World War 2

Background
- World War 2 in Singapore was fought from 8 to 15 February 1942 between the British and
Japanese
- The first troops of Japanese landed in Singapore via the northwestern coastline on 8 February
1942
- After a week of fighting, the British Lieutenant General Arthur E. Pecival surrendered Singapore
to the Japanese forces under the command of Lieutenant General Tomoyuki Yamashita

Preparations for War

Timeline of Defences: Britain began building defences in Singapore after World War I due to the
perceived military threat from Japan.
Construction of Naval Base: A naval base, including the world's largest dry dock, was constructed in
Sembawang, Singapore.
Coastal Guns: Large guns were strategically placed along Singapore's coastline to defend against
potential naval attacks.
British Naval Fleet Strategy: The British strategy involved not maintaining a permanent naval fleet at the
base but dispatching it only when a threat was imminent.
Limited Defences: Despite the impressive infrastructure, Singapore had limited defences, relying on a
reactive strategy.
Political and Media Portrayal: Political leaders and media of the time portrayed Singapore as highly
secure and impregnable against any attack.
Symbolic References: Singapore was compared to the "Gibraltar of the East" and described as a "fortress"
in the media, creating an impression of invincibility.

Fall Of Malaya
● Japanese planes bombed Singapore, resulting in 61 deaths and 133 injuries.
● On the same dau, Japanese forces landed troops in Singora and Patani(southern Thailand) and
Kota Bharu (Northern Malaya)
● Japan approached Singapore from the landward side, exploiting the perceived weakness in British
defences as British defences were primarily focused on the sea
● The British had a first strike plan, “Operation Matador,” designed to counter a landward attack in
Thailand but due to political reasons, the activation of Operation Matador was prevented until it
was too late
● The Japanese then rapidly moved down the western flank of the Malay Peninsula, utilising motor
vehicles and bicycles
● The British troops (Allied) were poorly trained and lacking in experience and equipment, couldn’t
hold their positions, leading to Japanese’s quick advance
● Within two months, Japanese forces eliminated British naval and air capabilities and captured
Malaya, the last Allied troops withdrew to Singapore via the Causeway on 31 January 1942
● Allied engineers then blew a 70-ft gap in the Causeway to slow down the Japanese advance into
Singapore
Singapore Strategy
● The Allied Forces at the start of the battle had around 85 000 men and around 70 000 were armed
● It included 38 infantry battalions, artillery regiments, anti-tank regiments, and anti-aircraft guns
● Despite the large numbers, these soldiers were a mix of weary Malayan Campaign veterans and
inexperienced recruits and they were soon facing a shortage of weapons and ammunition
● The overall commander was Lieutenant General Arthur E. Percival, General Officer
Commanding(GOC) Malaya
● The island was divided into four sectors: Northern, Western, Southern and reserve
● Troops were assigned to defend each sector’s coastline, aiming to prevent a Japanese landing
(expecting sea as a mode of transport)
● The strongest forces were placed in the sector east of the Causeway
● However, Percival had perceived the Japanese attack incorrectly as the actual Japanese plan
involved the 5th and 18th divisions entering Singapore via the Northwestern Coastline
● This Japanese plan was planned by Japanese Commander Lieutenant General Tomoyuki
Yamashita
● The objective was to capture Tengah airfield and Bukit Panjang Village, followed by Imperial
Guards division attacking the Causeway sector aiming for Mandai Village and Nee Soon
● British had a ill-conceived plan
● HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse sunk (bombed) around 10 February
● Assumptions that Europe will stay peaceful to send ships
● Likened Singapore to “Gibraltar of the East”, impregnable fortress
● Local population was led to believe a false sense of security

Japanese Landing
● The Japanese landed on the night of 8 February 1942 and they began to bombard the
northwestern coastline of Singapore

Most of the labourers of Singapore come from

China
India
Arabian/ Middle East
Indonesia

Transient - Lasting for a short period of time, not permanent

Why did others want to immigrate to Singapore?

Because their country may be in poverty or at war

Why did the immigrants only stay for a short period of time?
- political impermanent, attachment to Singapore
- Loyalty-country of origin
- While some had settled down by the interwar years, many of the people living in Singapore still
had their main loyalties elsewhere. So long as Singapore continued to advance the interest of the
[British] empire, the British colonial officials adopted a largely ambivalent attitude as they would
 ultimately return to Britain, while the ‘Asiatic population’, mainly made up of migrants, still
looked towards their homelands.

Grand old lady= Raffles Hotel

The perceptions of the colonial people changed because of the Japanese somehow - IMPORTANT FOR
AA

1. Review of British Defence

2. Occupation years— hardships

Political awakening:
Political consciousness about identity

“The Japanese Occupation was the best thing that happened to Singapore”
The impression on the British being superior changed as they led Singapore to an easy defeat.

Why was the British so easily defeated?

What was Singapore like before the war?

The local residents living in Singapore viewed the British as superior, including the defences of
Singapore.

