How far do you agree that the need to set up a Common Market was the most important reason for merger between Singapore and Malaya?

I strongly disagree that the most important reason for merger between Singapore and Malaya was the need to set up a Common Market. There are other important reasons behind the merging of Singapore and Malaya for example, Singapore wanted to provide a loan of $150 million for the development of Sabah and Sarawak and to collect its own revenue and then send an agreed sum of money each year to Kuala Lumpur as taxes. While Malaya wanted a $50 million grant from Singapore for the development of Sabah and Sarawak and to collect revenue in Singapore and then give Singapore what it needed to run the state.

Tunku Abdul Rahman was frustrated by the disagreements and threatened to call off the negotiations and to proceed with the idea of forming Malaysia without Singapore. Eventually, Singapore and Malaya came to an agreement with the economic terms that the Common Market would be established in stages, Singapore would provide a $150 million loan for the development of Sabah and Sarawak and Singapore would collect its own revenue and pay Kuala Lumpur an agreed sum of money. Although the setting up of a Common Market was one of the improtant reasons, there are two other reasons added for the merger.

The setting up of a Common Market was only Singapore's idea to bring out rapid economic growth and also to support Singapore's new industries. The merging of Singapore with Malaya was also PAP's idea and Malaya did not start it. Malaya also had its own reasons to agree with the merger. In my opinion, the setting up of a Common Market was not the most important reason for the merger of Singapore and Malaya as there were other reasons involving other countries like Sabah and Sarawak.

Singapore's struggle to achieve internal self-government in the period 1945-1959. Was it worth it? Give at least two main reasons to support your stand.

It was worth it for Singapore's struggle to achieve self-government in the period 1945 to 1959. There was anti British feelings as the British did not put all their effort in Chinese schools and think that they are unimportant compared to English schools. They put their first priorities onto English schools and Chinese schools were not even given a chance to excel and were also not given high ranks although they receive scholarships. They did not really meet the needs of the people in Singapore and this resulted in rioting mainly the Hock Lee bus riots and the Students' Riots which created a big chaos. Hock Lee bus drivers were not given enough salary to survive well and Chinese students were looked down upon. Students were from Chung Cheng High School and Chinese High School. Some people were badly injured or even died in the riots, even the young ones were not spared. Students supported the Hock Lee rioters by bringing food and entertaining the workers with songs and dance. The situation was so bad that police had to use fire hoses to control the rioters. The rioters even used bricks, stones and bottles, which might seem small but are deadly. By achieving self-government might stop all these troubles as Singaporeans rule themselves and know what are the best for themselves.

Another reason was that David Marshall had won the Chief Minister of Singapore of the party Labour Front as his status but the governor and his British officials did not treat him with proper respect and only considered him as a figurehead-a leader who has little authority or influence. They just trampled on him like an unwanted person and treated him as nothing. David Marshall negotiated for internal self-government and insisted that Singapore should have a say in matters of defence and external affairs. He also threatened to resign as a Chief Minister if he was not given the chance to do so. The British was not confident of David Marshall and so did not agreed on the self-governing. David Marshall kept to his words and so stepped down. It was not fair for David Marshall to be chosen as the Chief Minister and then throwing him at one side, not even seeing him of any specialty. He was not even given the chance to have his say as a Chief Minister and there was not even trust put on him. There was not even a use of being a Chief Minister to be led by anything he was told to do. With self-government, it would not require any people of status to argue with one another on how to rule the country as they are of the same country, same nation as one people which is, Singapore.

In your opinion, what could have prevented the Maria Hertogh riots in 1950? Give at least two suggestions.

In my opinion,i suggest that in the first place,when Maria Hertogh's biological parents put her under the care of Che Aminah, they must be mentally prepared that some changes would sure to become on Maria as she was in a Muslim family. With this consideration, they would be able to make the decision whether to make Maria live with Che Aminah. Since they had already made their choice, they have to bear with the consequences.It was also very unfair towards Maria as she was not close with her biological parents all those years and had formed close and strong bonds with her Muslim family. All of a sudden she was called to be taken back, she might not feel comfortable as she had already got used with Che Aminah and they loved her dearly and treated her just like their own daughter regardless of her race. To Maria, she might think that she was just like a ball being back and forth. For a 13 year old girl like her, she might not take the blow. If Maria's biological parents had made this decision to let Maria lived with Che Aminah, and had been mentally prepared to take up this responsibilty, nothing would have happened, not even a court case would occur and everything would be just fine. Situations would remain the way they are and Maria could just continue to live with Che Aminah comfortably as she was used to it.

