27/09/07

"How far do you agree that the need to set up the Common Market was the most important reason for merger between Singapore and Malaya."
I agree slightly to it as there are other factors other than setting up a Common Market that led to the merger.
One of the reasons is that Singapore could gain full self-independence by merging with Malaya and break free from the British.The other reasons is that Malaya was afraid that the PAP could not control the communists after the PAP candidate was defeated in the Hong Lim by-election by Ong Eng Guan. The Tunku was concerned that the split would weaken the moderates within the PAP and allow the radicals to gain control of the party. If the radicals captured power from the PAP, they would form a Communist government in Singapore and use Singapore as a base to spread Communism in Malaya.
However,i think that the most important reason is to set up a Common Market.As Singapore lack natural resources and faced a declining entrepot trade and a growing population, a Common Market meant that traders in Singapore can sell their goods to Malaya without paying any tax and this would rapidly improve Singapore's economy.With an improved economy, more jobs would be created to provide enough jobs for the people in Singapore.Therefore, it will make lives of the people in Singapore easier.