Reflections 6

Topic : How far do you agree that the need to set up a Common Market was the most important reason for merger between Singapore and Malaysia?


I agree to a large extent the there is a need to set up a Common Market when merging with Malaysia. Back then, Singapore is still under the rule of the British until Singapore merged with Malaya to form Malaysia. But after merging, Singapore became an independent country. Singapore needed to set up a Common Market as she lacked natural resources and faced a declining entrepot trade and a growing population which required jobs.


By doing that, goods could be bought and sold freely without paying any taxes. This would increase trade, expand industries and create more jobs for the people in Singapore. This will also lead to an increase in the economy of Singapore. Back then, Singapore is not a well-developed country so had to depend on other countries. Furthermore, Malaysia is a country where rubber and tin are produced which keeps Singapore's economy going. It is the base that made Singapore the capital city. Without this economic base, Singapore would not be able to survive.


In conclusion, I agree that that Common Market was the most important reason for merger between Singapore and Malaysia.

Blog Topic 5 : "Singapore struggle to achieve internal self-government in the period 1945-1959 had its costs. Was it worth it? Give at least two reasons to support your answer."

I think it is worth it for the people of Singapore ti struggle to achieve internal self-government in the period of 1945 - 1959. Although there was death and casualties during the riot, there was peace after that. David Marshall resigned his post as the first Chief Minister when he failed to gain internal self-government. The British government did not think he got the leadership to lead the peopl of Singapore as he did not do anything during the riots.

After Singapore struggle to achieve internal self-government in the period of 1945-1959, she gained independence in the year of 1965. There was two major riots during that period of 1945-1959. They are the Hock Lee Bus Riot and the Students' Riots.There were 4 people killed and 31 injured for the Hock Lee Bus Riot and 13 people died and more than 100 injured for the Students' Riot. After a few days, the two riots were under control.

In conclusion, I think that Singapore Singapore struggle to achieve internal self-government in the period 1945-1959 is worth it as Singapore gained internal self-government from the British government through the actions of the leaders of Singapore during that time to control internal threats.

Reflections 4

Topic: "In your opinion, what could have prevented the Maria Hertogh riots in 1950?" Give at least 2 suggestions.

I think that the Maria Herogh Riots could be prevented even though it only lasted for three days. Maris Hertogh initially was a Dutch but when her parents were imprisoned during the Japanese Occupation, Maria came under the care of a Malay woman, Che Aminah and her husband. They brought her as a Muslim and named her Nadra. During the riots, about 18 people were killed and 173 were injured.

In my opinion, the government and the media should be responsible for the riots that occurred. If the government were not biased, the Muslims who supported Che Aminah, Mother of Maria Hertogh, would not start the riots. The government should not change the judgement of giving Maria back to her Muslim mother. As after Che Aminah appealed the first time, she made an arrangemant for Maria to marry a Muslim guy. Furthermore, the governtment did not recognise the marriage and gave the custody of Maria to her natural parents. After that verdict was made, the government should sealed the Padang to prevent the Muslims from coming in.

The media should not post "Maria being put in the care of a Catholic Convent" on the headings of the newspapre as Muslims believed that they are only allowed to pray to one god only and not pray to other god. But the court put Maria in the Catholic Convert to pray the Catholic god which meant disrespect for the Muslim god in the eyes of the Muslim. This made the Muslims to get angry and started the riots.

Reflection 3

Did the Industrial Revolution affect the way people lived and worked in the 19th century for the better or the worse?

The Industrial Revolution affect the way people lived and worked in the 19th century for the better or the worse. Here are some examples of Industrial Revolution...

With the invention of the steamship, more Europeans could now sail to the East to obtain their raw materials and find markets to sell their goods. This resulted in more ships visiting Singapore and led to the growth in trade. From the 1880s many European and American steamships made Singapore thief port-of-call, where their ships stopped to refuel and obtain food supplies. The Asians in Singapore also used steamships to transport their goods between Singapore and other ports in the region. Thus, Singapore's position as a port for collection of goods from the East and the distribution of manufactured goods from the West gained importance.

The other example is the Suez Canal. The need for raw materials and new markets to sell their goods caused many merchants to seek a shorter route to the East. Ships travelling between Europe and Asia had to sail around the southern tip of Africa, clled the Cape of Good Hope. This long and often dangerous journey from London to Singapore took sailing ships at least 120 days. A French engineer drew up plans to aviod the sea route around Africa by cutting a long canal to link the Mediterranean Sea with Red Sea. When the Suez Canal was finally opened, the cost was nearly double the amount originally intended.The journry from London to Singapore took only 50 days.

My Reflection 2

Topic: Who would you choose? Tan Tock Seng or Raffles?

I believe that Raffles was the one who founded Singapore but he did not do much on helping the suffering or the poor who needed medical care. Tan Tock Seng was the one who gave treatment to the suffering and the poor who needed medical care. Tan Tock Seng came to Singapore at 1819, same year as Raffles came to Singapore.

Tan Tock Seng started out selling vegetables and poultry by the road. He was a visionary and entrepreneur; through his industry and thrift and acumen. Although he was wealthy, he did not ignore the suffering and situtation of his unfortunate fellowmen. He contributed heavily to the 1844 construction of a new hospital for the indigent, which was then named Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Besides that, he founded a pauper hospital in Pearl''s Hill where the immigrants could seek medical help at little or no cost.

Tan Tock Seng was not only one of the wealthiest man in Singapore, but also a philanthropist who gave generously to the charity. He had a passion for the sick and the poor and at his own expense buried the unclaimed bodies or paid the funeral expenses of those who could not afford one.

In conclusion, i believed that the musuem should erect a statue of Tan Tock Seng in front of its entrance.

Reflection 1

Topic: Who Really Founded Singapore?

I believe that Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles founded Singapore long long ago because he first landed in Singaopore on 28th January 1819 and with genuis and perception changed this destiny of Singapore from an obscure fishing village to a great seaport and modern metropolis. Raffles persuaded Temenggong to allow him to start a settlement. On 6 February 1819, Sultan Hussein and the Temenggong signed a treaty with the British allowing them to build a settle in the southern part of Singapore island. If Raffles had not landed in Singapore, Singapore might be the same as what it was today.