Xerox University Microfilms 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106

INFORMATION TO USERS This material was produced from a microfilm copy of the original document. While the most advanced technological means to photograph and reproduce this document have been used, the quality is heavily dependent upon the quality of the original submitted. The following explanation of techniques is provided to help you understand markings or patterns which may appear on this reproduction. 1. The sign or “target" for pages apparently lacking from the document photographed is “ Missing Page(s)“ . If it was possible to obtain the missing page(s) or section, they are spliced into the film along with adjacent pages. This may have necessitated cutting thru an image and duplicating adjacent pages to insure you complete continuity. 2. When an image on the film is obliterated with a large round black mark, it is an indication that the photographer suspected that the copy may have moved during exposure and thus cause a blurred image. You will find a good image of the page in the adjacent frame. 3. When a map, drawing or chart, etc., was part of the material being photographed the photographer followed a definite method in “sectioning" the material. It is customary tc begin photoing at the upper left hand corner of a large sheet and to continue photoing from left to right in equal sections with a small overlap. If necessary, sectioning is continued again — beginning below the first row and continuing on until complete. 4. The majority of users indicate that the textual content is of greatest value, however, a somewhat higher quality reproduction could be made from “ photographs" if essential to the understanding of the dissertation. Silver prints of "photographs" may be ordered at additional charge by writing the Order Department, giving die catalog number, title, author and specific pages you wish reproduced. 5. PLEASE NOTE: Some pages may have indistinct print. Filmed as received. Xerox University Microfilms 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. 74- 13,714 ANDERSEN, Robert Allan, 1936- THE SEPARATION OF SINGAPORE FROM MALAYSIA: A STUDY IN POLITICAL INVOLUTION. The American University, Ph.D., 1973 Political Science, international law and relations University Microfilms, A XEROX Company , Ann Arbor, Michigan © 1974 ROBERT ALLAN ANDERSEN ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. THR SEPARATION OF SINGAPORE FROM MALAYSIA; A STUDY IN POLITICAL INVOLUTION by Robert A. Andersen Submitted to the Faculty of the School of International Service of The American University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in International Relations Signatures of Committee: Chairman:i s. /? fasu/cyj Dean of the School* of International Services Date 1973 The American University Washington, D.C. THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. CONTENTS Page Preface...................................... - iv Chapter I. INTRODUCTION....... 1 - The Communal Setting. .-.......... 1 - The Process of Nation Building... 12 - Research Goals.................. lu II. THE CREATION OF MALAYSIA.............. 20 - British Intervention and Policies........... - 21 - Relations Between the Mainland and Singapore..... L.......... 37 - Negotiations Towards Merger..... 43 - Inclusion of Sarawak and Sabah... 50 - Singapore's Status Under the Merger Agreement.............. 54 III. A BRIEF MERGER . AND SEPARATION... 64 - Confrontation .. .......... 64 / - Elections, 1963 and 1964........ 75 - The Singapore Riots............. 82 ii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Chapter Page - Continuing Discord................ 86 - Post Separation Relations........ 105 - Stability in Singapore........... 115 IV. MALAYSIA AND SINGAPORE IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS............................ 118 - International Posture............ 119 - Regional Relations................ 130 - Relations within the Commonwealth.. 139 - Relations with the Super Powers... 146 V. CONTINUING COMMUNAL PROBLEMS.......... 163 - A Brief Analysis.................. 165 - The May 1969 Elections and Riots.. 177 - Further Efforts to Solve Communal Problems...................... 186 - Communalism in Singapore......... 197 VI. PROSPECTS.............................. 205 - Political Involution.............. 209 - The Present Situation............. 211 Possible Alternatives............ 226 - Evolution or Involution?......... 255 BIBLIOGRAPHY.................................. 259 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. PREFACE This study was initially conceived as an evaluation of the significance of Singapore's separation from Malaysia. As the research progressed, it became more evident that the separation was part of a larger consideration — the question of nation building in Malaysia. The separation, the 1969 riots and subsequent events up to the present led to the conclusion that instead of political evolution toward nationhood, political involution was occurring in Malaysia. Various library staff persons at both The American University and Cornell University were of considerable assistance in obtaining material necessary for this study. Ann Hamilton Scudder was especially helpful in obtaining material from the Library of Congress. I would also like to thank Dr. Millidge Walker for his suggestions and criticisms in the preparation of the final draft of this study. Most of all, I wish to express my thanks to the chairman of my dissertation committee, Dr. Kenneth Landon, Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. for his encouragement and general guidance which were essential throughout the course of the study. Robert A. Andersen The American University Washington, D.C. 1973 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. To my wife, Jane, for her unfailing encouragement and confidence Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. INTRODUCTION The Communal Setting The attempt to establish a viable Federation of Malaysia consisting of Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak and Sabah suffered a major reverse with the separation of Singapore on August 9, 1965, just twenty-three months after Malaysia's formation. The forced separation was the culmination of considerable discord between the Malay and Chinese of Malaysia and the growing acrimony between the leaders of the two factions. The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman, announced the separation to the Malaysian Parliament as "the most painful and heartbreaking news I have had to break...."^ The Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, said "...It is a moment of anguish. All my life, my whole adult life, I have believed in merger and unity of the two territories.... It broke everything we stood for."^ •^Straits Times. August 10, 1965. 2Ibid. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. 2 The forced expulsion of Singapore was substantiation of the growing evidence that at least in the case of Malaysia the nation building concepts might not be working. The creation of Malaysia was an example of the idea that large nation states can be created by grouping together several small nations, which may not have the capacity to maintain self sufficiency nor the means of providing required services to their people. ne faltering of Malaysia which became fully visible in 19 sts doubts on the future of the remaining portions of th. federation. Any study aysia should begin with the initial observation that Malaysia has never approached full inte gration. It is, instead, a nation of great diversity and contrast in terms of culture, religion, language, economics and geography. Even without Singapore, this diversity of the Federation remains its most notable characteristic. The very creation of Malaysia, as will be seen, was an attempt to cope with the problems this diversity created. Geographic conditions have been a major determinant in the diverse cultural and political patterns of Malaysia. Extending over an area of 128,545 square miles, Malaysia Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. 3 consists of the eleven states of the former Federation ef Malaya located on the lower portion of the Malay Peninsula and the States of Sarawak and Sabah located on the island of Borneo. The peninsula and Borneo portions are separated by 400 miles of the South China Sea. A mountain range running north and south divides the peninsula in the center. Much of the area is covered by a tropical jungle. Both Sarawak and Sabah have coastal plans progressing into mountainous, jungle covered interiors. The city state of Singapore is an island separated from the mainland by a three-quarter mile wide strait. The primitive terrain and geographic remoteness have contributed greatly to the difficulty of cultural 3 integration and economic development. 3 Although they are not current m political matters, good sources for general geographic and demographic infor mation about Malaysia and Singapore are J. N. Gullick, Malaya (New York: Frederick A. Praeger, 1963) and Willard

Load more