MESSAGE OF GREETINGS TO THE FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

The Chief Minister: Mr Speaker, Sir, it is my privilege today to move a message of greetings that stands in my name, namely,

That Mr Speaker do convey to Mr Speaker of the Federal Legislative Council the following message of greetings and good wishes for the inaugural meeting of the Federal Legislative Council:

"On this historic occasion, the Singapore Legislative Assembly on behalf of the people of Singapore sends fraternal greetings and good wishes to the Federal Legislative Council and the people of the Federation.

"In the dawn of this new era in the political history of the separated parts of this Malayan territory we of the Singapore Legislative Assembly look forward to the closest co-operation and co-ordination with the Federal Legislative Councillors in building up a Malayan outlook and loyalty and in the achievement of our common aims for freedom, economic security and social welfare of the peoples of this territory, and extend to our brothers across the Straits our good wishes for their success in the way ahead."

The 31st of August, 1955, is a day of great rejoicing for our brothers across the Straits. On that day, by the inaugural meeting of the Federal Legislative Council, a new era will dawn which must inevitably culminate in complete independence.

The people of the Federation, by their massive voting attendance unparalleled, in so far as I am aware, in any other democratic country, by their unique unity and their intransigent non-communalism, have dramatically demonstrated their inflexible will to independence and their capacity for independence.

That day of rejoicing, Sir, for the people of the Federation is a day of inspiration and rejoicing for us. Whatever misunderstandings there may be today or tomorrow - and misunderstandings there can be even between loving brothers - our fate in Singapore is inextricably woven with that of the Federation, and I would not have it otherwise.

From what I know of the policy of Her Majesty's Government, I believe that the Federation and Singapore will march together towards self-government and together we will achieve independence.

These two territories, joined by a short causeway, are a geographical, economic and ethnic entity. Political unity is essential for our mutual welfare. In so far as lies in my power, the door on this side will remain permanently wide open for the achievement of a political unity that alone can make possible real independence.

At every stage of our political development in Singapore, I envisage the closest and friendliest co-operation and co-ordination in all aspects of major policy and legislation between us, because, to the extent, Sir, that we drift apart, to that extent shall we be weakened.

To the Federal Legislative Councillors, on behalf of my colleagues and myself, I say you have our warm and sincere good wishes and our boundless goodwill. To the Federation I say 'Merdeka!'

Mr Lim Yew Hock: Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise to second the motion.

The Hon. the Chief Minister has already explained to us how the political development of Singapore and of the Federation of Malaya is woven in such a pattern that we must march together towards self-government and towards independence. It is therefore most fitting that, when they have the inaugural meeting on the 31st of August, we should send fraternal greetings to our brothers across the Straits.

Question proposed.

Mr Lim Choon Mong: Mr Speaker, Sir, I, on behalf of my Party and myself, would like to associate ourselves with this motion. Indeed, we send to the Federation our best greetings.

It is a big step forward. The Federation of Malaya is now embarking on the road to self-government. We know that the Federation Government will lead the people on to peace and prosperity, and we hope, and with it our prayer, that from this constitutional step they will work towards self-government and independence.

Inche Mohamed Sidik Bin Haji Abdul Hamid (Southern Islands): Mr Speaker, Sir, I stand to support the motion of the Chief Minister. This is the first time in the history of Malaya that elections have taken place. We wish them every success and may they proceed on the road towards independence justly proud of the inheritance of all free countries.

Mr Goh Chew Chua (Ponggol-Tampenis): I should like to take this opportunity, on behalf of my Party, to associate myself with all the kind things that have been said in this Assembly on the occasion of the inaugural meeting of the Federal Legislative Council.

We are today on the threshold of events leading to self-government and independence, and look forward to closer co-operation with the Federal Legislative Council on matters of common interest to both territories.

My Party wishes the Federal Legislative Council every success in its future and associates itself with the greetings that have been extended by Members of this Assembly to their friends and colleagues in the Federal Legislative Council.

Inche Abdul Hamid Bin Haji Jumat: Mr Speaker, Sir, I wish to associate myself with the sentiments expressed by the Chief Minister in extending the hand of friendship to the Federal Legislative Council.

As leader of the Alliance in Singapore, I take great pride in the fact that the composition of the Federal Legislative Council is symbolic of the understanding the peoples of the Federation have in their elected representatives. I wish them success.

Singapore and the Federation of Malaya are on the threshold of a new era, an era fruitful of prospects of self-government and independence. My only hope is that some day in the very near future, we in this Assembly may be able to stand and extend and receive greetings from the Federation of Malaya as free and independent nations.

Mr Lim Ching Siong (Bukit Timah): Mr Speaker, Sir, allow me to associate my Party and myself with this motion. The people of the Federation of Malaya and the people of Singapore are more than brothers. They are part of the same body. Our common goal is independence. Therefore, the victory of the people of the Federation is our victory. Without them, independence for Singapore is impossible.

