1962 Merger Referendum of Singapore - Revision history

Vibrant Express at 14:48, 17 October 2018

2018-10-17T14:48:33Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:48, 17 October 2018
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	The '''Singapore national referendum''' of 1962, or also commonly referred to as the '''Merger Referendum of Singapore''' was held in Singapore on 1 September 1962. It called for people to vote on the terms of merger with Malaysia. Some of the options ultimately involved questions of national identity, and such questions would come to be cited years after the merger, as well as after the subsequent separation.		The '''Singapore national referendum''' of 1962, or also commonly referred to as the '''Merger Referendum of Singapore''' was held in Singapore on 1 September 1962. It called for people to vote on the terms of merger with Malaysia. Some of the options ultimately involved questions of national identity, and such questions would come to be cited years after the merger, as well as after the subsequent [[August 9\|separation]].

	There was no option to vote against the merger amongst three options presented to the people:		There was no option to vote against the merger amongst three options presented to the people:
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	*'''Option C''': Singapore would enter on terms no less favourable than the Borneo territories, Sabah and Sarawak, both whom were also discussing merger with Malaysia. This was to ensure that Malaysia would not discriminate along racial lines, as that would mean discriminating against Sabah and Sarawak, which were predominantly Bumiputra as well.		*'''Option C''': Singapore would enter on terms no less favourable than the Borneo territories, Sabah and Sarawak, both whom were also discussing merger with Malaysia. This was to ensure that Malaysia would not discriminate along racial lines, as that would mean discriminating against Sabah and Sarawak, which were predominantly Bumiputra as well.

	Option A received the majority of the vote at 73%, more then the two-thirds required for constitutional reform. The pro-communist Barisan Sosialis was strongly against the idea of a referendum, as they thought it would result in their suppression. The Barisan Socialis called for a boycott of the referendum, telling their supporters to submit blank votes in protest against the "rigged" referendum. 26% of the vote were left blank as a result. This move had been anticipated by the ruling PAP government, which therefore inserted a clause stating that all blank or defaced votes would be counted as a vote for option A.		Option A received the majority of the vote at 73%, more then the two-thirds required for constitutional reform. The pro-communist Barisan Sosialis was strongly against the idea of a referendum, as they thought it would result in their suppression. The Barisan Socialis called for a boycott of the referendum, telling their supporters to submit blank votes in protest against the "rigged" referendum. 26% of the vote were left blank as a result. This move had been anticipated by the ruling [[People's Action Party\|PAP]] government, which therefore inserted a clause stating that all blank or defaced votes would be counted as a vote for option A.

	The media campaign fielded by both sides was extremely heated, and many of the leaders on both sides broadcast radio shows in several languages. The voter turnout was extensive: around 624,000 were eligible to vote, and around 561,000 voters turned up, a turnout of 90%.		The media campaign fielded by both sides was extremely heated, and many of the leaders on both sides broadcast radio shows in several languages. The voter turnout was extensive: around 624,000 were eligible to vote, and around 561,000 voters turned up, a turnout of 90%.

	The PAP was not legally obliged to call for a referendum, but did so to secure the mandate of the people. However, the Barisan Sosialis, a left-wing socialist party consisting of former PAP members with communist sympathies, alleged that the people did not support merger. Lee Kuan Yew declared the people did. The referendum did not have an option of objecting to the idea of merger because no one had <i>legitimately</i> raised the issue in the Legislative Assembly before then. However, the methods had been debatable. The referendum was therefore called to resolve the issue as an effort to decide objectively which option the people backed. The legitimacy of the referendum is often challenged by Singaporean left-wing supporters, due to the lack of an option to vote against the merger.		The PAP was not legally obliged to call for a referendum, but did so to secure the mandate of the people. However, the Barisan Sosialis, a left-wing socialist party consisting of former PAP members with communist sympathies, alleged that the people did not support merger. [[Lee Kuan Yew]] declared the people did. The referendum did not have an option of objecting to the idea of merger because no one had <i>legitimately</i> raised the issue in the Legislative Assembly before then. However, the methods had been debatable. The referendum was therefore called to resolve the issue as an effort to decide objectively which option the people backed. The legitimacy of the referendum is often challenged by Singaporean left-wing supporters, due to the lack of an option to vote against the merger.

