Chap 6: Separation

Reasons for Separation

Events that caused tension

Economical

Political

Disagreements regarding taxation: SG wanted to collect its own revenue, and send back a sum back to Federal Govt, but MY wanted collect all of SG's revenue and only provide the money needed to run the state

Eventually, MY decided to allow SG to collect their own revenue and send money back as taxes, but the amount was later increased from 40% to 60%, making SG feel unfair

Disagreement over common market: SG wanted to form common market with MY, but MY feared the competition from SG if the common market formed, as the goods from SG would no longer be taxed. Thus, MY delayed the formation of the common market

Clash in Political Beliefs: The Alliance Party consisted of the UMNO, MCA and MIC. They sought to represent the interest of the respective communities. However, PAP sought to represent interests of communities regardless of race.

Privileges for the Malays: Federal Govt wanted to give special privileges to Malays (eg free education, reserving government jobs for them). However, the PAP focused on providing free education for Malays to enable them to get better opportunities in employment

Participation in Each Others' Elections

Racial Riots

Malay Privilege

1963: SG branches of the UMNO, MCA and MIC formed the Singapore Alliance Party and participated in the 1963 SG election. However, they were ultimately unable to win seats in areas with a high Malay majority, thus UMNO unhappy

1964: PAP contested in Federal election, and through its campaign, questioned the way the Alliance Party governed MY. This upset the Alliance Party leaders.

21 Jul 1964: Racial riots occurred between Chinese and Malay communities, causing 23 deaths and 434 injuries. An island-wide curfew was imposed.

Sept 1964: Another racial riot, causing 13 deaths and 106 injured.

Resulted in both parties agreeing to not raise any racial matters and not challenge each other in elections for the next 2 years

UMNO leaders accused the PAP of neglecting Malay interests in SG and expressed this in a Malay newspaper, stirring the feelings of Malays against PAP

PAP formed the Malaysian Solidarity Convention with 4 MY opposition parties, fighting for a Malaysian Malaysia. They challenged the special position of the Malay community, making UMNO leaders upset