Sec 2 History Notes - Notes Only PDF

Unit 4: Singapore’s Struggle for Independence Chapter 6: Life and Experiences during the Japanese Occupation 1. How did the Japanese torture Singaporeans/control the Singapore population? Harsh Punishments The Japanese punished those who were caught stealing and looted just before the B...

Unit 4: Singapore’s Struggle for Independence Chapter 6: Life and Experiences during the Japanese Occupation 1. How did the Japanese torture Singaporeans/control the Singapore population? Harsh Punishments The Japanese punished those who were caught stealing and looted just before the British surrender by chopping and displaying their heads/hands in public places The Kempeitai arrested and tortured those who were suspected of being Anti-Japanese Anti-Japanese suspects would be either beaten or tortured until they revealed information that the Japanese wanted or imprisoned and executed The Japanese did this to instil fear in the Singapore population, and make them afraid that they might be punished by the Japanese This did not make the Singapore population dare to go against Japanese rule Imprisoning the Allied Soldiers They imprisoned the British, Australians and Allied Europeans in Singapore as Prisoners-of-war (POWs) These POWs would be forced to march in public from Bukit Timah Road to Changi Prison and the barracks nearby where they would be imprisoned The Japanese did this as they wanted to dispel the myth of “White Man Superiority” by showing they had control over the British, this made the locals supportive of Japanese rule. The Japanese also did this to warn the locals not to resist Japanese rule, or they would be punished. Carrying out Operation Sook Ching The Kempeitai conducted Operation Sook Ching, which was a brutal purge, where people (especially Chinese men aged 18 to 50) were examined by the Japanese and their informants Those who were suspected to be involved in anti-Japanese activities would be taken away and killed These Chinese men would have to assemble at mass screening centres, which were located all over the island, to be examined by the Japanese Japanese records estimate that 6000 people were killed but other estimates showed the figure to be between 25000 and 50000 The Japanese viewed the Chinese as enemies due to the war with China since 1937. The Chinese population were the majority in Singapore and were hostile towards the Japanese, which entailed a boycott of Japanese goods and contributed funds to China’s efforts against Japan. Some even returned to China to join in the fight against the Japanese People were afraid to identify as anti-Japanese as they did not want to be killed Legend: yellow: describe, green: explain If notes are in black, explanation part to be added using main contextual/common knowledge  People did not trust anyone and chose to keep to themselves and obey Japanese rule Coercing the Chinese Business Community The Japanese targeted the Chinese businessmen in Singapore due to their generous donations to the China Relief Fund, which supported China’s resistance against Japan The Overseas Chinese Association (OCA) was led by Dr. Lim Boon Keng to act as a channel of communication between the Chinese community and the Japanese government The Japanese demanded that the OCA gift 50 million Straits dollars to the Japanese administration This was to punish the Chinese community in Malaya and Singapore for supporting anti-Japanese war activities in China and British war efforts in Malaya and Singapore 2. How did the Japanese try to win the loyalty of Singaporeans? Use of Propaganda They tried to convince people to accept their vision of freeing Singapore from colonial rule to create “Asia for Asians” and help Asia prosper under a ‘Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere” This vision pressed for Japan to free Asian nations from the control of Western colonial powers and a united Asia that would benefit from sharing resources collectively. These messages were broadcasted through various media such as posters and radio broadcasts. The Japanese also tried to get the Indian community to look upon Japanese rule favourably They promised to help free India from the British as some Indian immigrants were influenced by anti-British settlements They did this by helping to set up the Indian National Army (INA) The INA was led by Subhas Chandra Bose, a well-known Indian politician that campaigned for India’s independence from British rule. The INA would recruit Indians to fight against the British in India. The Japanese used propaganda to brainwash the people by portraying themselves as liberators and would help to improve their lives This made the Singapore population more willing to support Japanese rule. Providing Benefits to the Locals They gave free housing, education and textbooks as well as rice, sugar and salt that was distributed to the less fortunate during Hari Raya Puasa Certain ethnic groups had favourable treatment such as Malays and Indians who were charged lower fees than the Chinese to cross the Causeway. Malays were also treated less harshly as the Malay nationalist organisation Kesatuan Melayu Muda (Union of Malay Youth /KMM) supported Japanese propaganda that promised better lives for Malays under an Asian power. Legend: yellow: describe, green: explain If notes are in black, explanation part to be added using main contextual/common knowledge  By providing benefits to the locals, the locals would be more willing to support Japanese rule to receive rewards and better treatment during the war. 3. How did the Japanese try to impose Japanese culture on Singaporeans? Teaching and advocating the Japanese Language Students in schools were taught to speak and write in the Japanese language (Nippon-go) instead of English. Lessons were conducted daily over the schools’ broadcasting services Japanese education authorities published a series of Nippon-go readers for beginners, the books entailed of praise for the beauty and greatness of Japan Adults such as teachers had to also learn Nippon-go by attending language classes several times a week. Newspapers regularly featured Nippon-go lessons as well Competitions, awards, extra rations, salary increments were used to motivate people to learn the Japanese Language By imbuing the Japanese spirit in the Singapore population, they made locals believe that Japanese culture was superior, and start to be more willing to accept Japanese rule and proud of the Japanese identity. Cultivating the Japanese Spirit Students had to sing the Japanese national anthem (Kimigayo) and bow before the Japanese Emperor during the morning assembly Japanese folk songs were also taught in schools Daily mass exercises were broadcasted on public radio with instructions and rhythmic music to instil discipline and fitness among masses Selected youths received training in traditional Japanese martial arts such as kendo and judo These along with the introduction of the Japanese language went hand in hand with the promotion of Nippon seishin (Japanese spirit) By imbuing the Japanese spirit in the Singapore population, they made locals believe that Japanese culture was superior, and start to be more willing to accept Japanese rule and proud of the Japanese identity. 