Chapter 9Chapter 9Separation of Separation of

Singapore from Singapore from MalaysiaMalaysia

Why was separation inevitable?Why was separation inevitable?

Economic reasonsEconomic reasons Delays in setting up common marketDelays in setting up common market Imposition of new taxes on SingaporeImposition of new taxes on Singapore Attempts to increase Spore’s contribution to Attempts to increase Spore’s contribution to

the central governmentthe central government

Political reasonsPolitical reasons Political rivalryPolitical rivalry Racial politicsRacial politics Effects of the Malaysian Malaysia campaignEffects of the Malaysian Malaysia campaign

Details of disagreements – Details of disagreements – Economic reasonsEconomic reasons

Kuala Lumpur saw Singapore as an Kuala Lumpur saw Singapore as an economic rival – implementation of economic rival – implementation of common market was delayed as a result.common market was delayed as a result.

Central government wanted to protect Central government wanted to protect Malaysian industries, it imposed new taxes Malaysian industries, it imposed new taxes on Singapore. This hindered Singapore’s on Singapore. This hindered Singapore’s efforts to industrialise.efforts to industrialise.

KL proposed Singapore increased its KL proposed Singapore increased its contribution from 40% to 60%. Singapore contribution from 40% to 60%. Singapore feared this would cripple its economy. feared this would cripple its economy.

Political reasons – impact of the elections Political reasons – impact of the elections

on the r/s betw PAP and the Allianceon the r/s betw PAP and the Alliance

1963 State Election in Spore1963 State Election in Spore PAP won 37 out of 51 seats contested. PAP won 37 out of 51 seats contested. The Singapore Alliance (made up of UMNO, The Singapore Alliance (made up of UMNO,

MCA and MIC) did not win any seat.MCA and MIC) did not win any seat. Alliance leaders in KL were upset with the Alliance leaders in KL were upset with the

outcome.outcome.

1964 Federal Election in Malaysia1964 Federal Election in Malaysia PAP took part, aim to build a Malaysia not PAP took part, aim to build a Malaysia not

based on racial lines, equal opportunities for all.based on racial lines, equal opportunities for all. Alliance leaders took offence, felt it challenged Alliance leaders took offence, felt it challenged

rights of the Malaysrights of the Malays

Racial Politics – Effects of the Racial Politics – Effects of the anti–PAP campaignanti–PAP campaign

UMNO embarked on an anti-PAP campaign UMNO embarked on an anti-PAP campaign using the Malay press, esp Utusan Melayu.using the Malay press, esp Utusan Melayu. Criticised PAP for not looking after interests of Criticised PAP for not looking after interests of

the Malays in Singapore.the Malays in Singapore. Exploited resettlement of Malay families in the Exploited resettlement of Malay families in the

Crawford, Kampong Glam and Rochor areas.Crawford, Kampong Glam and Rochor areas.

Meetings were held betw PAP and Malay reps Meetings were held betw PAP and Malay reps regarding education, employment and housing regarding education, employment and housing for Malays. Tension grew as matters did not for Malays. Tension grew as matters did not improve. Led to the racial riots in 1964.improve. Led to the racial riots in 1964.

PAP’s Malaysian Malaysia PAP’s Malaysian Malaysia campaigncampaign

PAP campaigned for a Malaysian PAP campaigned for a Malaysian Malaysia, where everyone has equal rights Malaysia, where everyone has equal rights and opportunities. and opportunities.

October 1964 The Singapore Alliance October 1964 The Singapore Alliance stated that they would reorganise stated that they would reorganise themselves to win enough votes in the themselves to win enough votes in the 1967 Singapore state election to form a 1967 Singapore state election to form a new government.new government.

Events and implicationsEvents and implications

May 1965 PAP brought together four other May 1965 PAP brought together four other Malaysian opposition parties to form Malaysian opposition parties to form Malaysian Solidarity Convention (MSC).Malaysian Solidarity Convention (MSC).Aim for a Malaysian Malaysia where Aim for a Malaysian Malaysia where everyone would be treated equally everyone would be treated equally regardless of race or religion.regardless of race or religion.PAP greatly angered UMNO leaders, PAP greatly angered UMNO leaders, some even called for the arrest of Lee some even called for the arrest of Lee Kuan Yew.Kuan Yew.

Threats to Singapore’s peaceThreats to Singapore’s peace

Internal threat – 1964 Racial riots Internal threat – 1964 Racial riots 21 July 1964 More than 25,000 Malays gathered 21 July 1964 More than 25,000 Malays gathered

at Padang to celebrate Prophet Mohammed’s at Padang to celebrate Prophet Mohammed’s birthday.birthday.

Speeches were made by Malay leaders, some Speeches were made by Malay leaders, some criticised PAP for ill-treatment of the Malays.criticised PAP for ill-treatment of the Malays.

A policeman was assaulted in a procession in A policeman was assaulted in a procession in Geylang.Geylang.

Rest started attacking Chinese.Rest started attacking Chinese. Clashes between Chinese and Malays broke out Clashes between Chinese and Malays broke out

in different parts of Singapore. in different parts of Singapore.

Continuation of racial riotsContinuation of racial riots

Curfew was imposed and only lifted on Curfew was imposed and only lifted on 22ndnd Aug 1964. Aug 1964.

23 people were killled and 454 people 23 people were killled and 454 people injured in the riots.injured in the riots.

Sept 1964 – Another race riot Sept 1964 – Another race riot occurredoccurred 13 people were killed and 106 were 13 people were killed and 106 were

injured.injured.

External Threat – External Threat – The Indonesian ConfrontationThe Indonesian Confrontation

Indonesian trade embargo – Singapore’s trade Indonesian trade embargo – Singapore’s trade declined and some people were unemployed.declined and some people were unemployed.However Singapore was not severly affected as However Singapore was not severly affected as trade with other countries continued.trade with other countries continued.Violence and disruption of peace Violence and disruption of peace Indonesian agents set off bombs – innocent people Indonesian agents set off bombs – innocent people

were killed and properties damaged.were killed and properties damaged. By March 1965, 29 bombs had been set off in By March 1965, 29 bombs had been set off in

Singapore.Singapore. A voluntary Vigilant Corps was set up to help defend A voluntary Vigilant Corps was set up to help defend

Singapore.Singapore. Confrontation ended in Aug 1966 when new Confrontation ended in Aug 1966 when new

Indonesian government took over.Indonesian government took over.

SeparationSeparation7 Aug 1965 Tunku Abdul Rahman 7 Aug 1965 Tunku Abdul Rahman announced that Malaysia will “expel” announced that Malaysia will “expel” Singapore.Singapore.

9 Aug 1965 Lee Kuan Yew announced 9 Aug 1965 Lee Kuan Yew announced attainment of full independence.attainment of full independence. Singapore became a RepublicSingapore became a Republic Head of State – the PresidentHead of State – the President Legislative Assembly was renamed Legislative Assembly was renamed

Parliament, members known as Members of Parliament, members known as Members of Parliament.Parliament.

Challenges aheadChallenges aheadEconomic – No natural resources and Economic – No natural resources and industries were not well-developed.industries were not well-developed.

Defence – Singapore had to build up Defence – Singapore had to build up its own defence force to take over its own defence force to take over from the Malaysian and British from the Malaysian and British military forces.military forces.

Housing – Steps had to be taken to Housing – Steps had to be taken to meet the housing needs of its growing meet the housing needs of its growing population.population.

VideoVideohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcTh6d11TpIhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcTh6d11TpI

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