Asian Geographic2017

While both countries

declare themselves

democracies, they

remain targets of

media criticism for

autocratic practices

1954 People’s Action Party (PAP) formed

1957 The 11 states comprising the

Federation of Malaysia gain independence

from the British

1959 The PAP wins a mandate to form the

government, winning 42 of the 51 seats

1963 Singapore reclaims independence

from the British and becomes a state in the

Federation of Malaysia

1965 Singapore is expelled from the

Federation of Malaysia. Secretary-general

of the PAP, Lee Kuan Yew, becomes the

first prime minister

1967 Singapore and Malaysia are among

the founding members of ASEAN

1969 Malaysia’s Alliance Party loses

seats to the opposition. Prime minister

Tengku Abdul Rahman resigns

1970 The Monetary Authority of

Singapore (MAS) is established;

Malaysia’s New Economic Policy is created

1973 Barisan Nasional is formed, a

coalition of 14 political parties from the

right and centre

1984 First two opposition members elected

to parliament in Singapore

1990 Lee Kuan Yew steps down as prime

minister, and Goh Chok Tong succeeds him

1995 Barisan Nasional wins the general

election with an 84-percent majority

1999 S R Nathan becomes the president of

Singapore without election

2005 Singapore and Malaysia settle land

reclamation dispute in border waters

2008 Barisan Nasional coalition remains

the ruling party with 140 seats. Opposition

parties later form the Pakatan Rakyat

coalition with 82 seats. BN loses two-thirds

majority required to pass amendments in

Federal Constitution

2011 General elections in Singapore.

The opposition wins about 40 percent of

votes. Rattled, the PAP launches a string of

campaigns to humanise their policies

2016 Anti-government protests in Kuala

Lumpur call for the resignation of Najib

after financial scandal; Najib remains

prime minister

Tw O ROadS dIvERgEd

Both countries have struggled with

managing their respective multiethnic

demographics, but their disparate

approaches were a significant source

of conflict during the merger months.

The delicate balance of ethnic Malay

and Chinese interests continues to

be a sensitive topic, with Malaysian

nationalism imbued in the Bumiputera

policy of positive discrimination –

particularly in the face of Singapore’s

ethnic Chinese majority.

Today, Malaysia has diversified

its production-based economy. Under

the Najib administration, the state is

working towards growing domestic

markets. A sophisticated regulatory

regime shields the country from

financial risk and global crises, but

vulnerability in the ever-important

export sector remains, especially

in electronics, oil, gas, palm oil and

rubber. Najib’s propositions to reduce

the preferential treatment afforded to

ethnic Malays were predictably met

with domestic opposition, despite their

potential to attract foreign investors.

Unlike Malaysia, Singapore has

little to offer in the way of natural

resources, but has instead drawn her

economy from its strategic position as

a port. While also largely dependent

on exports, the country specialises

in consumer electronics, information

technology, pharmaceuticals and

financial services. Led by Prime

Minister Lee Hsien Loong, efforts to

reverse a recent growth slump are

underway, with projects in place to train

locals for positions currently filled by

foreigners. Singapore maintains her

status as the financial and high-tech

hub of Southeast Asia, attractive to

investors owing to political stability and

apparent low levels of corruption. ag

People’s Action Party Barisan Nasionalis

Barisan Nasionalis is the longest-ruling

coalition in the democratic world. Headed

by UMNO, the BN has championed many

notable national schemes, including the

Bumiputera policies that favour ethnic

Malays in education, business, and other

aspects of Malaysian society. Other

contenders in Malaysia include Pakatan

Harapan (“Coalition of Hope”), the

People’s Justice Party, the Pan-Malaysian

Islamic Party, and other small parties.

The PAP has remained Singapore’s ruling

party since 1965. While seen as efficient

and development-focused, the party has

been criticised for its non-populist policies

and technocratic approach to development.

The PAP is working hard to alter this image,

particularly following losses in the 2011

general elections. The PAP was re-elected

with a 70-percent majority in 2015. Other

contenders include the Workers’ Party and

the Singapore Democratic Party.

ThE PaRTIES