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The 1959 Singapore General Election*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 April 2011

Ong Chit Chung
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The 1959 election marked a turning point in the constitutional and political development of Singapore. It was the culmination of what had happened since the restoration of British government in Singapore after the Second World War. After the war, the British returned to Malaya to re-establish their rule. But Singapore had seen the humiliating defeat of the British in the march of Japanese militarism. The myth of the invincible supremacy of the white colonialists was shattered. The mood and tempo of the times were increasingly different from that of the pre-war period. The call of the day was decolonisation and independence from colonial domination.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Southeast Asian Studies , Volume 6 , Issue 1 , March 1975 , pp. 61 - 86
Copyright
Copyright © The National University of Singapore 1975

References

1 Singapore, Penang and Malacca were centrally administered by the British as the “Straits Settlements” since 1826. With Singapore as a separate Crown Colony in 1946, Penang and Malacca merged with the nine Malay states to form the Malayan Union, which was replaced in 1948 by the Federation of Malaya.

2 State of Singapore, Annual Report: 1960 (Singapore, 1962), pp. 22–25Google Scholar.

3 In order “to undertake a comprehensive review of the constitution of the Colony of Singapore”, the Governor, Sir John Nicoll, appointed a Constitutional Commission in 1953 with Sir George Rendel as Chairman. The recommendations of the Commission were incorporated into the 1955 constitution. Vide Colony of Singapore, Report of the Constitutional Commission, Singapore (Singapore, 1954)Google Scholar.

4 The eligible voters consisted of British subjects with at least one year residence in Singapore and British protected subjects born in the Federation, Sarawak, British North Borneo and Brunei. Wah, Vide Yeo Kim, Political Development in Singapore: 1945-55 (Singapore, 1973), pp. 251–253Google Scholar. As an indication of the small registered electorate, the Rendel Commission reported that only 23-3% of the eligible electorate of 300,000 was registered in 1954. Vide Colony of Singapore, op. cit., p. 5.

5 State of Singapore, op. cit., pp. 23-24.

6 In 1948, out of the total electorate of 22,395, there were only 5,627 Chinese, but 10,141 Indians, whereas in the total population of 961,856, the Chinese numbered 747,817 and the Indians numbered 71,928, Vide Colony of Singapore, Proceedings of the Singapore Legislative Council, 1948 (Singapore, 1948), p. C58Google Scholar.

7 Colony of Singapore, op. cit., p. 5.

8 State of Singapore, op. cit., pp. 23-24,

9 In September 1957, a Commission of Inquiry was appointed by the Governor, Sir Robert Black, to inquire into allegations of corrupt practices during the Tanjong Pagar and Cairnhill by-elections to the Legislative Assembly in 1957. Many sweeping reforms based upon the recommendations of the Commission were introduced in 1959. Vide Colony of Singapore, Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Corrupt, Illegal or Undesirable Practices at Elections (Singapore, 1958)Google Scholar.

10 Sunday Times (hereafter referred to as Sun. T.) 31.5.59.

11 This must be qualified by the fact that the Malayan Communist Party was officially banned. It could only operate through front organizations or indirect influence.

12 The 1957 Census showed that Chinese constituted 75-43 percent of the total population of 1,445,929. Vide Republic of Singapore, Singapore Year Book: 1966 (Singapore, 1967), p. 73Google Scholar.

13 Under the 1957 citizenship ordinance, citizens of the Commonwealth and colonies were eligible for citizenship after two years’ residence and aliens were eligible after eight years’ residence. Vide Colony of Singapore, Annual Report: 1958 (Singapore, 1959), pp. 297–298Google Scholar. For a detailed discussion of the citizenship issue, refer to Yeo Kim Wah, op. cit., Chapter 4.

