The question from Melanie Chew was: "Can you explain to me why independence for Singapore was declared in the 31st August 1963, before the formation of Malaysia on September 16th, 1963."
Dr Toh Chin Chye's reply:
That's not the only weird part of our history. Singapore, unlike most other states and nations, achieved independence twice: Once in 1959 when it was decolonised by the British; then again after it was booted out of the Federation of Malaysia in 1965, into which Singapore had integrated in 1963. (Columbia Electronic Encyclopaedia (2011), 6th Edition, 11/1/2011)
Some have written that Singapore achieved independence in 1959 due to a lack of British colonial retaliation to the Japanese occupation during World War II. In 1954, pressure for independence from Commonwealth countries started to grow, and in 1955 the British handed Singapore its own administration, while retaining foreign policy and defence. Even so, Singapore was considered a heavy financial burden on the British, leading to the final decolonisation.
If independence meant that "Her Majesty’s sovereignty and jurisdiction in respect of the new states shall be relinquished so as to vest in the manner agreed", we should really be celebrating the year 1959 or 1963, not the year we were turfed out. The propaganda movie starring Lim Kay Tong will have to be renamed. All those SG50 paraphernalia will have to be reprinted. More seniors will qualify for the Pioneer Generation Package goodies. Dr Toh said the whole independence day thingy was "pushed through", to preempt any unforeseen obstacles cropping up. Was the schedule for the next general elections similarly adjusted to preempt any of those unforeseen obstacles?
Dr Toh Chin Chye's reply:
That was Lee Kuan Yew forcing it through. Because the proposal for Maphilindo was still up in the air: that was the confederation of Indonesia, Philippines and Malaysia that Sukarno wanted. The United Nations had to consult Sabah and Sarawak on Malaysia. And they were not ready.
So to appease them, the Tengku had to postpone Malaysia Day. But Lee Kuan Yew told the Tengku to make it August 31st, 1963. To push the whole thing through, to preempt any unforeseen obstacles cropping up." ("Leaders of Singapore", page 93)
That's not the only weird part of our history. Singapore, unlike most other states and nations, achieved independence twice: Once in 1959 when it was decolonised by the British; then again after it was booted out of the Federation of Malaysia in 1965, into which Singapore had integrated in 1963. (Columbia Electronic Encyclopaedia (2011), 6th Edition, 11/1/2011)
Some have written that Singapore achieved independence in 1959 due to a lack of British colonial retaliation to the Japanese occupation during World War II. In 1954, pressure for independence from Commonwealth countries started to grow, and in 1955 the British handed Singapore its own administration, while retaining foreign policy and defence. Even so, Singapore was considered a heavy financial burden on the British, leading to the final decolonisation.
If independence meant that "Her Majesty’s sovereignty and jurisdiction in respect of the new states shall be relinquished so as to vest in the manner agreed", we should really be celebrating the year 1959 or 1963, not the year we were turfed out. The propaganda movie starring Lim Kay Tong will have to be renamed. All those SG50 paraphernalia will have to be reprinted. More seniors will qualify for the Pioneer Generation Package goodies. Dr Toh said the whole independence day thingy was "pushed through", to preempt any unforeseen obstacles cropping up. Was the schedule for the next general elections similarly adjusted to preempt any of those unforeseen obstacles?