	Backed by the official mandate, Singapore entered into merger with Malaysia on 16 September 1963, marking the birth of Malaysia.		Backed by the official mandate, Singapore entered into merger with Malaysia on 16 September 1963, marking the birth of Malaysia.

Apex-LW'21: please remove all unused category.

2014-01-16T13:18:58Z

please remove all unused category.

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:18, 16 January 2014
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	* [http://ourstory.asia1.com.sg/merger/ref/malt.html ourstory.asia1.com.sg/merger/ref/malt.html] - documents the referendum options.		* [http://ourstory.asia1.com.sg/merger/ref/malt.html ourstory.asia1.com.sg/merger/ref/malt.html] - documents the referendum options.
	[[Category:History of Singapore]]		[[Category:History of Singapore]]
	~~[[Category:Elections in Singapore]]~~
	[[Category:1962 elections]]		[[Category:1962 elections]]

Apex-LW'21 at 00:12, 28 September 2012

2012-09-28T00:12:30Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:12, 28 September 2012
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	The media campaign fielded by both sides was extremely heated, and many of the leaders on both sides broadcast radio shows in several languages. The voter turnout was extensive: around 624,000 were eligible to vote, and around 561,000 voters turned up, a turnout of 90%.		The media campaign fielded by both sides was extremely heated, and many of the leaders on both sides broadcast radio shows in several languages. The voter turnout was extensive: around 624,000 were eligible to vote, and around 561,000 voters turned up, a turnout of 90%.

	The PAP was not legally obliged to call for a referendum, but did so to secure the mandate of the people. However, the Barisan Sosialis, a left-wing socialist party consisting of former PAP members with communist sympathies, alleged that the people did not support merger. Lee Kuan Yew declared the people did. The referendum did not have an option of objecting to the idea of merger because no one had <i>legitimately</i> raised the issue in the [[Legislative Assembly]] before then. However, the methods had been debatable. The referendum was therefore called to resolve the issue as an effort to decide objectively which option the people backed. The legitimacy of the referendum is often challenged by Singaporean left-wing supporters, due to the lack of an option to vote against the merger.		The PAP was not legally obliged to call for a referendum, but did so to secure the mandate of the people. However, the Barisan Sosialis, a left-wing socialist party consisting of former PAP members with communist sympathies, alleged that the people did not support merger. Lee Kuan Yew declared the people did. The referendum did not have an option of objecting to the idea of merger because no one had <i>legitimately</i> raised the issue in the Legislative Assembly before then. However, the methods had been debatable. The referendum was therefore called to resolve the issue as an effort to decide objectively which option the people backed. The legitimacy of the referendum is often challenged by Singaporean left-wing supporters, due to the lack of an option to vote against the merger.

	Backed by the official mandate, Singapore entered into merger with Malaysia on 16 September 1963, marking the birth of Malaysia.		Backed by the official mandate, Singapore entered into merger with Malaysia on 16 September 1963, marking the birth of Malaysia.

Apex-LW'21 at 00:11, 28 September 2012

2012-09-28T00:11:51Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:11, 28 September 2012
Line 1:		Line 1:
	The '''Singapore national [[referendum]]''' of [[1962]], or also commonly referred to as the '''Merger Referendum of Singapore''' was held in Singapore on 1 September 1962. It called for people to vote on the terms of ~~[[History of Singapore#Merger with Malaysia (1963 - 1965)\|~~merger with Malaysia]]. Some of the options ultimately involved questions of national identity, and such questions would come to be cited years after the merger, as well as after the subsequent ~~[[History of Singapore#Independent Singapore (1965 - present)\|~~separation]].		The '''Singapore national referendum''' of 1962, or also commonly referred to as the '''Merger Referendum of Singapore''' was held in Singapore on 1 September 1962. It called for people to vote on the terms of merger with Malaysia. Some of the options ultimately involved questions of national identity, and such questions would come to be cited years after the merger, as well as after the subsequent separation.

