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Structured Essay Question Answer Chap9
- 1. StructuredEssayQuestion(SEC2 WKBOOK) Why didSingaporewanta mergerwithMalaya Singapore wantedmergerwithMalayabecause of several reasons.Politically,Singapore wantedmerger withMalaya inthe hope of achievingindependence fromthe British.The Britishdidnothave confidence that Singapore will be able to withstandthe communistthreatinthe 1950s – 1960s. TheyfeltSingapore was notreadyfor independence.Hence,mergerwithMalayawouldmeanthatthe stronganti- communistgovernmentof Malayawill be able tohelpSingapore fightagainstcommunism.Inthisway, Britishwould feel more confidenttograntindependence toSingapore. Besidespolitical reasons,Singapore wantedmergerforeconomicreasonsaswell.Singapore hadnoraw materialstodependon.Withmerger,itwouldmeanthatSingapore wouldbe able to tapon Malaya as a hinterlandforresources.Withmerger,itwouldalsomeanthatSingapore wouldbe able toreduce taxationasa commonmarketcouldbe set up.Withmerger,it wouldalsomeanthatthe populationin Singapore will be able tobenefitfromthe employment opportunitiescreated.The problemof unemploymentinSingapore wouldbe resolvedaspeople wouldnow be able toworkinMalaya. Singapore wantedamergerwithMalayabecause itwouldalsomeanthat Singapore wouldbe able torid the strong communistinfluence fromChina.Withastronganti-communistgovernment,Lee KuanYew hopedtodilute the communistinfluence inSingapore.Inthisway,Lee KuanYew wouldbe able to gathera strongerfootholdasthe Prime Ministerof Singapore.