MERDEKA."

Sir, I must confess that it is with pride and happiness that I move this motion. In a matter of days, the Federation of Malaya will emerge as an independent, sovereign state. In a matter of days a new nation fulfilling its own inevitable destiny will take its proud and rightful place among the great, the small, yet the ever-growing freedom-loving nations of the world. In this part of the world, a new flag will fly and the boundaries of Free Asia will be further enlarged.

Sir, I am not unmindful of the honour and privilege bestowed on me as the mover of this historic motion; nor must I forget to acknowledge in this Assembly the assurance of wholehearted and spontaneous support which Members of the Opposition were quick to extend in this, a matter not only of moment, but also of deep and abiding significance to Singapore.

Two years ago, almost to a day today, this Assembly agreed, nem. con. as the Official Report has it, to a message of greetings being conveyed by you, Sir, to Mr Speaker of the Federal Legislative Council. With your permission, Sir, I will read the full text of that message:

"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.'"

Sir, that first message was in the main a message of hope and good wishes for the future, at that time still in the balance. That message, too, pledged our full and unstinting support, for there were negotiations ahead - and as we know so well to our cost, negotiations sometimes have a habit of taking an unexpected turn. But that was two years ago. In the life and the history of a people, two years represent but a fleeting moment. Yet within this small compass of time, the Federation of Malaya achieved Merdeka.

The manner in which this was accomplished is worth recollecting. Tunku Abdul Rahman, the Chief Minister of the Federation of Malaya, is a close and sincere friend of mine. I have always admired him for his sincerity, a quality at once apparent even at the first meeting. Members of the Opposition in this Assembly have also paid tribute to this most valuable asset possessed by the Tunku. Two years ago the Member for Tanjong Pagar described the Tunku as a gentleman in every sense of the word - an apt and happy description. It was Tunku Abdul Rahman, by a combination of patience, perseverance and that most important ingredient - inspiring leadership - and with the sense of dedication, who first created an atmosphere of unity in his country and cordiality in the conference hall, prerequisites of the success rightly his due. Here was a display of statesmanship at once magnificent and masterly; here was a man building success on the surest of foundations - sincerity. It was this quality which generated pond readily to goodwill. It was this quality of the Tunku which made the High Commissioner of the Federation his ally, and this fact the Tunku himself has admitted a few days ago.

The road the Federation will take is now known. A nation assembled in proud array is ready for its destiny and the greatest adventure of all - to march into the Merdeka Highway! - a path which the leader is pointing out with pride and confidence. The future the Federation will make will be glorious. They have a just man as leader. They have unity and purpose as a driving force. They have friends and allies tested and true, whose aid they have but to invoke; but most important of all, Sir, they have themselves - the people of Malaya ardent in their wish to take the difficult uphill road of freedom, and glory, and nationhood. On this day, with joy and pride, and yet with humility, we greet the people and Government of the Federation of Malaya with but one word - Merdeka! For other words are inadequate and empty, inappropriate and meaningless.

Sir, I now come to the last part of my motion. Here is our testament of faith, hope and charity; faith that one day soon Singapore will be united with the Federation; hope that Singapore and the Federation, as one unit, one country, one nation, will contribute jointly to the good and the strength of the whole; and charity that the tolerance and goodwill, the help and support each has given to the other in the past, will sustain us in the future and remain the basis of our relations in the new and changed circumstances.

I have no reason to look to the future with doubts or misgivings. We, too, shall know a change next year. We in Singapore shall have self-government and, with it, the responsibility for the management of our internal affairs and our trade. In the one, we already have the assurance of Federation assistance; in the other, we look forward to the continuance of their co-operation. To me, the future holds both promise and challenge, so long as we keep faith with ourselves and our destiny, which is inevitably and inextricably bound up with the Federation.

