My reflections
Blog Topic 6

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 agree to a certain extent that the need to set up a Common Market was the most important reason for the merger between Singapore and Malaya. Singapore's survival as an independent state would be difficult as Singapore lacked natural resources and faced a declining entrepot trade and a growing population which required jobs. Furthermore, the Malayan government introduced import and export tariffs on goods traded between two countries.

With the tariffs present, people of Singapore who wanted to trade with Malaya would earn less profit.The PAP government felt that the merger with Malaya would bring about rapid economic growth and with that, Singapore hoped that a Common Market would support Singapore's new industries. With the Common Market, goods could be bought and sold freely without needing to pay the tariff. This would increase trade, expand industries and create more jobs.

Another reason for the merger was that Singapore government also hoped that through the merger, Singapore could become completely free from British control. The British was reluctant to grant full independence partly because they feared that the communists would take over Singapore after independence was granted. If Singapore was to merge with strong anti-communist, Malaya, which was an independent nation, then Singapore could achieve complete independence.

However, Malaya was not interested in the merger because they only wanted to work out the details of the Common Market after the signing of the Malaysia Agreement whereas Singapore wanted inclusion of Common Market terms in the Malaysia Agreement.But Tunku felt that the communists might be too strong for the young PAP government to handle. Feared that Singapore might be used as a base to spread communist to Malaya. With a merger, the two countries could work together to curb communists' activities. Therefore,after considering that merger would help him deal with communist threats and that the problem of Chinese population more than the Malays could be solved by including Sarawak and Sabba in the formation of Malaysia, he decided to merge with Singapore.

In conclusion, I think that the need to set up a Common Market was the most important reason for merger between Singapore and Malaya.


My relections
Blog Topic 5

“ Singapore’s struggle to achieve internal self-government in the period 1945-1956 had its cost. Was it worth it? Give at least 2 reasons to support to support your stand.”

I think the cost to achieve internal self-government is worth despite having riots, disagreements, unhappiness and the scarifying of lives.

British recrimination of Asians is obvious as far back from before Japanese Occupation. Before Japanese Occupation, the Asians were not allowed to take the same cabin as the British in the same train. Besides, most of the high ranking position was given to the British. Asians were not given significant posts although both the Asian and the British were equally qualified for the same position.

After World War II, British neglected Chinese education which resulted in unhappiness among Chinese students. The British ignored the Chinese interest to further their education due to the interruption of WWII and wanted them to enroll for the National Service which resulted in the Anti-National Service Riot. Subsequent riots such Maria Hertogh riot, Hock Lee Bus Riot and 1956 Students’ Riot were also because of the lack of understanding and interest of the Asians needs and culture.

In conclusion, under the British’s rule, Priority and interest were always given to the British.

With the struggle and riots, the people lived in Singapore had become more united. With self-governing, all issues become more personal and the people were keen to look into the matters. There were equality between race and religion and peace was present. Without the entire struggle, we will not break free from colonial rule and we will always remain as second class citizens. With self-government, the leader of Singapore will also know the needs of the people of Singapore better than British so riots will not occur.

If till today, we are still under the colony, we are still unsure, if any sever political matter happen, will history be re-enacted. That is, will the British be in full force to protect us? .. or will they flee away to protect their own country first. Unlike now, we know for sure, if we do not protect our own country and fight to the end, nobody can help us.


My Reflection
Blog Topic 4

In your opinion, what could have prevented the Maria Hertogh riots in 1950?

I feel that the Maria Hertogh riots could have been prevented if the British court is more sensitive towards racial and religious issue and more tactful in handling the case.

The British should be more understanding and sensitive towards others’ culture and religion. They should understand that since Maria Hertogh was brought up by the Muslims therefore, as a Muslim, one cannot follow another religion. They should know that Maria Hertogh should not be placed in a Catholic convent. Further more, she should not be asked to pray to Mother Mary. This had upset the Muslim community and they felt that the Muslim law was not respected. They should also know that, under the Muslim Law, 13 years old is not considered under aged for a marriage. Therefore they should recognize the marriage. Furthermore, they did not consider the feelings of Maria’s fostered parents, especially Maria’s husband, due to the separation. They did not realize the misery and unhappiness they caused to the Muslims. Besides, the father could not decide at that point as he was facing war at the other part of the world and she was already given to the Malay family. All these actions had caused the Muslims to believe that the British disrespected the Muslim law, causing disputes between the Europeans and Muslims within the country.

The riots could also be prevented if British learned to be more tactful in handling this case. If they had been more thoughtful of the feelings of the Muslim community, the riots could have been prevented. At first, Maria was returned to Che Aminah after her appeal. However, Maria was returned back to her natural parents when the battle for custody continued. Worse of all, Maria was put in a Roman Catholic convent after she was married to a Muslim. This could have caused the resentment among of the Muslims. Their action had caused the Muslims to believe that British court had racial discrimination against the Malays.

In conclusion, I feel that the British court should have been more understanding and sensitive towards racial and religious issue. If they had put efforts in understanding the culture and religion of another race, namely the Muslims, they would not have caused such great unhappiness and dissatisfaction in the Muslim community. Secondly, they should be more tactful in handling the case. Because of their tactlessness, they had caused conflicts between the Europeans and Muslims. They had angered the Muslims and made them believe that the verdict was based on racial discrimination.




