EDUCATION FACTSHEET: THE ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE
Produced by Education & Publicity Department, Parliament of Singapore
There are several landmarks on Singapore’s road towards independence. In this factsheet, we
trace the route and revisit the key events which shaped our history and parliamentary system.
When you visit Parliament House, you will be walking down the same corridors which led us
from a colony to a nation.
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
In 1819, Sir Stamford Raffles established a
British trading post in Singapore. This new
commercial centre attracted many Indian,
Chinese, Bugis, Arab and British traders due to
its good geographical position and free port
status. Singapore was so successful that in
1824 the East India Company decided to
purchase the island. Together with the other
colonies of Penang and Malacca, we became
known as the Straits Settlements under the
administration of the Governor-General in India. In 1867, the Straits Settlements became a
Crown Colony and came under the Colonial Office in London. Many important decisions
affecting Singapore were made by the Governor. The Governor was a powerful man who
made the laws and was in charge of running Singapore. He was assisted by an Executive
Council and a Legislative Council. The work of the Legislative Council was to help the
Governor in legislating laws. The members the Legislative Council were appointed by the
Governor and did not really represent the people of Singapore. Whampoa Hoo Ah Kay was
the first Asian Council member. He was appointed in 1869.
Bottom: The Speaker leaving
the Legislative Assembly at the
end of the first session of the
Legislative Assembly. The
government bench is on the left
of the picture and the opposition
is seated on the right.
THE JAPANESE OCCUPATION
The Japanese invasion began in 1941. In less than three
months, the Japanese Imperial Army had marched
down Peninsula Malaya and conquered the
impregnable fortress, Singapore. The surrender to the
Japanese shattered the people’s confidence in the
British.
Singapore was renamed Syonan-to or "Shining Light of
the South". The Japanese ruled Singapore between
1942 and 1945, a period known as the Japanese
Occupation. Many families and individuals suffered
terrible hardship during the Occupation. This
experience opened the eyes of an emerging group of
Singaporeans. These people were born here and
regarded Singapore as their home. They realised that
the people who lived, loved and going to die here
should have a say in the government of the country.
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THE FIRST ELECTIONS
After the 2nd World War, the British allowed some members of the Legislative Council to be
elected. Singapore’s first elections were held in 1948. Only British subjects were allowed to
vote. All who wished to vote had to register themselves as voters first. However, out of more
than 200,000 eligible voters in Singapore at that time, less than 14,000 people voted. The
Progressive Party was the only political party that took part in the elections and won 3 out of
the 6 seats. In 1951, another election was called and the Progressive Party won 6 out of 9
seats.
THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
In 1953, a commission headed by Sir George Rendel recommended
the establishment of a Legislative Assembly with an elected majority
and a ministerial form of government for Singapore. This was a step
towards self-government. However, many important departments
such as foreign affairs, defence, internal security and finance remained
in British hands. The Governor also had the power to veto any
proposed law.
The first elections for the Legislative Assembly were held in 1955.
Singapore was gripped in an election fever that year. There was a big
change in the attitudes of the people from the 1950s. The people
became more critical of the colonial government. This political
awareness was the result of the increase in the process of
decolonisation and rise of independence movements in many colonies,
the rise of communism in China and its influence among the Chinese
workers and students in Singapore, and the colonial government’s less
than sensitive treatment of issues relating to citizenship, language and
education.
The 1955 elections became a landmark event. It was the starting point
for the people’s struggle for independence. Automatic registration
increased the number of voters to over 300,000. The Labour Party
won the elections and David Marshall became the Chief Minister of
Singapore.
Top: Sir George Oehlers was
the first Speaker of the
Legislative Assembly of
Singapore. He remained as
Speaker from 1955 to 1963.
Bottom: Mr David Marshall,
the first Chief Minister of
Singapore taking his oath as
Member of the Legislative
Assembly.
One of the main aims of the Legislative Assembly was to obtain early
self-government. Three constitutional meetings were held between
the British and members of the Legislative Assembly headed by the
Chief Minister in 1956, 1957 and 1958. It ended with an agreement to
grant Singapore self-government. Singapore’s status would change
from that of a colony to a State. In 1958, a State Constitution was
enacted for Singapore to allow for elections, compulsory voting and to
grant powers to the elected government for all matters except
defence, foreign affairs and internal security.
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On 9 July 1963, Singapore signed the Malaysian Agreement which led to the formation of a
federation, comprising Malaysia, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak. Under the Agreement,
control of Singapore’s foreign affairs, defence and internal security was given to the federal
Malaysian government. Singapore was represented by 15 seats in the Federal Parliament.
On 16 September 1963, the Malaysian Proclamation announced the merger of Singapore with
Malaysia. Owing to differences between the Singapore and federal governments, Singapore
was separated from Malaysia on 9 August 1965. That same day Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew
proclaimed Singapore a sovereign and independent nation.
PARLIAMENT OF SINGAPORE
In 1965, the Legislative Assembly was renamed the Parliament of Singapore. The first session
of the First Parliament was opened on 8 December 1965. Since independence, there have
been changes to our parliamentary system. These were made to ensure minority and
opposition representation in Parliament, to give MPs more responsibilities in the
management of public housing estates in their constituencies and to have more constructive
alternative views in Parliament.
Last revised: May 2010
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