And now, Sir, I would like to make the following announcements. The Government, in order to ensure that the people of this island may be able to participate as they desire, and as fully and spontaneously as possible, in the Merdeka celebrations commencing in the Federation on 30th August, has already announced that it has appointed Saturday, 31st August, a public holiday, in addition to the public holidays appointed for this year. Ships will be dressed on Saturday, 31st August. Guns will be fired at 10 a.m. on Monday, 2nd September, to mark the installation of His Majesty the Yang di Pertuan Agong. The Government has offered the Federation Government a gift which will take the form of meeting the cost of furnishing completely a Committee Room in the new Parliament building to be erected in Kuala Lumpur. The Federation Government has been pleased to signify its gracious acceptance. Hon. Members approved this expenditure earlier today. Sir, an interim gift from Singapore, of a grandfather clock, which will be placed in the Committee Room in the Federal Legislative Council, will be sent to Kuala Lumpur this week. I have arranged for this clock, which has been suitably engraved, to be put on view in the foyer to my office for the convenience of Members who may wish to see it. I am sure, Sir, these arrangements will receive the wholehearted approval of this Assembly.

Finally, Sir, I would like to announce that the Government of the Federation has extended to me an invitation to attend, as a representative of the Singapore Government, the Merdeka celebrations in Kuala Lumpur from 30th August to 3rd September. My wife has also been included in this invitation. Ministers - and I understand you also, Six - have been invited separately. I shall convey to His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, and the Prime Minister of the Federation of Malaya, on behalf of the people and the Government of Singapore, our felicitations and good wishes, and our assurance of continued support and promise of continued co-operation and goodwill. Sir, I beg to move.

11.00 a.m.

Mr Lim Choon Mong (Serangoon): Sir, I rise to second the motion. Whenever a nation is free of its shackles from colonialism, wherever a nation in the world attains freedom, we, who love freedom, rejoice with them. In this particular case, Sir, the Federation of Malaya had been a part of the whole of geographical Malaya. We had been together for a very long time until separated just after the war, so that when the Federation of Malaya attains independence, it is with greater joy that we express our feelings. Our joy is not only limited, Sir, to the nation attaining independence, but that this nation, after its attainment of independence, will remain within the free world as a free and democratic country, a country that will follow the wishes of the people, a country that will observe parliamentary democracy. This indeed, Sir, is one of the rejoicings that we have. This is a fact that must be remembered.

We wish the Federation of Malaya all the best in its future. We wish that the Government will rule wisely. And we wish that the people - all the people - in Malaya, irrespective of race or creed, will enjoy the freedom that is now obtained. We wish that all of them will be happy and be treated equally under the law, and we hope that the nation will march forward as one that has co-operation amongst its people, and that its people will all be loyal to its Government.

On this side of the Straits, Sir, we in Singapore look at the Federation of Malaya with admiration, and perhaps, too, with a little sense of shame, for having been in the forefront of this march to Merdeka; we are now left behind to follow its footsteps. We wish we, too, will be independent. We wish we too could have been a free nation. We wish that we could be as proud as they could be on August 31 to proclaim themselves as free people of a free nation. Yet we are happy that they have attained freedom. We are happy that our big brother is ahead of us. We hope to follow them.

We are more concerned, Sir, that after the attainment of independence, the Federation of Malaya and Singapore will carry on as in the days of old on the lines of co-operation, on the lines of helping one another. People in the Federation as well as in Singapore always regard the two territories as one. There is never an instance when we think of going to the Federation of Malaya as going abroad to a new country. We always regard going to the Federation of Malaya as taking a sort of a holiday in another part of our own country. We hope that all the laws that will be made will be for the mutual benefit of both. We hope that not only will one nation be benefited, but the Federation of Malaya and Singapore will both be prosperous and happy. With two neighbours so closely connected, it is important that both territories must be satisfied. The losing of happiness of one will affect the other. As a Chinese saying goes, "Without the lips the teeth will be cold." If Singapore were to be placed in an unhappy position, the Federation of Malaya will not be as happy as it should be. But with both sections complete, it can be assured that there will be prosperity all round. Sir, I have great pleasure in seconding this motion.

