Should Singapore have a merger with Malaysia or Israel?

What are the pros and cons of the Singapore - Malaysia merger?

• Answer:

  Pros First there is politcal benefits. Singapore wants to be independent. 1963 federation of malaysia constitution, through merger in 1963 with an independent malaya, singapore achieved full independence from British. Before the merger, British is unwilling to grant singapore independence giving the excuse that singapore is not strong enough and have limited resources to be independet. For malaya, merger was a way to check rising threat of communism in Singapore which might result to a threaten to the safety of malaya. Malaya is very successful in handling communist problems, one example is The Emergency. Secondly, there is economic benefits. Singapore has limited resources and by merging with malaysia, malaysia acts as a hinterland for singapore and provides singapore with the resource. Furthremore, singapore has a small market and by merging with malaysia, it increases size of market and hence benefit singapore economically. Malysia on the other hand also wants to be benfited by singapore since singapore has more than 2500 firmst and a population of 1.7millon and is the most important port in south east asia. Cons However, because of the merger, federak government's fear of PAP's domination in malaysia politics. The failure of Alliance leader in KL to enable the Malays in Singapore to gain more seats in the Singapore Legislative Assmebly during the 1963 elections caused the alliance leader to feel very bitter about the defeat. Tunku even came to singapore and expressed his disappointment,this resulted to tension and bitter relationship. Furthremore, singapore promised not to participate in federal elections but did not keep its promise. Lee Kuan Yew and others participated in the federal election, although they only won a few seats but malays felt threatened by Singapore. Moreover, malaysia keep emphasizing on Malay being a superior race but Singapore felt that everyone is equal. Hence, the fear of Chinese domination in Malysian politics was a dominant threat felt amongst malay leaders. There are many riots for example the Geylang gaswork riot on Prophet Muhamad's birthday which resulted in injuries and the damage of properties. Singapore did not benefit as much in the common market because the Central government was not convinced to promote new industries in Singapore. When foreign industries want to set up industries in Singapore, the centre government always delay and disagree. Singapore also recieved very few certificats of pioneer status. Singapore leaders felt very frustrated to threatened to boycott british goods. Resulted to upsetting relationship. Tax charges to protect malaysian industry is very frustrating. Singapore's light bulb industries suffered because of the imposition of duty on imports of light bulbs just when light bulb factories are going to be set up and 50000 people are unable to get their jobs because of this.