Year 1953
PAP Wins State Election
Saturday, 21st September 1963
The PAP wins the 1963 (the first after joining the Malaysian Federation) State Elections with 37 seats, defeating the Barisan Sosialis with 13 seats and Ong Eng Guan's United People's Party with 1 seat (Hong Lim).
The Malaysia Agreement
Tuesday, 9th July 1963
The Malaysia Agreement is signed between leaders of Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak.
Potong Pasir Cleaned Up
Thursday, 23rd May 1963
Health Ministry officials launched a big sterilisation campaign in cholera infected Potong Pasir. Ministry workers pumped chlorine into ponds and sprayed Insecticide in the surrounding area. Singapore's first cholera victim came from the Potong Pasir kampong. The Health Ministry have since confirmed the presence of cholera germs in four of the kampong ponds.
Second Malaysia Grand Prix In Singapore
Sunday, 14th April 1963
The race was held in Upper Thomson Road Street Circuit. The event was sponsored by Esso Singapore. 26-year old Police Inspector from Hong Kong, Albert Poon, won the 60 laps race. His Lotus 23 also clocked the fastest lap time of 1 minute 30.2 seconds. Second was Yong Nam Kee in his modified Jaguar E-Type. Mike Cook was third in his Cooper T45 Climax.
Merger Referendum Held in Singapore
Saturday, 1st September 1962
A referendum on the terms of the merger held in Singapore showed the people's overwhelming support for the PAP's plan to go ahead with the merger. 71% of the people of Singapore are for the Merger with Malaya.
First Singapore Grand Prix
Sunday, 17th September 1961
The first Singapore Grand Prix was held in the 3.023 miles long Upper Thomson Road Street Circuit. A Singapore Resident, Ian Barnwell who is also a Temerloh Planter, won the race in his Aston Martin DB3S. He took home a Gold Trophy and $1,000 cash. Second was Saw Kim Thiat in his Lotus Eleven Climax and Dick Clinkard came in third in his Austin Healey.
Lim Hock Siew Left Hospital For Politics
Wednesday, 6th September 1961
Dr Lim Hock Siew, of the Tan Tock Seng Hospital, resigned from Government service to join Barisan Socialis. He was also well-known in left-wing political circles as leading members of the University Socialist Club which he helped found in 1953. Dr. Lim was a former editor of "The Fajar" and at one chairman of the University of Malaya Students' Union.
PAP Assemblymen defected
Thursday, 20th July 1961
21 PAP Assemblymen lead by Doctor Lee Siew Choh defected to Pro-Communist Party. They later form a new Barisan Sosialis Party.
Singapore and Malaysia Merger Proposal
Saturday, 27th May 1961
Tunku Abdul Rahman, the Malayan Prime Minister, proposed closer political and economic co-operation between the Federation of Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak, North Borneo and Brunei in the form of a merger. The main terms of the merger, agreed on by him and Lee Kuan Yew, were to have central government responsibility for defence, foreign affairs and internal security, but local autonomy in matters pertaining to education and labour.
Bukit Ho Swee Fire
Thursday, 25th May 1961
The Bukit Ho Swee Fire kills four people and destroys 2,200 attap houses. The fire made at least 16,000 homeless. Most of the attap houses in the squatter settlement were destroyed as the fire spread quickly by the strong winds. The root cause of this disaster remains unknown.
Nation Building 1 People 1 Places 3 Politics 1
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