Question proposed.

11.09 a.m.

The Minister for Education (Mr Chew Swee Kee): Sir, I associate myself with the remarks made by the Hon. the Chief Minister, the mover of the motion, and the seconder. I wish to echo the rejoicings of my Party on Malaya's attainment of full nationhood within a matter of days. With its diverse interests and its riches in mineral resources, and its multiple society, Malaya has shown to the world during the last two short years that it is more than capable to harness those diverse interests and riches for the benefit of the different peoples that go to make up the population of Malaya. By this I do not mean that the people of Malaya, whom I shall refer to as Malayans, should rest on their laurels, but that they should march forward with caution and steadiness so that whatever teething troubles that are bound to arise to face the new nation will be overcome with confidence and wisdom.

In the rejoicings which the Malayans richly deserve, I think they should also jolt themselves into the realisation of three factors: firstly, the statesmanlike manner in which the Chief Minister of the Federation of Malaya and his colleagues have demonstrated in their struggle for independence; secondly, the magnanimity of the British in relinquishing their power, influence and interests in a manner which speaks volumes of their good faith, sincerity and a genuine desire on their part to grant independence without the shedding of one single drop of blood; and thirdly, the militant Communist menace that mars the progress of the country and its people in the pursuit of their daily life.

Now that the country is to be independent with a fully elected Legislature in 1959, I trust all the Malayans will rally round the Government in putting a stop to this wasteful shooting war in the jungle.

With these sentiments I salute the new nation - the Federation of Malaya - and proudly endorse the message to the Federal Legislative Council and its Members.

11.11 a.m.

The Minister for Local Government, Lands and Housing (Inche Abdul Hamid Bin Haji Jumat): Mr Speaker, Sir, it is with a feeling of joy and happiness that I rise to support the motion. Never before in the history of the world has a people in so short a time attained the status of national independence. In two years from a stage of colonialism the Federation of Malaya has emerged into one of the leading nations of South-East Asia. How was this brought about? First, Sir, credit must go to the leaders themselves, men of the calibre of Tunku Abdul Rahman and Dato Sir Cheng-lock Tan who, moved by an intense desire for independence, were able to rally the support of the various races in Malaya into one channel, that of Merdeka. Malaya is fortunate in that, at this stage of its history, she has at the helm of affairs a man of exceptional foresight and understanding, able and willing to serve his fellow-men without fear or favour in the interests of the country as a whole. But for his courage and devotion to the cause of Merdeka, and his non-communal leadership, we might not today be sending this message of congratulations.

Credit must also be given, Sir, to the Malay Rulers who, with dignity and calmness, aligned themselves with the people in their struggle for independence.

Finally, Sir, credit must go to the people of the Federation of Malaya who, against great odds, have managed to sink their differences and work for the common good.

Perhaps the greatest but sometimes forgotten factor which contributed towards Malaya's independence is the approach of the political Parties. It is true, Sir, that political Parties these days have one form of ism or another. Sometimes it is Socialism, at other times it is capitalism or even Communism. But in the Federation it is worthy of note that the Parties in the Alliance had a totally different ideology. Their ism - if at all it could be called that - is Merdekaism. It was this call to the people which struck the note. Had it been any other, Malaya would probably be in chaos today.

We on this small island should take note and perhaps draw a leaf out of the Federation's book of success. If we are really sincere and honest to the cause of Merdeka, we should be able to subjugate everything else to this greater goal.

Sir, in the message which we propose to send to the Federation, mention is made of a merger. I do not propose to go to great lengths over this. It is admitted that a great majority of the people of Singapore would like to see a United Malaya. How it will be brought about is another matter. It may be that the Federation Government will continue refusing us, as they have consistently done since the days of Mr Marshall; or it may be that they may accept us five, ten or fifteen years hence. But what I do say, Sir, to the political Parties of Singapore, including mine, is the less we talk of a merger the greater the possibility. We already have much in common. Let us use these common grounds as a basis for greater co-operation and understanding between the two territories.