14 The first 1956 all-party mission to London was led by David Marshall, the Chief Minister of the Labour Front coalition government. Following the failure of the London mission, David Marshall resigned as Chief Minister and was succeeded by Lim Yew Hock, who led the second mission to London. The other members of the second mission were Abdul Hamid bin Haji Jumat, Chew Swee Kee, Lim Choon Mong and Lee Kuan Yew. Vide Colony of Singapore, Report of the Singapore Constitutional Conference, 1957 (Singapore, 1957)Google Scholar.

15 The Rendel Constitution provided for a form of semi-self-government in internal affairs. The ruling party in the Legislative Assembly was to a great extent handicapped in its exercise of power. For example, the three British-nominated ex-officio members of the Council of Ministers were in charge of finance, Attorney-General's office and internal security.

16 For example, the PAP fielded candidates for all 51 constituencies, whereas in 1955, under the Rendel Constitution, it fielded only four token candidates. The PAP declared that it would be fatal for any party to form a government under the restricted Constitution. Vide PAP, The Sixth Anniversary Celebration Souvenir of the PAP (Singapore, 1960), p. 14Google Scholar.

17 The actual amount involved in this controversy is $701,593.47. Vide State of Singapore, Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the $500,000 Bank Account of Mr Chew Swee Kee and the Income Tax Department leakage in connection therewith (Singapore, 1959), p. 2Google Scholar. The report would be referred to hereafter, report of the Chew Swee Kee Commission.

18 Petir, “The Tasks Ahead” Part I (Singapore, 1959), p. 2.

19 Statement by SPA General Secretary, Wan g Tsun Hao. Vide Straits Times (hereafter referred to as ST) 17.2.59.

20 5719.2.59.

21 5719.2.59.

22 ST 4.3.59. On Chew's intention to stand in the election, Lee Kuan Yew remarked, “I cannot understand the audacity of this man”. Vide ST 5.3.59. On nomination day, Chew was not nominated.

23 ST 5.3.59.

24 In the ST, for example, the proceedings of the Chew Swee Kee Commission of Inquiry received the record coverage of about 21 pages. The City Council Commission of Inquiry, by comparison, received about 10 pages of coverage.

25 Mr Justice M. Buttrose, a High Cour t Judge, was appointed as the Commissioner by the Governor on 2.4.59, following the motion in the Legislative Assembly.

26 One of the speculations was that Holloway would never return to Singapore. Vide ST 10.3.59.

27 One strong speculation was that the money originated from the American Central Intelligence Agency. One LF official said this in confidence at an interview.

28 Vide p. 7 of the report of the Chew Swee Kee Commission.

29 Stone, aged 41, died of a “hear t attack” on 18.2.59. Professor G. Ransome, Professor of Medicine at th e University of Malaya, testified that Stone died of “cerebral haemorrhage”, and not of “heart attack”. He stated that it was not possible to determine if this was connected with the Chew Swee Kee affair. Vide ST 14.4.59.

30 ST 14.4.59.

31 Vide p. 8 of the report of the Chew Swee Kee Commission.

32 ST 11.4.59.

33 The Deputy Chief Minister, Dato Hamid Bin Haji Jumat, was also the Minister of Local Government, Lands and Housing.

34 Vide pp. 2-7 of the report of the Chew Swee Kee Commission.

35 The issue of foreign manipulation through acceptance of foreign funds by political parties was featured prominently in the 1972 general election in Singapore.

36 ST 8.3.59. Later, K. M. Byrne alleged at a Commission hearing that David Marshall told him that Lim Yew Hock offered Marshall management of $500,000 as well as sharing of the premiership by rotation if Marshall closed dow n the Workers' Party and joined the SPA. Vide 5 7 8.4.59.

37 ST 14.3.59.

38 Allegation by Yaccob bin Mohamed, PAP candidate for Bukit Timah, at a rally. Vide ST 19.4.59.

39 Nanyang Siang Pau (henceforth referred to as NYSP) 27.5.59.

40 ST 30.5.59.

41 Lee Kuan Yew made this allegation. Vide ST 27.1.59. The Constitution Exposition was organized by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce to mark the coming inauguration of the new Constitution for a self-governing Singapore.

