Why did Singapore want merger?

Answer 1

The PAP government saw thatSingapore's best hope for complete freedom is to merge with Malaya. While internal self government was previously granted in 1959, there were some areas like defence and internal security that were still under British control Secondly it is to have a common market with Malaya.

Answer 2

Originally, Malaya did not want to merge with Singapore because of its strong communist influence and the fact that the majority of its population was Chinese, and Tunku Abdul Rahman did not want the the population of Chinese in Malaya to be more than the Malays.

Later on, Malaya wanted to merge with Singapore because Malaya did not want Singapore to fall under the hands of the radicals, or otherwise, the pro communists.

When the People Action Party was formed, it was made up of moderates and radicals, these members were expelled when they tried to challenged the PAP leadership. They eventually formed the Barisan Sosialis with strong communist influence.

The Tunku was afraid that they would takeover Singapore and form a communist base in Singapore which they would have the potential to spread communism to Malaya. Thus Malaya wanted to merge with Singapore.

Answer 3

Singapore favour for merger with Malaysia because for common market and for independence.

• The PAP felt that Singapore's survival as an independent nation would be difficult.
• Singapore lacked Natural Resources.
• Entrepot trade was declining.
• Growing population which required more jobs.
• The Malayan government introduced import and export tariffs on goods which led further decline in Singapore's trade.
• PAP government felt that a merger with Malaya would bring about rapid economic growth especially with the setting up of common market.
• The common market would allow goods to be bought and sold freely without being taxed.
• This would increase trade, expand industries and create more jobs.
• The PAP saw that Singapore's best hope for complete freedom was through a merger with Malaya.
• There were some areas like defense and internal security that were still under British control.
• The British were reluctant to grant full independence to Singapore because they were worried about the communist threat in Singapore.
• Moreover, When the PAP was formed in 1954, it included moderates and radicals.

Singapore lacked natural resources and faced a declining trade amount. More jobs were needed to meet the demands of the population. The Malayan government imposed import and export tariffs on goods traded between the 2 countries. Singapore also faced Communist threat and that made the British not grant full independence to Singapore. Singapore hence felt that by merging with Malaya, the British would grant Singapore full independence and Malaya would share natural resources and jobs. Trade amounts might also go back up and the tariffs could be removed.

Answer 4

Most notably to gain independence from the British as well as to prevent the spread of communism in SE Asia.

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Answer 5

Most notably to gain independence from the British as well as to prevent the spread of communism in SE Asia.