Topic 6

How far do you agree that the need to set up a common market was the most important reason for merger between Singapore and Malaya?


To MY opinion, i agree to an extent that the need to set up a common market was the most important reason for merger between Singapore and Malaya but i think freedom was also one of the reason.

My reason is that after Singapore has finally had the power to govern itself ,the PAP leaders, believed that Singapore's future lay with Malaya. For Singapore, the merger to benefit the economy by creating a common free market, eliminating trade tariffs, and solving unemployment woes.

Although at first, Tunku totally disagreed to merge with Singapore in fear of having communism conquering it when it had finally wiped them away. But, in the end, Mr Tunku finally changed his mind about merging with Singapore. The reason was that he was worried that Singapore would soon be governed by communism and it would use Singapore as a base to spread communism.

Therefore, my conclusion is that the need to set up a Common Market was still the most important reason for merger between Singapore and Malaya.