	There was no option to vote against the merger amongst three options presented to the people:		There was no option to vote against the merger amongst three options presented to the people:

	*'''Option A''': All Singapore citizens would automatically become citizens of Malaysia, and Singapore would retain a degree of autonomy and state power, such as over labour and education. Singapore would also get to keep its language policies, such as to retain using all four major languages: English, Mandarin Chinese, Malay and [[Tamil ~~language\|Tamil]]~~.		*'''Option A''': All Singapore citizens would automatically become citizens of Malaysia, and Singapore would retain a degree of autonomy and state power, such as over labour and education. Singapore would also get to keep its language policies, such as to retain using all four major languages: English, Mandarin Chinese, Malay and Tamil.

	*'''Option B''': Singapore would become a federal state like that of the other eleven states of Malaysia, with no more autonomy than the others, thus ceding control over issues such as labour and education policies to the central (federal) government in [[Kuala Lumpur]]. This also meant that there would be less multilingualism - only English and Malay would be used for official purposes, and possibly education. Only those born in Singapore or descended from the Singapore-born would become citizens of Malaysia. There would also be proportionate representation in the federal Parliament from Singapore.		*'''Option B''': Singapore would become a federal state like that of the other eleven states of Malaysia, with no more autonomy than the others, thus ceding control over issues such as labour and education policies to the central (federal) government in Kuala Lumpur. This also meant that there would be less multilingualism - only English and Malay would be used for official purposes, and possibly education. Only those born in Singapore or descended from the Singapore-born would become citizens of Malaysia. There would also be proportionate representation in the federal Parliament from Singapore.

	*'''Option C''': Singapore would enter on terms no less favourable than the Borneo territories, [[Sabah]] and [[Sarawak]], both whom were also discussing merger with Malaysia. This was to ensure that Malaysia would not discriminate along racial lines, as that would mean discriminating against Sabah and Sarawak, which were predominantly [[Bumiputra]] as well.		*'''Option C''': Singapore would enter on terms no less favourable than the Borneo territories, Sabah and Sarawak, both whom were also discussing merger with Malaysia. This was to ensure that Malaysia would not discriminate along racial lines, as that would mean discriminating against Sabah and Sarawak, which were predominantly Bumiputra as well.

	Option A received the majority of the vote at 73%, more then the two-thirds required for constitutional reform. The pro-communist [[Barisan Sosialis]] was strongly against the idea of a referendum, as they thought it would result in their suppression. The Barisan Socialis called for a boycott of the referendum, telling their supporters to submit blank votes in protest against the "rigged" referendum. 26% of the vote were left blank as a result. This move had been anticipated by the ruling PAP government, which therefore inserted a clause stating that all blank or defaced votes would be counted as a vote for option A.		Option A received the majority of the vote at 73%, more then the two-thirds required for constitutional reform. The pro-communist Barisan Sosialis was strongly against the idea of a referendum, as they thought it would result in their suppression. The Barisan Socialis called for a boycott of the referendum, telling their supporters to submit blank votes in protest against the "rigged" referendum. 26% of the vote were left blank as a result. This move had been anticipated by the ruling PAP government, which therefore inserted a clause stating that all blank or defaced votes would be counted as a vote for option A.

	The media campaign fielded by both sides was extremely heated, and many of the leaders on both sides broadcast radio shows in several languages. The voter turnout was extensive: around 624,000 were eligible to vote, and around 561,000 voters turned up, a turnout of 90%.		The media campaign fielded by both sides was extremely heated, and many of the leaders on both sides broadcast radio shows in several languages. The voter turnout was extensive: around 624,000 were eligible to vote, and around 561,000 voters turned up, a turnout of 90%.