To the people of the Federation of Malaya, I say, "May you progress from strength to strength, and may you be the guiding light to the people of this part of Asia. Allah peliharakan kedaulatan Persekutuan Tanah Melayu!"

11.16 a.m.

Mr William Tan (Tiong Bahru): Mr Speaker, Sir, I heartily support the message of greetings and good wishes to Members of the Federal Legislative Council and to all the people of Malaya on the occasion of the attainment of Independence within the Commonwealth of Nations on 31st August, 1957. But it would appear to be out of turn to continue harping - in vain - on the question of merger, at every given slight opportunity. At the moment, Sir, all the noise that we can make regarding the merger is but a voice in the wilderness. It is just like rain water dripping off the back of a duck. We might as well save our face, we might as well at least save our breath, to cool our porridge for the time being. Let us be realistic. Let us do first things first. Let us marshal our forces together. Let us pull ourselves out of, or solve, the many pressing problems confronting us, lest we humiliate ourselves much further in the eyes of our good neighbour - the Federation of Malaya.

There are many urgent needs that require immediate attention. First, the industrial unrest; second, the flight of local capital; the ever-increasing number of unemployed in Singapore and the growing army of idle teenagers whose future is doomed as things stand today. If Beng Kong has chicken-pox, do you expect Mohammad next door to go hand-in-hand with him? The reason is obvious, even though both of them are the best of friends.

I would therefore say that this goodwill message will serve its purpose better if we would delete "the merger hint" entirely out of it.

11.18 a.m.

The Minister for Commerce and Industry (Mr J. M. Jumabhoy): Mr Speaker, Sir, in their coming hour of glory, we, the people of Singapore, rejoice together with the people of the Federation over their achievement of independence. Sir, there are times when if we see our neighbour getting a big profit or advantage or benefit, we feel a little bit envious. Sir, we do not envy the Federation. We are today full of joy at their achieving their independence, and we hope that some day we, too, will achieve our independence. But our independence is inextricably bound up with merger with the Federation because, as a small island, it is futile for anyone to suggest that we could stand as an independent sovereign state on our own legs.

Sir, after the war, through no fault of our own, we have been artificially separated from the mainland. Geography has been ignored and an artificial political separation has been created. We hope, Sir, in time to come, with goodwill and co-operation between men on both sides of the Causeway, to erase this artificial separation and to unite with our brothers who are of us. We and the people of the Federation are one and cannot for long stand any artificial separation; it is against human nature.

It is sad, Sir, that in a debate in which we should all rejoice, we hear a note of discord from the hon. Member for Tiong Bahru. Sir, anyone in his right senses in Singapore, whether he is a politician or a man in the street, will realise that geographical affinities demand that we should become one, and that united we can form a Greater Malaya; divided we might take away each other's strength and probably both territories could not come up to the full strength as they would if they were united together.

Mr William Tan: By humiliating methods?

Mr J. M. Jumabhoy: Sometimes it is not humiliation to co-operate with a brother. Therefore, Sir, we on this side of the House - and I am sure all other sensible men in Singapore - will not only rejoice at the attainment of independence by the Federation, but also will look forward to the day when we become one.

11.22 a.m.

Mr Goh Chew Chua (Ponggol-Tampenis): Mr Speaker, Sir, in ten more days, the world will witness the birth of a new nation, the Federation of Malaya. I join this House in congratulating the people of the Federation of Malaya on the eve of this historic occasion and on the fulfilment of its political aspirations. I am deeply moved, Sir, by the rejoicings and the jubilation of the people of the Federation. We in Singapore share in the pride and the honour of this great moment. The people in the Federation have fought well and courageously in the struggle for freedom. They have known many vicissitudes and learn many heartbreaking experiences, but we are proud to say that the three major races which comprise the people in the Federation have, in a common brotherhood, learn to live together, to fight together and, we are sure, will enjoy the fruits of victory together also and to take part in the urgent tasks of national reconstruction together.

