chapter 10: how did singapore tackle its challenges in its early years of independence?
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Chapter 10: Chapter 10: How did Singapore Tackle its How did Singapore Tackle its
Challenges in its Early Years of Challenges in its Early Years of Independence? Independence?
REVIEWREVIEW
1945 - British set up the British Military Administration
1946 - Penang and Malacca joined the Malayan Union while Singapore remained as a separate Crown Colony
1948 - Federation of Malaya was formed. Singapore was left out. Why?
1. The federation and Singapore had different economies
2. Singapore had a large Chinese population which threatened the basic rights of the Malays
3. Singapore was an important naval base to the British
The British had no intention to give up control over Singapore but they also knew that the people would not be contented. Hence they decided to allow the people to be involved in the first elections
Gradual Progress Towards Self-Gradual Progress Towards Self-GovernmentGovernment
1948 Election1948 Election
Rendel Commission, Jul 1953Rendel Commission, Jul 1953
1955 Elections1955 Elections
SPP won 3 out of 6 seats. The rest were won by independents.
Recommended limited self-government.
- Housing, Education, Health, Trade and Industry
LF won 10 out of 25 seats. Formed coalition government. David Marshall became the first Chief Minister. Faced challenges such as Hock Lee Bus Riots.
Gradual Progress Towards Self-Gradual Progress Towards Self-GovernmentGovernment
1956 – First Merdeka 1956 – First Merdeka TalksTalks
1957 – 21957 – 2ndnd Merdeka Talks Merdeka Talks
1959 Elections1959 Elections
Led by David Marshall. Requested for internal self government. Failed. Marshall resigned. Why? Lim Yew Hock became 2nd Chief Minister. Faced challenges such as Students’ Riots.
Led by Lim Yew Hock. Requested for internal self government. Succeeded. Why?
First fully elected democratic government. PAP won majority of seats and formed new govt. Lee Kuan Yew became first PM and Yusof Ishak became the first Head of State.
Gradual Progress Towards Self-Gradual Progress Towards Self-GovernmentGovernment
1963 Merger with Malaya, 1963 Merger with Malaya, Sabah and SarawakSabah and Sarawak
19641964
19651965
Formed the Federation of Malaysia. Singapore held its first State Election in 1963. Participated by SUMNO. SUMNO failed to garner support.
First Federal Election held in KL. Singapore won 1 seat.
Concept of Malaysian Malaysia introduced and angered the Malaysian Federal government. Racial Riots occurred in Singapore.
Singapore separated from Malaysia and became a sovereign independent nation.
Learning Objectives
• Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of independence
• Strategies adopted in response to these challenges
• Effectiveness of these strategies in preparing Singapore for the future
Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of Independence
• Lack of raw materials• Limited land space• Loss of Malaysia as a potential
hinterland market - Weak industry base - Fall in trade• Growing population• Need to create jobs for the people
Economic Uncertainties
Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of Independence
• Announcement of the withdrawal of British military forces by the end of 1971
• Need to build up its own defence to protect the nation from both internal and external threats
Political Uncertainties
Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of Independence
Challenges• Lack of natural resources
such as rubber, palm oil and minerals like tin and gold
• Lack of diversity in the economy due to dependence on entrepot trade
• High Unemployment
Economic Challenges & StrategiesStrategies – Two-pronged• Incentives to MNCs from
Japan, Western Europe and the USA to set up factories in S’pore
• Transformed S’pore into a more organised and efficient country
- High standards of public service
Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of Independence
Economic Challenges & Strategies
Dr Albert Winsemius, a Dutch economist- Export-led industrialisation
• to develop faster and stay ahead of other countries• recommended in response to loss of potential
hinterland market and aptitude of its people to work in manufacturing industries
• government would provide key infrastructure (efficient port, good communication and transport system, sound
banking and financial system; p. 203)• Positioned as low cost manfacturing export centre
Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of Independence
Economic Challenges & Strategies
Dr Albert Winsemius, a Dutch economist- Export-led industrialisation
• Setting up of Economic Development Board (EDB) in Aug 1961 to drive development of new and existing
industries (eg. Setting up of Jurong Industrial Estate, JIE)• Success: By 1968, almost 300 factories providing jobs
