[chpt 9] how did singapore safeguard its independence after 1965?

Question 1

what was konfrontasi

Answer 1

it was a period of conflict between indonesia, malaysia and the commonwealth forces from 1963-1966

Question 2

why did president sukarno oppose the merger between singapore and malaysia?

Answer 2

• he believed that it would give the british continued control
• he had ambitions to unite the malay archipelago under his leadership

Question 3

where did most of the fighting during konfrontasi take place?

Answer 3

along the long border shared by malaysia and indonesia

Question 4

how did indonesia disrupt life in singapore during konfrontasi?

Answer 4

indonesia carried out bombings and acts of sabotage > targeting military facilities and public places to terrorise the population

Question 5

what was the mcdonald house bombing, and what were its consequences?

Answer 5

the macdonald house bombing on 10 march 1965 killed 10 people and injured 33 people.
it damaged buildings and cars, and led to two indonesian soldiers being found guilty, arrested and executed

Question 6

in the 1970s, which communist group posed a threat to singapore’s security

Answer 6

the malaysian communist party (MCP) and its splinter groups continued to pose a danger to singapore’ internal security

Question 7

what violent acts were carried out by communist groups in the 1970s?

Answer 7

• the killing of a seven year old at changi
• a bomb explosion in katong
• an attempted assassination of singapore’s police commissioner

Question 8

when did singapore experience its first international terrorism incident, and what was it?

Answer 8

on january 31, 1974 > foreign terrorists attacked a shell oil refinery in pulau bukom
they later hijacked the ferry boat laju, holding crew members hostage

Question 9

what were the key events of the vietnam war that concerned SEA countries?

Answer 9

the vietnam war threatened stability
- vietnam was divided into communist north and non communist south > and the fear of communism spread to neighbouring countries grew

Question 10

when did the british announce their military withdrawal from singapore?

Answer 10

they announced their military withdrawal in 1967

Question 11

how did the british military withdrawal impact singapore?

Answer 11

it left singapore practically undefended and led to unemployment as british bases provided jobs and services to locals

Question 12

when the british left, how many soldiers did singapore have?

Answer 12

two battalions of regular infantry of 50 officers and 1000 men

Question 13

when did singapore introduce national service?

Answer 13

singapore introduced national service in 1967

Question 14

what was the purpose of NS in singapore?

Answer 14

NS was introduced to raise a credible and sizeable defence force quickly

Question 15

how has NS contributed to singapore’s defence?

Answer 15

NS created a sizeable defence force, and national servicemen form the bulk of SAF’’s fighting force

Question 16

why did singapore decide to establish a home-grown industry?

Answer 16

singapore wanted to be self-sufficient in producing military equipment and reduce dependence on foreign sources

Question 17

what was the name of the organisation established to provide ammunition and weapons for SAF?

Answer 17

the chartered industries of singapore (CIS) was established for this purpose

Question 18

what is the five power defence arrangements (FPDA), and when was it established?

Answer 18

FPDA was established in 1971 by singapore, malaysia, new zealand, britain and australia to consult and cooperate in the event of an armed attack, on singapore and malaysia

Question 19

why did singapore prioritise establishing diplomatic relations with other countries?

Answer 19

it ensured international recognition of singapore’s independence and security > other countries would have interest in keeping singapore safe

Question 20

how did diplomatic relations benefit singapore’s security?

Answer 20

diplomatic ties deterred hostile countries from threatening singapore

Question 21

which influential country did singapore build relations with in the 1970s?

Answer 21

singapore built relations with the united states

Question 22

when did PM lee make his first visit to china?

Answer 22

he made his first visit to china in 1976

Question 23

when did singapore become a member of the united nation?

Answer 23

singapore became the 117th member of the UN on september 21,1965 (one month after independence)

Question 24

what is ASEAN, and when did singapore become a founding member?

Answer 24

ASEAN is a regional organisation, and was a founding member in 1967

Question 25

how did konfrontasi pose a security threat to singapore even before its separation from malaysia?

Answer 25

it pomaded a security threat by involving bombings in singapore, creating instability and fear among the population

Question 26

what measures did the singapore government introduce in response to the bombings during konfrontasi?

Answer 26

the government introduced measures like advising citizens to stay on high alert, deploying volunteer forces for patrols, and conducting emergency drills in schools

Question 27

what significant actions did the police take to combat the communist groups in singapore during the 1970s

Answer 27

the police conducted raids against communist groups, uncovering large quantities of weapons like pistols and grenades

Question 28

what was the outcome of the negotiations between singapore and the foreign terrorists who attacked the shell oil refinery in pulau bukom?

Answer 28

after negotiations, the hijackers agreed to release the hostages in exchange for safe. passage from singapore to kuwait

Question 29

why did the vietnam war cause concern among non-communist countries in southeast asia?

Answer 29

they feared that if north vietnam won, communism might spread to neighbouring countries and the entire region

Question 30

how long were men conscripted for national service in singapore?

Answer 30

they were conscripted for at least two years of full time NS

Question 31

what responsibilities did NS men after two years of conscription?

Answer 31

they were liable for reservist duties, including occasional military training and mobilisation during emergencies

Question 32

what were the primary goals of building bilateral relationships with influential countries like the united states and china?

Answer 32

the goals included economic cooperation, security ties and improving international standing