A Study On The Independence Of Singapore

Singapore’s goal is getting rid of British rule to merger with the Federation of Malay post-war.Singapore held constitutional talks with British government to gain self-government, becoming a self-government state within Commonwealth. Singapore hopes Malay will support the merger, and Malay indeed agrees the proposal with British push. However, the relation of Singapore and Malay is always so tension that Singapore has no choice but to separating from Malaysia. Independence of Singapore has different effect on each countries. This paper utilizes historical literature to analysis Singapore’s goal, British policy and Malay’s attitude toward Singapore in different time.The first part is about how Singapore gains its self-government. British government in Singapore is weakened after the war, and the political powers in Singapore are stranger and stranger with the economy fluctuation, so Singapore holds constitutional talks with Britain. Finally Britain agrees this claim because of its weakness, national liberation movement and American anti-colonialism.The second part discusses the merger of Singapore with Federation of Malay. PAP fight with MCP and the Barisan to gain Singapore politics’ agreement to the merger after it is in office. At the same time, PAP encourages Maleinized and launches the referendum, in the end, PAP has Singaporeans support. Federation of Malay proposes the plan of Greater Malaysia including Singapore with Britain pushing.The third part exams the contradictions between Singapore and Malaysia and the independence of Singapore. There are so many contradictions between Singapore and Malaysia. Politically, PAP and UMNO are in different position on the general election, the attitude toward MCA and themselves sphere of influence; economically, two governments haven’t the same view of the financial contribution Singapore would be required to make to the National Government, raising taxes and creating a common market. These contradictions concentrate on twice race riots what happen in Singapore in 1964. Ultimately, Malaysia breaks away and Singapore has to independent.The forth part analysis the independence of Singapore’s effects on itself and other countries. The special independence and its process become the authoritarian politics’ basis, let Singapore economic development model change direction to export-oriented with export substitution. Independence causes the identity crisis making the government to promote the national identity. Besides, Singapore diplomacy focus on international recognition and itself security because of independence.Independence has effects on other countries. Countries of Southeast Asia work together to solve the conflicts what are resulted by Malaysia. Western countries and socialist countries’ attitude to this are different, but all recognize Singapore. All of these are good for Singapore development.