Nation-building in Singapore: AY2014-5

HY2229/SSA2204: Lecture 6
THE POLITICS OF BECOMING MALAYSIAN
A.

Introduction
1. The Problem of Singapores independence
Since Singapores separation from the Malayan Union in 1946, both
territories had developed separately. In 1959, Singapore and Malaysia has
been separated for 13 years and the differences have built up
a.

Political Developments in Malaya

(1)

Communal Political System (1957)

a. Alliance party in power made up of 3 communal parties:
i. UMNO (United Malays National Organization)
an exclusive malay party that excludes other
races
ii. MCA (Malayan Chinese Association)
iii. MIC (Malayan Indian Congress
b. Had a huge victory which impress the British
Government leading to their independence

(2)

Right-wing Anti-Communist government

b. Political Developments in Singapore

B.

(1)

Non-Communal Political System

a. Communal party had very few seats
b. Most parties are multi-racial

(2)

Left-wing Non-Communist government

a. Had to be careful with the issue of communist
i. Anti-communist will result in the loss of votes

The Impetus for Merger

1.

The Reasons
a. Singapores reasons:
(1)

Survival
(a) Economic survival.

Singapores economy was declining and facing intense

competition. It had too small a domestic market for its
industrialization plans to generate jobs for its growing population.
Had no natural resources
Entrepot economy was declining
Population growth requires new jobs which can only be fulfilled
through industralisation
Federation also competes with Singapore to attract investors
(b) Political survival.
The ruling PAPs political position in Singapore would be
untenable if independence from Britain could not be secured by
1963. Possible pro-communist parties come to power
(2)

Self-determination.
To consider independence for Singapore, Britain would insist on
its merger with Malaya. Fear that the communist will take over

b. Londons reasons:
(1)

Security.
(a)

Security of British military bases.

Merger would ensure that their Singapore military bases should

not fall into the hands of pro-communists.

(b)

Stability of Singapore.

Merger would also ensure a measure of stability as the Malayan

government would be responsible for Singapores internal
security.

(2)

Solution:
British objective of a Grand Design or Greater Malaysia as a
solution to:
(a)

The future of Singapore.

(b)

The future of Borneo.

c.

Kuala Lumpurs reasons:

(1)

Problem: KL not interested at first because: One million Chinese

(a)

Retard Malayas independence struggle. (before 1957)

(b)

Complicate the consolidation of independence. (after 1957)

Singapore is very focus on left wing thinking

(2)

Pressure: But KL changed its mind:

(a)

Security.

Risk of a Cuba (satellite for soviet union) situation

in Malayas backyard
If Singapore is suddenly granted independence it
might be used for communist purposes

Real danger of the PAP moderates losing power in

Singapore
Hong Lim by-election in April 1961
July 1961, 13 pro-communist PAP
member split away from PAP to
form barisan sosialis

(b)

Supervision.

The Tunku never wanted Singapore in the first place. [He] had
agreed to take Singapore into Malaysia only in order to get the
British to surrender him Sarawak and Sabah (Abdullah Ahmad,
Tengku Abdul Rahman and Malaysias Foreign Policy.)

British needed a solution for the sustainability of

Singapore and north borneo. Hence, it is a
package that he have to take if he wants Sarawak
and Sabah
2.

The Problems
b. The Politics of Race.
The inclusion of the indigenous peoples of Borneo territories would act
as a racial counterweight to Singapores Chinese population.

c.

The Economics of Resources.

Tan Siew Sin (MCA) vs PAP
(1)

Control over Singapores revenue.

(2)

Concern over opening common market to Singapore

Federation government only wants an agreement in principles
KL does not want to open its malayan market to Singapore as it
has their own industries. Much negotiating results in an open
market for Singapore at the price of 40% of the total revenue

3.

The Solution
a.

The Political Containment of Singapore.

(1)

The Terms of Merger: 15 seats as compared to

24 seats based on Singapore population

(a)

Fewer Singapore representatives in the Federal Parliament

in return for autonomy in Labour and Education (Malayan
education is very pro Malays).

(b)

Barring of Singapore citizens from Federal Elections in

return for the barring of Federal citizens from Singapore
elections. Each political structure will not be affected by
each other

C.

(2)

No Singapore Minister in Federal Cabinet.

(3)

Singapore to be only the Economic Centre of Malaysia The

New York of Malaysia and KL as Washington of Malaysia.

The Battles for Merger

1.

From Within
a.

In Singapore
The Singapore Referendum (September 1962)
Over 70% of the electorate voted for the PAP sponsored merger.
A PAP option
B Barisan socialist
C lim yew hock

b. In Borneo
The Cobbold Commission (January July 1962)
Its report stated that about two-thirds were in favor of Malaysia, with
the remaining third preferring independence without Malaysia or
British rule.
2.

