

A truce between the Alliance and PAP after the 1964 riots Both agreed not to raise matters that were racial in nature However the truce did not last long MALAYSIAN SOLIDARITY CONVENTION

Oct Leader of Alliance Party made an announcement Major re-org to prepare for 1967 Singapore state election Said that the Alliance Party would win enough seats to form the next government This was a direct challenge to the PAP MALAYSIAN SOLIDARITY CONVENTION

PAP’s response MALAYSIAN SOLIDARITY CONVENTION

PAP’s response : Create a united opposition against communal-based Alliance MALAYSIAN SOLIDARITY CONVENTION(MSC)May 1965, PAP brought together 4 Malaysian opposition parties to form the MALAYSIAN SOLIDARITY CONVENTION (MSC) Main aim : Campaign for a Malaysian Malaysia where everybody would be treated equally regardless of race or religion MALAYSIAN SOLIDARITY CONVENTION

Malaysian Malaysia – through booklets and talks Public rally on 6 Jun 1965 PAP’s non-communal politics – in conflict with UMNO’s insistence on Malay special rights in M’sia and S’pore MALAYSIAN SOLIDARITY CONVENTION

MALAYSIA’S REACTIONS

Of course they were upset!!! Main issue was that the special rights enjoyed by the Malays was being questioned Malaysian ministers were worried Some UMNO leaders were so angered by the campaign that they called for LKY’s arrest MALAYSIAN SOLIDARITY CONVENTION

Tunku greeted by UMNO supporters carrying placard denouncing Lee Kuan Yew on 5 Aug 1965

Disagreements with CG over economic matters also affected Singapore’s economic growth 1.FEW Pioneer Certificates 2.No Common Market 3.Proposed increase in Singapore’s contributions 4.Closing the Bank of China CLASH OF ECONOMIC INTERESTS

Decisions seen as unfair by SingaporeDecisions seen as unfair by Singapore Came at a time of economic decline because of ConfrontationCame at a time of economic decline because of Confrontation Led to strained relations between CG and SingaporeLed to strained relations between CG and Singapore Tunku considered separating Singapore from Malaysia as a solution to the differencesTunku considered separating Singapore from Malaysia as a solution to the differences CLASH OF ECONOMIC INTERESTS

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