My Reflection.
BLOG TOPIC 3

Did the Industrial Revolution affect the way people lived and worked in the 19th century for the better or the worst?
Explain your answer by providing examples.

There were arguments about the effect of Industrial Revolution which affected the lives of people in the 19th Century.

During the revolution time, machines were located in factories, therfore, workers began to work in factories instead of at home. This allowed the Europeans to produce goods cheaply in great quantities and at a faster rate. Raw materials such as rubber, tin, cotton silk and wood were needed to manufacture goods. The Europeans also needed new markets outside their own countries to sell their goods. So, they began to look to the East for raw materials and markets for their goods. One place they turned to was Asia. This meant that there would be more jobs offered as a lot of work needs to be done and that goods could be bought at cheaper prices which considerably benefited those who were financially struggling.

At the same time,railway trains and steamships were invented following the discovery of the steam-engine. People could travel longer distances in a shorter period of time to look for markets and raw materials. This made travelling easier and the people's lives easier.

However, there were also negative impact of the Industrial Revolution on the way people lived and worked in the 19th century. Some of the examples are that the jobs at factories were dangerous. There were no safety devices, if one is not careful when handling with the machines, one may lose his or her life. Not only that, the working conditions were often unsanitary, meaning dirty. Gases and smoke emitted by the factories cause pollution to the environment which harmed the people’s health living in the 19th century.

Due to many jobs offered, many children were pulled in to join the work force to make ends meet. Children were forced to work 16 hours a day under terrible conditions. They are paid ridiculous wages of around 1 shillings per week. There were limited opportunities for education for the children at that time. Thus education suffered due to the demand of work. To solve these problems mentioned, the government and politicians to prevent youths under the age of 18 working for long hours and working at night had introduced laws.

Besides children, women also suffered. They were faced with the double burden of factory work followed by domestic chores and child care.

The poor also faced the danger of contracting diseases as they lived in very small house in cramped streets. They shared toilet facilities and were at risk of damp. Diseases were spreading through contaminated water supply and many people had died after drinking the water.

As many people were working, there was growth of material wealth. People spent more and more money on unnecessities, wasting their hard-earned money.In conclusion, there are two different types of views to Industrial Revolution.

It had brought happiness, life opportunities and improvements but at the same time, it also caused health problems and family sacrifices from the people. They had also brought static and often cruel to the society.


My Reflection
Reflection topic2

The national museum has decided to erect a statue in front of its entrance. They have to choose between Stamford Raffles and Tan Tock Seng. If you were working for the museum, who would you choose and why? Stamford Raffles is argued to be the founder of Singapore and Tan Tock Seng is recognized as a philanthropist in Singapore. Both contribute an important development to Singapore. I think that Tan Tock Seng status should erected at the entrance of the National Meseum as no Tan Tock Seng status has been erected. The younger generation may not get to know how he looked like. Unlike Raffles who has already had two statuses erected. We should erect a status of Tan Tock Seng to commemorate his great contribution. Tan Tock Seng started as a vegetable and poultry seller. Through his industry and thrift and acumen, he amassed wealth, but he did not ignore the suffering and plight of his unfortunate fellowmen. In 1844, Tan Tock Seng founded a pauper hospital in Pearl’s Hill where the immigrants could seek medical help at little or no cost. He also contributed $5000 to the construction. He also contributed money to the construction of Taoist Tian Hock Keng Temple at Telok Ayer. As an ardent Taoist he believed that a decent funeral should be conducted for the dead. He took to himself to bury Chinese paupers who died in the streets and verandahs, and between the years 1843 and 1850 supplied 1,032 coffins. He was the first Asian to be made a Justice of the Peace by the Governor. He was skillful at settling feuds among the Chinese. Even though Tan Tock Seng was one of the richest merchant in Singapore, he gave generously to the Charity. From the contributions done by this great man, I feel that there is a need for us to erect a status for Tan Tock Seng.


My Reflection
I feel that the definition of a founder is somebody that founded the specific thing and develops it. In this case the thing we are talking about is Singapore. I believe that the founder of Singapore should be Sir Stanford Raffles. It is because he was the person who had spotted Singapore and developed it. He landed on Singapore on 28 January 1819 and saw that Singapore could become a good trading port despite Singapore being a small island covered with jungle and mangrove trees. Raffles saw the future of Singapore and brought Singapore to its feet, transforming Singapore from an obscure fishing village to a great sea port. Raffles was the one that looked for Temenggong and told him that the British wanted a trading settlement here. Raffles was also the one who met up with Tengku Hussein to obtain his permission to start the settlement. He signed the treaty on 6 February 1819 with Sultan Hussein which allowed the British to build a settlement in Singapore. Raffles fought hard to keep the settlement despite antagonizing the British government and the Dutch. He also tried to get the support of some important men. A historian, Constance Mary Turnbull said “Raffles, a man of extraordinary vision, but for whom Singapore would never have existed.” Some Hotels, schools and shopping centre example Raffles institution, are named after him, Sir Stanford Raffles to remember his contribution to this country.