Year 2002

Politics

Singapore and Malaysia Separation Agreement

Saturday, 7th August 1965

Singapore and Malaysia sign the separation agreement.


MacDonald House bombed

Wednesday, 10th March 1965

MacDonald House (formerly also known as Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank Building) bombing by Indonesian saboteurs killed 3 people, during the konfrontasi period (between Indonesia and Malaysia). Singapore became the target of multiple terror attack. Then Indonesian president Sukarno was openly opposed to the merging of Malaya, Singapore, Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei, and ordered armed attacks in East Malaysia, incited revolts in Brunei and carried out sabotage activities in West Malaysia and Singapore. Two HSBC Bank employees were killed and 33 injured.


September Race riot

Thursday, 3rd September 1964

A second race riot occurred just a month after the first - this time, a Malay trishaw-rider was found murdered at Geylang Serai and his attackers were believed to be a group of Chinese. The race riot ensued in the neighbourhoods of Geylang, Joo Chiat and Siglap, and another curfew was imposed. In this incident, 13 people lost their lives and 106 people were injured. Under the presence of troops and the imposing of curfews, these tensions eventually eased after a few days. 480 people were arrested. Both Malaysia and Singapore have attributed the September riots to Indonesian provocateurs. It was the Konfrontasi period and 30 Indonesian paratroopers had landed in Labis, Johor on 2 September.


The Singapore-Malaysia Causeway Closed

Wednesday, 22nd July 1964

Due to Race Riots in Malaysia and Singapore, the causeway was closed from 22 to 26 July 1964.


Malay-Chinese Race Riot

Tuesday, 21st July 1964

Street violent left 21 persons deal and 460 injured. The day itself was suppose to be a peaceful day as was the anniversary of the prophet's birth. 25,000 Muslim had gather on the Padang to observe the day and the group began to move towards Geylang. Fighting started as the main body somewhere along Kallang Road between the Chinese and the Malays.  Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and several other foreign observers attributed the riots as the result of agitation by Syed Jaafar Albar and other elements of the ultra-nationalist faction in UMNO.


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).


Singapore Legislative Assembly 4th General Election

Saturday, 21st September 1963

The fourth general election for the Legislative Assembly was a lively and closely-fought affair, with several new political parties joining the fray.


Singapore is part of Malaysia

Monday, 16th September 1963

Malaysia was formed and consisted of the Federation of Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak and North Borneo (now Sabah). Relieving Singapore of colonial rule and becoming an autonomous state within the Malaysian Federation. Brunei opted out. Indonesia and the Philippines opposed the merger. President Sukarno of Indonesia worked actively against it during the three years of Indonesian confrontation.


Singapore declares independence

Saturday, 31st August 1963

Singapore declares independence from the British.


The Malaysia Agreement

Tuesday, 9th July 1963

The Malaysia Agreement is signed between leaders of Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak.


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