4. What was life like during the Japanese occupation? Struggles: Dealing with Shortages The import of goods from overseas was limited as the war had disrupted trade There was a shortage of food and essential items as the Japanese channelled these resources for their war efforts Essential food items such as rice, salt and sugar were strictly rationed. Ration cards were used to control and limit the amount of food and essential items that the locals could buy Legend: yellow: describe, green: explain If notes are in black, explanation part to be added using main contextual/common knowledge  Inflation was drastic and prices skyrocketed as shops did not have enough items to cater to the needs of the people due to the shortage. This caused black markets to flourish as people were desperate to obtain basic necessities at a low cost. The shortage of essential goods led to a negative impact on Singaporeans. It led to starvation in society due to the high prices for basic necessities. Disease and Death People lived in poor conditions and suffered from diseases and death People were often malnourished due to the limited amount and variety of food This caused people to suffer and die from diseases such as beriberi, pneumonia and dysentery. The death rate increased by double the number between 1937 and 1940, a total of 130000 deaths were recorded during the Japanese Occupation Since there was almost no healthcare provided to the locals, many of them died of diseases. Furthermore, as there was poor sanitation, diseases spread faster Healthcare and sanitation worsened during the Japanese occupation due to cramped living conditions with poor sanitation ➔ Changi Prison held 5000 prisoners even though it was only designed for 600 prisoners Such living conditions were very crammed, leading to poor hygiene and the spread of diseases Harsh Working Conditions Prisoners of War (POWs) were used as forced labour They had to clear war damage, bury the dead and build Japanese memorial shrines Many were sent to work on the Siam-Burma Railway or known as the “Death Railway” where about 16000 people died This was due to horrific working conditions like the lack of proper tools, lack of food and regular beatings by the Japanese Relocations The Japanese encouraged people to strive for self-sufficiency by growing their own food such as vegetables and tapioca This failed to ease the food shortage and people were relocated to increase agricultural output The Chinese were encouraged to move to the Endau settlement in Johor as the soil there was rich and water was in ample supply, making it suitable for agriculture The settlement was self-sufficient and was proclaimed a great success. The settlement even had street lights, a hospital, a small chapel, a bank and several coffee shops Life was easier for those living in the settlement compared to back in Singapore Legend: yellow: describe, green: explain If notes are in black, explanation part to be added using main contextual/common knowledge  They had fertile land to grow their own agriculture so they would not suffer from malnutrition The Japanese also created the Bahau settlement in Negeri Sembilan for Eurasians and Chinese Roman Catholics However, the land was too hilly and the soil was too poor to support agriculture, which made people eventually eat rats and maggots, and many died Due to the lack of food, many of them perished. This brought more insecurity to those in Singapore as they would run the risk of moving to the settlement. Leisure and Entertainment: Leisure and Entertainment Activities Some leisure and entertainment was allowed such as Japanese songs, Malay music and news in Hokkien and Cantonese Japanese movies and documentaries were available at cinemas as well as free open-air screenings of propaganda shows Sports activities such as baseball and badminton matches were advertised in the media Boxing matches were even organised at Kim Seng Road Cultural activities like a police band performance were held at Botanic Gardens. POWs also tried to organise social, religious and sporting activities such as publishing a newspaper, organising theatrical performances and church services This was to maintain the appearance of a harmonious and happy society in Singapore to the Japanese public back in Japan Furthermore, this reduced the stress of wartime conditions on the local population 5. What were the responses to Japanese rule? Collaboration Some worked together with the Japanese, especially the Malays, in administering Japanese rule. Their duties included policing and being part of neighbourhood associations that would report on suspected hostile activity against the regime Some Chinese became information for the Kempeitai to help to root out those seen to be anti-Japanese All races were given a chance to collaborate with the Japanese. These collaborators were given privileges like extra rations or special passes that exempted them from Japanese searches. This allowed them to not be seen as anti-Japanese by the Japanese. Thus, the chances of them being targeted would decrease. Some would also get certain benefits, such as more food rations. Resistance Some actively resisted the Japanese rule, and were subsequently tortured. Legend: yellow: describe, green: explain If notes are in black, explanation part to be added using main contextual/common knowledge  The Malayan People’s Anti-Japanese Army (MPAJA) and Force 136 were two prominent groups. They had the common goal of driving the Japanese out of Singapore and worked with the British to do so. MPAJA members would carry out sabotage attacks on officers and their men whenever they had the chance and distributed anti-Japanese newspapers and posters to arouse anti-Japanese sentiments Force 136 was set up by the British to gather information about the Japanese and organise sabotage activities. Although they risked their lives resisting the Japanese, they believed that they could not just stand and watch the poor treatment of the locals. 6. What problems were faced immediately after the Japanese surrendered? BMA: British Military Administration Economic Hardship Problems The BMA declared hat banana notes used during the Japanese Occupation were no longer the official currency of Singapore Those who did not keep Straits dollars from before the war had no money and had to borrow from others to survive Solutions Special grants were issued to help the people who did not have enough money. However, the grants were often not enough for large families to make ends meet Schooling Disruptions Problems The war had disrupted the schooling of many people in Singapore despite Japanese promises of greater educational opportunities Solutions To ensure the continuation of education, the BMA reopened schools quickly in October 1945 for children of schooling age as well as overaged children who received little education during the Japanese Occupation They also provided grants and waived school fees for children from needy families Food Shortages Problems Rice-producing countries like Thailand could not produce enough rice to sell Rice could hardly enter Singapore as the harbour was blocked by the sunken merchant ships Few warehouses available for rice to be stored and stocked up People suffered from malnutrition as their wages could not keep up with the rising food prices Solutions Harbours were cleared to allow ships to enter the port Legend: yellow: describe, green: explain If notes are in black, explanation part to be added using main contextual/common knowledge  Prices of essential food supplies such as vegetables, fresh fish, salt and sugar were controlled. Free meals were given to children below six People’s Restaurant and People’s Canteen was set up to provide food at affordable prices There were 10 People’s Restaurants by the end of 1946 Summary The Japanese used force and tried to win the loyalty of the locals to control Singapore. While all were struggling for survival, there was still room for some leisure and entertainment. However, after the Japanese surrendered, there were still problems faced by the locals which were generally worsened during the Japanese Occupation. Legend: yellow: describe, green: explain If notes are in black, explanation part to be added using main contextual/common knowledge Chapter 7: British Rule after WWII Introduction/Background After the heavy casualties and damage from the atomic bombs, Japan officially surrendered to the Allies on 2 September 1945, marking the end of World War II (WWII). From 5 September 1945 to 31 March 1946, Singapore and Malaya came under the rule of the British Military Administration (BMA). 