42 A typical example is the speech of Chan Choy Siong, PAP candidate for Delta, at a rally. She stressed that only the PAP could give a “clean and sincere” government to the masses. Sin Chew Jit Poh (henceforth referred to as SCJP) 20.5.59.

43 A typical example is that of Lee Kuan Yew's speech at a rally on 15.2.59. Vide ST 16.2.59.

44 SPA Assemblyman, Lee Choon Eng, was responsible for the motion to investigate this leakage of information. This was incorporated as the third term of reference for the Commission of Inquiry. Vide ST 19.3.59.

45 Vide 5727.1.59 and 4.2.59. Jek Yuen Thong, PAP member and an ex-political detainee was appointed as Secretary to the Mayor. Vide ST 14.1.59 and The People Vol. I No. 2 (Singapore, 1959), 4Google Scholar.

46 Vide ST 13.3.59, 1.5.59 and 16.5.59.

47 ST 2.5.59.

48 One of the provocations was that the PAP rejected the request of the Minister of Local Government, Lands and Housing for a verbatim report of the Council meeting held on 13.3.59. The opposition councillors staged a walk-out at this meeting. According to the government, this was mandatory under Section 70 of the Local Government Ordinance. Vide ST 24.3.59.

49 Functions transferred to the Minister were that related to the appointment of officers, the making of provident funds rules, disciplinary action, the delegation of power to employees and emergency powers of the Mayor and supplemental budgets. Vide ST 28.3.59.

50 The date was 2.4.59.

51 ST 18.4.59.

52 ST 18.4.59. The PAP stated that Elias, a member of the old City Council, was biased because of the attacks of the new PAP City Council on the old Council.

53 ST 28.4.59.

54 5729.4.59.

55 Marcus was a founder member of PAP and the brother-in-law of K. M. Byrne. Vide ST 21.5.59.

56 5716.5.59,20.5.59 and 21.5.59.

57 ST 16.5.59.

58 NYSP 23.5.59.

59 Comment of Sir William Goode, who was the Governor of Singapore in 1959, at an interview with the author. Lee Kuan Yew also singled out the Chew Swee Kee affair as an important factor in the election. He said that it “brought things to fever pitch”. Yew, Vide Lee Kuan, Battle for Merger (Singapore, 1961), p. 31Google Scholar.

60 Lee Bah Chee supports this contention in an interview with the author. Lee was a Liberal Socialist City Councillor and candidate for Tiong Bahru in the 1959 election.

61 NYSP 15.5.59 and 16.5.59. ST 19.4.59, 20.7.59, 12.5.59 and 23.5.59.

62 ST 6.5.59.

63 Dato Abdul Hamid's speech in the Legislative Assembly. Vide ST 6.5.59.

64 Dato Abdul Hamid was supported by the Chief Kathi, Haji Ali bin Haji Said, who said that Muslims should defend their religion if it was endangered by communism. Vide 5725.3.59.

65 Speech of Eric Wee, SPA candidate for Serangoon Garden, at a rally. Vide NYSP 15.5.59. Also vide NYSP 20.5.59 and 22.5.59 for speeches of other SPA leaders on this theme.

66 ST 17.2.59 and 25.2.59. Also vide The People Vol. I No. 2 (Singapore, 1959), 3.

67 Speech of Thio Chan Bee, the SPA candidate for Tanglin, over Radio Singapore. Reported in The People Vol. I No. 3 (Singapore, 1959)Google Scholar.

68 The People Vol. I No. 2 (Singapore, 1959), 4Google Scholar.

69 Speech of Peter Lim over Radio Singapore on 6.5.59. Vide ST 8.5.59. Other examples are: Speech of L. Rayner, SPA candidate for Ulu Pandan, as reported in NYSP 29.5.59, and editorial, The People Vol. I No. 3 (Singapore, 1959)Google Scholar.