Such a notion may have to do with how the British themselves promoted the idea of Singapore as “the
Gibraltar of the Eat” or the “Impregnable fortress”

Would the war change people’s attitudes and sentiment?

Timeline
8 Dec 1941: Japanese troops land at Singora, Patani and Kota Bharu; bombing of Singapore begins.
10 Dec 1941: Japanese sink the battleship HMS Prince of Wales and battlecruiser HMS
Repulse off the coast of Kuantan, Malaya.
31 Jan 1942: Last Allied troops cross the Causeway into Singapore.
8 Feb 1942: First Japanese troops land in Singapore.
11 Feb 1942: Japanese troops capture Bukit Timah.
13-14 Feb 1942: Battle of Pasir Panjang Ridge.
14-15 Feb 1942: Massacre at Alexandra Military Hospital.
15 Feb 1942: British surrender to the Japanese at Ford Factory in Bukit Timah.

What does one call a country that expands by taking over territory in foreign lands (either for trade or
extending control>)
- Impenalist

The British did defend Singapore, but they lacked resources.

British - easily defeated but Japan
- under-estimated/complacent
- Unprepared
SO WHAT?
It broke the myth of British invincibility/superiority

Singapore was left to fend for itself - Source B (felt betrayed)

Source B: A view from the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, 20 April 1941

The loss of Egypt and the Middle East would be the greatest disaster to Great Britain, second
only to the invasion and fall of the British homeland. It must be impressed upon all ranks,
especially the highest, that the life and honour of Great Britain depend on the successful
defence of Egypt.

Do Governments Change?
Governments may change when they
-succumb to attacks from other governments i.e. when there is a stronger power
-are unprepared to adapt to changes i.e. When a government has weak defences and/or coordination)

Legislative council
Only 6

The governor appoints, not democratic.

Out of the population, only a small group can vote.

Out of that small group, some do not want to vote

Who were ineligible to vote?

Where are you from? Those born in Singapore -> no singaporeans then.

What was the criteria for you to be eligible to vote?

Can use this to express your own sentiment. Why you feel I wont stand for this. Why you feel there
should be more resistance after the British came back.

1951 - seats increased to 9 with a addition of some locally elected representatives but there was still a
small response

There was a dissatisfaction because of the criteria to vote. That they have been deprived of certain rights.
And political rights. Deprived right of representation.

3 theatres of war in WW2

Europe -> ended war first, May 1945

Middle East/Africa

Pacific - bombed a American fleet travelling to Singapore (Pearl Harbour) -> 7 Dec 1941 Ended only in
August 1945

Why? They believed that it would be disgraceful to surrender and die.

2 atom bombs dropped

One on Hiroshima -> called ‘little Boy’

One on Nagasaki -> called ‘fat man’

Name of the American plane who dropped bomb

Altitude of plane could only match a an American plane at that time.

How did they choose a site to bomb? They were sure there was a military instalment there. Targeted/total
deaths: 140000 -> To ‘save’ Americans from potential Japan attacks/invasions. US & USSR

Rendel Commission

was appointed by sir John Nicoll

Autonomy.

1. British Defence
2. Decolonisation
3. Some other hardships
4. (Next lesson fill up)

by which foreign governments end their rule over territories (usually overseas) over which they had
extended their control

nationalist movements which are movements aimed at achieving independence (either through the use of
force or through methods not involving force)

Needs to be a mass-based movement.

Rallying the people towards a cause

Singapore may lack something these nations who gained independence had.

We didn’t have national movement because of war

Surely, you are aware etc etc…..

do you wanna return to your old days?

Are you depriving yourself of what Burma has gained, Indonesia had gained?

You may not suffer the way the farmers in Indonesia had suffered, but is it equivalent?

World War Two:

• WWII served as a catalyst ie whatever independence movements that had developed before the war in
these countries intensified after the war and motivated people to force foreign powers to grant
independence. How was Singapore different?

-Why? War and the Japanese victory made the people aware of colonial vulnerabilities and that their
colonial masters were not as superior as had been believed.

-inspired confidence in colonised peoples.

•International Political Movements:

-The rise of communism in Russia provided alternative models of government that appealed to some
groups in SEA.