1. How did the British address the problems that Singapore faced after WWII? Housing Shortages Problems People in Singapore experienced housing shortages after the Japanese surrendered Singapore’s population grew rapidly due to the post-war baby boom Singapore had one of the highest birth rates in 1940s and 1950s War had destroyed many housing spaces in Singapore People had to live in increasingly overcrowded spaces such as slums Solutions The British made efforts to manage the housing shortages Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) accelerated its building program to build low-cost housing for the locals SIT was established since 1927 to provide low-cost housing for the locals, but was disrupted by war SIT built 20907 houses and shop units between 1947 and 1959 Even though about 10,000 new units were required each year, SIT only managed to build about 1742 houses per year from 1947 to 1959 Many continued to live in cramped conditions Unsatisfactory Working Conditions + Industrial Unrest Problems People in Singapore had unsatisfactory working conditions and participated in industrial unrest in post-war Singapore Workers went on strikes to demand for immediate changes and improvement to their working conditions 1947 was known as “The Year of Strikes” as there were over 300 strikes in Singapore that year, involving almost 70,000 workers Many workers who participated in the strikes were members of the trade unions Participants of the strikes also included English-educated men such as Devan Nair, Jamit Singh and Sidney Woodhull who were concerned with improving worker’s conditions Many trade union members wanted immediate change to their working conditions, and went on strike to secure their demands Solutions Legend: yellow: describe, green: explain If notes are in black, explanation part to be added using main contextual/common knowledge The British made efforts to manage the industrial unrest and control the trade unions Laws were passed to control trade unions as the British suspected the communist were stirring up anti-colonial feelings and instigating the strikes From 1947, trade unions had to be registered with the government The government could monitor membership and clamp down on communist threats Trade unions were no longer allowed to use funds to organise strikes and protests against the government This did not work as trade unions continued to be active and strikes and industrial unrests continued in the 1950s Political Rights and Freedom Problems People in Singapore wanted more political rights in post-war Singapore Locals wanted to be in control of their own fate and felt that they should have more say in the country’s matters They were also influenced by the global wave of decolonisation and wanted independence from colonial rule Solutions The British made efforts to allow more local political control and win local support The British embarked on a process of political tutelage to prepare Singapore for self-government and independence In 1948, people were given rights to vote for local representatives into the government Under the Rendel Constitution, the number of local representatives in the government increased from 6 in 1948 to 25 in 1955 Aftermath Participation among the people was very low Many immigrants were not allowed to vote as they were not born in Britain or British colonies Of the 960000 people in Singapore only about 22000 people were registered to vote, and only 14000 voters turned up Only the Singapore Progressive Party (SPP) contested the election, making it the first political party to do so in Singapore, and won 3 out of the 6 seats. 2. What were the external developments that affected post-war Singapore? Weakening of Colonial Rule Around the world, people were increasingly dissatisfied with colonial rule and wanted to be in control of their own fate The defeat of European forces by an Asian power, the Japanese empire and the Japanese Occupation accelerated the growth of anti-colonial feelings After World War II (WWII) ended, many countries rose up against their colonial masters and fought for independence In 1947, India gained independence from British rule In 1949, Indonesia became free from the Dutch In 1954, Vietnam overthrew their French colonial masters Legend: yellow: describe, green: explain If notes are in black, explanation part to be added using main contextual/common knowledge  This affected Singapore as they felt betrayed and lost trust in the British after they surrendered Singapore to the Japanese during the war Locals believed that they should be in control of their own fate and wanted to be free from British rule. Growing Influence of Communism After World War II (WWII) ended, USA and USSR emerged as superpowers and fought in the Cold War Both had large populations, strong militares and rich resources. Their differences in ideologies made their cooperation after the war unstable despite being allies during WWII USA & USSR had opposing ideologies ➔ USA practiced democracy/capitalism where people could exercise their freedom, which was valued, of choice to vote for their government and can own private properties and businesses ➔ The USSR practiced communism where people had to give up their freedom of choice to be governed under a dictatorship that did not allow people to own private properties and businesses as goods should be allocated to people according to their needs. This would allow the government to control all resources needed to produce all the necessary goods. One’s freedom was less important than the benefit of society. USA & USSR believed that their ideology was better and wanted to spread their ideology to the world while preventing the other from spreading The Malayan Communist Party (MCP) had a lot of support from the people in Singapore and Malaya tried to kick the British out This affected Singapore as the British were more hesitant to grant independence to Singapore and Malaya This is because the British were strong allies of the US and were afraid that Singapore would turn communist 3. Why were there riots in the early 1950s? Maria Hertogh Riots Maria Hertogh (from Dutch family) got adopted/taken care of temporarily by Che Aminah, a local family friend, during the Japanese Occupation. Maria’s name was changed by her foster parents to Nadra binte Ma'arof Afterwards, Nadra’s family sought to claim her back by making a case to the court of Singapore. British judge ordered that Maria be returned to her birth parents, Che appealed against the decision The case was also portrayed in the newspapers a religious conflict between Islam and Christianity Riots occurred when the judge rejected Che’s appeal Che’s supporters not only overturned cars on the streets and set them on fire but attacked Europeans and Eurasians as well A curfew was imposed to put