Section 2: Political Developments Leading to Merger

Question 1

what are the key political party in singapore’s 1960s political landscape

Answer 1

1. PAP
2. Barisan Sosialis (radical faction)

Question 2

how did radical faction challenge LKY?

Answer 2

1. PAP central executive committee meeting
2. Barisan Sosialis (1961)
3. Hong Lim by-election (1961)

Question 3

PAP central executive committee meeting

Answer 3

• LKY only retained his Secretary General of PAP post by one vote (Toh Chin Chye’s vote became the deciding vote)
• by a thin majority, LKY had the vote of confidence to remained as PM of SG

Question 4

BARISAN SOSIALIS (1961)

Answer 4

• the radicals, led by LCS, managed to win over 13 PAP Legislative Assemblymen to their side and tried to challenge LKY in the committee meeting
• failed so they formed as a breakaway party from PAP

Question 5

HONG LIM BY-ELECTION (1961)

Answer 5

• In 1960, Ong Eng Guan of the PAP Hong Lim branch openly challenged the PAP leadership at one of its party conferences which resulted in his suspension and eventual expulsion from PAP, thus resigning his seat in the Legislative Assembly
• triggering the Hong Lim by-election
• contesting as an independent candidate, Ong defeated the PAP’s candidate with 73.3% of the votes, dealing a significant blow to the ruling party.

Question 6

IMPLICATION OF POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS

Answer 6

The formation of Barisan Sosialis and the victory of Ong Eng Guan in the Hong Lim by-election in 1961 were significant events that challenged the PAP’s dominance and demonstrated that opposition forces could win electoral contests, signaling increased political competition in early post-independence Singapore -> an unstable Singapore