Reflection Topic 5

Singapore's struggle to acheive internal self-government in the period of 1945 -1959 had its costs.
Was it worth it?
Give at least two reasons to support your stand.

To my opinion, I think that it is worth it. If there is no struggle to acheive internal self-government in the period of 1945- 1959, we would still be under the British rule.

Under the British rule, another Anti-National Service Riot and Maria Hertough Riot might happen in Singapore again.The British were very biased about the chinese students.

During the Anti-National Service Riots, the British were not sensitive to the people of Singapore. After the end of world war two, the British wanted all the males aged between 18-20 to join the National Service. As the War disrupted most chinese students' studies, most chinese students have to repeat their studies. Therefore when they were forced to join the National Service, they decided to protest against the British.

Meanwhile, the reason why Maria Hertough Riot happned were because that the British were insensitive and undecisive on whether to put Maria Hertough to her natural parents or foster parents. They did not even care to observe and try to learn to be more sensitive to citizens of Singapore and their religious culture.

Therefore, my conclusion about whether Singapore's struggle to achieve internal self-government in the period 1945-1959 was worth it as Singapore could finally gain freedom from the British rule and to govern itself with more sincerity and observation.