1963 Legislative General Election

The 1963 Legislative Assembly General Election was one of the most intense and pivotal elections in Singapore’s history, coinciding with the island’s entry into Malaysia on 16 September 1963. Marked by fierce political rivalry and high stakes, the election solidified the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) dominance and reshaped Singapore’s political landscape.

Background

This election followed significant political turmoil within the Legislative Assembly. The PAP government had faced two by-election defeats and defections to the United People’s Party (UPP). A no-confidence motion tabled on 20 July 1961 narrowly survived with 26 votes in favor and 25 against, with 13 PAP Assembly Members abstaining. These 13 were subsequently expelled and formed Barisan Sosialis (Barisan), which the PAP accused of being a front for the Communist Party of Malaya.

The death of Minister Ahmad Ibrahim in 1962 further reduced the PAP’s majority, prompting Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew to call a fresh general election instead of a by-election. This move sought to secure a new mandate and preempt the possibility of a Barisan-led government during Singapore’s integration with Malaysia. The PAP government also launched "Operation Coldstore" on 2 February 1963, detaining several Barisan leaders, including its iconic figure, Lim Chin Siong.

Election Campaign

PAP fielded candidates in all constituencies and faced challenges from three major groups:

Barisan Sosialis: Partnering with the People’s Rally Party (PR), Barisan contested all but two seats.
United People’s Party (UPP): Initially underestimated, UPP fielded a surprisingly large number of candidates.
Singapore Alliance (SA): A coalition comprising the Singapore People’s Alliance (SPA), UMNO, MCA, and MIC, endorsed by Malaysia’s ruling Alliance Party.

David Marshall, leader of the Workers’ Party (WP), resigned from his party and contested as an independent. Barisan fielded Chen Poh Chang, wife of detained leader Fong Swee Suan, in Sembawang.

Results

PAP emerged victorious, regaining its two-thirds majority and capturing all wards held by Singapore UMNO. Barisan Sosialis suffered significant losses, and no independent candidates won, ending the presence of independents in the legislature. Despite the PAP’s success, two of its ministers, Kenneth Byrne and Tan Kia Gan, lost their seats and were later appointed as chairmen of the Central Provident Fund and Housing and Development Board, respectively.

Notable Incidents

Barisan Sosialis Detentions: Before the new Assembly convened, three Barisan Assembly Members (S. T. Bani, Loh Miaw Gong, and Lee Tee Tong) were detained, preventing them from being sworn in.
Anti-Hopping Law: The PAP government introduced legislation to prevent future defections, mandating that lawmakers lose their seats if they resign or are expelled from the parties under which they were elected.

Representation in Malaysia’s Parliament

Based on the election outcome, PAP secured 12 of Singapore’s 15 seats in Malaysia’s House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat). Prominent appointees included Lee Kuan Yew, Toh Chin Chye, Goh Keng Swee, and Othman Wok. Barisan filled the remaining three seats with Chia Thye Poh, Lim Huan Boon, and Kow Kee Seng. For the Senate (Dewan Negara), Singapore’s representatives included Ahmad Taff, a Singapore UMNO leader, and Ko Teck Kin, president of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

Election Details

Old Assembly Dissolved: 3 September 1963 (Tuesday)
Nomination Day: 12 September 1963 (Thursday)
Polling Day: 21 September 1963 (Saturday)
New Assembly Opening: 22 October 1963 (Tuesday)
Electorate: 617,650
Voter Turnout: 587,433 (95.1%)
Election Deposit: $500

Aftermath

PAP’s victory reaffirmed its mandate and paved the way for Singapore’s active participation in Malaysia. However, tensions with Malaysia’s ruling Alliance Party escalated following PAP’s decision to contest the 1964 Malaysian General Election, where it won one seat in Selangor. PAP’s admission into the Socialist International on 2 September 1964 further strained relations, foreshadowing Singapore’s eventual separation from Malaysia in 1965.