	The PAP was not legally obliged to call for a referendum, but did so to secure the mandate of the people. However, the Barisan Sosialis, a left-wing socialist party consisting of former PAP members with communist sympathies, alleged that the people did not support merger. [[Lee Kuan Yew]] declared the people did. The referendum did not have an option of objecting to the idea of merger because no one had <i>legitimately</i> raised the issue in the [[Legislative Assembly]] before then. However, the methods had been debatable. The referendum was therefore called to resolve the issue as an effort to decide objectively which option the people backed. The legitimacy of the referendum is often challenged by Singaporean left-wing supporters, due to the lack of an option to vote against the merger.		The PAP was not legally obliged to call for a referendum, but did so to secure the mandate of the people. However, the Barisan Sosialis, a left-wing socialist party consisting of former PAP members with communist sympathies, alleged that the people did not support merger. Lee Kuan Yew declared the people did. The referendum did not have an option of objecting to the idea of merger because no one had <i>legitimately</i> raised the issue in the [[Legislative Assembly]] before then. However, the methods had been debatable. The referendum was therefore called to resolve the issue as an effort to decide objectively which option the people backed. The legitimacy of the referendum is often challenged by Singaporean left-wing supporters, due to the lack of an option to vote against the merger.

	Backed by the official mandate, Singapore entered into merger with Malaysia on 16 September 1963, marking the birth of Malaysia.		Backed by the official mandate, Singapore entered into merger with Malaysia on 16 September 1963, marking the birth of Malaysia.

	~~== See also ==~~

	* [[History of Singapore]]
	* [[Politics of Singapore]]

	==References==		==References==
	* [http://essaysonline.biz/ essays online]
	* [http://www.singapore-elections.com/ www.singapore-elections.com] - a site documenting the various election results in Singapore's history.		* [http://www.singapore-elections.com/ www.singapore-elections.com] - a site documenting the various election results in Singapore's history.
	* [http://ourstory.asia1.com.sg/merger/ref/malt.html ourstory.asia1.com.sg/merger/ref/malt.html] - documents the referendum options.		* [http://ourstory.asia1.com.sg/merger/ref/malt.html ourstory.asia1.com.sg/merger/ref/malt.html] - documents the referendum options.

Janhouston: /* References */

2012-09-25T13:11:44Z

References

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:11, 25 September 2012
Line 23:		Line 23:

	==References==		==References==
			* [http://essaysonline.biz/ essays online]
	* [http://www.singapore-elections.com/ www.singapore-elections.com] - a site documenting the various election results in Singapore's history.		* [http://www.singapore-elections.com/ www.singapore-elections.com] - a site documenting the various election results in Singapore's history.
	~~[http://essaysonline.biz/ essays online]~~
	* [http://ourstory.asia1.com.sg/merger/ref/malt.html ourstory.asia1.com.sg/merger/ref/malt.html] - documents the referendum options.		* [http://ourstory.asia1.com.sg/merger/ref/malt.html ourstory.asia1.com.sg/merger/ref/malt.html] - documents the referendum options.
	[[Category:History of Singapore]]		[[Category:History of Singapore]]
	[[Category:Elections in Singapore]]		[[Category:Elections in Singapore]]
	[[Category:1962 elections]]		[[Category:1962 elections]]

Janhouston: /* References */

2012-09-25T13:11:21Z

References

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:11, 25 September 2012
Line 24:		Line 24:
	==References==		==References==
	* [http://www.singapore-elections.com/ www.singapore-elections.com] - a site documenting the various election results in Singapore's history.		* [http://www.singapore-elections.com/ www.singapore-elections.com] - a site documenting the various election results in Singapore's history.
			[http://essaysonline.biz/ essays online]
	* [http://ourstory.asia1.com.sg/merger/ref/malt.html ourstory.asia1.com.sg/merger/ref/malt.html] - documents the referendum options.		* [http://ourstory.asia1.com.sg/merger/ref/malt.html ourstory.asia1.com.sg/merger/ref/malt.html] - documents the referendum options.
	~~[http://essaysonline.biz/ essays online]~~
	[[Category:History of Singapore]]		[[Category:History of Singapore]]
	[[Category:Elections in Singapore]]		[[Category:Elections in Singapore]]
	[[Category:1962 elections]]		[[Category:1962 elections]]

