Sunday, April 5, 2009

Source A : Tunku Abdul Rahman's visit to Singapore to discuss the merger.
What does the source tell you about the relationship between Malaya and Singapore? Explain your answer.

The relationship between the leaders of singapore and malaya is close. The warm hand shake and the smile on their faces shows me that their relationship is close and they will work together sucessfully.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

How was Singapore affected by the merger?
By merging with Malaysia, it was agreed that
-It would maintain its own government
-It could hold its elections to elect its state government
-It was independent of Britain
-It would manage aspects of education, labour and finance in the company.
-It would leave matterd concerning police, military defence and dealings with foreign governments to the Central Government in Kuala Lumpur

How were things after the merger?
-The Central Government was reluctant to set up a Common Market between Singapore and Malaya(clashes with the main aim of the Singapore government's decision)
-Singapore Government could not agree on the ways proposted out from the Central Government
-The Alliance leaders in Kuala Lumpur wanted a bigger share of the Legislative Assembly to be represented by the malays.
-When the PAP took part in the Federal election in 1964, the Alliance was agitated.
-During the election in 1964, the PAP leaders said things which angered the Alliance leaders
-Alliance leaders spread rumours that PAP government was ill-treating the malays in Singapore
-21 July 1964, during celebration of Muhammad's birthday, disagreement between some Malays and Chinese led to the outbreak riots in Singapore.
-The PAP leaders were against the system of government that looked after the welfare of mainly one community in Malaya- the Malays.

After taking over the government from the British, the PAP found itself facing three big obstacles.
-Unemployment
-Housing
-Education

Proposing the idea of a merger
Trade: A reason for merger
- The entrepot trade was no longer dependable
- Needed a bigger market to sell the manufacturing goods
- Establish a common market, free trade between Singapore and Malaysia
- Freedom, to break away completely from British rule and gain independence
After taking over the government from the British, the PAP found itself facing three big obstacles.
-Unemployment
-Housing
-Education


Proposing the idea of a merger
Trade: A reason for merger
- The entrepot trade was no longer dependable
- Needed a bigger market to sell the manufacturing goods
- Establish a common market, free trade between Singapore and Malaysia
- Freedom, to break away completely from British rule and gain independence
1959
27 May-The Prime Minister of Malaya, Tunku Abdul Rahman proposed the idea of a merger.
9 July- Leaders of Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak signed the Malaysia Agreement.
31 August- Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew declared independence for Singapoe at the Pandang.
1963
16 September- Malaysia was formed as a new nation in Southeast Asia.
Sptember- State selection in Singapore, the PAP emerged victorious while the Singapore Alliance did not win any seat.
1964
21 July- A riot broke out betwen some Malays and Chinese. The riot grew so serious that the whole island of Singapore was soon put on curfew.
1965
May- The PAP leaders began to fight for a Malaysian Malaysia.
9 August-Singapore was separated from Malaysia, Singapore thus became independent.
21 September- Singapore was admitted into the United Nations.
Lee Kuan Yew welcomes Tengku Abdul Rahman


Lee Kuan Yew announcing Singapore's separation
Part I: Blog
How old were you when Singapore separated from Malaysia?
- I was 31 years old when Singapore was separated from Malaysia.
What were you doing then?
- I was still studying at that time.
- I was the youngest and have the privilege to go to school.
- My elder siblings had to work so as to earn money for my school fees and give our parents some household money.
How was life in Singapore when it was part of Malaysia?
- Life was the same as before the merger.
- Singapore hoped that a Common market would be set up to support Singapore's new industries so that goods could be bought and sold freely without being taxed. Trade will increase,industries will expand and more jobs would be created. However, this did not materialise. many of my friends were still jobless.
What problems was Singapore facing at that time?
- The PAP government saw that Singapore's best hope for complete freedom was through a merger with Malaya.
- The British were reluctant to grant full independence to Singapore as Singapore's (without merger) power would be passed to the radicals that will lead to a Communist base right in the heart of Southeast Asia with serious consequences to the whole region.
Could the separation from Malaysia have been avoided?
- No,the separation from Malaysia could not be avoided.
- Racial riots were so serious that to prevent further bloodshed, Singapore had to leave Malaysia.
- This marriage of convenience will never turn out well because UMNO was involved in racial politics while the Singapore government wanted a Malaysian Malaysia, which was seen as a challenge to the way UMNO governed Malaysia.
How do you feel about the separation?
- I felt sad for Singapore and Lee Kuan Yew about the separation.
- After the separation,our lives would be harder and tougher.
- Lee Kuan Yew retained his title of Prime Minister
- Newspaper headline 'Singapore is out' On 9th August, 1965 . The separation became official.
- Lee Kuan Yew's speech on Singapore's separation from Malaysia was,"You see the whole of my adult life. I... I have believed in Malaysian merger and the unity of this two territories. You know they are people connected by geography, economics, and ties of kinship. Would you mind that we stop for awhile..." and his eyes were covered with tears with him holding a tissue cleaning his tears. Like him, I was really very upset about the separation. My future seems bleak.