Nationalism
● collective identity
● People of same identity coming together with similar ideologies

Nationalist feelings

● loyalty to one’s nation

● National interests

Maria Hertogh Riots

● Battle for the custody of Maria between her foster mom and actual mom
● The Muslims were upset as they felt that their religion was being disrespected
● Called “jungle girl” by foreign press
● Foster mom says that she legally adopted Maria but her actual mother said there was never a
adoption
● Dutch Council -> a appointed officer from Dutch (not sure, teacher yap too much)
● Brown was the one who said that Maria should return to her actual parents
 ● Maria was getting married at the age of 13
● Points of view clash

How would the media present Aminah? (In English stream newspaper)

● the element of marriage brought a new dimension of religions (religion contrast)

● High court considered the marriage illegal
● The believe Maria was conveniently overlooked European law with the marriage
● Said how uncivilised the muslims were and how much they were more civilised

Muslim community

● Maria was victimised by the British and the muslims were disrespected
● Insensitive -> should be more sensitive to the views of the Muslim society

Anti-national Service Riots

● Requiring all males aged between 18 and 20
● During Japanese occupation you dont go to school, when they came back they would be old, past
16, 17.
● english-medium school received funding but very little was given to Chinese-medium school
● The real crux of the issues is, the British has always discriminated against Chinese-medium
school and now they want them to serve NS
● Malayan Communist Party were riding on a wave of deep dissatisfaction
● The students were used as a tool for the communist
● Two groups of leadership -> communists Maria Hertogh -> Radical extremists whipped up,
inflamed the feelings of Muslim community

Unit 1: Changed Perspectives

Unit 3:

Created classless society, to even out distribution of wealth. Cannot have private wealth

When comunist society is intact, government is wiped away

BRITISH HAD LITTLE RESPECT FOR THE MUSLIM CULTURE/LAW OF MARRIAGES.

Can’t just go around saying a marriage is illegal when muslims consider it married as it would infer that
the laws of one group is recognised more than the Malay muslims’.

Muslims extremists - express religious controversy

Immigrants are no born in Britain nor British

Elections and parties
Render Constitution were commissioned to change what is suggestible to change and one thing they
brought up were increasing the number of seats in the legislative council from 6-25

What were the biggest threats to the British??

The malaysan communist party

1948 -> no high number of spots in the legislative council, only 6.

1955 -> recommended increasing number from 6 to 25

In light of what was happening, things never happened in a vacuum. They saw a whole wave of protests.
Riots.

Parliament(Legislative) makes laws, the cabinet -> council of ministers, executes the laws -> executive
council

Out of 32, 23 are locally elected representatives

Executives 6 will be elected out of the 25 from the winning party -> what happens at every election

What must you have??

The majority of votes.

Before that, we must first see how we get the 25 members in the first place.

Star Publishing

Constitution: refers to the set of laws that regulates how a country is governed. The Constitution of
Singapore determined the limits within which the Singapore government has to work.

Limited șef-government: a form of government which is not totally independent of foreign control -
locally elected representatives would control some aspects of government

Full self-government: Locally elected representatives would control all aspects of government

Coalition: refers to a government formed between two or more political parties. This usually occurs when
no party has a majority of seats and an effective government can only be formed through an alliance

The Labour Front party had problems from the start because it was too weak and lacked of a popular
mandate (did not win by a wide margin) although it won 10 seats. There were 25 seats so they had to get
around 13 to secure their seats as majority. So what did they do? They decided and needed to form a
coalition with the Alliance Party. Combined with the Alliance Party, Labour Front had secured the
majority of the seats.
But then there would be difficulties with internal party cooperation as each party has their own goals and
motives and ways of carrying out their actions, therefore it is difficult to develop party solidarity since
aims and interests were not the same.

Who formed the opposition?

The parties that had performed well but did not win the elections were:

(A) The People’s Action Party (PAP) [won 3 of the 4 seats contested]

● presented Marshall’s Labour Front party as a tool of the British Government

● PAP’s appeal among the Chinese-speaking Chinese community was growing as they took
consideration of the wide population of the Chinese more than the other parties. And since the
requirements of voting was lowered such that these Chinese could also vote, it was able to build a
strong support base, unlike Marshall who could not build a similar broad-based support

(B) Trade unions led by the pro-communists

● Comprised radical trade union leaders and student activists

● Their methods of using strikes and demonstrations to discredit the government made it difficult
for Marshall to establish a strong foundation of popular support

British Skepticism - difference in expectations

Clash of views:

● over the pace of constitutional change

● that self-government and independence not to be granted prematurely
● Clashed with Labour Front’s aim of accelerating the pace of constitutional changes
● over what the scope of the chief minister’s responsibilities
● The render constitution may have provided for more local representation but there was no clear
guidelines on what the Chief Minister’s role was, i.e. it did not define the powers of the Chief
Minister
● E.g the Rendel Constitution stipulated that the Governor had to consult his Chief minister but did
not clarify if the Governor must then act on advice given by the Chief Minister
● result - governor Sir John Nicoll treated the first chief ministers as a figurehead
● the lack of respect i.e. not according the new Chief Minister, David Marshall its due importance,
it is evident in how Nicoll did not even allot Marshall a proper office
● had not expected Marshall to take up the post of Chief Minister as full time appointment
● had expected Marshall to be Chief Minister in name only but actually serving the Minister of
Commerce
● This was not what Marshall had in mind created a separate Ministry of Commerce and Industry -
he wanted to serve as Chief Minister in his own right - to Marshall the post of Chief minister
meant he would have the executive powers of a prime minister
Hock Lee Bus Riots
Broke out because Singapore Bus Workers’ Union (SBWU) workers wanted to improve their living
conditions and pay