70 The lightning over a circle is the symbol of the PAP. Vide ST 6.5.59.

71 ST6.5.59.

72 Sun. T. 17.5.59 and NYSP 17.5.59 and 26.5.59. Both Lee Kua n Yew and Toh Chin Chye dismissed the allegations as publicity stunts. Vide NYSP 18.5.59 and 26.5.59. Lim accused the PAP of threatening the voters. He declared that he would be proud to go to jail under a PAP regime. Vide ST 23.4.59 and 8.5.59.

73 The People Vol. 1 No. 2 (Singapore, 1959), 1.

74 The PAP leaders were arrested under the Preservation of Public Security Ordinance in 1956 and 1957.

75 Colony of Singapore, The Communist Threat in Singapore (Singapore, 1957)Google Scholar. The allegations were rejected by the PAP in 1957. Vide PAP, Petir Vol. I No. 10 (Singapore, 1957), 3Google Scholar.

76 Yew, Vide Lee Kuan, The Battle for Merger (Singapore, 1961)Google Scholar and Rajaratnam, S., “PAP's first 10 Years”, PAP's 10th Anniversary Celebration Souvenir (Singapore, 1964)Google Scholar. For the purpose of this study, the communist open front leaders, their followers and all those who were in favour of more radical left-wing policies, are to be classified generally as “extremists”.

77 The moderates were led by leaders like Lee Kuan Yew, Toh Chin Chye, Ong Eng Guan, Goh Keng Swee, S. Rajaratna m and Ong Pang Boon.

78 The extremists were responsible for winning the support of the Middle Road trade unions to the side of th e PAP. They were adept in working up support for the PA P amongst the Chinese-educated section of the electorate.

79 Lee Kuan Yew at Clifford Pier rally. Vide NYSP 27.5.59. MCP stands for the banned Malayan Communist Party.

80 ST 2.3.59. According to Lee, the other two forces the new government had to face were the powerful British vested interests and the vested interests in the Federation of Malaya.

81 Vide ST 5.5.59 and 23.4.59.

82 Jek Yuen Thong's speech over Radio Singapore. Vide NYSP 23.5.59.

83 Speech of Eric Wee, SPA candidate for Serangoon Garden. Vide ST 6.5.59.

84 Speech of Wee Soo Bee, Vice-Chairman of LS. Vide ST 27.5.59. Speech of Dato Abdul Hamid, Chairman of Singapore UMNO. Vide ST 13.5.59.

85 Vide editorial, ST 26.5.59. The issue of merger and the “Communist Trojan Horse” was raised long before the election campaign by Lim Yew Hock at a talk to the South-East Asia Foreign Correspondents' Association on 6.8.58. Vide ST 7.8.58.

86 After the PAP's landslide victory in the election, the ST turned over a new leaf and was very much more favourable to the PAP in its comments and reports. K. M. Byrne predicted: “I am sure that after May 30, it (the Straits Times) will salaam to the PAP”. When asked what would be done to the ST after the election, Lee Kuan Yew replied: “It depends on what the ST does”. Vide ST 21.5.59.

87 Vide, for example, editorial, ST 28.3.59.

88 Vide, for example, editorial, ST 17.12.58.

89 Vide, for example, editorial, ST 31.1.59.

90 ST 16.4.59. The ST for example, was accused of giving misleading information about proposed PAP rallies while giving good publicity to that of the SPA. The ST had planned to move its head office to Kuala Lumpur in May 1959.

91 ST 30.4.59.

92 Dr Goh Keng Swee, PAP candidate for Kreta Ayer, at a political forum at the University of Malaya. Vide ST 27.5.59.

93 57-21.5.59.

