Year 2013

Politics

113 Communist Detained

Saturday, 2nd February 1963

The Internal Security Council detained 113 Communist including M. Lim Chin Siong and Dr. Lim Hock Siew. They were detained under the Internal Security Act for their involvement in Communist United Front activites. The arrested came after a massive security exercise, code name Operation Cold Store. Dr. Lim was in the top hierarchy of the PAP before they quit to throw in their lot with the breakaway group which formed the Barisan Sosialis.


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.


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.


Ong Eng Guan won Hong Lim by-election

Saturday, 29th April 1961

Ong Eng Guan registered a new party, the United People's Party (UPP) , he won the Hong Lim by-election defeating PAP candidate Jek Yuan Thong, which proved a blow to the PAP for the leaders. Ong Eng Guan was expelled from the PAP less than a year earlier.


Lee Kuan Yew Singapore First Prime Minister

Friday, 5th June 1959

Lee Kuan Yew, leader of PAP political party, was sworn in as Prime Minister of Singapore at the age of 35.


State of Singapore Formed

Wednesday, 3rd June 1959

The State of Singapore formed with at the same day the Crown Colony's Office of the Governor was abolished. At one minute past midnight, the Governor proclaims Singapore a self-governing state. At 8.30am, he takes office as Yang di-Pertuan Negara, or Head of State. At 8.30am, Encik Yusof bin Ishak becomes Yang di-Pertuan Negara or the Head of State of Singapore. A celebration and mass rally by Peoples' Action Party (PAP) were held in the early evening at the Padang for Singapore gaining full self-government.


Singapore Legislative Assembly 3rd General Election

Saturday, 30th May 1959

The third general election for the Legislative Assembly was a lively and closely-fought affair, with several new political parties joining the fray. This was the first GE for a fully elected legislature after negotiations between the British and Singapore lawmakers to allow Singapore self-government concluded successfully.


Singapore Constitution Exposition 1959

Saturday, 31st January 1959

The Singapore Constitution Exposition (SCE) 1959 at Kallang Park (abandon runway of Old Kallang Airport) was organised by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the full internal self-government to Singapore. The SCE was described as a spectacular exhibition on an eighty hectare ground and the most outstanding celebration of its kind ever to be staged in this part of the world. The Exposition represents a cross-section of races, cultures, goods, goods, costumes and ways of living into view the daily life in Singapore of racial harmony and tolerance.


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