sg history (lower sec) notes

One event in Singapore’s history which hindered Singapore’s road to self-governance would be the Malayan Emergency. The Malayan Emergency which lasted from 1948 to 1960, greatly hindered Singapore’s progress and many lives were lost during it. This is because after the emergency, the British would be more watchful over Singapore who was greatly affected by the clashes in armed forces of the CPM and the Commonwealth. The emergency began in June 1948 after three British plantation managers near Sungei Siput in Perak were killed by insurgents of the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM). Perceived by the colonial government as a threat to safety, the CPM committed several acts of violence and sabotage, extortion, shootings, murders and arson attacks in the 1950s, including an attempt to assassinate former Governor of Singapore Franklin Gimson at the Happy World Park in April 1950. Hence, as the British was busy fighting the CPM, they would not have the time to grant Singapore self-government. The British would also not want to do so as Singapore might come under the rule of the CPM if not defended by the British. Therefore, the Malayan Emergency hindered Singapore’s road to self-government. The Rendel Constitution was significant in Singapore’s journey towards self-government. The rendel Constitution in 1953, allowed the locals to have a higher degree of involvement in ruling Singapore. This is because the British changed the government structure of Singapore and more seats were offered to the locals. It empowered the locals and let the locals have more participation in the internal government of Singapore and to have a bigger say in the politics of Singapore. It also caused the rise of new political parties such as the Labour Front and the People’s Action Party. For example, the British allowed 25 members from local parties to be elected into the Legislative Assembly with 6 of them being appointed as Ministers controlling areas like education, health, housing, trade and industry. This is a catalyst as the formation of political parties allows Singapore to finally have some authority over her own country by running areas such as education, trade and health which speeds up the process in attaining self-governance. This made the locals feel that they have the capability