94 ST 15.5.59.

95 Sun. T. 17.5.59.

96 ST 20.5.59, 22.5.59 and 28.5.59. Editorial in ST 21.5.59.

97 Vide ST 27.5.59 and The Times (London, 1959)Google Scholar 20.5.59. Speech of L. Rayner, SPA candidate for Ulu Pandan. Vide ST 22.5.59.

98 In 1971, the PAP government accused several newspapers of indulging in “Black Operations” or working for foreign agents. An English-language daily, The Eastern Sun, closed down voluntarily after the government disclosed that the paper's management had accepted 4 million dollars from communist sources in Hong Kong. The Singapore Herald, another English-language daily, closed down under pressure. It was charged with being manipulated by some foreign agents. The government also detained four executives of the NYSP, a Chinese daily, on charges of foreign manipulation and communalism.

99 This, for example, was pointed out by Chan Sun Wing, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, in his speech to the new Legislative Assembly. Vide Petir, Vol. III No. 2 (Singapore, 1959)Google Scholar.

100 E. K. Tan, the Secretary-General of the LS, said this at a political forum at Nanyang University. Vide Sin Chew Jit Poh 14.5.59. The first public authoritative Malayan proposal for a Federation of Malaysia was made by its Prime Minister, Tengku Abdul Rahman, on 27 May 1961. Singapore, led by the PAP government, negotiated for a merger agreement which was put to a referendum in September 1962. The Federation of Malaysia, consisting of the Federation of Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak and North Borneo (renamed Sabah), was formed on the 16 September 1963.

101 The Singapore UMNO and MCA were branches of UMNO and MCA in the Federation.

102 Speech of Lim Yew Hock at Finlayson Green rally. Vide ST 21.5.59.

103 Speech of Khir Johari in Singapore at a celebration to mark the conferment of the title of “Tun” on Lim Yew Hock by the Federation government. His “prediction” came true. Lim, after a period as Leader of the Opposition in the Singapore Assembly, was appointed as Deputy Secretary (Special Duties) in the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and later served as Malaysian High Commissioner to Australia.

104 Comments of Tengku at Singapore airport. ST 6.4.59.

105 ST 17.2.59.

106 Sr 23.3.59.

107 Sun. T. 17.5.59.

108 ST 19.5.59, 21.5.59 and 22.5.59.

109 Lee Kuan Yew at Clifford Pier Rally. Vide ST 9.5.59.

110 Republic of Singapore, Singapore Year Book: 1966 (Singapore, 1967) p. 73Google Scholar. Singapore's total population in 1959 was 1,579,600.

111 Vide ST 6.4.59, 24.4.59 and 28.4.59.

112 Vide ST 6.4.59, 24.4.59, 28.4.59 and 4.5.59.

113 ST 24.3.59.

114 Petir, The Tasks Ahead Part I (Singapore, 1959) pp. 19–27Google Scholar. Dr Goh Keng Swee estimated the amount of Singapore's overseas capital to be $800 million.

115 Speech of Dr Goh Keng Swee over Radio Singapore. Vide ST 13.5.59.

116 Petir, The Tasks Ahead Part 1 (Singapore, 1959) pp. 19–27Google Scholar.

117 Ibid., pp. 29-31.

118 PAP, Petir Vol. I No. 19 (Singapore, 1958)Google Scholar.

119 Sun. T. 3.5.59.

120 Statement by Dr K. R. Chou, the Economic Advisor to the SPA. Vide The People Vol. I No. 3 (Singapore, 1959)Google Scholar.