Janhouston at 13:10, 25 September 2012

2012-09-25T13:10:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:10, 25 September 2012
Line 25:		Line 25:
	* [http://www.singapore-elections.com/ www.singapore-elections.com] - a site documenting the various election results in Singapore's history.		* [http://www.singapore-elections.com/ www.singapore-elections.com] - a site documenting the various election results in Singapore's history.
	* [http://ourstory.asia1.com.sg/merger/ref/malt.html ourstory.asia1.com.sg/merger/ref/malt.html] - documents the referendum options.		* [http://ourstory.asia1.com.sg/merger/ref/malt.html ourstory.asia1.com.sg/merger/ref/malt.html] - documents the referendum options.
			[http://essaysonline.biz/ essays online]
	[[Category:History of Singapore]]		[[Category:History of Singapore]]
	[[Category:Elections in Singapore]]		[[Category:Elections in Singapore]]
	[[Category:1962 elections]]		[[Category:1962 elections]]

Starborgling: cleanup

2012-06-05T06:46:10Z

cleanup

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:46, 5 June 2012
Line 1:		Line 1:
	~~{{Politics~~ of Singapore}}		The '''Singapore national [[referendum]]''' of [[1962]], or also commonly referred to as the '''Merger Referendum of Singapore''' was held in Singapore on 1 September 1962. It called for people to vote on the terms of [[History of Singapore#Merger with Malaysia (1963 - 1965)\|merger with Malaysia]]. Some of the options ultimately involved questions of national identity, and such questions would come to be cited years after the merger, as well as after the subsequent [[History of Singapore#Independent Singapore (1965 - present)\|separation]].

	~~The '''Singapore national [[referendum]]''' of [[1962]], or also commonly referred to as the '''Merger Referendum of Singapore'''~~ was ~~held in [[Singapore]] on [[September 1]] [[1962]], which called for people~~ to vote on the ~~terms of [[History of Singapore#Merger with Malaysia (1963 - 1965)\|~~merger ~~with Malaysia]]. Some of the~~ options ~~ultimately had to deal with questions of national identity, and such questions would come~~ to ~~be cited even years after~~ the ~~merger, as well as after the subsequent [[History of Singapore#Independent Singapore (1965 - present)\|separation]].~~		There was no option to vote against the merger amongst three options presented to the people:

	~~One could note that there was no option~~ to ~~vote against the merger amongst three options presented~~ to ~~the people~~:		*'''Option A''': All Singapore citizens would automatically become citizens of Malaysia, and Singapore would retain a degree of autonomy and state power, such as over labour and education. Singapore would also get to keep its language policies, such as to retain using all four major languages: English, Mandarin Chinese, Malay and [[Tamil language\|Tamil]].

	*'''Option A''': All Singapore citizens would automatically become citizens of Malaysia, and Singapore would retain a degree of autonomy and state power, such as over labour and education. Singapore would also get to keep its language policies, such as to retain using all four major languages, [[English language\|English]], [[Mandarin Chinese\|Mandarin]], [[Malay language\|Malay]] and [[Tamil language\|Tamil]].		*'''Option B''': Singapore would become a federal state like that of the other eleven states of Malaysia, with no more autonomy than the others, thus ceding control over issues such as labour and education policies to the central (federal) government in [[Kuala Lumpur]]. This also meant that there would be less multilingualism - only English and Malay would be used for official purposes, and possibly education. Only those born in Singapore or descended from the Singapore-born would become citizens of Malaysia. There would also be proportionate representation in the federal Parliament from Singapore.

