Chapter 8 Merger and Separation

Question 1

In the Political view, why would Merger be beneficial towards SG

Answer 1

1. Singapore gains independence from the British
2. Malaysia is a capable country due to its democracy and many resources
3. This will allow Singapore to be a full internal government

Question 2

In the economical view why would merger be beneficial towards SG

Answer 2

1. They establish a common market
2. Increase the demands of SG manufactured goods
3. This will increase the availability of jobs and solve the unemployment issue.
4. Aiding SG to a more stable economy

Question 3

What was tunkus reaction to the merger

Answer 3

1. He was doubtful
2. Due to Singapore’s high Chinese population, when combined with malaya, the Chinese will outnumber the Malays.
3. He feared they will not accept islam as the national religion
4. Hong Lim-by election worsened his fears

Question 4

Why did tunku eventually give in

Answer 4

1. The divide between the PAP government with a pro communist group amongst it, SG might go commie
2. He feared malaya would loose control of security measures in SG
3. He also feared a communist SG would spread influence to Malaya

Question 5

What were some of the agreements post merger

Answer 5

1. SG would have its own head of state
2. SG would be known as “federal nationals” and not “federal Citizen”
3. SG would pay KL an agreed upon revenue percentage
4. Except for internal security matters, SG would have full control over itself

Question 6

Who were the Barisan Socialis

Answer 6

1. A group of people against the merger
2. They organised unions student protests and sabotage elections
3. Encouraged public to vote against merger.
4. This caused competition and debate whether to merge after all

Question 7

How did PAP campaign for the merger

Answer 7

1. They campaigned with radio talks called “Battle of Merger”
2. This allowed Lee Kwan Yew to reach people of Singapore, Malaysia, North Borneo and Sarawak
3. They also used exhibitions showing cultural and social ties between the territories
4. This way people were more keened to vote for the merger

Question 8

Why did the Barisan Socialis even oppose the merger

(In terms of citizenship)

Answer 8

1. The status of the Singaporean population within the federation did not please them
2. They were concerned that citizenship (for the federation) would not be granted to the SG citizens.
3. This will make them “federal nationals” and only allow them to vote in Singapore elections

Question 9

Why did the Barisan Socialis even oppose the merger

(In terms of politics)

Answer 9

1.The allocation of seats in the federal parliament did not please them
2. In exchange for control over education and labour, SG would not only have 15 seats
3. This was made worse when North Borneo and Sarawak were given more despite their Lower population
4. They felt that under-representation in the parliament was a sign of its second-class status

Question 10

What was Option A of the referendum and how did it prevail

Answer 10

1. I support merger giving Singapore autonomy in labour, education and other matters with Singapore citizens automatically becoming citizens of Malaysia (PAP fav)
2. Lee Kuan Yew renegotiated the status of SG citizens with Tunku whom allowed it but in the condition of them only able to vote in elections for SG legistative body

Question 11

What was operation Coldstore

Answer 11

1. It was the weakening of Barisan Socialis
2. Over 100 people, Lim Chin Song and 23 members were detained and accused of sabotaging the merger and causing uprising in SIngapore
3. Weakened by the arrest of its leader lost the 1963 with only 13 out of 51 seats and PAP with 37
4. This lost their power of the public of Singapore

Question 12

What was Konfrontasi

Answer 12

1. Indonesia had opposed the merger as they felt it would let the British have prolonged control over the new federation
2. They wished for North Borneo and Sarawak to follow in suit with Indonesia
3. They broke off diplomatic and trade relations with Malaya in 1963
4. They launched Konfrontasi, a series of military attacks, bombing and other hostile acts

Question 13

What happened on the day of Merger

Answer 13

1. 9 July 1963
2. Control over foreign affairs were handed to Malaysia
3. SG citizens were now also federation citizens but were not allowed to vote outside of SG elections
4. Common market was to be established

Question 14

What was expected of after the Merger

Answer 14

1. Common market to be set up for the long-term economical survival
2. Tariffs were to be removed on SG made goods
3. 40% contribution revenue was to be sent to the federal government
   ** not expected **
4. SG political parties were multi-racial

Question 15

What really happened after the Merger

Answer 15

1. The set-up of the common market was delayed
2. Tariffs were still imposed on SG made goods to conserve Malaysian industries
3. The contribution was increased to 60% as defense spending increased due to Konfrontasi
4. The people of Sg felt it was unfair and that the initial 40% was sufficient and they thought they were being exploited by the federal government
   ** what it is in Malaysia**
5. Political parties were racially divided
   UNMO —> Malay (special privileges)
   MCA —-> Chinese
   MIC —-> Indian

Question 16

Who was SAP

Answer 16

1. In September 1963, UNMO, MCA, MIC and SPA joined together to form SAP (Singapore Alliance Party)
2. They had the support of the Alliance party in KL and contested to win more seats in the Legislative Assembly
3. However, they flopped winning 0 seats and PAP winning 37 out of 51, all previous seat holders in SAP lost their seat to a PAP candidate

Question 17

How did the participation of PAP in the 1964 election strain the relationship with Malaysia

Answer 17

1. During the election, PAP questioned the way the Alliance party governed Malaysia and promised to build a Malaya that was not governed by racial ties.
2. Even though PAP only won 1 seat and lost heavily they were upset for contesting and felt it was not in their place

Question 18

How did UNMO do PAP’s head in

Answer 18

1. UNMO leaders accused PAP of neglecting Malay interests in SG
2. Anti-PAP sentiments was spread through the widely-read Utusan Melayu saying Malays were treated as second-class citizens
3. Allegations that PAP placed further importance toward Chinese education over Malay educations were thrown enraging the Malay population

Question 19

What were the riots

Answer 19

1. On July 21 1964, 20k Muslims gathered at the Padang to commemorate Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday.
2. However, clashed broke out in several area such as Geylang road and Guillemard Road.
3. This resulted in the loss of 23 lives and 454 casualties

Question 20

Why did the mistrust of PAP deepen

Answer 20

1. UNMO, MIC, MCA had joined together
2. They felt that the idea of a “Malaysian Malaysia” threatened special rights enjoyed by the malays
3. Some UNMO leaders even called for PM Lee’s arrest

Question 21

What was Malaysian Malaysia

Answer 21

PAP and four other Malaysian opposition parties to establish a Malaysia where regardless of race and religion that they would be treated equally

Question 22

Why did Tunku call for Separation

Answer 22

1. Tunku was convinced that the differences between the federal government and the state head government of Singapore could not be solved
2. He saw the 1964 riots as a sign of disorder that could spread throughout the nation if this continued.

Question 23

How did Brunei react to the Merger

Answer 23

1. Decided that it would not join Malaysia
2. Gained Independence form Britain in 1984

Question 24

How did The Philippines react to the Merger

Answer 24

1. Did not recognize Malaysia, insisting it had rightful claim to North Borneo
2. Broke off relations with Malaysia in 1963

Question 25

How did North Borneo and Sarawak react to the Merger

Answer 25

1. Agreed to join Malaysia after the Cobbold Commission in 1962. 2. Two-thirds of people in North Borneo and Sarawak wanted to join Malaysia 3. **Cobbold Commission was set up in 1962 to inquire North Borneo and Sarawak's views towards the Forming of Malaysia.