a stop to the riots. In the end, 18 people were killed and 173 were injured. Che’s supporters felt that the British had unfairly sided with the Dutch in the appeal Muslims also felt upset that Islam (their religion) and their traditons were being discriminated against Legend: yellow: describe, green: explain If notes are in black, explanation part to be added using main contextual/common knowledge Anti-National Service Riots About 500 students protested against National service on 13 May 1954, causing the British to deploy riot police equipped with batons and shields The clash between the students and police left 26 injured Thousands of students locked themselves in classrooms in Chung Cheng High School in protest on 22 May 1954 when the British ordered the closure of all Chinese-medium schools across Singapore British government eventually gave in and postponed registration for National Service Students protested as they felt that not only would their studies be disrupted again, after the Japanese occupation, but that the British discriminated against Chinese education while favouring English-medium schools Students were thus unwilling to register for National Service to defend a foreign government that did not seem to give them anything in return Legend: yellow: describe, green: explain If notes are in black, explanation part to be added using main contextual/common knowledge Chapter 8: Merger & Separation Take note: Singapore in this chapter refers to Singapore and the PAP, while Malaya refers to Malaya and Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Raman PAP: People’s Action Party UMNO: United Malays National Organisation MCA: Malaysian Chinese Association MIC: Malaysian Indian Congress SPA: Singapore People’s Alliance 1. Merger 1.1 What were Singapore’s and Malaya’s views towards merger? 1.1.1. Why did Singapore / PAP want to pursue merger with Malaya? Political Independence from the British After World War II (WWII) and during the Cold War, Britain feared that Southeast Asia would fall to communism. They were not willing to let Singapore become independent unless they were sure that Singapore would not turn communist. However, Singapore would be able to achieve independence from the British through merger as Singapore would be part of a bigger country There would be more resources for Singapore to fight against the communists This makes the British feel assured that Singapore would not fall to communism, hence granting independence Economical Survival Singapore is a small country with no natural resources, relying on trade to create jobs for the people and support the economy However, in the 1950s, Malaya introduced tariffs on trade with Singapore which made Singapore’s goods more expensive, reducing the volume of trade Through merger, Singapore would be able to enjoy a common market with Malaya Tariffs would be removed on Singapore products and increase the amount of trade More jobs would be created in Singapore as well to allow Singapore to survive 1.2.1. Why did Malaya oppose merger before 1961 / initially? Singapore being predominantly Chinese The Chinese population might be reluctant to accept a Malay Sultan as their Head of State, use Malay as the national language or accept Islam as the state religion. Furthermore, Tunku Abdul Raman was concerned about changes to the racial makeup in a new federation. Legend: yellow: describe, green: explain If notes are in black, explanation part to be added using main contextual/common knowledge  A merger with Singapore alone meant the combined Chinese population would outnumber the Malays This in turn would upset the racial balance of power in Malaya Might lead to a situation where Malays might end up losing their special rights and privileges with a potential Chinese-led government or a government filled with many Chinese in power. This would most certainly undermine the Malays’ position in Malaya since they would no longer be the majority race. Chinese being sympathetic towards the communists Many Chinese in Singapore either sided with the communists or were not against them. Many students and workers took part in strikes and riots which caused many problems for the British colonial government. Tunku Abdul Raman was worried that such attitudes would spread to the rest of the new federation. This is because Malaysia was strongly anti-communist. In addition, it recently came out of a tough fight against the communist during the Malayan Emergency. Furthermore, it could influence others to consider a communist government as an alternative 1.2. What made Tunku Abdul Raman change his mind and agree to merger? Hong Lim By-Election One of the members of the radical group in the PAP, Ong Eng Guan, was expelled from the party. Contesting as an independent candidate, Ong defeated the PAP’s candidate. The radical group in the PAP pushed for drastic changes and were seen to be willing to take more forceful measures to achieve their aims. With Ong’s win, it seemed to the Tunku that the moderate group was losing its influence in the PAP. This increased his fear that the radical group would gain control of the party. He was worried by the prospect of a more radical PAP that wanted to free Singapore from British colonial rule by establishing a communist government through forceful means. As a result, Singapore could be used as a base to spread communist ideas in Malaysia. Terms of merger proposed by Tunku Abdul Raman Singapore: would have its own Head of State citizens would be given the title of “federation nationals” instead of “federal citizens” could hold its own elections to choose its own state government citizens would only be able to vote in elections held in Singapore Legend: yellow: describe, green: explain If notes are in black, explanation part to be added using main contextual/common knowledge  would collect its own revenue and pay Kuala Lumpur an agreed-upon sum to cover the costs of federal services like telecommunications, defence and security would have control over its education, labour matters, and civil service The federal government would oversee Singapore’s defence, internal security and dealings with foreign governments. 1.3. Who opposed merger and what was done to counter it? 1.3.1. Who opposed merger and what did they do to demonstrate it? Opposition to merger: Barisan Sosialis + Pro-communist members in the PAP The pro-communists (radicals) knew that merger meant communist activity would be monitored and contained, and they may be arrested and put away. Some of them challenged Lee Kuan Yew’s leadership and were later expelled. Some assemblymen who had been expelled from the PAP joined other radicals to form a new party: Barisan Sosialis Singapura (Socialist Front of Singapore) ➔ Lim Chin Siong (Secretary-General of Barisan Sosialis) ➔ Fong Swee Suan ➔ Lee Siew Choh (Chairman of Barisan Sosialis) Barisan Sosialis’ opposition to merger The Barisan Sosialis felt the proposed terms were unfair and unacceptable One issue they pointed out was the status of the Singapore population within the new federation. Citizenship would not be automatically granted to Singapore citizens. Singapore citizens would only be known as “federal nationals” and could only vote in Singapore elections. Another was the allocation of seats in the federal parliament. In exchange for having more control over education and labour, Singapore would only have 15 seats while North Borneo and Sarawak were given more seats despite their smaller population. They were concerned that the under-representation of Singapore in Malaysian