The continuation of the unity of all the races is of fundamental importance in building up a happy and prosperous Malaya we all desire. The Union Jack which has fluttered on every school flagpole and over every Government building for the past hundred years and more, shall be lowered in the Federation on Merdeka Day; 31st August, 1957, shall mark the birth of a new nation and the political withdrawal from the Federation of the British colonial masters.

Sir, I support the motion before the House. I support the motion before this House, composing of representatives of the people of Singapore. I am sure I shall see in the very near future the elected representatives of both the Federation and Singapore assembling under one House of Parliament. The separation of our two territories, Sir, is an artificial separation. The day will soon dawn when there is a family reunion of eleven elder brothers which comprise the present territory called the Federation of Malaya, and the twelfth younger brother, which is Singapore. Singapore is part and parcel of the Malayan nation. No power on earth can maintain the artificial separation of the two territories for long. The desires of the people living in the two territories to be together must and will triumph.

11.26 a.m.

Mr Lim Cher Kheng (Changi): Mr Speaker, Sir, I am sorry I cannot agree with what the hon. Member for Tiong Bahru has just said against the merger, but I can well understand his feelings and the true feelings of the people of this country. Anyone who has a close eye on the present political development of this country should be deeply impressed by the heavy responsibility and the hearty feelings implied in the motion. I may not agree with what was said just now by the mover of the motion, the Hon. the Chief Minister, but I have doubt that he was speaking with full conscience and sincerity. I can assure the House that the Hon, the Chief Minister, just the same as I or any other average sensible person in the two territories, welcome 31st August, Merdeka Day - but with mixed feelings. Rejoice? Of course we rejoice. As what the Member for Ponggol-Tampenis says, the Union Jack will go down on the day. We are very happy that our brothers will then at last be free from colonial rule. But what will a genuine Malaysian feel to call our brothers a new nation legally separated from us?

I still remember a little incident which happened in London. The present Chief Minister asked me at the hotel in St. James' Court, "Look, Cher Kheng, you signed your name in the Record Book of St. James' Court as Malayan?" I said, "Yes." "Oh," he said, "I, too, signed as Malayan." The then Minister for Labour and I then signed the record book giving our nationality as Malayan, but in the light of this motion today, will the mover of the motion be allowed any more to sign his nationality officially as Malayan? Sir, I doubt very much. Although the Straits Times says that every true Malayan should buy a copy of its Merdeka souvenir, I doubt very much if it is in the right sense to term our brothers, who are lucky, powerful and able to achieve such early independence, a new nation. Naturally, Sir, we have mixed feelings and I cannot, as a people's representative, tell lies or engage in political double-talk. We say, "We are happy, we rejoice"; but, Sir, the genuine feelings of the people in the two territories are not as what our politicians say they are - the happiness and rejoicing indeed are mixed with fear and doubt. I can say most of the people of the two territories are asking the question, "Quo Vadis, Malayans?" You say, "Malaya is only for Malays." The Singapore Chinese say, "Singapore is only for the Chinese." There are racialism, cultural conflict, increases in taxation and our dying industrialisation, all so closely connected with livelihood in the two territories.

We cannot blame anybody here, Sir, but I wish to place on record that we can blame one person - the Rt. Hon. Mr Lennox-Boyd, who must be held responsible for the state of affairs today - this artificial separation of the two territories. If he had allowed us to have a genuine joint Merdeka team, we would have had one united and consolidated constitution. We could not have had the state of affairs today, and the fears and doubts of tomorrow.