SBWU came from (leader: Fong Swee Suan) -> Hock Lee Amalgamated Bus Company

Hock Lee Bus Employees Union -> approached to replace workers who went on strike

Can have same profession/job but join different companies/unions

24 April 1955

Hock Lee Bus workers were on strike again

Strike is not a riot, it escalates into a riot as they got dismissed by the bus company and replaced them

What they did to protest:

● Locked arms to block buses from moving

● Chinese medium school students gathered at the depots to support the striking workers by
providing food and entertainment
● China became communist in 1955 -> British were scared that singaporeans would be influenced
by china therefore banned the people from visiting china

Commission of inquiry, David Marshall set up this commission to get the parties to reach an agreement
but the British wanted a more violent way to control them -> clash in solutions between the labour font
and government

What were David Marshall’s reasons to not use that much violence?

There’s a connection between the slides of the first governor of LF and this.

Is it to gain popularity amongst the public? Such that he would gain more public support for LF and that
would get him more control over more categories of sg since LF is a coalition party and lacked a majority
mandate and internal corporation.

FIND OUT

There’s a connection between the slides of the first governor of LF and this.

Is it to gain popularity amongst the public? Such that he would gain more public support for LF and that
would get him more control over more categories of sg since LF is a coalition party and lacked in
majority mandate and internal corporation??

LF: advocating more conciliatory means of settling the dispute -> Negotiation
Br: More forceful means, why?

What made them worried that the situation would escalate?

Communists. They were afraid that they would not be able to control the communists as the leader of the
riot was a communist. Communists were not new to them.

Communist strikes -> 1947

12 May 1955

1956 - david Marshall did not manage to convince the British to relinquish control over finance, defence,
internal security, foreign/external affairs

Internal security - law and order

1955-1956 - government of LB david Marshall but he quit after not relinquishing power

Next government (merdeka?) managed to attain the departments of finance, defence and foreign/external
affairs

18 April 1955

Bus company dismissed 229 workers, they went on a hunger strike and sat in front of the gates of the bus
depot, preventing buses from leaving

14 May 1955

One of the Chinese medium school student got caught in the crossfire by the guns that were sent to
disperse the crowd -> he was paraded around to try to exploit the situation

They want to reduce the confidence people had for the LF and the British governor so that they can sway
them to join the communists.

It was the communists who exploited the situation and led the workers to protest

Legislative council:

2 locally elected representatives

2 British representatives

1 chief minister

1 high minister

But what happens when 3 members agree to smth and 3 members disagree?
How did this all start?

Hock Lee Amalgamated Bus Company was a small company in Singapore, Some of its workers belonged
to the Singapore Bus Workers’ Union (SBWU) while some joined the Hock Lee Bus Employees’ Union.

In late april 1955, workers from the SBWU, led by Fong Swee Suan, went on strike over what they felt
was unfair treatments. For instance, they were not granted leave to attend union meetings. They also felt
that workers from the Hock Lee Bus employees’ Union were given better treatment.

Hock Lee Bus company responded to this by dismissing 229 workers (these workers were associated with
SBWU) These workers went on a hunger strike and sat in front of the gates of the bus depot, preventing
buses from leaving. The police were called in to intervene but to no avail. The strikers continued to block
the gate and hurl stones at the police. To clear the crowd, the police used batons. About 15 people were
injured as a result.

Over the next few days, more than 10 000 students from chinese-medium schools gathered at the depot to
support the striking workers. They brought food for the workers and entertained them with song and
dance.

Tensions kept rising

Finally, on 14 may 1955, The Hock Lee Bus Riots ended after David Marshall helped to negotiate an
agreement between the unions and the Hock Lee Bus Company. The dismissed workers got their jobs
back.

Because David Marshall chose to use more conciliatory methods to handle the riots, the British were not
impressed. The british had wanted to call in the british troops to use more forceful and violent methods on
settling the riots as they were afraid of the communists growing influence. Therefore, they deemed David
Marshall’s labour front as incapable of settling disputes and handling the communists effectively. This led
to them losing trust towards the LF, resulting in the British's reluctance in handing over full internal
self-government for Singapore to LF during the Merdeka Talks of 1956. The British wanted a strong and
stable government in Singapore to protect British economic and defence interests and to keep it from
becoming communist.

First and Second LF Gov

David Marshall suggested to have a Malayan official to decide as the 7th member since Malaya had
already been granted their independence and would not be bias

First suggested a non-British representatives but the high minister rejected this suggestion

When David failed to gain self-governance for Singapore after the Merdeka talks, he resigned and passed
his leadership to Lim Yew Hock
Lim Yew Hock’s method to gain self-governance for Singapore:

● Convince the British that Singapore was ready to be independent

Constitutional development

Hock Lee bus riots are related to the first labour front (under David Marshall) 1955-56. What was the aim
of David Marshall through his leadership? He wanted to gain full self-government

Second labour front focuses on the quest for full self-governance since david failed to do so

Why did the British disapprove of LF’s request for full self-government? As they were sceptical of his
ability to keep the communists under control

How did Fong Swee swan manipulate the British to … teacher talk too fast

Lim Chin Siong had it planned all along and fooled the LF that they were willing to reach a common
ground when it was just a ruse/ploy during the bus riots. This is to gain leftist opposition and strike at the
LF to discredit them. They want to have better prospects of the communists having more
influence/spreading the influence.