From Without:
5

a.

Indonesia objects
Konfrontasi (Confrontation)
Indonesia challenged the legitimacy of Malaysia and announced its
policy of confrontation. Had territory ambition and wanted borneo

b. Philippines objects
The Philippines resurrected its claim to Sabah.
Brunei gave Sabah to Sulu in 1704
Sulu leased Sabah to British North Borneo company (1878/1881)
Sulu granted Philippine government title of sovereignty over sabah in
1962
Delayed independence
Citizen of sabah and Sarawak voted in favour of merger with Malaysia
16 september Malaysia was formed
Start of kronfrontasi
Bombing in macdonald house

D.

The Impetus for Separation

1. Different Views about Malaysia
a.

Kuala Lumpurs View:

An Extension of the Old Malaya
UMNO led alliance inchagred
Special rights for Malays

b.

Singapores View:
A New Political Grouping
Doesnt mind the lead by the alliance
Aims for equal rights based on merits
PAP recognizes special rights for Malay in the federation but Malay
iin Singapore
Fights for a Malaysian Malaysia and not a Malay Malaysia

2. Political Competition

a. The 1963 Singapore State Elections

The Alliance party supported its Singapore branches with the hope of
replacing the PAP but lost badly.
1963 Singapore state election
Held 5 days after Malaysia
KL backed Singapore allaicne
SA failed to win any seat
Singapore UMNO lost all 3 seats to the malay minister in PAP
Geylang Serai
Kampong kembangan
Southern island
Tunku reacted angrily
UMNO post election reaction involes the burning of a LKY effigy
PAP did not let UMNO win seats as the faced fierce
competition from barisan

b. The 1964 Federal Elections

The PAP fielded a token team in the federal elections to challenge the
MCA but won only one seat. They used citizens born from their
respective country to compete in the election. They only contested the
MCA and not UMNO areas.
PAP reneged Tunku-Lee gentlemens agreement
Self-defense: Constant infiltration of federation impact in Singapore
election, Malaysia politician came down to support UMNO in their
campaign
National role: Want to be seen as a part of Malaysia and PAP wanted a
control over the say of political and economy of Singapore
Does not want to be seen as a constant opposition

c. The Race Riots in Singapore

UMNOs intense anti-PAP campaign after the 1964 federal elections
culminated in two race riots in Singapore.
Targeted Singapore Malays
Led by Albar
Aims of the campaign

Keep pap on defensive

Win back lost malay goruund

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Undermine PAP multi-racial apporach

They wanted us to confine ourselves to Chinese voters and stop

appealing to the Malays. They would not tolerate any challenge to their
hold on their Malay political base. The Malay electorate was out of
bounds to non-Malay parties like the PAP. The MCA accepted that
restriction. We did not. (Lee Kuan Yew)
2 race riots july and September 1964
UMNO and PAP decided not to talk communal issues in public
PAP realized that they are unable to work with UMNO

d. Political Disengagement Aborted

(1)

The PAP in Opposition: Decision at the 10th Anniversary Party

Congress
After UMNO declared its intention to topple the PAP in
Singapore, the PAP decided to become an opposition party.

(2)

The Dewan Raayat Budget Debate: Flexing of PAP muscles

The PAP started mobilizing its branches in Malaya to campaign
against what it saw as unfair taxes being imposed on Singapore.

(3)

Tunku sought Disengagement

The disengagement plans that sought a return to the pre-merger
arrangements were aborted after the British disapproved of them.

e. Political Collision
(1)

Formation of the Malaysian Solidarity Convention.

The PAP organized a coalition of non-communal parties to

spearhead its campaign for a Malaysian Malaysia.
Made up of non-communal parties
Meritocracy
Mr Lees memoirs it eventually will take over by
rallying the non malays
(2) Debate on Malaysian Malaysia in Parliament

The PAP challenged the Alliance to compete with the PAP to

modernize the Malay community and to declare openly its position
with regard to the objective of a Malaysian Malaysia.
Alliance minister eventually one by one admitted the aim of
Malaysian Malaysia

E.

The Decision for Separation

1.

Kuala Lumpur
The decision to separate was made by the Tunku and known only to a
handful of Malaysian ministers.

2.

Singapore

The secret negotiations for separation were carried out by Dr Goh Keng
Swee and also known only to a handful of Singapore ministers.
Singapore economy was not improved by the merger with Malaysia, encouraging the
merger from the Singapore perspective
9 august separation
F.

Conclusion
Was merger bound to fail? Could separation have been prevented?

Assoc Prof Albert Lau

16 September 2014