for 21,000 people were set up• 1968, Jurong Town Corporation (JTC) was formed to take over the management of JIE and other industrial estates in Kallang Basin, Sims Avenue and Redhill)
Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of Independence
• By 1985, S’pore developed into a modern city-state
• Had a diversified economy and global trade network
Impact on the Present
Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of Independence
Challenges in Housing• Singapore Improvement
Trust (SIT) set up in 1927 failed to solve housing problems
• Estimated half a million people lived in slums and squatter settlements by 1959
• Living conditions were cramped and unhygienic – spread of diseases as well as fire hazards (Bukit Ho Swee fire in May 1961)
Social Challenges & StrategiesStrategies• Housing and
Development Board (HDB) set up in 1960 to replace SIT
Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of Independence
Social Challenges & Strategies
Housing and Development Board
• Implemented three five-year plans to build flats quickly and economically
1st 5-yr Plan• Built housing estates based on neighbourhood concept comprising 1,000 to 1,500 families (self-contained shops,
schools, clinics, community centres, playground)• Eg. Tiong Bahru, Queenstown, Toa Payoh,
MacPherson)
Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of Independence
Social Challenges & Strategies
Housing and Development Board
• Implemented three five-year plans to build flats quickly and economically
2nd 5-yr Plan• Focused on quality of housing programme (designs,
open spaces, landscaping, car parks, point blocks)
Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of Independence
Social Challenges & Strategies
Housing and Development BoardMr Lim Kim San, first HDB chief
• Implemented three five-year plans to build flats quickly and economically
3rd 5-yr Plan• Focused on catering to needs of middle-income
households who wanted bigger flats but could not afford private housing (eg. HUDC)
Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of Independence
• S’pore became a home-owning society• Fostered social stability• Gave citizens a stake in the country and its
future• Promoted a sense of national pride and
identity among S’poreans
Impact on the Present
Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of Independence
Challenges in Education• Means to support S’pore’s
economic development• Need to get people of
different races to interact • Colonial rule saw education
largely left to the different ethnic and religious organisations
• Quality of education varied
Social Challenges & StrategiesStrategies• Common medium of
instruction• Daily flag-raising and
pledge taking ceremonies
• Civics Education and ECA
Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of Independence
Social Challenges & Strategies
Educational Reforms
1st 5-yr Plan• Focused on increasing level of literacy of people
• Large scale recruitment of teachers and teachers-in-training
• Introduction of compulsory bilingual policy in 1960 for primary schools and 1966 for secondary schools
• Students were also equipped with relevant technical skills, in addition to the basic skills of reading and writing
Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of Independence
• Shaped social relations among different races
• Equipped workforce with technical skills• Students equipped with EL (working
language) and mother tongue (roots to culture and race)
Impact on the Present
Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of Independence
Challenges• Strong defence was critical in
ensuring peace and stability which would in turn draw foreign investors to S’pore
• Constraints of limited manpower and funds
Political Challenges & StrategiesStrategies• Establishment of
Ministry of Interior and Defence
Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of Independence
Political Challenges & Strategies
Ministry of Interior and Defence (MID)Dr Goh Keng Swee
• Introduced National Service. Passed NS Amendment Bill on 14 March 1967
• S’porean male citizens aged 18 would enroll for NS• After NS, they would become reservists or
Operationally Ready NSmen• Singapore Armed Forces Training Institute (SAFTI) set
up in June 1966 to provide military training• Measures to overcome opposition put in place
Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of Independence
Political Challenges & Strategies
Ministry of Interior and Defence (MID)Dr Goh Keng Swee
• Steps taken to set up Navy and Air Force• Bilateral training introduced
• Five Power Defence Agreement signed with Britain, Australia, NZ and Malaysia – assistance in times of
attacks
Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of Independence
• Ready pool of combat trained male citizens• Forged closer bonds among people of
different races and religious background
Impact on the Present
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