Another suggestion is that judge should have made the verdict a fair one. Also he would have known the condition better that Maria was currently a Muslim and by going against the law of the Muslims that they can only worship one God. By entering Maria into a catholic convent, she would be indirectly going against the Muslim law. The judge should ponder on all this important points to prevent any insult on the religious laws. By doing this, he might be able to stop the rioting and keep the stability of the Muslim laws.The Malyas would not feel insulted.The judge was partly responsible for this riot and he should have made the verdict a fair one and one which do not go against the Muslim laws.

Did the industrial revolution affect the way people lived and worked in the 19th century for the better or worse? Explain your answer by providing examples.


The invention of new machines and the discovery of new sources of power to drive these machines brought about changes that led to the Industrial Revolution (1750 to 1850) These changes did transformed the way people lived and worked. There was an invention which had greatly changed peoples' lives was the invention of the steam-engine. Coal was burnt in the steam-engine to turn water into steam. The pressure from the steam provided the energy for machines to produce goods in great quantities. Very soon, the use of machines spread to the rest of Europe, speeding up activities to produce great quantities of goods. As these machines were located in factories, workers bagan to work in factories instead of working at home. The use of machines meant that the Europeans could produce their goods cheaply in great quantities and at a faster rate. Raw materials were needed to manufacture these goods. The Europeans also needed new markets outside their own countries to sell their goods. At the same time, railway trains and steamships were invented following the discovery of the steam-engine. People could travel longer distances in shorter period of time to look for markets and raw materials. This resulted in more ships visiting Singapore and led to the growth in trade.There was a new trade route to cut down the time taken to travel from London to Singapore. There was a new trade route which was a short-cut to travel to Singapore.This saved a lot of time. The trade increased too trememdously. Ferdinand de Lesseps contributed by drawing up plans to avid sea route around Africa by cutting a long canal to link the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea. This was the new route which made trading more convenient. Generally the Industrial Revolution affected the way people lived and worked in the 19th century for the better.

Raffles or Tan Tock Seng

The National museum has decided to erect a statue in front of its entrance. They have to choose Stamford Raffles and Tan Tock Seng.If you were working for the museum, who would you choose?And why?

If it was me, i would have chosen Tan Tock Seng. Tan Tock Seng was the first person who setted up a hospital to help in curing of the sickness and diseases that people had. He also helped in settling problems and disputes in the Chinese community. Although he was rich, he still donated a lot to charities to help other needy people. He had a passion for the sick and poor and buried unclaimed bodies using his own expenses. He always helped those who could not afford all these expenses. Tan Tock Seng was rich but he did not leave people who were less fortunate alone and do nothing. He was always welcoming for others to seek help from him.

Raffles only founded Singapore and turned it into a trading port which allows traders to trade things by sea. Although Raffles had gone through a lot like avoiding a conflict with the Dutch, Tan Tock Seng had to settle even more problems like on how to maintain the hospital in a good condition, and spending a lot of time and energy to help others in need. He had put in a lot of effort too. He also had to come out with methods on how to cure different types of illnesses.

Without him, Tan Tock Seng, Singapore might not have any hospitals in the past to help to cure sicknesses and people who were in need might not be able to get any help. Tan Tock Seng was the very great man who given up his own precious time to benefit others.

My Reflections

Raffles was the noble man who founded Singapore.At first,British needed a port to protect their trading ships.Raffles caught sight of the island Singapore.The Temenggong invited Tengku Hussein to Singapore.The British publicly recognised Tengu Hussein as the Sultan.Britain and Holland were engaged in a 'paper war' over Singapore.Britain and Holland signed the Anglo-Dutch Treaty.Raffles chosen Singapore for its good,reliable and fresh potable water from the springs of Fort Canning which still stands today.Another reason was that Singapore appeared to Raffles as a suitable port and a secure harbour to potect ships from stormy winds and provide facilities for British ships to dock, refit and replenish.It was also an excellent idea for a settlement for the China trade.In addition,Raffles chose Singapore as the dutch had not occupy the island as there were no Dutch on the island and the British could avoid conflict with them.Raffles indeed is a very noble man.Without him,Singapore might not even exist until the present Singapore which is now filled with technological advances.Sir Stamford is popularly regarded and honoured as the 'founder'and architect of Singapore'.Today,the statues of Raffles stand strong beside the Old Parliament House and in front of the Victoria Concert Hall to remind of his role in finding the settlement of Singapore.It is all owed to Raffles that Singapore has its present city.