1965 Legislative By-election
The 1965 Legislative Assembly by-election was the final election held for Singapore’s Legislative Assembly before the island’s independence and transition to a sovereign Parliament. It occurred against a backdrop of escalating tensions between Singapore and Malaysia, culminating in Singapore’s separation from the federation two months later.
Background
By 1965, the People’s Action Party (PAP) had expanded into Malaysia as a federal party, contesting 11 seats in the 1964 Malaysian General Election and winning one. This move strained relations with Malaysia’s ruling Alliance Party, which had already faced a significant defeat by PAP in the 1963 Singapore General Election.
Matters deteriorated further after PAP and several opposition parties formed the Malaysian Solidarity Convention (MSC) on 9 May 1965, advocating for a “Malaysian Malaysia”—a concept seen as challenging the special position of ethnic Malays. PAP’s state government also proposed a looser confederation of Singapore, Sabah, Sarawak, and Penang should the autonomy issues prove insurmountable. These developments fueled rising tensions, setting the stage for Singapore’s eventual expulsion from Malaysia.
Ong Eng Guan’s Resignation
The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Ong Eng Guan, leader of the United People’s Party (UPP) and its sole Assembly Member. Ong cited the infrequent legislature sessions as his reason for stepping down, despite his party’s advice to remain. Although Ong considered contesting his seat again, he ultimately retired from politics.
The By-Election
With the Singapore Alliance (SA) declining to contest, the election became a direct contest between PAP and Barisan Sosialis. Both parties fielded candidates who had previously been PAP Assembly Members. Notably, SA surprisingly supported Barisan, its ideological opposite, but Malaysia’s Alliance Party chose not to endorse either PAP or Barisan.
The campaign was influenced by the recent MacDonald House bombing on 10 March 1965, carried out by two Indonesian soldiers during President Sukarno’s Konfrontasi against Malaysia. The bombing, which killed three people, drew public sympathy for PAP after the perpetrators were sentenced to death.
Results
PAP emerged victorious in the by-election, with its candidate Lee Khoon Choy winning decisively. He was sworn in on 8 December 1965 as a Member of Singapore’s first independent Parliament, which convened after Singapore’s separation from Malaysia on 9 August 1965.
Post-By-Election Developments
- Singapore’s Independence: Following the by-election, Singapore separated from Malaysia, and its 15 seats in the Malaysian federal parliament, including three held by Barisan, were vacated.
- PAP Malaysia’s Transition: PAP’s Malaysian entity was deregistered, prompting its members, including C. V. Devan Nair, to form the Democratic Action Party (DAP). Devan Nair returned to Singapore in 1969, ending his involvement in Malaysian politics.
Election Details
- Writ of Election Issued: 23 June 1965 (Wednesday)
- Nomination Day: 30 June 1965 (Wednesday)
- Polling Day: 10 July 1965 (Saturday)
- Swearing-In Ceremony: 8 December 1965 (Wednesday)
- Eligible Voters: 11,837
- Voter Turnout: 10,858 (91.7%)
- Election Deposit: $500
Significance
The 1965 by-election was a turning point, marking the conclusion of Legislative Assembly elections and the beginning of Singapore’s journey as an independent nation. It underscored the political divisions and regional tensions that defined Singapore’s final months in Malaysia while setting the stage for the newly sovereign state’s parliamentary democracy.