Federation of Malaya or Persekutuan Tanah Melayu got the independence from the British on 31 Ogos 1957 . Singapore City Council was reorganized in Disember 1957 and Ong Eng Guan which is from People’s Action Party (PAP) was appointed Mayor of Singapore . In May 1958, a negotiation with the British government was done in London which is to discuss the implementation of the new constitution to replace the Randel Constitution. The Randel Constitution will expire in April 1959. British Government agreed to give the self-government to Singapore after the elections to be held in 1959. In that negotiation also agreed, the head of Singapore will be selected from those born in Malaya and given the title of President of the Country .
PAP Party got a big victory in the elections done on 30 May 1959. Lee Kuan Yew was selected to be the Prime Minister of Singapore while Encik Yusof bin Ishak becomes the President of the Country . From my personnel view, PAP has got a big victory in this election because the Singaporean people want Singapore government rule by their own people. It’s also to show to the British that the unity between the people of Singapore is good. There are two main policies by the PAP which is to make Singapore as the industrial state and joined with the Federation of Malaya to gain independence from the British. Emergency Law in Federation of Malaya was terminated end of July year 1960 after implementation for twelve years . Therefore, Lee Kuan Yew takes this opportunity to discuss, explain and forced Tunku Abdul Rahman, Prime Minister Federation of Malaya about the mergers Singapore and Federation of Malaya. Why Lee Kuan Yew is very concerned and force Tunku Abdul Rahman to accelerate the merges Singapore and the Federation of Malaya. From my opinion, it’s because Singapore is the new government ruled by PAP has to rely on a larger nation or state to develop their economy, technology and security. Federation of Malaya and Singapore has many similar aspects in term of the historical, politics, geography, economy, culture and ethnicity.
On 27 May 1961, council meeting and banquet of Foreign Reporters Association in Southeast Asia was held in Singapore. In that meeting, Tunku Abdul Rahman in his speech announces proposed the establishment of Malaysia consist of Federation of Malaya, Sabah (North Borneo), Sarawak and Singapore . Tunku Abdul Rahman gave a condition that the British gave independence to Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore. What can be seen, Tunku Abdul Rahman working hard to merger of Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore into the Federation of Malaya. Is this why Lee Kuan Yew forced Tunku Abdul Rahman. Tunku Abdul Rahman proposal has received and after a few months, a Consultative Unity Malaysia Committee was formed to discuss the formation of Malaysia. Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Keng Swee came to Kuala Lumpur in August 1961 to discuss the merger of Singapore and Malaysia. Formal discussions were held with Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Abdul Razak about that matter. It’s clearly shown that Singapore very committed and proactive to become a part of Malaysia as soon as possible. Parliament of the Federation of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur has agreed on the formation of Malaysia which was presented by Tunku Abdul Rahman on 16 October 1961 . Following this, Tunku Abdul Rahman had gone to London for discussions and the British government has agreed on the formation of Malaysia. What can be seen, Lee Kuan Yew and Tunku Abdul Rahman has played a vital role and work closely to make sure the formation of Malaysia achieved. A Commission of Inquiry headed by Lord Cobbold was established in early 1962 . Purpose of the commission is to investigate in Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak) on the proposed formation of Malaysia. The ensuing investigation found that many of the people in Sabah and Sarawak support and approve the formation of Malaysia. On 31 August 1963 was initially proposed date of the formation of Malaysia which is on the anniversary of the Federation of Malaya’s independence. However that date was postponed to the new date. Poll was conducted in Singapore by the PAP Party at the end of 1962 and found that the majority of Singaporeans agree Singapore merge with Malaysia . Although the majority of Singaporean agreed the merger, how far can it be sustain Singapore become a part of Malaysia.
In August 1963, Tunku Abdul Rahman has met President Sukarno from Indonesia and President Macapagal from Philippines in Tokyo and Philippines. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the proposed establishment of a Federal State which will be named MAPHILINDO . The purpose of MAPHILINDO is to integrate the three states clump, Malaya was former British colonies including Sabah and Sarawak, Indonesia was the former Dutch colony and Philippines former Spanish colony. Outcome from the meeting, Indonesia disagrees Sabah and Sarawak become a part of Malaysia because the two states bordering with Indonesia. Philippines also disagree because they claim over Sabah based on historically ties with the government of Sulu, southern Philippines. Therefore, President Sukarno launched Crush Malaysia (Ganyang Malaysia) for disagreeing with the proposed establishment of Malaysia. I think the threat by President Sukarno on the formation of Malaysia did not dishearten the efforts undertaken by Tunku Abdul Rahman and Lee Kuan Yew. It proven, Malaysia has been established which consists only of the Federation of Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore on 16 September 1963. Tun Dr Ismail bin Abdul Rahman, representing the Prime Minister of Malaysia has read the declaration the formation of Malaysia. The declaration is held in front of thousands of peoples in Singapore that is in front of Singapore City Hall building . It clearly shows that the Singaporeans peoples gave a full support and really want Singapore merge with Malaysia because of many relations between this both states.
