1. StructuredEssayQuestion(SEC2 WKBOOK)
Why didSingapore wanta mergerwithMalaya
Singapore wantedmergerwithMalayabecause of several reasons.Politically,Singapore wantedmerger
withMalaya inthe hope of achievingindependence fromthe British.The Britishdidnothave confidence
that Singapore will be able to withstandthe communistthreatinthe 1950s – 1960s. TheyfeltSingapore
was notreadyfor independence.Hence,mergerwithMalayawouldmeanthatthe stronganti-
communistgovernmentof Malayawill be able tohelpSingapore fightagainstcommunism.Inthisway,
Britishwould feel more confidenttograntindependence toSingapore.
Besidespolitical reasons,Singapore wantedmergerforeconomicreasonsaswell.Singapore hadnoraw
materialstodependon.Withmerger,itwouldmeanthatSingapore wouldbe able to tapon Malaya as a
hinterlandforresources.Withmerger,itwouldalsomeanthatSingapore wouldbe able toreduce
taxationasa commonmarketcouldbe set up.Withmerger,it wouldalsomeanthatthe populationin
Singapore will be able tobenefitfromthe employment opportunitiescreated.The problemof
unemploymentinSingapore wouldbe resolvedaspeople wouldnow be able toworkinMalaya.
Singapore wantedamergerwithMalayabecause itwouldalsomeanthat Singapore wouldbe able torid
the strong communistinfluence fromChina.Withastronganti-communistgovernment,Lee KuanYew
hopedtodilute the communistinfluence inSingapore.Inthisway,Lee KuanYew wouldbe able to
gathera strongerfootholdasthe Prime Ministerof Singapore.