8.00pm the following day

● 26 Oct: students became more defiant and ignored the ultimatum. As the deadline approached -
rioting started at the Chinese High School - finally on 26 Oct - the police entered the school
forcing students out using tear gas
● prompted more students to confront police with mobs of students becoming violent - the ensuing
riots spread across the island and continued for 3 days
● 28 Oct: order restored only on 28 Oct - by then 13 dead and 120 injured

What approach did Lim take? Lim’s Labour Front government took the offensive:

● had adopted aggressive methods

● had a well-coordinated plan worked out with the police

commissioner and other British officials (refer to worksheet for details, refer to slide 9 photo)

● that allowed the government to track the movement of people and to prevent the mass gatherings

More forceful/aggressive methods would involve the calling in of troops in the first round or the police
using water hoses to disperse the crowd

The Merdeka talks proposed a 7 representatives to have a casting vote but the higher minister rejected it
as he wanted himself to have a casting vote himself.

He targeted Chinese medium school as the communists had infiltrated Chinese medium school as it was
where many communists were around and about. So Lim Yew Hock de-registered the schools. When he
did that, they did not riot. They only took a march in protest, no escalation of violence. Student protests
died down after stern warnings from the government. Who escalated it then? Lim Chin Siong. He gave
instructions to the trade union leaders to join the students to create more disorder. Lim Yew Hock taking
these students into account took another step, he dismissed another 142 students which is what the
communists want. They staged a camp-in. He was much more aggressive than David Marshall, he gave
them an ultimatum, if it wasn’t adhered to. Lim Yew Hock worked very closely with the communal
authorities -> had a well-planned plan with the police

After the second Merdeka talks. He successfully gained more powers.

Subversive

What are subversive activities?

Somebody are conducting activities to try to overthrow the government

The trade unions were suspected of converting subversive activities since Fong Swee Swan and came
from these unions.

CBA2
1. First Labour Front Government under Marshall
2. Impact of Hock Lee Bus Riots on the Merdeka Talks in 1956
3. Second Labour Front Government under Lim Yew Hock
4. Impact of the SCMSSU Riots on the Merdeka Talks in 1957
5. rise oRf the PAP and the 1959 Elections
6. Textbook
a. pp. 60 to 83
➢ All slides , worksheets & FAs shared and done in class

First LF

Having won 10 out of 25 seats (most of the seats), the LF formed a coalition to head the government.

Leader: David Marshall

First challenge he faced: The British only seeing him as a leader in name therefore, not giving him the
support he should have gotten. Due to how they saw him, they did not show due respect to David
Marshall too. This can be seen in how the British took their time to assign Marshall an office for him to
work in.

Hock Lee Bus Riots

Eco terrorism - use militant (extreme, violent e.g. riot) means to get their point across
you can challenge British authority by raising a petition (not milatent)
This event was a strike that escalated into a riot.
A month after the LF won the 1955 election, the Hock Lee Bus strike
This incident presented a major challenge to the LF government.
In the eyes of the British, this was a test to get an effective measure on the new government’s ability to
deal effectively with what were seen to be communist influences. Why? Since the british’s biggest fear
was the growing communist influence in sg

The Hock Lee Bus strike was not militant, but bold. As it escalated, it became more and more violent

Second LF
1955 elections - elected representation (Rendel Commission) -> constitution (decide what a president
should be able to do and what they cannot) It’s the set of laws that guides the government in guiding the
country (days before independence was not that)
31 legislative council, 25 will be locally elected representatives
What will change in the 1955 elections?
- made conditions for electorates (only those who are British, born in Britain, under British)

1959
They will increase the number of seats, 51. All 51 will be elected
Attracted a great number of parties
PAP decided to compete for all 51 seats
Requirements: live in Singapore for 10 years then ur good to vote
Citizenship ordinance (1957) granted citizenship
majority of new electorates are Chinese speaking Chinese (large proportion to the new electorates are
Chinese speaking Chinese) The new electorates number is 320 000, out of these 320 000, 220 000 were
Chinese speaking Chinese

How did PAP win?

PAP had to compete against LF (the ruling party as of then)
However LF did not satisfy the majority of the people (Chinese speaking Chinese), Why? Be specific, the
LF followed the British government during the Singapore Chinese Middle school student union protest
and riot [Lim Yew Hock]. Lim yew hock tried to restore the confidence of the British to the LF to obtain
full self government, therefore adopting aggressive methods to settle the SCMSSU dispute. This made the
British trust them. The elections of 1959 were made possible by him. However there was a cost, the
people believed that he was anti-Chinese because of how he settled the dispute of SCMSSU. This
decreased the amount of support he would be able to get during the elections especially since the majority
of voters were Chinese speaking Chinese.