SEPERATION SINGAPORE FROM MALAYSIA
Singapore interest to participate in Malaysia is not permanent. Various internal events have occurred and rise internal bad feeling and conflict between Singapore and Malaya. Lee Kuan Yew has a high ambition to develope Singapore. He looked forward to make Singapore as the ‘New York of Malaysia’ which is industrial base of a wealthy and just society . This can prove by the seriousness Lee Kuan Yew with a wide range of initiatives and efforts to develop Singapore to achieve his vision. Singapore was unwilling to dispose of her free port status but the federation did not want to open her tariff walls to the rivalry of Singapore industry which is its initial benefit of tax-free raw material .
Singapore and Malaya relationship cracks during Malaysia’s first federal election in 1964 when the Peoples Action Party (PAP) from Singapore is among the contending parties. PAP decided to be an active role in Malaysia politics and to seek support from Malaysian Chinese. PAP declared that they not hostile with United Malay National Organization (UMNO) or the central government. However they not aligned with the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) and underestimate the ability of the MCA party. Is it Singapore led by the PAP have their hidden agenda. From my personnal view, it was seen as trying to alienate of unity between UMNO and MCA. Tunku Abdul Rahman said during his opening election rally, he believed more to MCA party than PAP . PAP candidates thought it’s the main force of Malay attack because the Malays afraid the potential Singapore Chinese dominance. In that election, only one PAP’s candidate was successful from eleven parliamentary and fifteen state candidates. Tunku Abdul Rahman had doubts about the motives of the PAP, led by Lee Kuan Yew to compete in the 1964 elections. Tunku Abdul Rahman said:
‘Young men’want to rush things. Why rush? Why not take time to make a strong nation ‘ The too early Singapore involvements in the election endanger the unity of Malaysia. With this development, the relations between Federal government and Singapore become rift. Lee Kuan Yew seen by Tunku Abdul Rahman and Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak considered had broken a promise to stay clear of federal politics and not split the peninsular Chinese.
Indonesian Confrontation has reduced trade and creates chaos. In September 1963 and May 1965, the opposition also makes worse the situation when acting release several bombs in Singapore as a mark against the formation of Malaysia. In 1964, Singapore burdened by Indonesian decision to stop all trade between the two countries . Furthermore, the central government required a larger share of total income for the Malaysia defense expenditures. The industrial sector grew at a slower rate and foreign investors are not happy with the state of Singapore is not stable .
Resentment among the top of UMNO leaders against Lee Kuan Yew peaked in middle 1965. The UMNO leaders felt the Singapore government was planning a takeover of Chinese in Malaysia . Lee Kuan Yew has made a sensitive statement on television about the racial sensitivities. UMNO leaders request Lee Kuan Yew and some Singapore minister arrested but Tunku Abdul Rahman said no specific constitutional to execute the action. It shown that UMNO party concern that stern action should be taken, so that the issue of racism is not used as a political agenda. What can be seen in other states, racial conflict will result in the occurrence of disunity, fighting, bloodshed and subsequent collapse of a country. The search for solutions has been carried out several times but failed because Singapore under command Lee Kuan Yew has aggravated the situation. To avoid worse things in the future, Tunku Abdul Rahman has taken decisive and drastic action after his return from London. Desire Tunku Abdul Rahman to remove Singapore from Malaysia was not agreed from the Commonwealth countries. However Tunku still with his stance and he has made a formal announcement that eject Singapore from Malaysia. On 9 August 1965, Singapore separated from Malaysia and became an independent with full sovereignty over its territory . Is it Singapore which is only a small state and do not have the raw material source can survive in the future. Of course, this becomes a challenge to Singapore as a newly independent state. Singapore is a part of Malaysia for only two years and eight days. Singapore Head of State title was changed to the title of President. Mr Yusuf bin Ishak as a President while Lee Kuan Yew becomes Prime Minister of Singapore . From my personnel view, it’s clearly shown that unity in a multiracial country and religion is very important to maintain harmony and peace.