Parliament was a sign of its second-class status. This showed that Malaysia treated a Chinese-dominated country badly compared to the Malay-dominated country. Action Taken by Barisan Sosialis: Started a campaign to oppose the proposed merger They organised student demonstrations and labour strikes. Several party leaders also participated in radio forums to debate the issues surrounding the proposed merger. The student demonstrations and labour strikes disturbed the peace in Singapore. It stirred up emotions and put more pressure on the PAP to make a decision. Legend: yellow: describe, green: explain If notes are in black, explanation part to be added using main contextual/common knowledge 1.3.2. How was the opposition countered? The Battle for Merger In response to the opposition, the PAP embarked on a campaign called ‘The Battle for Merger’ to convince people of the need and gain support for merger. To do this, Lee Kuan Yew gave a series of radio talks and the PAP used exhibitions Lee Kuan Yew giving a series of radio talks to gain support for merger From September to October 1961, the radio talks, called The Battle for Merger, was broadcast on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. They were delivered in the three main languages on the same evening. The talks were later re-broadcast in Tamil, Hokkien and Cantonese. These radio broadcasts allowed Lee Kuan Yew’s talks to reach the people in Singapore, Brunei, Malaya, North Borneo and Sarawak. They were an important feature of a keenly contested battle for the hearts and minds of the people. PAP using exhibitions to gain support for merger A notable example was the Malaysia Exhibition that was part of Malaysia Week in early 1962. It was jointly organised by the governments of the territories that were to form the new federation. The exhibition aimed to showcase the close cultural and social ties among the territories. This would expose visitors to the lives and cultures of the people, as well as the trade and commerce of the territories. Thus, they would be more respectful and have a better knowledge of their neighbour’s cultures. In addition, this helped reinforce the benefits of the proposed merger. Weakening of the Barisan Sosialis (Operation Coldstore) Key Barisan Socialis leaders and some members of the trade unions, such as Lim Chin Siong and Fong Swee Suan, were arrested. More than 100 people were detained and accused of trying to sabotage the formation of Malaysia and planning to launch an uprising in Singapore. Since key leaders of the Barisan Sosialis were arrested, the party started losing supporters. Thus, in the 21 September 1963 election, the Barisan Socialis only won 13 seats. Referendum Towards the end of the PAP campaigns, a referendum was called for to gauge the type of merger the people wanted On 16 September 1963, with 71% of the people supporting the PAP’s proposal for merger, the new nation of Malaysia came into existence. It was made up of 14 states, including Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak, each with their own state government. Legend: yellow: describe, green: explain If notes are in black, explanation part to be added using main contextual/common knowledge 1.4. What reactions were there to the formation of Malaysia in other countries? North Borneo and Sarawak: Agreed Agreed to join after findings from the Cobbold Commission, which was set up in 1962 to inquire about the views of the people of North Borneo and Sarawak towards the formation of Malaysia, indicated that two-thirds of the people in North Borneo and Sarawak wanted to join Malaysia The findings were endorsed by a United Nations Commision in 1963, which ensures that the results were not fraudulent and people genuinely wanted merger Brunei: Objected Brunei did not join the new Federation as the Sultan could not come to an agreement with the Malayan government over the economic terms of merger. Philippines: Objected The Philippines laid claim on both North Borneo and Sarawak and objected merger. The Philippines eventually broke off relations with Malaysia in 1963. Indonesia: Objected Indonesia wanted North Borneo and Sarawak to come under its influence and opposed merger. In January 1963, Indonesia launched Konfrontasi, a policy of confrontation involving armed raids in Sabah and Sarawak and bombings in Singapore. Indonesia refused to recognise Malaysia and broke off all diplomatic and trade relations with Malaysia in 1963. 2. Separation 2.1. What economic disagreements led to separation? Creation of a Common Market Through the formation of a common market, Singapore had hoped to achieve and allow Singapore’s economy to benefit. This is because there would be no tariffs, allowing businesses in Malaysia to conveniently trade with businesses in Singapore, and vice versa. However, the formation of the common market was delayed as the Central Government feared that there would be greater competition from Singapore, since goods from Singapore would no longer be taxed. Due to disagreements over the common market, the trust between Singapore’s PAP and the Federal Government in Kuala Lumpur was broken This strained relations between Singapore and the Federal Government The growing unhappiness with each other therefore contributed to separation Legend: yellow: describe, green: explain If notes are in black, explanation part to be added using main contextual/common knowledge Revenue Contribution Through the merger, Singapore and Malaysia both initially agreed that Singapore contribute 40% of its revenue to the central government as taxes. However, the Central Government then asked Singapore to contribute 60% of its revenue instead to the central government as taxes, breaking the original set of terms both parties agreed on. The increase was due to increased defence spending on Konfrontasi Singapore felt that the amount of revenue contribution it had to pay was too high and unfair Disagreements over revenue contribution worsened relationships between PAP and the Federal Government The growing unhappiness with each other therefore contributed to separation 2.2. What political disagreements led to separation? Composition of Political Parties PAP as well as Singapore’s major political parties were multiracial and sought to represent the interests of all communities However, the Federal Government was a race-based political alliance (Alliance Party) where each party looked after their own community Treatment of Races Singapore’s major political parties were multiracial and sought to represent the interests of all communities. Singapore’s government felt that everyone, regardless of race, should be given an equal opportunity to succeed. For instance, the PAP wanted free education for all to help Malays have better employment opportunities On the other hand, the federal government decided that special privileges in employment were given to the Malays with the aim of improving their economic and social position. For instance, a certain number of job vacancies were reserved for the Malays. The federal government wanted the Malays in Singapore to receive better treatment but the PAP felt that all races should be treated equally. Thus, the disagreements in the treatments of races increased tensions between the federal government and Singapore. Disagreements over Elections (Point 2.3) Upon merging, the terms originally agreed on by both Singapore and Malaysia were that the establishment of the Federation of Malaysia would allow Singapore to have control over its own state government, voted through elections, and they promised not to participate in each other’s elections. However, during the General Elections in 1963, Tunku came to Singapore to aid the Alliance party by supporting them in their campaigns to boost their support and votes. Legend: yellow: describe, green: explain If notes are in black, explanation part to be added using main contextual/common knowledge  Then, the PAP also participated in the Federal Elections in 1964 in Kuala Lumpur. Thus, they broke the original terms agreed on. As a result, tensions between Singapore and Malaysia rose, aggression also increased and there was worsening of relations. By gaining independence, Singapore hoped to gain full control over its government and have no other countries interfering and ensure locals are not treated unfairly 2.3. What key events led to separation? 