121 Editorial, The People Vol. I No. 3 (Singapore, 1959)Google Scholar. ST 12.5.59 and 2.5.59. NYSP 17.5.59 and 26.5.59.

122 Vide ST 5.5.59 and 8.5.59. NYSP 20.5.59.

123 Speeches of LS speakers at rallies. Vide ST 23.3.59, 2.5.59, 4.5.59 and 7.5.59. NYSP 18.5.59.

124 The warnings were issued by Lee Kuan Yew. Vide Sun. T. 3.5.59 and ST 5.5.59.

125 The PAP government was sworn in on 4 June 1959 with Lee Kuan Yew as the Prime Minister.

126 The 8 minor parties were the Workers' Party (WP), the Labour Front (LF), the Citizens' Party (CP), the Malayan Indian Congress (MIC), Party Ra'ayat (PR), Katong United Residents' Association (KURA), the Pan-Malayan Islamic Party (PMIP), and the Singapore Malay Union (SMU).

127 Out of the total of 194 candidates, 73 lost their deposits. None of the 51 PAP candidates lost their deposits. The SPA lost 3 deposits out of its 39 candidates. UMNO/MC A lost 5 out of 13. Of all the parties, the LS lost the record of 20 out of 32 candidates. The 8 minor parties lost a total of 21 deposits. The Independents lost 24 deposits. (See Table 2.)

128 The youngest member of the Legislative Assembly was the PAP Member for Chua Chu Kang, Ong Chang San. Ong, aged 22, was a shop assistant. The oldest was the 61 year old Goh Chew Chua, the PAP Member for Tampines. Goh was formerly a clerk. The average age of the Assemblymen was 35 years and 1 month. There were five women members in the 51-seat Assembly. Four were from the PAP. Vide Table 3 and ST 1.6.59.

129 The importance of these three aspects was discussed under “Background”.

130 This matter was brought up at an SPA rally. Vide ST 2.3.59.

131 ST 23.3.59. Two Opposition City Councillors protested against the screening of the films in the cinemas as propaganda for the PAP. Vide ST 9.1.59.

132 Lim Yew Hock complained that the ST was giving more publicity to the PAP than the SPA. Vide ST 5.5.59.

133 The Malay press, except for the usual pro-UMNO tendency, gave the PAP adequate publicity and was at times sympathetic to the PAP. For example, it gave favourable comments on the PAP's proposal for a common market with the Federation. Vide editorial, Utusan Melayu 25.3.59. The Chinese press stressed repeatedly in numerous editorials that it was impartial. Vide NYSP 20.2.59; SCJP 20.4.59 and 27.4.59. They were generally impartial, but gave good publicity to the PAP. In particular the Chinese press harped on the importance of not jeopardizing the entrepot trade. This was due to the connection between the Chinese press management and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce which held strong views on the protection of the entrepot trade. Vide SCJP 3.2.59 and 25.3.59.

134 After the PAP assumed power, the PAP government made full use of all these government facilities.

135 Being successful in attracting the votes of the Chinese-educated need not automatically be equated with Chinese chauvinism. Indeed, the PAP always tried to present a multi-racial image and stressed on the creation of a “Malayan culture”. The PAP was aware that Chinese chauvinism or communalism must not be openly played up if its plan for merger was to succeed.

136 Yew, Lee Kuan, Battle for Merger (Singapore, 1961), p. 17Google Scholar.

137 Sir William Goode stated at an interview with the author: “Lim Yew Hock ... carried the odium of doing these things”.

138 Sir William Goode stated at the interview that “... You have the PAP and the people; with the quality of the present PM (Lee Kuan Yew) who were appealing to the Chinese-speaking. And for the first time, you had big rallies of the Chinese-speaking. We never had that before”.

139 The PAP administration of the City Council, for example, banished the mace of the council as a relic of imperialism and refused requests for special street lighting for the visit of Prince Philip of Britain. Vide ST 13.2.59 and 21.2.59.

140 Although the PAP declared that the English-educated would have to give up its special privileges in a post-colonial Singapore, it stated that the English-educated would still have an “honourable role” in helping to bring about peaceful reforms in the society. Vide ST 29.5.59.

141 Lee Kuan Yew, however, did assure the civil servants that if they were prepared to carry out the biddings of the government in power honestly, efficiently and loyally, they had nothing to fear of the PAP. Vide ST 14.5.59.