	*'''Option B''': Singapore would become a [[federal]] state like that of the other eleven states, with no more autonomy than the ~~other states would~~, thus ceding control over issues such as labour and education policies to the ~~Central Government~~ in [[Kuala Lumpur]]. This also meant that there would be less multilingualism - only English and Malay would be used for official purposes, and possibly education. Only those born in Singapore or descended from the Singapore-born would become citizens of Malaysia. There would also be proportionate representation in Parliament from Singapore.

	*'''Option C''': Singapore would enter on terms no less favourable than the Borneo territories, [[Sabah]] and [[Sarawak]], both whom were also discussing merger with Malaysia. This was to ensure that Malaysia would not discriminate along racial lines, as that would mean discriminating against Sabah and Sarawak, which were predominantly [[Bumiputra]] as well.		*'''Option C''': Singapore would enter on terms no less favourable than the Borneo territories, [[Sabah]] and [[Sarawak]], both whom were also discussing merger with Malaysia. This was to ensure that Malaysia would not discriminate along racial lines, as that would mean discriminating against Sabah and Sarawak, which were predominantly [[Bumiputra]] as well.

			Option A received the majority of the vote at 73%, more then the two-thirds required for constitutional reform. The pro-communist [[Barisan Sosialis]] was strongly against the idea of a referendum, as they thought it would result in their suppression. The Barisan Socialis called for a boycott of the referendum, telling their supporters to submit blank votes in protest against the "rigged" referendum. 26% of the vote were left blank as a result. This move had been anticipated by the ruling PAP government, which therefore inserted a clause stating that all blank or defaced votes would be counted as a vote for option A.

	Option A received the majority of the vote at 73%, more then the two thirds which was required for constitutional reform. The pro-communist [[Barisan Sosialis]] were strongly against the idea of referendum, as the move was seen by them as one that would result in their suppression. The Barisan Socialis called for a boycott of the referendum, telling their supporters to submit blank votes in protest of the "rigged" referendum. 26% of the vote were left blank as a result. This move had been anticipated by the ruling PAP government, as seen by the insertion of a clause that stated that all blank or defaced votes would be counted as a vote for option A.		The media campaign fielded by both sides was extremely heated, and many of the leaders on both sides broadcast radio shows in several languages. The voter turnout was extensive: around 624,000 were eligible to vote, and around 561,000 voters turned up, a turnout of 90%.

	~~The [[~~media]] campaign fielded by both sides was extremely heated, many of the leaders on both sides broadcast radio shows in several languages. The voter turnout was extensive, around 624,000 ~~had been~~ eligible to vote, and around 561,000 voters turned up, ~~which yielded~~ a turnout of 90%.

	The PAP was not legally obliged to call for a referendum, but did so to secure the [[mandate]] of the people. However, the Barisan Sosialis, a left-wing socialist party consisting of former PAP members with [[communist]] sympathies alleged that the people did not support merger. [[Lee Kuan Yew]] declared the people did. ~~It should be noted that the~~ referendum did not have an option of objecting to the idea of merger because no one had <i>legitimately</i> raised the issue in the [[Legislative Assembly]] before then. However, the methods had been debatable. The referendum was therefore called to resolve the issue as an effort to decide objectively which option the people backed. The legitimacy of the referendum is often challenged by Singaporean left-wing supporters, due to the lack of a option to vote against the merger.		The PAP was not legally obliged to call for a referendum, but did so to secure the mandate of the people. However, the Barisan Sosialis, a left-wing socialist party consisting of former PAP members with communist sympathies, alleged that the people did not support merger. [[Lee Kuan Yew]] declared the people did. The referendum did not have an option of objecting to the idea of merger because no one had <i>legitimately</i> raised the issue in the [[Legislative Assembly]] before then. However, the methods had been debatable. The referendum was therefore called to resolve the issue as an effort to decide objectively which option the people backed. The legitimacy of the referendum is often challenged by Singaporean left-wing supporters, due to the lack of an option to vote against the merger.

	Backed by the official mandate, Singapore entered into merger with Malaysia on [[16 September~~]], [[~~1963]], marking the birth of Malaysia.		Backed by the official mandate, Singapore entered into merger with Malaysia on 16 September 1963, marking the birth of Malaysia.