Sir, I cannot add any more to the words which many Members have spoken in praise of Tunku Abdul Rahman. I recollect I had the privilege and honour once to have a lengthy private talk with him. I hold him as one of the truly idealistic leaders of this country who can solve the serious problem of today, and even of tomorrow, of creating a greater Malaysian nation. I told him that almost all the political leaders in this country were fools because they were falling into the age-old colonial trap of divide and rule. I think I have asked once before in this Assembly why if the Commissioner-General, Sir Robert Scott, is able to have jurisdiction and control over the Federation of Malaya, Singapore, Brunei, Sarawak and North Borneo, why cannot we have a Malaysian nation as our cultural and economic interests are identical? Instead, we are being driven apart. It is a shock to me. I say that in the history of the world, there have never been two territories so close and yet are divided. The Hon. the Minister for Local Government, Lands and Housing has just said that the independence of Malaya, achieved in so short a time, creates world history. I would add: if possible create bigger history. Colonial policy seeks to divide our people and naturally to cut us apart. Who is responsible for it, I ask?

Mr Speaker: Order. I was just wondering whether this debate is developing into one on the merger not only of the Federation and Singapore, but also of the other territories in this region. I would like to know how relevant that is to the motion.

Mr Lim Cher Kheng: Sir, it is of course relevant. I am not only supporting the merger of Singapore and the Federation but, as a further step, I would like Tunku Abdul Rahman to give us a lead by enlarging the merger and creating a greater Malaysian nation.

Mr Speaker: Order. I suggest that if hon. Members will confine their speeches to emphasising the goodwill part of the message, it will be better for Singapore.

Mr Lim Cher Kheng: Sir, let me touch on the motion now. It says in part:

". . . by the closest of co-operation in realising the ardent desire of the peoples of both our territories; for it is the primary interest or both peoples to merge into a single political unit within which as one people with one outlook arid purpose, all may share the joy and fruits of that happy state of Merdeka."

Sir, I would like particularly to quote this paragraph and emphasise how closely related we are. In today's papers there is an item about a statement made by the Defence Minister of the United Kingdom in Canberra about atomic bombs for Malaya!

Mr Speaker: Order. We are now departing into nuclear research! Shall we confine ourselves to the motion, which is to send a message of goodwill?

Mr Lim Cher Kheng: Sir, I am sorry. I close my speech with a sincere appeal.

I cannot add to the beautiful phrases and the praise for Tunku Abdul Rahman. I extend my personal greeting to him and hope that he will fulfil the wishes of the people of this territory. On my short visit to Brunei a few weeks ago it was a surprise to me, Sir, to see many households displaying pictures of our Malayan political leaders like Tunku Abdul Rahman and even the hon. Member for Tanjong Pagar. It seems to be so natural to do so. Therefore, I convey my wishes, not just empty words of praise, but I hope, first, that the coordinating administrative bodies in the two territories will, and must, try their best to continue their work; and second, that a pan-Malayan economic policy will be adopted. That is my sincere wish.

11.40 a.m.

Inche Ahmad Bin Ibrahim (Sembawang): Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise to support this message of congratulations to the new nation across the Causeway. I support in particular the hope that the separation of Singapore and the Federation will one day be ended. I hope that that day will be very soon. The longer this day is postponed, Sir, the greater the risk of the two territories drifting apart. As you already know, Sir, there are already groups - factions - in Singapore working actively to prevent a merger between the two territories. Only a few days ago there was a newspaper report of a new political party with the slogan. "Merdeka without merger!" This party has the backing of wealthy men who probably would like to run this island as one big estate. Parties like this can do a great deal of harm. They will exploit and magnify differences between the two territories in order to strengthen their cause. This must result in communal tensions and suspicions. Those who cry for Merdeka without merger may not intend such a thing, but there will be a rise of communal tension whether they like it or not. Therefore the longer the two territories remain divided, the greater the difficulties of building a strong united nation. The People's Action Party therefore believes that merger should not remain a pious hope, an objective to be achieved in some remote future. The two Governments must get down together now to consider ways and means of bringing the two territories closer to each other, not to discuss ways and means of how to make the distinctions between the two greater.

