Political developments in Singapore from 1946 to 1959 After Japanese Occupation people started making more demands for changes from the colonial government. Citizenship Local civil servants Political groups (demand for better treatment) (more say in govt.)

Constitutional changes from 1946 to 1959 British introduced constitutional changes to increase local involvement in the government. Limited elections introduced in 1948 . Significance Eligible voters to vote their local representatives elected representatives could in the Legislative Council raise concerns about local issues

Elections held between 1948-1959 About 14,000 voters x X = 50,000 votes About 160,000 voters X X Xx 1959 About 525,000 voters XXXXXXXXXXx 1948 1955 1959 *Only Br. Subjects eligible to vote *No automatic registration of voters *Voting was not compulsory *Automatic registration of voters *Voting was not compulsory Citizenship Ordinance passed in 1957 More people became citizens with right to vote Automatic registration of voters Voting compulsory

Control over Government (1) 1955 – RENDEL COMMISSION recommended limited self-government 6 elected locals 25 elected non-officials 1948 1955

Developments that led to Constitutional Changes in Singapore External developments(pg64-66) Internal Developments (pg67) Independence movements in countries under colonial rule. British India Dutch East Indies (Indonesia) French Indochina (Vietnam) Fear of S’pore & Malaya turning communist. Activities of MCP led to declaration of Emergency.( pg65-66) Rise of political consciousness More local born who began to take an interest in how Singapore was ruled. British government recognized that they had to give more political control to the people.

PEOPLE’S ASPIRATIONS 1945-1959 POLITICAL PARTIES 1945-1959 ( Pg.70-77) Singapore Progressive Party Formed in 1947 Leaders: John Laycock, C.C Tan N.A.Mallai Members:multi-racial/mainly English-educated professionals and businessmen Political aim: to achieve self-government/work with British govt. /introduce changes gradually. Labour Front Formed in 1954 Leader: David Marshall Members –multi-racial/low-income /English educated members of trade unions No clear political aim : protect workers’ interest anti-communist/work with Br. to attain self-government People’s Action Party Formed in 1954 Leaders: Dr.Toh Chin Chye/Lee Kuan Yew/Dr. Goh Keng Swee/S. Rajaratnam Members: Eng-educated lawyers/journalists/t Trade unionists. Political aim: immediate independence

CHINESE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS GRIEVANCES UNFAIR TREATMENT BY THE BRITISH Limited opportunity for National Service Registration University education for males age 18-20(pg79-80) Poor job prospects ( compared to English Visitors to China not educated)(source7pg78) allowed to return (fear of spread of Communist ideas)

TRADE UNIONS (pg. 81-84) (SET UP TO PROTECT RIGHTS AND WELFARE OF WORKERS) UNDER COMMUNIST INFLUENCE Leadership: former leaders from Chinese middle schools (Lim Chin Siong and Fong Swee Suan) Activities: organized anti-colonial activities NON COMMUNIST Leadership: English educated (Devan Nair and Sidney Woodhull) Activities: Street protests to demand for better working conditions for workers. BRITISH RESPONSE Suspicious of trade unions Arrest of members Negotiations: for example in 1955 workers from Hock Lee Bus Company went on strike and riots broke out. British negotiated settlement and riots ended.

1955 ELECTIONS More voters Political parties worked hard during election campaign to get people’s interest. i)made house visits ii) distributed pamphlets iii)gave rally speeches iv) newspapers published articles about political parties Election results Party No/candidates Seats won Labour Front 17 10 S’pore Progressive P 22 4 People’s Action Party 4 3 Alliance 5 3 Independent candidates 10 3 Democratic 20 2

LIMITED SELF GOVERNMENT 1955-1959 COUNCIL OF MINISTERS LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY CHIEF MINISTER 3 British officials 6 ELECTED LOCALS nominated by Governor In charge of Education In charge of External Health affairs, defence, Housing finance, internal Trade security & law 25 elected non-officials 3 British officials 4 nominated non-officals

Pushed British colonial government for internal self-government LABOUR FRONT GOVERNMENT 1955-1959 (pg88-90) ( Formed coalition government with Alliance party) DAVID MARSHALL AS CHIEF MINISTER LIM YEW HOCK AS CHIEF MINISTER Pushed British colonial government for internal self-government Launched Merdeka campaign Led first delegation to London for Merdeka talks in 1956 Resigned when talks failed Took strong actions against Chinese middle school students and trade unions. Led 2nd delegation to London in 1957 Succeeded in securing internal self- government

Control over Government (2) INTERNAL SELF GOVERNMENT 1959 Head of State Yang di-Pertuan Negara In charge of external affairs and defence Internal security British government in London Legislative Assembly 51 elected members Cabinet * Prime Minister 8 local ministers appointed from 51 elected members *In charge of education,finance, health, housing, law & labour trade & industry Area of shared control

1959 GENERAL ELECTIONS (pg 91) ( To elect people to form the new government) 51 seats in Legislative Assembly to be contested 525,000 voters More parties took part.(12 ) * Singapore People’s Alliance ( won 4/39) * Workers’ Party * People’s Action Party (won 43/ 51) * Liberal Socialist Party 5 June 1959 PAP formed the government of Singapore. Lee Kuan Yew became its First Prime Minister. Yusof Bin Ishak was chosen as the Yang di-Pertuan Negara ( Head of state)