1963 Singapore State Elections In 1963, the Singapore branches of the UMNO, MIC, and MCA formed the SAP to compete in the 1963 State Elections The Alliance Party in KL supported the SAP as they functioned on the that politics would be run along racial lines The SAP performed poorly and failed to win a single seat, while the PAP took only 37 of the 51 available seats PAP was upset with the Federal Government for participating in the State Elections UMNO was troubled by its losses to the PAP in Malay populated areas and vowed to compete again in the following elections 1964 Federal Elections As a result of the Singapore Alliance's participation in the 1963 elections, PAP likewise sent a team to compete in the Federal Elections in 1964. During the campaign, the PAP promised that they would not work along racial lines, promising to close the gap between the rich and the poor by providing equal opportunities and necessary education to all. The PAP's rallies drew increasingly larger crowds, a yardstick for the popularity of the party. Those who turned up at the rallies were also incensed by the criticism of the special privileges granted to the Malays. This made UMNO worried that PAP's idea of multi-racialism was spreading quickly Although the PAP only won 1 out of 103 seats, their participation in the election angered the Central Government Stirring of racial rivalries The Utusan Melayu, a Malay newspaper, started writing biased reports about the PAP government not caring for the Malay community. One example of such biased reporting is the resettlement of Malay families for the development of the Crawford, Kampong Glam, Rochor areas. The paper claimed that over 3000 Malay families had to be moved when in truth only 200 Malay families were affected. Another example is Syed Ja'afar Albar, the secretary-general of UMNO, making an anti-PAP speech with incendiary comments about how the Malay community was Legend: yellow: describe, green: explain If notes are in black, explanation part to be added using main contextual/common knowledge  mistreated. This took place on 12 July 1964 when he came down to Singapore for a UNMO-organised Malay Convention UMNO started an anti-PAP campaign in Singapore as they were threatened by PAP's rise in popularity in the Federation Syed Ja’afar Albar’s speech also increased racial tensions This worsened relations between the federal government and Singapore. 1964 Racial Riots Prophet Mohammed's birthday celebration at the Padang on 21 July 1964 turned into a riot between the Malay and Chinese An islandwide curfew had to be imposed as the fighting had spread throughout the island. 23 people died and 454 people were injured during the fight After only 6 weeks of relative calm, another racial riot broke out in September 1964 this time, 13 people died and 108 others were injured. The island wide curfew was imposed again to stop the fighting The race riots highlighted how high the racial tensions were in Singapore then, and how devastating the racial tensions can be. The racial riots also created fear and suspicion between the Chinese and the Malays. Furthermore, it caused greater political tensions between the PAP and federal government. The riots showed that the merger only caused more fighting between the 2 sides. Moreover, if Singapore remained merged with Malaysia, more disorder could spread throughout the Federation.. 1965 Malaysian Solidarity Convention After the tensions cooled, the Alliance Party in Kuala Lumpur and the PAP agreed not to raise any matters that were racial in nature in their campaigns Both sides also agreed not to challenge each other in their respective elections for the next two years. However, barely a month later, the SAP announced their intentions to challenge the PAP in the 1967 elections In response, the PAP and 4 other political parties in Malaysia formed the Malaysian Solidarity Convention on 9 May 1965 to promote the building of a "Malaysian Malaysia" and not a "Malay Malaysia" This upset the Alliance leaders and tensions between KL and Singapore rose to an all time high. With racial tensions increasingly rising, Tunku decided that it would be best for all if Singapore left Malaysia Separation On 6 August 1965, the leaders of Singapore were informed of Tunku's decision. The following day, the leaders of both sides came to a separation agreement. On 9 August 1965, Lee Kuan Yew announced the separation and independence of Singapore Legend: yellow: describe, green: explain If notes are in black, explanation part to be added using main contextual/common knowledge Summary Singapore had mixed responses towards merger. The PAP managed to overcome the opposition to merger and all was well initially. However, the tensions and relations worsened over time due to reasons such as economic and racial disagreements. Eventually, Singapore separated from Malaysia and left the Malayan Federation, becoming an independent nation. Legend: yellow: describe, green: explain If notes are in black, explanation part to be added using main contextual/common knowledge Unit 4 / Chapters 9 & 10: Singapore as an Independent Nation State 1.1. What challenges did Singapore face in maintaining national security? Threats of Terrorism Singapore faced different threats of terrorism after its independence ➔ Konfrontasi Since 1963, Indonesia pursued a policy of Konfrontasi against the formation of Malaysia. As Singapore was part of the Federation of Malaysia, it was a target of Indonesia’s attacks. The terror attacks by Indonesia on Singapore continued until 1966. Between 1963 and 1966, Singapore suffered as many as 42 bombing attacks, including the MacDonald House Bombing which left 3 dead and 33 injured. ➔ Laju Incident (International Terrorism) Singapore experienced its first international terrorism threat on 31 January 1974. Foreign terrorists hijacked the ferry boat, Laju, and held its crew members hostage. The terrorists had earlier attacked the Shell oil refinery on Pulau Bukom. ➔ Communist Attacks (Communist Terrorism) The Malayan Communist Party (MCP) continued to launch attacks and threatened the peace and stability of Singapore. They carried out acts of violence that included the explosion of a bomb in Katong in 1974 and the attempted assassination of Singapore’s commissioner of Police in 1976. This disrupted people’s lives and made people feel worried that the government is unable to look after their safety. Investors / Businesses do not feel safe to invest/start their businesses in an unstable environment. With no / lesser investment, Singapore’s economy is unable to grow. Since Singapore relies heavily on its economy for survival, Singapore cannot survive independently with a weak economy Vietnam War In the 1950s, Cold War tensions had