	== See also ==		== See also ==

Groyn88 at 18:47, 7 October 2005

2005-10-07T18:47:17Z

New page

{{Politics of Singapore}}

The '''Singapore national [[referendum]]''' of [[1962]], or also commonly referred to as the '''Merger Referendum of Singapore''' was held in [[Singapore]] on [[September 1]] [[1962]], which called for people to vote on the terms of [[History of Singapore#Merger with Malaysia (1963 - 1965)|merger with Malaysia]]. Some of the options ultimately had to deal with questions of national identity, and such questions would come to be cited even years after the merger, as well as after the subsequent [[History of Singapore#Independent Singapore (1965 - present)|separation]].

One could note that there was no option to vote against the merger amongst three options presented to the people:

*'''Option A''': All Singapore citizens would automatically become citizens of Malaysia, and Singapore would retain a degree of autonomy and state power, such as over labour and education. Singapore would also get to keep its language policies, such as to retain using all four major languages, [[English language|English]], [[Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin]], [[Malay language|Malay]] and [[Tamil language|Tamil]].

*'''Option B''': Singapore would become a [[federal]] state like that of the other eleven states, with no more autonomy than the other states would, thus ceding control over issues such as labour and education policies to the Central Government in [[Kuala Lumpur]]. This also meant that there would be less multilingualism - only English and Malay would be used for official purposes, and possibly education. Only those born in Singapore or descended from the Singapore-born would become citizens of Malaysia. There would also be proportionate representation in Parliament from Singapore.

*'''Option C''': Singapore would enter on terms no less favourable than the Borneo territories, [[Sabah]] and [[Sarawak]], both whom were also discussing merger with Malaysia. This was to ensure that Malaysia would not discriminate along racial lines, as that would mean discriminating against Sabah and Sarawak, which were predominantly [[Bumiputra]] as well.

Option A received the majority of the vote at 73%, more then the two thirds which was required for constitutional reform. The pro-communist [[Barisan Sosialis]] were strongly against the idea of referendum, as the move was seen by them as one that would result in their suppression. The Barisan Socialis called for a boycott of the referendum, telling their supporters to submit blank votes in protest of the "rigged" referendum. 26% of the vote were left blank as a result. This move had been anticipated by the ruling PAP government, as seen by the insertion of a clause that stated that all blank or defaced votes would be counted as a vote for option A.

The [[media]] campaign fielded by both sides was extremely heated, many of the leaders on both sides broadcast radio shows in several languages. The voter turnout was extensive, around 624,000 had been eligible to vote, and around 561,000 voters turned up, which yielded a turnout of 90%.

The PAP was not legally obliged to call for a referendum, but did so to secure the [[mandate]] of the people. However, the Barisan Sosialis, a left-wing socialist party consisting of former PAP members with [[communist]] sympathies alleged that the people did not support merger. [[Lee Kuan Yew]] declared the people did. It should be noted that the referendum did not have an option of objecting to the idea of merger because no one had <i>legitimately</i> raised the issue in the [[Legislative Assembly]] before then. However, the methods had been debatable. The referendum was therefore called to resolve the issue as an effort to decide objectively which option the people backed. The legitimacy of the referendum is often challenged by Singaporean left-wing supporters, due to the lack of a option to vote against the merger.

Backed by the official mandate, Singapore entered into merger with Malaysia on [[16 September]], [[1963]], marking the birth of Malaysia.

== See also ==

* [[History of Singapore]]
* [[Politics of Singapore]]

==References==
* [http://www.singapore-elections.com/ www.singapore-elections.com] - a site documenting the various election results in Singapore's history.
* [http://ourstory.asia1.com.sg/merger/ref/malt.html ourstory.asia1.com.sg/merger/ref/malt.html] - documents the referendum options.

[[Category:History of Singapore]]
[[Category:Elections in Singapore]]
[[Category:1962 elections]]