Chapter 8Part 2

First & Second Merdeka Talks 1959 election

Comparison of

First Merdeka Talks vs

Second Merdeka Talks

First Merdeka Talks

Led by David Marshall – the

first Chief Minister

David Marshall went to London to request from the British for full internal self-

government in 1956

The talks failedwhen the British

disagreed to Marshall’s demands

Why were the British

unwilling to grant permission

to David Marshall for

internal self-government?

The British felt that David Marshall would not protect their interestsand needs.

The British were unconvinced by David Marshall’sability to keep Singapore safe from the Communists.

British Singapore

Second Merdeka Talks

Led by Lim Yew Hock – the second

Chief Minister

Lim Yew Hock led the administration

(government) to London in 1957 to re-negotiate with

the British for full self-government.

The negotiation was successful.

Why were the British

willing to grant permission

to Lim Yew Hock for

internal self-government?

The British showedconfidence in Lim Yew Hock’s administration

ReasonHe had managed to suppress the riots successfully in an effective manner.

Result of Second Merdeka Talks

in 1957

Sngapore gained full control of all internal matters of government.

Internal Security Foreign Affairs Defence

Compromiseon these areas

Upon his return from London, he announced that

“Singapore would have internal self-government with an election in May 1959.”

Branch of Government Areas of Responsibility

Executive LegislativeSingapore’s

internal self-government

British Shared responsibility

• Head of State or Yang-di-Pertuan

• Prime Minister• Local Ministers

51 members to be elected in the 1959 election

• Trade & Industry

• Health• Education• Finance• Housing• Law and

Finance

• External Affairs

• ExternalDefence

Internal Security

How was the government structure like after the 1959 election?

Branch of Government Areas of Responsibility

Executive LegislativeSingapore’s

internal self-government

British Shared responsibility

• Head of State or Yang-di-Pertuan

• Prime Minister• Local Ministers

51 members to be elected in the 1959 election

• Trade & Industry

• Health• Education• Finance• Housing• Law and

Finance

• External Affairs

• ExternalDefence

Internal Security

How was the government structure like after the 1959 election?

Branch of Government Areas of Responsibility

Executive LegislativeSingapore’s

internal self-government

British Shared responsibility

• Head of State or Yang-di-Pertuan

• Prime Minister• Local Ministers

51 members to be elected in the 1959 election

• Trade & Industry

• Health• Education• Finance• Housing• Law and

Finance

• External Affairs

• ExternalDefence

Internal Security

How was the government structure like after the 1959 election?

Branch of Government Areas of Responsibility

Executive LegislativeSingapore’s

internal self-government

British Shared responsibility

• Head of State or Yang-di-Pertuan

• Prime Minister• Local Ministers

51 members to be elected in the 1959 election

• Trade & Industry

• Health• Education• Finance• Housing• Law and

Finance

• External Affairs

• ExternalDefence

Internal Security

How was the government structure like after the 1959 election?

Branch of Government Areas of Responsibility

Executive LegislativeSingapore’s

internal self-government

British Shared responsibility

• Head of State or Yang-di-Pertuan

• Prime Minister• Local Ministers

51 members to be elected in the 1959 election

• Trade & Industry

• Health• Education• Finance• Housing• Law and

Finance

• External Affairs

• ExternalDefence

Internal Security

How was the government structure like after the 1959 election?

The 1959 election was a

very important election to Singapore.

Why?

It was the first fully democratic election.• All the members in

the LegislativeAssembly were elected by the people.

Voting was made compulsory.• This to ensure people

took part in the election.

The Citizenship Ordinance passed in 1957.• Immigrants are

allowed to be citizens.

1959 election

political parties

took part in this election.

Candidates

194

Seats in the Legislative Assembly

51

The ResultsBiggest Winner

People’s Action Party

What made

PAP more popular

among the

other political parties?

Perceived as honest and

incorruptible

Organised and United

A comprehensive

plan for Singapore

Supported by a large group of

voluntary helpers from

trade unions and Chinese schools

Lee Kuan YewPAP’s leaderFirst Prime Minister

Zubir SaidComposer of ‘Majula Singapura’

Lee Kuan YewPAP’s leaderFirst Prime Minister

PAP formed the government

Zubir SaidComposer of ‘Majula Singapura’

Lee Kuan YewPAP’s leaderFirst Prime Minister

Yusof bin IshakHead of StateFirst President

Singapore had yet to achieve independence as British still had control in certain areas such as

External Affairs and External Defence

However,

Timeline of Important Events19

551955 electionLF won.David Marshall as Chief Minister.Hock Lee Bus Riots took place.

1956

The First Merdeka Talks failed.David Marshall resigned.Lim Yew Hock became second Chief Minister.Students’ Riots took place.

1957

The Second Merdeka Talks

1958

The November 1958 Constitution

1959

1959 fully democratic electionPAP won the electionFormed government

1959

Internal Self-Government

Recap

Hock Lee Bus

Riots

First Merdeka

Talks

Students’ Riots

Second Merdeka

Talks

1959 election

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