2023 AHS S2 History - Singapore's Separation From Malaysia PDF

2023 AHS S2 History Separation: Notes Name: ___________________ Class: ________ Date: _____________ Chapter 8:...

2023 AHS S2 History Separation: Notes Name: ___________________ Class: ________ Date: _____________ Chapter 8: Separation 1965 What were the factors and reasons for Singapore’s separation from Malaysia in 1965? Reasons for Separation Political Economic 1. Political Rivalry between the 2 governments 1. Disagreements regarding Common Market a) In 1963 State Election in Spore o PAP won 37 out of 51 seats contested. Kuala Lumpur saw Singapore as an economic rival, implementation of Common Mkt was delayed as a o The Singapore Alliance (UMNO, MCA, MIC) won 0 seats. result o Alliance leaders in KL were upset with the outcome, led to strained relations between UMNO & PAP 2. Disagreements regarding taxation Central government wanted to protect Malaysian industries; b) 1964 Federal Election in Malaysia it imposed new taxes on Singapore. o PAP took part; aimed to build a Malaysia not based on racial lines; equal opportunities for all ○ This hindered Sg’s efforts to industralise. o Although the PAP only won one seat, Alliance leaders took offence; felt it challenged rights of the Malays, further 3. Attempts to increase Spore’s contribution to the straining relations between UMNO & PAP central government 2. Disagreements in Political Beliefs KL proposed Singapore increase its contribution from 40%  With the formation of Malaysia in 1963, the Central government in to 60%. Singapore feared this would cripple its economy. Kuala Lumpur expected Singapore to adjust to the system that was already in place in Malaya where many of the political What was the impact of these economic disagreements parties were formed along racial lines on Singapore-Malaysia relations?  However, the PAP government in Singapore believed in multi- They increased the tension and distrust between the two racialism sides. Singapore eventually concluded that there were no economic benefits to remaining in Malaysia. (Continued next page)  2023 AHS S2 History Separation: Notes Political (cont’d) Reasons for Separation a) Anti-PAP Campaign o UMNO embarked on an anti-PAP campaign using the Malay press, esp. Utusan Melayu. Racial riots of 1964 - A result of racial politics emphasized by the o Criticized PAP for not looking after interests of the Malays Malaysian government in Sg o Exploited resettlement of Malay families in the Crawford, o 21 July 1964 More than 25,000 Malays gathered at Kampong Glam and Rochor areas. Padang to celebrate Prophet Mohammed’s birthday. o Speeches were made by Malay leaders, some o Meetings were held between PAP and Malay reps regarding criticised PAP for ill-treatment of the Malays education, employment and housing for Malays. Tension grew as matters did not improve o Clashes between Chinese and Malays broke out in o Led to 1964 racial riots different parts of Singapore.  23 people lost their lives and 454 people were injured in the riots. To restore order, an island-wide b) Malaysian Malaysia Campaign curfew was imposed until 2 August 1964.  The September riots led to the PAP and Alliance Party in KL agreeing not to raise racial issues and challenge each other in  Goodwill Committees were formed to restore elections for the next 2 years. harmony between races  But in Oct 1964, the Singapore Alliance Party broke this agreement by announcing that they would challenge the PAP in  However, on 2 Sep 1964 riots broke out again, the next election triggered by the murder of a Malay trishaw rider.  In response, in May 1965 the PAP brought together four other Curfew was re-imposed. 13 people died and 103 Malaysian opposition parties to form Malaysian Solidarity were injured Convention (MSC).  Besides the loss of lives, the riots caused a rift in  Their tagline was ‘Malaysian Malaysia’ racial harmony and threatened the security of the  Aim for a Malaysian Malaysia where everyone would be country. treated equally regardless of race or religion  This prompted Tunku to decide that the best  PAP greatly angered UMNO leaders, some even called for the arrest of Lee Kuan Yew, worsening already strained relations solution was to separate between Singapore & KL