spread into Southeast Asia. The Vietnam War broke out in 1955 as the communist North Vietnam and non-communist South Vietnam hoped to reunify Vietnam. Many non-communist countries, such as USA, were afraid that that violence and communist ideas in Vietnam would spread throughout Southeast Asia This disrupted people’s lives and made people feel worried that the government is unable to look after their safety. Legend: yellow: describe, green: explain If notes are in black, explanation part to be added using main contextual/common knowledge  Investors / Businesses do not feel safe to invest/start their businesses in an unstable environment. With no / lesser investment, Singapore’s economy is unable to grow. Since Singapore relies heavily on its economy for survival, Singapore cannot survive independently with a weak economy Withdrawal of British Military from Singapore Singapore had relied heavily on the British to defend Singapore since 1819. However, after the world wars, the British needed to rebuild its own country and could no longer afford to deploy the British military in Singapore. In 1967, the British announced it would withdraw its troops in Singapore. As a result, Singapore would be left with a very weak defence force that comprised of 2 full time battalions with about 1000 soldiers each as well as 2 old gunboats to control the shores and lacked an air force. Singapore was too weak to defend itself from external attacks and acts of aggression. With a weak defence, Singapore is an easy target for other powers. When Singapore is taken over by another country, it loses its sovereignty as an independent nation-state. 1.2. What actions did Singapore take to maintain national security? Introduction of National Service In 1967, Singapore introduced National Service It involved the conscription of male citizens into military service. These conscripted males were known as National Servicemen and made up the basis of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). After completing their National Service, these males continue to serve as part of Singapore’s reservist forces after they complete their National Service. National Service ensures that Singapore has a well-trained, ever ready defence force that can protect Singapore against foreign attacks This safeguards our sovereignty as an independent nation state. It also acts as a deterrence as aggressors will think twice about attacking us, knowing that they will face stiff resistance. Building a Home-Grown Defence Industry In 1967, the Chartered Industries of Singapore (CIS) was established to produce weapons and ammunition for the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). One example of the weapons produced by the CIS was the M16S1 rifle. Having a home-grown defence industry allows Singapore to be able to produce its own military equipment. This means Singapore does not need to rely on others for our defence and can be self sufficient in times of war. Strengthening Military Cooperation with Other Countries In 1971, Singapore, Malaysia, Britain, Australia and New Zealand established the Five Legend: yellow: describe, green: explain If notes are in black, explanation part to be added using main contextual/common knowledge  Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) to enhance the security of the region. These countries would conduct joint military exercises and consult each other should Singapore or Malaysia face any external threat or aggression. Military cooperation with other countries allows Singapore to learn from other countries to improve its military capabilities and strengthen its defence force. It also helps to build diplomatic ties with other countries, who would be more willing to help Singapore in times of need & be less willing to resort to violence to settle any disagreements Building Diplomatic Ties Singapore participates actively in international and regional matters and has its voice heard through its membership in international and regional organisations. For example, Singapore is the 117th member of the United Nations (UN), an international organisation that helps in maintaining peace around the world. Singapore is also a founding member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a regional organisation to promote economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the Southeast Asian region. Singapore also builds bilateral relationships with other countries with influential countries such as China and the United States Improving diplomatic ties with other countries encourages other countries to be more willing to help Singapore in times of need & be less willing to resort to violence to settle any disagreements 2.1. What challenges did Singapore face in improving the economy? Limited Access to Malaysian Hinterland Malaysia remained as Singapore’s main trading partner after 1965. However, Malaysia increased tariffs on Singapore’s exports in order to protect its own industries, making Malaysian-made goods more affordable and Singapore-made goods less in demand. Malaysia also reduced the amount of tin and rubber that was exported to Singapore, leaving Singapore with less resources to process and sell worldwide. Less trade with Malaysia reduced the amount of resources profits Singapore could earn. This left Singapore’s economy vulnerable and slowed down Singapore’s economic growth. Threat of Unemployment In 1965, at least 10% of the population was unable to find a job. With a large number of school-leavers joining the workforce each year, the unemployment situation worsens. Singapore’s entrepot trade was already declining due to growing competition from other ports in the region, and the withdrawal of the British from Singapore in 1967 also meant those working to supply goods and services for the British would lose their jobs Legend: yellow: describe, green: explain If notes are in black, explanation part to be added using main contextual/common knowledge  High unemployment in Singapore means many in Singapore would not earn enough money to buy goods and services. This also means Singapore’s economy will slow down as it does not earn much from the citizens 2.2. What actions did Singapore take to maintain national security? Embarking on export-oriented industrialisation The Economic Development Board (EDB) was tasked to encourage Multinational Corporations (MNCs) to set up their factories in Singapore. The majority of the goods produced would then be exported and sold worldwide. In order to attract more factories, the EDB set up the first industrial estate in Jurong, where factories producing petroleum (such as Shell) and electronics (such as Seiko) were set up. The factories provided job opportunities for the people in Singapore and helped to improve the unemployment situation. For example, between 1967-1973, 150,000 new jobs were created. MNCs bring in new skills and technology for other companies in Singapore to learn from. This allows the manufacturing industry in Singapore to produce more types of goods at a faster pace to be sold worldwide. Singapore’s economy is diversified as the manufacturing industry provides another source of income. Developing Infrastructure ➔ Telecommunications To boost connectivity among industries and households, the telecommunications system was improved. The Singapore Telephone Board installed new telephones at a rapid pace. While it had taken 85 years to install the first 100,000 telephones, it took just five years from 1967 to 1972 to double the network size to 200,000. ➔ Banking and Finance Banking and financial