They focused on creating goals and visions that were appealing to the majority of the electorates which
are the Chinese speaking Chinese and that gained their support for the PAP which led to votes entered for
PAP. They knew that getting these large groups of people’s votes would have a major impact on the
elections outcome, therefore targeting this group of electorates. Refer to Elections and Parties.

Ms Mathews’ answer:
Its closest rival the former labour Front party had lost its appeal among the Chinese educated and Chinese
speaking.
Citizenship ordinance had granted citizenship to 320 000 people and of this the largest proportion were
Chinese speaking Chinese i.e. the former Chinese immigrants, in total there’s 220 000.
In effect Lim Yew Hock and this measures against the SCMSSU - had alienated the largest proportion of
the new electorate therefore improving the political fortunes of the PAP
- was associated as an anti-Chinese party since they had clamped down so harshly on the left-wing
Chinese activists in the trade unions and the Chinese middle schools.
The other parties were not as organised and unified as the PAP - troubled by internal struggles.

Eco terrorism - use militant (extreme, violent e.g. riot) means to get their point across
you can challenge British authority by raising a petition (not milatent)

The Hock Lee Bus strike was not militant, but bold. As it escalated, it became more and more violent

Do not solely talk about First or second LF governance, talk about constitutional progress. What was
Davies Marshall doing? He was hoping to take the first step to constitutional progress. Aim was to get full
self governance. The riot presented not just an obstacle, but destroyed his dream of LF winning full self
governance.

What to use instead of “soft” “lenient” “non-violent” approach for how David Marshall dealt with the HL
bus riots
- Moderate approach

What was the main challenge of the labour front?

1955 - first elections
David Marshall

Lim Yew Hock (1956 -> the day of Lim yew hock’s governance)
1956 -> SCMSSU riot
1957
Earning the British’s confidence that the LF were suitab;e to take of full governance for Singapore

Rendel commission is not tested.

Good phrases to use ig:

- Alienated (e.g. didn’t want to alienate the people who were supposed to give them support ->
david Marshall)

Main reason for rendel commission:

to see how there could be more local representation in Singapore
The LF was to be blamed for the failure of achieving full self government for Singapore.
actions - Hock Lee bus riots/strike

If the question is “labour front not to be blamed”

don't not go this way: communists are to be blamed, British should be blamed (do not change the
question, focus on question’s main focus that Labour Front is not to be blamed

FA3 grup work

LF got 10/25 seats
so focus on why he didn’t want to alienate the people
If he used harsh methods of the British, he would be alienating the very same people he wanted support
from.
Too at stake with them barely winning a majority of seats.
And his own personal beliefs.

Merger of Malaya and Singapore

The PAP had to pursue a merger with Maya because they had to fulfil their promise to the people they had
made in the 1959 election

PAP’s election messages:

Political security.
It was Malaya who could garunteey their independence.
Political Independence:
The British would only grant Singapore independence if it merged with Malaya because the British feared
that Singapore (Southeast Asia in general) would fall under communist control. They wanted this merger
because they believed that the merger would safeguard Singapore and Borneo territories from the spread
of communism. The British sought to provide greater political stability through the formation of a new
federation comprising Malaya, Singapore, North Borneo (later known as Sabah), Sarawak and Brunei.
The rationale behind the merger was also to be able to convince the British that Singapore would be able
to maintain its political security.

Why was there a need to merge with Malaya to convince the British Singapore could manage her own
security?
- the point is - in the midst of its constitutional changes, the Communists had succeeded to incite civil and
industrial unrest.
Given this unrest, The PAP knew that the British would continue to maintain its control over
external/foreign affairs, defence and internal security (shared)
- hence allowing only for full self-government - especially since the British regarded Singapore as
strategically important to her.
It follows that the PAP government would find it difficult to win full independence for Singapore as long
as the Communist threat remained a threat.
Malaya however had successfully contained the Communist insurgents in their country through a jungle
war and its Emergency measures that were adopted from 1948.

- Merger then was a means to an end - since Malaya had successfully suppressed the Communists and had
a strong central government, merger was proposed to convince the British government that merging with
a staunchly anti-Communist nation would protect Singapore and keep the Communist threat under
control.
it is not merger for its own sake, its for Economic and Political matters

Can a government's interests always be aligned with the people’s interests?

Because of how the economy operates, Singapore cannot do without Malay.

So what makes it so crucial?

Malaya was Singapore’s hinterland. Singapore depends on Malaya for materials to sell to others and
achieve economic growth. Without economic gains, Singapore will not survive. We could not afford not
to form a merger. No merger, we will see a decline in economics.