THE FUNDAMENTALS IN MALAYSIA-SINGAPORE RELATIONS
From my opinion, relationship between Malaysia and Singapore is unique and has a special relationship due to various factors. Although Singapore has been separated from Malaysia in year 1965 but relationship between these two countries is still standing. The first fundamental is due to the difference in size, geo-political circumstance and racial that influence vulnerability of the two states. Therefore this two states interdependence to gain a benefit among them. Singapore is the smallest territory in the Southeast Asia and only city state with majority Chinese majority populace . Population of Singapore in year 1957 consist of 75.4 percent Chinese which is 1,090,596 peoples while Malays only 197,057 which is only 13.6 percent out of the whole Singaporean population. The rest are Indian and others races . Malaysia is the large nation if compare with the Singapore which is in land area alone, 570 times larger than Singapore . Are the differences between the size, geo-political and racial quite significantly between Malaysia and Singapore have positive or negative effects, especially on the relationship between the states. In other view, Singapore has no defence in depth because of the limited space.
The second fundamental in this two country relationship creates special security interdependence in many dimensions. Singapore’s Chief of Defence Force, Lt Gen Winston Choo commented that interdependence defence of Malaysia and Singapore still relevance. It’s based on the lesson of the Malayan Campaign in the Second World War .
Economic security or prosperity is the third fundamental in Malaysia and Singapore relations. Base on the Barry Buzan, economic security concerns access to the resources, finance, and market necessary to sustain acceptable levels of welfare and state power . The economic interdependence between these both states is clearly showed which is Malaysia is the Singapore’s third largest trading partner with total trade amounting to S$23.6 billion in year 1988 . From my personal view, economic factor is the most importance factors to maintain relationship among states. If there is a dispute or issue with other states that have economic relevance, of course, the issue is to be handled in a way that is good for the economic interests of their respective countries.
A fourth fundamental in Malaysia and Singapore relations is their close geographic proximity. Malaysia and Singapore not only geographically close neighbour but in this case there are the other transnational linkages through ethnic ties which is among Malays and Chinese in both state, family relationship, historical and cultural links. Datuk Seri Ahmad Badawi said about this matter as follow:
"To many Singaporeans, Malaysia is their ancestral land..There is therefore, a sense of brotherhood on the part of Malaysians about what happens to their kind in Singapore and vice versa… There is anger and concern when Singapore is perceived, rightly or wrongly, to be doing things against the interests of Malays and Malaysia "
The fifth fundamental is the immutable fact that Malaysia and Singapore will remain different political systems which is operating different political cultures . The Malaysian political system is more pluralistic which is combination of many political parties, embodying Federal State relation and involves a variety of competitive centres of power and authority. The dominant Malaysia political and nation culture are derived from the political values of a Malay- Muslim dominant polity. The Malay- Muslim is the core value of Malaysia. From my opinion, if the core value of Malay-Muslim is disturbed, is not impossible for a fight broke out between the races. It’s proved during the incident of 13 May 1969. Singapore is more unitary with no central-periphery relations to manage and has a political culture that de-emphasizes open political debate but stresses instead national agreement and a management approach to democracy .
The six fundamental is the connection between domestic politics and foreign relations. Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was assigned as fifth Malaysian Prime Minister in 2004. The previous Prime Minister Tun Mahathir Mohamad was chosen his deputy Prime Minister Tun Abdullah to replace him after twenty two years in power . Under the Tun Abdullah government, he was normalizing relations with Singapore. He gave a new attention of bilateral relation and foreign relation with Singapore and fined a solution to solving issues or problems facing by these two states. Come out question, why under the rule of former Prime Minister Tun Mahathir who ruled Malaysia for more than 20 years does not resolve many issues between Malaysia and Singapore. Why Tun Mahathir not bring certain issues to the ICJ whereas Tun Mahathir was known as one of the great leader in the world. In October 2004, an official visit to Malaysia by Singapore Premier Lee Hsien Loong and after that in December 2004 Abdullah met Goh Chok Tong which is Singapore Senior Minister to discuss outstanding bilateral issues . Dato’ Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak replace Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on 3 April 2009 as the Prime Minister of Malaysia. Najib stressed the importance of bilateral ties with countries that are ‘trading partners’ with Malaysia especially in economics . It clearly shows that domestic politics and foreign relations have a connection.
The other fundamental is external influences, whether from neighbours or extra- regional powers. The joint futures of Malaysia and Singapore cannot be inaccessible from the pressure of quick changing global trends. Whether the growing of the international system, the change in the global balance of economic power or the growing dominance of economics as a determinant of security . Implication of a fast shrinking world is that there is really no alternative to interdependence. The challenge is how Malaysia and Singapore can manage this interdependence and get the benefit from it together. Does this interdependence sometimes the states must concede in order to protect relationships and dependency from another states.