142 ST 15.2.59, 16.2.59 and 23.5.59.

143 Lee Khoon Choy's speech. Vide NYSP 25.5.59. Chan Choy Siong's speech. Vide ST 27.5.59.

144 Speeches of E. K. Tan. Vide ST 13.4.59 and 12.5.59.

145 Statement of SPA on “Why the SPA must win” in The People. Vide ST 15.5.59.

146 Speech of Wang Tsun Hao, Secretary-General of SPA. Vide NYSP 14.5.59.

147 Vide ST 16.4.59.

148 LS City Councillor, Lee Bah Chee, stated at an interview with the author that the PAP administration of the City Council definitely paved the way for the PA P success at the election. He said that PAP used the City Council to build up its support amongst the masses.

149 As far back as in June 1958, Lim Yew Hock, then leading the old LF, proposed the formation of a grand United Socialist Front to fight the PAP. This front was eventually named the Singapore People's Alliance which was formed in November 1958. The SPA was supposed to absorb the LF, LS and WP into its ranks. But although some members of the LF, LS and WP did join the SPA, these parties continued as separate parties.

150 Speech of Eric Wee, SPA candidate for Serangoon Gardens. Vide ST 4.5.59. Also Lim Yew Hock's attack on the LS over Radio Singapore. Vide ST 30.5.59. For other examples, vide NYSP 29.5.59 and SCJP 25.5.59.

151 Speech of E. K. Tan. Vide NYSP 19.5.59. L.S. pamphlet “Who Split the Democratic Forces” reported in ST 26.5.59. Speech of M. Karthigesu, LS candidate, over Radio Singapore. Vide STU.5.59.

152 Speech of Wong Foo Nam, Chairman of MCA Singapore. Vide SCJP 25.5.59. Also statement by UMNO Siglap Branch attacking SPA for supporting an Independent candidate against the UMNO candidate. Vide NYSP 26.5.59.

153 Speech of Lee Khoon Choy. Vide SCJP 25.5.59. Also speech of Chan Choy Siong over Radio Singapore. Vide NYSP 27.5.59.

154 Speech of Toh Chin Chye over Radio Singapore. Vide Petir Vol. II No. 5 (Singapore, 1959)Google Scholar.

155 The pro-communist extremist members on the 1956 CEC were Lim Chin Siong, Devan Nair, Chia Ek Tian and Goh Boon Toh. In 1957, when the moderates refused to take office, Tan Chong Kin became the party Chairman and T. T. Rajah the Secretary-General for a short period. Lian, Vide Pang Cheng, Singapore's PAP: Its History, Organization and Leadership (Singapore, 1971), pp. 25–27Google Scholar.

156 The PAP leaders made an issue of the detention of their members. During the campaign, Dr Toh Chin Chye declared that if elected, the PAP would not assume office until its members in jail were released. Vide 5722.5.59. Toh further suggested that the Governor could release the detainees before the new constitution became operative as a way out of possible constitutional difficulties. Vide ST 30.5.59. Eight of them were eventually released.

157 Lim Chin Siong and the extremists tried unsuccessfully in 1961 to capture the government by winning the support of the majority of the PAP members of the Legislative Assembly. They left the PAP and formed the Barisan Socialis. Vide Pang Cheng Lian, op. cit., pp. 11-15.

158 Bellows, Thomas, The People's Action Party of Singapore: Emergence of a Dominant Party System (Yale University South East Asian Studies, Monograph Series 14, New Haven, 1970), p. 35Google Scholar and George, T. J. S., Lee Kuan Yew's Singapore (London, 1973), p. 43Google Scholar.

159 Sir William Goode stated at an interview with the author : “We would not have dreamed of carrying through an operation of that sort without having the support of the Council of Ministers and Chief Minister of the day. If we had to do something like that against their will, then they would have resigned and it would have been a clear break”.