Singapore did not appear to have a promising economic future if left on its own. It lacked natural
resources and had a rapidly growing population in need of jobs. It was also facing a decline in entrepôt
trade. As their neighbouring countries became independent, they wanted to direct their exports through
their own ports, reducing Singapore's importance as a regional trading port.

The Malayan government had also introduced tariffs in the 1950s on goods traded with Singapore. The
tariffs made goods entering Malaya from Singapore more expensive and thus less desirable to customers
in Malaya. This reduced the amount of trade between Malaya and Singapore. Thus, a merger seemed
necessary for Singapore’s economic survival. If there was a common market (an agreement between
territories allowing goods produced in one territory to enter another territory without tariffs or
restrictions) established through the merger, the Malayan hinterland would create a larger demand for
Singapore’s manufactured goods. Trade would increase and more jobs could be created for the people.
Merger was a strategy. The president of Malaya would not want to be pro-communists. They put it across
that it was economically beneficial. If you join a staunchly anti-communist country, it would eventually
stamp out the communists in Singapore’s own country.

Who Are the Chinese speaking grounds?

Citizenship ordinance which made Chinese speaking Chinese become the biggest proportions at the
elections. Since the elections were over, they had become a liability. Lim Chin Siong and Fong Swee
Suan would soon work on the Chinese-speaking ground again to undermine Lee Kuan yew. Within the
PAP was a group like Lim Chin Siong. When i form a merger, Malaya’s government would not stand to
become pro-communists, which would in turn make PAP feel safer.

In the PAP, there were communists. They were a radical group. They first took them in because they
needed the cmmunist’s support to win votes in the elections.

They were thinking, how do they convince the British that Singapore was going to be able to urvive
economically and politically and they settled on doing a merger to prove that.

Right after the elections(1959), he said that he won but wasn’t jubilant. He knew that it was risky to let
communists join them when they were still running for elections.

The communists signed that they will not resort to armed insurrection. But they did not want to sign it

Malaya’s Initial Response

The Malayan Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, initially through a merger with Singapore spelt
trouble. He saw a stark difference in outlook between the people in Singapore and Malaya. He was
concerned that the predominantly Chinese population in Singapore 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, he was concerned about the changes to the racial makeup in a new federation. A merger
with Singapore alone meant the combined Chinese population would outnumber the Malays.
He also suspected that many Chinese in Singapore had sympathies for the communists, given that many
of them led and supported the strikes of the 1950s. He was worried that such attitudes would spread to the
rest of the new federation.

What led to his change of mind about the merger?

Malaya had a representative on Singapore’s Internal Security Council. The TUnku was concerned that if
Singapore became an independent state, seperate from the Federation, Malaya would no longer have a
representative on the Internal Security Council and thus lose influence over security matters in Singapore.
That, together with the absence of a colonial government could make the threat of communism in
Singapore harder to contain.

Tunku was also concerned that the PAP might be taken over by members who were sympathetic toward
communism. In his eyes, that would result in a Singapore government less willing to consider a merger on
terms acceptable to Malaya.

He also realised that Singapore would probably be less dangerous once it became part of Malaysia as the
communist elements in Singapore could then be controlled by the government in Malaysia. Tunku feared
that if Singapore became an independent country that turned communist, it could influence others to
consider a communist government as an alternative.
Crackdown - a series of severe measures to restrict undesirable or illegal people or behaviour.

Reliability Structure:
The above view that (what the view is) is reliable as (why?)

Reasons for Separation

(1) Economic reasons
(2) (2) political Reasons
incompatible political approaches
-> led each ruling party - compete against each other
Communal - the idea of smth being shared
A communal approach is race based (racist)
Singapore has a non-communal approach

Three race based parties (The Alliance party)

- MCA
- MIC
- UMNO

The Tunku sees PAP winning in 1963 state elections as a threat as it showed that the people resonated with
PAP’s non-communal approaches more than their own communal approach since he won no seats.

Why would PAP winning just one seat in the 1964 elections impact others so greatly?
PAP still won seats even in the elections where the Malays were of majority
Because it would mean that the PAP might be getting more seats in the future.

The aims of PAP:

They would set up branches in all states where it had contested in the 1964 elections
To Tunku, he believes that the PAP is not just an opposition party, it shows their political ambitions. He thinks
that the PAP would remain a loyal opposition party whose aims was to create a non-communal society in
which there will be equal treatment of all races.

UNMO’s response:
- The extremists in UMNO, led by Syed Ja’afar Albar, started an anti-PAP campaign using media
(newspapers)
- Spread rumours to Malays about PAP not taking care of the Malays and to spoil PAP’s reputation.
- Created more tension and problems between PAP and Alliance Party

1964 Race Riots

Who was involved:
- UMNO, PAP, Singapore's Chinese and Malays
When did it happen:
- 21 July and 2 Sept 1964

What happened? - During the celebration of prophet Mohamad’s birthday on 21 July 1964, there was a clash
between Chinese policeman and Malay participants
It turned into a full-blown riot.

