Sunday, January 29, 2012

Problem faced by Singapore in 1960s

In 1965, Singapore was separated from Malaysia and gained the independence. However, it is not really beneficial to the country. Singapore faced various problems, socially and economically. 

Below is a list of problem faced by Singapore:
-High Unemployment
-Racial Conflicts
-Workers on strikes
-No resources
-Lack of educated people and skilled work force
-Significant increase of population
-Economy challenges
-Lack of housing

High Unemployment
People in Singapore depended on British too much and lost their job after British left. When British were still in Singapore, locals worked for them as cleaners and servants in their military base, prisons, etc. Besides, the economy between Malaysia and Singapore terminated for a short while, making many people lost their jobs. Common market that was supposed to be set up had failed after the separation.

Racial Conflicts
Several racial conflicts occurred before the independence in 1965. One of the worst incidents is the Racial Riots in 1964.

Workers on strikes
Workers were not satisfied with the employers who paid them lowly. Thus, they went on strikes and caused big problems to the economies.

No resources
Singapore has very little land where the resources are limited. Importing resources was not beneficial to the economy because it was a huge cost.

Lacking of educated people and skilled work force
People during the time had fewer chances to have proper education of training. Even they are skilled, they did not get any upgrade.
Significant increase of population
The population boomed and had a significant increase of population. The generation felt safer to give birth to kids as the war time was over.

Economy challenges
Many countries in SouthEast Asia had already far in front of Singapore in economies. Singapore had a decline in portion or entrepot trade.

Lacking of houses
There were a lot of farmlands in Singapore in 1960s. Those lands were suitable for development. And during that time, houses were built not according to the orders. Unlike the HDB or condominium, the houses were built like terraces. Thus, many people did not have living shelter during that time.



(Background Information)
The reason Singapore was separated from Malaysia is due to people with racial imbalance mindset. There were a few of elections that were held in Malaysia and Singapore. The lacking of unity within the races had totally affected the relationship between the Central Government and Singapore government. Malaysia's political parties, UMNO, MCA and MIC were only finding benefits for their own races and not united. Singapore, on the other hand, with a mixed-racial political party, PAP wanted to make the situation better and all the races united. However, they participated in one of the Malaysia's Election when they had already promised not to do so. This made the Central Government frustrated and wanted to interrupt Singapore's election too. The Central Government sent most of the UMNO members to take part in the elections. When they know that people are mainly towards the PAP, they planned to spread rumours about Singapore's PAP did not care about Malays. One of the representatives also made a speech for the Malays in Singapore and told them how the Malays were actually treated. This had caused a lot of unnecessary responses. The relationship of two countries was like a breaking bridge, it would collapse in anytime. When the prime minister of Malaysia knew the situations, he was depressed and disappointed. He wanted it to stop and the only solution was separation. Singapore government was not willing to accept the solution. They thought there would be some ways to solve the problems. However, the Malaysia government seemed to change their mind. Thus, Singapore was officially separated from Malaysia, in a very unhappy way. 


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