1. CHAPTER NINE
Howdid Singaporegainindependence?
Ang Leck Mien [2]
Caitlin De Boer [5]
Jessica Swain [17]
Nayli Irdina Bte Imran [27]
Nur Arafah Banu [28]

2. Learning Objectives
Understand the reasons forSingapore`s merger with Malaya
Comprehend reasons for separation
Know the challenges faced
3. Contents
Singapores views
Malayas views
Britains view
Reasons for Singapores merger with Malaysia
Formation of Malaysia
Challenges to Singapores peace and prosperity
Reasons for separation
4. General : What has happened so far?
1945 SG was still aBritish Colony
1948 SG`s first baby step [Not a British colony anymore]
1955 SG is a child
1959 SG is in its teenage years
Now, SG wants independence [To break free from the British]
5. Solution???
MERGER!!!
6. Merger with Malaya
Singapores merger with Malaya was closely associated to the idea of Federation of Malaya.
The Federation of Malaya is the name given to a federation of 11 states that existed from 31 January until 16 September 1963.
It was eventually superseded by Malaysia, which comprised of the nine Malay states [Perlis, Kedah, Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Johore, Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan] and the British settlements of Penang and Malacca.
7. Why did Singapore want to merge with Malaya ?
Political Reasons
Economic Reasons
8. Gain Full Independence
Singapores government wanted to gain FULL independence from the British.
British did not want to grant Singapore full independence because they fear that Singapore will fall to the Communists.
Singapores way to freedom was through a merger with Malaya [neighboring country].
9. Why merger?

We want independence from the British (decolonisation)

They were not taking very good care of Singapore either. Their betrayal of Singapore in WWII made the people in Singapore upset with colonial rule.
Singapore got self-government in 1959. But the British had control of internal security and defence Many felt a merger between Malaysia and Singapore would help Singapore achieve early independence, riding on Malaysias independence which was attained on Aug 31, 1957.
10. Free from Communists
Singapore was facing a communist threat at that time
PAP believed that if Singapore were to merge with Malaya, Malaya could suppress the communists.
Malaya is a strong anti-communist country.
11. Fulfill promise made during the 1959 elections [PAP]
PAP had promised the locals that SG would gain independence.
If SG doesnt merge with Malaya, this means that SG would not be able to fulfill their promise they made during the 1959 elections [gain full independence]
Locals would then not trust PAP anymore.
12. Why did Singapore want to merge with Malaya?
Political Reasons
Economic Reasons
13. Why merger?

Malaya has the natural resources that Singapore lacks

merging with them will help boost Singapores growth.
Without merger [and] an integration of our two economies, our economic position will slowly and steadily get worse. Your livelihood will get worse.
Malaya is important to Singapore. It is the hinterland which produces the rubber and tin that keeps our economy going. Without this economic base, Singapore would not be able to survive.
14. Economic Problems Faced
Singapore lacked natural resources
Slow economic growth [Declining Entrepot Trade]
Increasing unemployment
Declining trade due to tariffs
introduced by Malaya on goods
traded between the two countries.
15. Lack of Natural Resources
If SG merges with Malaya, Malaya could share its natural resources and raw materials.
Malaya had many natural resources and other raw materials such as clean water, etc.
SG could then tap on these resources if both countries merge.
16. Increase in Unemployment
There were more people than jobs in Singapore.
If SG merges with Malaya, more jobs would be created.
Also, Singaporeans can look for jobs in Malaya too.
Thus, the unemployment rate in SG would then decrease.
17. Common Market
A common market will be set up.
Agreement between countries allowing goods produced in one country to enter another country without having to pay taxes.
Goods can be bought and sold freely
Lead to an increase in trade, expansion of industries and create more jobs for Singaporeans.
Overall, merger increase trade and
industries, job opportunities and
economic growth for Singapore.
*** Merger -> SG + Malaya = Solves
Singapore`s declining entrepot tradeand
high unemployment.
18. Did Malaya Want Singapore?
Initially, before 1961, Malaya did NOT want Singapore.
The question now is WHY ? ? ! ! !
19. Quote Taken from Malayas then Prime Minister
Firstly, Singapore has about ONE MILLION CHINESE. The inclusion of this one million into the Federation will upset the racial balance of power in the Federation.
Secondly, Singapore has too MANY PRO-COMMUNISTS who are supported by the Chinese in Singapore.

Tunku Abdul Rahman

(Malaya`s Prime Minister)
20. Did Malaya Want Singapore?
Initially, in 1961, Malaya did NOT want Singapore, due to the following reasons :
Tunku was scared that Malaya will have more Chinese than Malays.
Tunku was scared that Malaya would be influenced by the communists in Singapore. [Communists might use Singapore as a base to spread communism to other countries, such as Malaya]
21. Did Malaya Want Singapore?
After 1961, Tunku changed his mind, due to the following reasons.
22. Troublesome Situation in SG

Pro-communist PAP leader, Ong Eng Guan left PAP and challenged them in a by-election.

23. He won the Hong Lim by-election and defeated the PAP candidate. 24. This made Tunku scared that the radicals would take over PAP and make SG a communist country. 25. Communists could use SG as a base to spread Communism to Malaya. 26. Tunku did not want this to happen.