11.42 a.m.

The Chief Secretary (Mr W. A. C. Goode): Sir, as a civil servant who has spent nearly all his working life in Malaya, and the greater part of that in what is now the Federation, working with and for its many charming peoples and in its many beautiful places, working, if I may say, with all respect to the hon. Member for Ponggol-Tampenis, not under the Union Jack but under the state flag of Pahang, under the state flag of Trengganu, under the state flag of Selangor and for many other states that form part of the Federation - as one, Sir, who has spent many very happy and deeply satisfying years in that territory, I should like to associate myself wholeheartedly with the message of congratulations and good wishes going from this Assembly to the Speaker and Assembly of the Federation. And I am sure, Sir, there are many others like me, both here in Singapore and in other parts of the world, who, from a very real affection towards the Federation and its peoples, share in their rejoicing at getting independence, and extend to them our deepest and most sincere good wishes for their future happiness, progress and prosperity.

11.44 a.m.

Mr R. Jumabhoy (Telok Ayer): Mr Speaker, Sir, I congratulate Tunku Abdul Rahman, the Chief Minister - and the future, in a very few days, Prime Minister - of the Federation of Malaya or Tanah Melayu, in getting a place for his country within the independent nations of the world. I have said Sir, in this Assembly before, that a man who could win 99 per cent of the seats in the Legislature can do everything, and nothing or no one can prevent him from getting independence. We are very happy that he has achieved his object.

I think, Sir, we should follow his example and the example of the people of Malaya, here - that is, co-operation between the various races, Malays, Chinese, Indians, and others, and their unity, that have made possible the achievement of this independence. Sir, I join in congratulating the Federation and its people for achieving independence.

11.45 a.m.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew (Tanjong Pagar): Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise to support this motion. On 31st August, a new phase begins in the history of Malaya. Earlier this morning I met the Hon. Deputy Chief Minister and he made a special request that on this happy and auspicious occasion I should not make dire predictions of impending doom and disaster. I would like to accede to that request but I think we would be deceiving ourselves if we do not realise the deep significance of the change that will be taking place after 31st August. At the moment those of us who read only the English Press are preoccupied with new official dress, palace for the new Paramount Ruler, and embassies being opened abroad. These are the more extravagant manifestations of an independent state. But those who are preoccupied with what is going on not in these high places but in the hearts and the minds of the people, are more concerned with the reactions of the various groups in Malaya and in Singapore to these changes.

Up to 31st August, it was a straightforward anti-colonial fight. We all gang up and beat the brains out of the British, which was a very good thing to have done. If, Mr Speaker, Sir, people like the Hon. the Chief Secretary, apart from enjoying all the beautiful places, the beautiful rest houses in which he must have stayed, and the spacious bungalows which the State Governments must have provided for him, had spent some time wondering what would happen to all the immigrant children for whose education the Government did not provide, if they had wondered about the change in the whole complex of the Malayan situation - which their action in allowing wholesale immigration, without providing for the absorption and assimilation of the people would bring about - we would not be faced with this situation today. No doubt when he thinks of the good old days he thinks of the languid, languorous Dorothy Lamour type of situation, where he, the white boss, watched the spectacle of beautiful natives floating across the panoramic scene. But we have to face the reality now because of their stupidity and their mistakes.

Whatever may be said, I think the people of Malaya have no regrets in the passing of the British raj. But I give this one compliment to the British raj. They, of all the colonial powers, know how to bow out gracefully. Unlike the French and the Dutch who got their brains beaten into the dust of Hanoi and Jogjakarta, the British are past masters at this art. They bow out gracefully when the time comes.

But, Sir, what we want to know after 31st August is: What happens next, because-

Mr Speaker: Order. I was just wondering whether we do really want to know what happens next in relation to the motion. The motion is just a message of goodwill.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: Sir, we can give no better manifestation of our goodwill than our concern and anxiety over what follows after Merdeka. We are all involved in this, Mr Speaker, Sir; very much so, because if the battle is lost in the Federation, then the battle is lost in Singapore.