Inche Ahmad Bin Ibrahim (Sembawang): Mr Speaker, Sir, I, on behalf of the workers of the Naval Base and the people of Sembawang, fully associate ourselves with this motion which has just been moved by the Hon. the Chief Minister.

Though I must say it is in some ways inadequate, nobody can believe that Singapore is not a part of Malaya. We are only separated because of a tricky history. Many of us look forward to the day when our country will be united and free. It is regrettable that this aspiration of the people is not included in the message. I think that we should, in our message, express our desire for unity and not just for co-operation only. It is inadequate just to extend our hands in co-operation across the Straits of Johore. What we really want is that the Straits of Johore should cease to be a political boundary. This is surely one of the important objectives towards which both the Legislatures should work. What more opportune moment can we get to state this than the occasion of the inauguration of the Federal Legislature?

Mr Francis Thomas: Mr Speaker, Sir, I should like to associate myself warmly with this message of goodwill and greetings.

It is very nearly 21 years since I first came to this country as a very young and shy man, and, since that time. I may say that I have made very many friends amongst the generous and kindly people of Malaya, that I have set down my roots and have established myself as a Malayan, and that I look forward with great happiness to the most fruitful co-operation and ultimate unity between the two territories.

I do not think that our message, however, should carry the word 'unity' as though we were attempting to give directions to the Federation. I do not need to talk in terms of which is the senior partner, I hope, on an occasion like this; but they are, anyhow, a larger geographical entity with a very much larger population. It is not for us to convey to them any implied directions as to what should be done. That is a matter for their good judgment and ours, working in brotherly harmony.

Mr Sutherland: Mr Speaker, Sir, I had not intended to speak on this motion but, in case any silence might be interpreted as disapproval, I should like to say that I, too, as a nominated Independent, associate myself with this motion, with particular emphasis on the phrase 'economic security'.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew (Tanjong Pagar): Mr Speaker, Sir, let no one imagine that since I am speaking last in my Party, it is a case of backseat driving.

We support, in the warmest possible terms, the greetings that we are sending to the Federal Legislative Council. It is an historic occasion, because, with this Council, a new political situation of intense interest opens up. It is in the Federation more than in Singapore that the final battle between the British, the nationalists, and the Communists will be fought, and won, or lost.

It is comforting to us here to remember that, whatever mistakes we may have made and may make, they will not be fatal. A very far from weak British administration is manipulating, very delicately and very skilfully, the upsurge of nationalism that has caused the emotional fervour which nationalism means today in Malaya, as it indeed means in every part of Asia. It is negotiating with skill between the U.M.N.O.-M.C.A.-M.I.C. Alliance, which has taken over part of constituted authority, and the armed forces of a militant Communism.

Sir, the next three months are exciting because they are potent with decisive developments. Is the shooting going to go on? Is it going to stop? If it stops, what then? These are questions, which every one of us asks ourselves. These are the questions which will decide not only how Malaya goes, but how Singapore goes in the next four years.

The Chief Minister of the Federation is a very different man from our own illustrious Chief Minister. He is a much more quiet and a much more amiable gentleman. He is a gentleman in every sense of the word. As one historian on the Malays has said: 'Nature's perfect gentlemen'. Of the Tunku, speaking for myself, I would say: 'He is a perfect gentleman.' And he has got, what I am sure our Chief Minister must envy him, an enormous and efficient Party machine. He has got the undoubted support - and no one challenges that - of some three million Malays in the Federation -

The Chief Minister: And Chinese!

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: - and Chinese -

The Chief Minister: And Indians!

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: - and Indians, and it is important and exciting to see how things will turn out.

It is important that we should send them not just our warm and heartfelt greetings but an assurance that, in their fight for 'Merdeka' - an independent, democratic, non-Communist Malaya - we are solidly behind them.

Mr William Tan: Mr Speaker, Sir, on behalf of my Party, I would sincerely like to associate ourselves with this motion and gladly extend our warmest greetings to our brothers across the Straits. Once again, we congratulate them for their unique success in the recent elections.

Question put, and agreed to, nemine contradicente.

Resolved,

That Mr Speaker do convey to Mr Speaker of the Federal Legislative Council the following message of greetings and good wishes for the inaugural meeting of the Federal Legislative Council:

"On this historic occasion, the Singapore Legislative Assembly on behalf of the people of Singapore sends fraternal greetings and good wishes to the Federal Legislative Council and the people of the Federation.

"In the dawn of this new era in the political history of the separated parts of this Malayan territory we of the Singapore Legislative Assembly look forward to the closest co-operation and co-ordination with the Federal Legislative Councillors in building up a Malayan outlook and loyalty and in the achievement of our common aims for freedom, economic security and social welfare of the peoples of this territory, and extend to our brothers across the Straits our good wishes for their success in the way ahead."

Mr Speaker: I shall take great pleasure in conveying to Mr Speaker of the Federal Legislative Council the resolution of the Assembly.