services were expanded to meet the needs of MNCs and other companies in Singapore. For example, the Development Bank of Singapore (DBS) was established in 1968 to finance industrialisation and other development projects. Many foreign banks also set up operations here. ➔ Public Utilities The Public Utilities Board (PUB) was set up in 1963. It was responsible for providing public utilities such as water, electricity and gas to industries and households. It continued its work after Singapore's independence. This improved both the operating conditions of industries and people's living conditions. Legend: yellow: describe, green: explain If notes are in black, explanation part to be added using main contextual/common knowledge  ➔ Transport Facilities (Land, Sea, Air) ➔ Land Paya Lebar Airport was expanded in the 1960s and 1970s so it could handle more passenger and cargo traffic. However, there was insufficient space for future expansion. Thus, the government decided in 1975 to replace it with a larger airport. Changi Airport was opened in 1981. ➔ Sea The Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) was formed in 1964 to manage port operations. To cater to the rise in cargo traffic, it set up port facilities in Jurong, Sembawang, Tanjong Pagar and Pasir Panjang. ➔ Air Roads were constructed to connect industrial areas to housing estates. An expressway system was built to reduce the time needed to travel around the island. Better infrastructure attracts foreign businesses and investors to invest in Singapore Jobs are created through the improvements in infrastructure, and creation of new industries to diversify Singapore’s economy Diversified economy ensures that Singapore can continue to enjoy strong economic growth even if one sector fails/does not do well 2.3. How did the 1973 Oil Crisis impact Singapore? In late 1973, a conflict in the Middle East, a major oil exporting region. caused a shortage in global oil supply and oil prices jumped by almost four times in less than three months. This had a significant impact on Singapore as it imported all its oil, which was needed for its economy to run smoothly. Several measures were implemented to help the people deal with the effects of the oil crisis. For example, the government took the lead in increasing workers' wages to help them cope with inflation. 3.1. What challenges did Singapore face in maintaining the Singapore society? Lack of a national identity Singaporeans lacked a Singaporean national identity and were not united People preferred to associate with those who shared the same race, language or religion and had little opportunities to interact with those from different backgrounds. They had no clear idea of what being a Singaporean meant, even though they had a pink identity card that entitled them to rights and responsibilities as a Singapore citizen. There were little opportunities for people of different backgrounds to come together to interact Legend: yellow: describe, green: explain If notes are in black, explanation part to be added using main contextual/common knowledge Poor standard of living Many lived in overcrowded squatter settlements near waterways that flowed to Singapore’s reservoirs. There was thus a risk of sewage and other pollutants contaminating the water supply and posing a health hazard to Singapore Many suffered from poor health due to living in overcrowded spaces with poor sanitation Flooding also occurred frequently and led to the spread of diseases such as dengue or cholera Many depended on street hawkers for their daily needs, but a large number of street hawkers had improper food preparation and waste disposal practices, increasing the risk of food poisoning There were not enough resources to educate the population, with only about 60% of the population in 1965 knowing how to read and write 3.2. What actions did Singapore take to manage the Singapore society? Use of National Symbols Singapore used national symbols to build a united Singapore Since 1966, daily flag raising ceremonies have been held in schools, accompanied by the singing of the national anthem and reciting of the national pledge. This was to foster a sense of belonging and rootedness among students Providing Public Housing The Housing Development Board (HDB) was set up in 1960 to build low-cost housing for the people in Singapore as quickly as possible. By 1965, HDB had constructed 54 000 low-cost flats in new housing estates like Toa Payoh and Queenstown. These flats came with amenities such as electricity, drinkable tap water, waste disposal services and toilet facilities within the homes. To help Singaporeans buy and have their own homes, in 1968, the government allowed Singaporeans to use the savings in their Central Provident Fund (CPF) accounts to buy the HDB flats. This was done to improve the standard of living for Singaporeans at an affordable cost It ensures that people will no longer have to live in overcrowded spaces and have better access to basic services Strengthening the Education System Integrated schools were set up in 1960 to allow interracial mixing and unity in Singapore. The bilingual education policy was adopted, and students learnt English as a common language and their Mother Tongues in the same campus. From 1969, all male lower secondary students and half the female cohort had to take technical subjects such as Woodwork, Technical Drawing and Home Economics All Singaporean children, boys and girls alike, were provided with free primary education This was done to equip them with the skills to be employed in the workforce Legend: yellow: describe, green: explain If notes are in black, explanation part to be added using main contextual/common knowledge  This also helped to foster unity between students as they had to take a common language and learn together, allowing them to interact with others from different backgrounds, races or religions. Improving Public Health Standards The population living in overcrowded squatters were rehouses into cleaner HDB flats that had amenities such as electricity, drinkable tap water, waste disposal services and toilet facilities within the homes. With increased industrial activity in Singapore, the Clean Air Act was passed in 1971 to regulate the emission of pollutants in the air to maintain the air quality. Drains & canals were widened throughout the late-60s and 70s to manage floods and the spread of diseases such as dengue and cholera. The Environmental Public Health Act was passed in 1968 to improve public cleanliness. Fines were used to punish people who were littering and spitting in public places to encourage them to play their part to keep the environment clean. To improve hawker hygiene, all hawkers had to be registered and licensed. They had to observe proper hygiene practices and be screened and vaccinated against tuberculosis and other communicable diseases. They were also moved into hawker centres, which had running water, electricity and proper waste disposal facilities. This was done to prevent the spread of diseases and people suffering from poor health Summary Singapore had various problems in different sectors such as defence, the economy and the Singapore society after separation. Singapore adopted a two-pronged approach to counter defence problems: deterrence and diplomacy. New measures were needed in order to ensure that its people would survive and thrive under the new and unfamiliar circumstances. Legend: yellow: describe, green: explain If notes are in black, explanation part to be added using main contextual/common knowledge