Mr Speaker: Order. I am sorry to be intervening in this debate so frequently but it seems to me that all we are debating now is whether or not we should send a goodwill message to the Federation, and the message has been couched as appears on the Order Paper. And if hon. Members do not like the wording of the message, they are at liberty to make amendments. But I think the emphasis should be whether or not a goodwill message should be sent.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: I would not be so ungracious as to criticise the fluency of the language. In fact, Mr Speaker, Sir, in the short adjournment which I took for myself this morning, I came across the former Chief Minister and it struck me that if he were in charge of this motion we would really have an honorific motion to send across the Causeway. And I have been wondering for some time how it is that such a mundane and modest Chief Minister has got himself involved in such a long and flowery motion.

I know that the colonial officials find it tedious to be reminded of their past misdeeds but Mr Speaker. Sir, you will forgive me if I say that we can give no greater evidence of our desire, our genuine goodwill, for the people of the Federation than by showing our concern not only for what happens on Merdeka Day but what happens after. Before 31st August, every policeman, every Home Guard officer, every member of the Federation Regiment who is shot in the armed revolution is shot as a running-dog, or it can be said he was a running-dog, of the British. But after 31st August - and this I think is in the mind of everybody - every soldier, every Home Guard shot, is a shot against a guardian of the newly-found freedom of the people of Malaya, and therefore the $64,000 question: What is the Malayan Communist Party going to do? If it goes on shooting, then the consequences will be catastrophic for them and for the country.

This is a new phase and if there are leaders who have the interests of other than just their parties at heart, we should be able to make the democratic system work, for this simple reason if nothing else, that the people of Malaya have not lost faith in the democratic system. It is the democratic system - or the democratic constitutional Parties taking advantage of the overall three-cornered fight in Malaya - that brought freedom to Malaya. That is the first fact that must be acknowledged. Secondly, the people of Malaya are not at the moment in favour of any armed totalitarian revolt. We have had enough of it and I am sure that 31st August will see some dramatic changes in the Federation.

I was talking to a friend of mine, a colleague of mine who is now enjoying the hospitality of the British Government in one of the prison camps in Changi. He said - and I think he said it with absolute sincerity - "After 31st August let them pack up this armed revolution before they do great damage to the country." And we say this: Whoever does not declare where he stands after 31st August is a fool. Up to 31st August in the Federation, the question is: Do we have an independent Malaya? After the 31st the question is: What kind of independent Malaya do we make of it? And we say categorically - I say it for myself and for my Party - we believe in an independent, democratic, non-Communist Malaya.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

That Mr Speaker do convey to Mr Speaker of the Federal Legislative Council the following message of greetings and good wishes to Members of the Federal Legislative Council :-

"On the occasion of the attainment of Independence by the Federation of Malaya within the Commonwealth of Nations on Saturday, 31st August, 1957, the Singapore Legislative Assembly, on behalf of the people of Singapore, sends to the Federal Legislative Council and the people of the Federation of Malaya greetings and congratulations at this historic time - the emergence of a new nation, taking its rightful place among the freedom-loving nations of the world; and good wishes for the future in which the peoples and Governments of both our territories are inextricably bound, a future which therefore holds a challenge to good sense and tolerance which can only be successfully met by constant and unstinted goodwill, and by the closest of co-operation in realising the ardent desire of the peoples of both our territories; for it is the prime interest of both peoples to merge into a single political unit within which as one people with one outlook and purpose, all may share the joy and fruits of that happy state of Merdeka.

We of Singapore look forward to that day when our strength will be added to your strength and our separation will be ended; and we can proudly go forward together to make our joint contribution in human welfare, economic prosperity and political strength to the great and distinctive service of Asia to the modern world.