1. Chapter 10: How did Singapore Tackle its Challenges in its Early Years of Independence?

2. REVIEW
British set up the British Military Administration
Penang and Malacca joined the Malayan Union while Singapore remained as a separate Crown Colony
Federation of Malaya was formed. Singapore was left out. Why?
The federation and Singapore had different economies
Singapore had a large Chinese population which threatened the basic rights of the Malays
Singapore was an important naval base to the British
The British had no intention to give up control over Singapore but they also knew that the people would not be contented. Hence they decided to allow the people to be involved in the first elections

3. Gradual Progress Towards Self-Government
1948 Election
SPP won 3 out of 6 seats. The rest were won by independents.
Rendel Commission, Jul 1953
Recommended limited self-government.
- Housing, Education, Health, Trade and Industry
LF won 10 out of 25 seats. Formed coalition government. David Marshall became the first Chief Minister. Faced challenges such as Hock Lee Bus Riots.
1955 Elections

4. Gradual Progress Towards Self-Government
1956 – First Merdeka
Talks
Led by David Marshall. Requested for internal self government. Failed. Marshall resigned. Why? Lim Yew Hock became 2nd Chief Minister. Faced challenges such as Students’ Riots.
1957 – 2nd Merdeka Talks
Led by Lim Yew Hock. Requested for internal self government. Succeeded. Why?
1959 Elections
First fully elected democratic government. PAP won majority of seats and formed new govt. Lee Kuan Yew became first PM and Yusof Ishak became the first Head of State.

5. Gradual Progress Towards Self-Government
1963 Merger with Malaya,
Sabah and Sarawak
Formed the Federation of Malaysia. Singapore held its first State Election in Participated by SUMNO. SUMNO failed to garner support.
First Federal Election held in KL. Singapore won 1 seat.
Concept of Malaysian Malaysia introduced and angered the Malaysian Federal government. Racial Riots occurred in Singapore.
1964
1965
Singapore separated from Malaysia and became a sovereign independent nation.

6. Learning Objectives
Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of independence
Strategies adopted in response to these challenges
Effectiveness of these strategies in preparing Singapore for the future

7. Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of Independence
Economic Uncertainties
Lack of raw materials
Limited land space
Loss of Malaysia as a potential hinterland market
- Weak industry base
- Fall in trade
Growing population
Need to create jobs for the people

8. Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of Independence
Political Uncertainties
Announcement of the withdrawal of British military forces by the end of 1971
Need to build up its own defence to protect the nation from both internal and external threats

9. Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of Independence
Economic Challenges & Strategies
Challenges
Lack of natural resources such as rubber, palm oil and minerals like tin and gold
Lack of diversity in the economy due to dependence on entrepot trade
High Unemployment
Strategies – Two-pronged
Incentives to MNCs from Japan, Western Europe and the USA to set up factories in S’pore
Transformed S’pore into a more organised and efficient country
- High standards of public service

10. Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of Independence
Economic Challenges & Strategies
Dr Albert Winsemius, a Dutch economist
- Export-led industrialisation
to develop faster and stay ahead of other countries
recommended in response to loss of potential hinterland market and aptitude of its people to work in manufacturing industries
government would provide key infrastructure (efficient port, good communication and transport system, sound banking and financial system; p. 203)
Positioned as low cost manfacturing export centre

11. Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of Independence
Economic Challenges & Strategies
Dr Albert Winsemius, a Dutch economist
- Export-led industrialisation
Setting up of Economic Development Board (EDB) in Aug 1961 to drive development of new and existing industries (eg. Setting up of Jurong Industrial Estate, JIE)
Success: By 1968, almost 300 factories providing jobs for 21,000 people were set up
1968, Jurong Town Corporation (JTC) was formed to take over the management of JIE and other industrial estates in Kallang Basin, Sims Avenue and Redhill)

12. Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of Independence
Impact on the Present
By 1985, S’pore developed into a modern city-state
Had a diversified economy and global trade network

13. Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of Independence
Social Challenges & Strategies
Challenges in Housing
Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) set up in 1927 failed to solve housing problems
Estimated half a million people lived in slums and squatter settlements by 1959
Living conditions were cramped and unhygienic – spread of diseases as well as fire hazards (Bukit Ho Swee fire in May 1961)
Strategies
Housing and Development Board (HDB) set up in 1960 to replace SIT

14. Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of Independence
Social Challenges & Strategies
Housing and Development Board
Implemented three five-year plans to build flats quickly and economically
1st 5-yr Plan
Built housing estates based on neighbourhood concept comprising 1,000 to 1,500 families (self-contained shops, schools, clinics, community centres, playground)
Eg. Tiong Bahru, Queenstown, Toa Payoh, MacPherson)

15. Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of Independence
Social Challenges & Strategies
Housing and Development Board
Implemented three five-year plans to build flats quickly and economically
2nd 5-yr Plan
Focused on quality of housing programme (designs, open spaces, landscaping, car parks, point blocks)

16. Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of Independence
Social Challenges & Strategies
Housing and Development Board
Mr Lim Kim San, first HDB chief
Implemented three five-year plans to build flats quickly and economically
3rd 5-yr Plan
Focused on catering to needs of middle-income households who wanted bigger flats but could not afford private housing (eg. HUDC)

17. Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of Independence
Impact on the Present
S’pore became a home-owning society
Fostered social stability
Gave citizens a stake in the country and its future
Promoted a sense of national pride and identity among S’poreans

18. Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of Independence
Social Challenges & Strategies
Challenges in Education
Means to support S’pore’s economic development
Need to get people of different races to interact
Colonial rule saw education largely left to the different ethnic and religious organisations
Quality of education varied
Strategies
Common medium of instruction
Daily flag-raising and pledge taking ceremonies
Civics Education and ECA

19. Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of Independence
Social Challenges & Strategies
Educational Reforms
1st 5-yr Plan
Focused on increasing level of literacy of people
Large scale recruitment of teachers and teachers-in-training
Introduction of compulsory bilingual policy in 1960 for primary schools and 1966 for secondary schools
Students were also equipped with relevant technical skills, in addition to the basic skills of reading and writing

20. Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of Independence
Impact on the Present
Shaped social relations among different races
Equipped workforce with technical skills
Students equipped with EL (working language) and mother tongue (roots to culture and race)

21. Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of Independence
Political Challenges & Strategies
Challenges
Strong defence was critical in ensuring peace and stability which would in turn draw foreign investors to S’pore
Constraints of limited manpower and funds
Strategies
Establishment of Ministry of Interior and Defence

22. Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of Independence
Political Challenges & Strategies
Ministry of Interior and Defence (MID)
Dr Goh Keng Swee
Introduced National Service. Passed NS Amendment Bill on 14 March 1967
S’porean male citizens aged 18 would enroll for NS
After NS, they would become reservists or Operationally Ready NSmen
Singapore Armed Forces Training Institute (SAFTI) set up in June 1966 to provide military training
Measures to overcome opposition put in place

23. Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of Independence
Political Challenges & Strategies
Ministry of Interior and Defence (MID)
Dr Goh Keng Swee
Steps taken to set up Navy and Air Force
Bilateral training introduced
Five Power Defence Agreement signed with Britain, Australia, NZ and Malaysia – assistance in times of attacks

24. Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of Independence
Impact on the Present
Ready pool of combat trained male citizens
Forged closer bonds among people of different races and religious background