What were the arguments of Singaporeans

- limited political franchise, could only vote for Singapore elections
- To the Barisan socialists, Singapore was not respected enough

1963 elections (singapore's election)

Alliance party set up a branch here, called Singapore Alliance Party (SAP)
Was a pro-Malay party and its candidates were Malay which meant they focused more on Malays
Not only did they not win all 3 seats at the places below, they lost their previous 7 seats

Constituencies with Malay Majority

- Geylang Serai
- Kembayan
- Southern Islands

This is because they wanted to let Singapore as have equal rights as the Malays which was not the interests of
the Malays

Singapore People’s Alliance (SPA) - based in the federal government in Malaya

Lim Yew Hock
He began to realise that the non-communal approach of the PAP were more popular than their communal
approach as with the same audience, PAP were more popular.

That was the beginning of the rivalry between UMNO

PAP - “Malaysian Malaya”

NOT
“Malay Malaysia” - believes in each communal government taking care of their group’s interests.

PAP also told Tunku that they will set up branches in all the places they lost at, telling Tunku not to worry and
placing their target on MCA (Malay Chinese Association) but Tunku didn’t believe it, they came together to
agree on some things.

Communal Riots of 1964

The Malay activists (extremists from UMNO)
They did not agree to the political compromise Lee and Tunku agreed on
They used newspapers to make inflammatory articles
They exaggerated the resettlement situation saying thousands were affected instead of the actual hundreds
only, saying that it affected the Malays the most.

1964 (9 August)
Tunku wrote a letter to suggest the breakup of Singapore and Malaysia

Why was the National Service critically in need of people?

The previous ppl who helped to support defence was the Malayan defence and the British
There was a volunteer force but it was very small

Pg 129-132 is not tested

1967 - started military training in the form of National Service because that was when the British said that they
will withdraw their military troops in 1972 but then the date moved forward to 1971

When the British left, they left a big gap in our defence. -> Had to come up with a sizable force to fill in that
gap. 30000 in total. Could no longer afford to send their forecast to defend SG. 1957 -> SG started their forces.
But how? Sg had a small population.

1954 -> SCMSSU riots over establishing the NS

But now they have no choice but to continue NS/conscription, those man who are 18 years of age have
no choice but to enlist themselves into the NS. This is because there were only two battalions of regular
infantry of 50 officers and 100 men each.

The only way to come up with a sizable defence force to fill the huge gap after the British withdrawal /30000.
Thousands of men were conscripted.

Conscription -> military service that was compulsory to enlist for 2 years.

It was not just about the sizable defence force, it was also about the people’ s attitudes towards this.

If you were a male, you’d be expected to find a job quickly upon leaving school to earn income for the
household. With NS, it means that you would be missing this kind of income.

People’s Defence Force - the volunteer force -> clearly not enough though

Many found the training strenuous, gruelling, unfamiliar

1st Batch - 1967

They accepted the significance of their role of being the first batch of building up sg defence force

Why were they focused on the Home-grown defence industry?

Why produce your own equipment?

Why is it called industry? -> if you import from overseas, you will be left vulnerable if you get cut off from
your supply.

They are also sensitive about their equipment.

Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA)

Consisting of commonwealth countries:

 ● Britain
● Australia
● Malaysia
● New Zealand
● Singapore

This is to strengthen Military cooperation with other countries. This is essential as friendly relations with those
countries would allow the SAF (SIngapore Armed Forces?) to buy equipment from them and train with and
learn from other more experienced armed forces.

Can refer to Unit 4 Textbook.

2022 EYA

The withdrawal of the British defence force from SG in 1971 presented an insurmountable challenge for
Singapore.

- because the challenge was unexpected/off guard, couldn’t resound effectively

Why insurmountable SG —> British withdrawal occurred early from hat they stated

So what? Link

therefore insurmountable as there was insufficient time given. Barely had enough time to develop her own
local defence force.

Then say,

We have always been reliant on the British and their troops which consisted of around 30000 men.

The point to be made - at that time local defence practically non-existent (only 2 local infantry) hardly enough
to fill huge gap

Myra’s claim: because Singapore would soon have a sizable army capable of filling the gap that British troops
had left because of the growing intake of men due to conscription.

Because it would be able to fill the gap that British left because of the

because Singapore, although lacking in army troops, had enough men fit to join the army which were to be
enlisted through conscription soon.

Ms Mathew’s: The withdrawal of the British defence force from DG in 1971 was not an insurmountable
challenge because Singapore effectively developed strategies to overcome what seemed to be an …….
Challenge

Main Strategy: conscriptive -> effective/only means of assuring SG -> massive numbers needed to fill the gap
-> British force 30 000
now focus on NS (1967)

18 year olds -> compulsory -> enlist 2 years

1949 -> ?

So what?

Therefore, it was not a surmountable means to expand the local defence force in the short time before the
British withdrew completely.