Should Singapore have a merger with Malaysia or Israel?

Why did Singapore favour a merger with Malaysia?

• Answer:

  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. - Amith Belthazar