Barisan Sosialis

Barisan Sosialis (English: Socialist Front) was a prominent political party in Singapore, established on 29 July 1961 and officially registered on 13 August 1961. Formed by left-wing members of the People's Action Party (PAP) who had been expelled, it was founded by notable figures such as Lee Siew Choh and Lim Chin Siong.

The party became the largest opposition force in Singapore during the 1960s and 1980s. Barisan Sosialis merged with the Workers' Party in 1988, marking the end of its independent operations.

Objectives

The Barisan aimed to:

1. Eradicate colonialism and establish an independent and united Malayan nation.
2. Create a democratic government based on universal suffrage.
3. Develop an economic system promoting societal prosperity and stability.
4. Mobilize citizens to build a Malayan nation.

Formation and Background

The PAP, since its inception, was ideologically divided between Lee Kuan Yew's conservative-technocratic faction and the left-wing faction led by Lim Chin Siong. Their cooperation stemmed from shared anti-colonial goals, but tensions over governance and merger policies caused rifts.

In 1961, the left-wing faction opposed the merger terms with Malaysia proposed by Tunku Abdul Rahman, fearing it would suppress leftist movements in Singapore. The split was exacerbated by the PAP’s defeats in the Hong Lim and Anson by-elections, as left-wing members supported opposition candidates. On 20 July 1961, 13 PAP assemblymen abstained during a motion of confidence in the PAP government, leading to their expulsion. These expelled members formed Barisan Sosialis, taking with them a significant portion of the PAP’s grassroots network.

Barisan was officially inaugurated on 17 September 1962, with Lim Chin Siong as its secretary-general and Lee Siew Choh as chairman. Its founding slogan, "genuinely full internal self-government," encapsulated its goals, and the party presented itself as an alternative to the PAP’s vision of merger with Malaya.

Key Events

Merger Referendum (1962)

Barisan opposed the PAP’s merger terms, advocating for automatic Malayan citizenship and proportional representation in Malaysia’s federal parliament. The party campaigned for voters to cast blank ballots in the 1962 referendum, which resulted in a PAP victory with 71% support for its merger terms. Barisan’s blank votes were included with the majority as per the referendum rules.

Operation Coldstore (1963)

The Barisan suffered a crippling blow with Operation Coldstore on 2 February 1963. This Internal Security Council (ISC) operation detained 107 individuals, including many of Barisan’s central leaders, under allegations of communist subversion. This action significantly weakened the party’s leadership and organizational capabilities.

1963 General Election

Despite its weakened state, Barisan contested the 1963 general election, securing 13 of the 51 seats. However, the PAP’s victory solidified its control. Barisan’s influence further declined as subsequent government actions, including union deregistrations and arrests of leftist leaders, reduced its capacity to function effectively.

Reasons for Decline

Internal Divisions

Barisan faced significant internal divisions over strategy and ideology. Disputes over issues such as national service registration and how to oppose PAP policies led to factionalism. These internal conflicts, coupled with leadership resignations, weakened the party from within.

Extra-Parliamentary Struggle

Following Singapore’s separation from Malaysia in 1965, Barisan denounced the independence as "phony" and withdrew from Parliament to focus on an extra-parliamentary struggle. This decision isolated the party from formal political processes and diminished its public influence.

Government Crackdowns

The PAP government’s measures, including Operation Coldstore and subsequent detentions, further debilitated Barisan’s ability to operate. Many of its key leaders were detained or faced long trials, while affiliated organizations such as trade unions and rural associations were deregistered or dissolved.

Legacy and Merger with Workers’ Party

By the late 1960s, Barisan’s influence had significantly waned. It boycotted the 1968 General Election, allowing PAP to win all 51 parliamentary seats uncontested. Barisan’s attempts to re-enter the political arena in subsequent elections were unsuccessful. In May 1988, Barisan merged with the Workers' Party to consolidate opposition efforts. However, the dissolution application was not approved due to the party’s constitution requiring consent from all branches, which no longer existed. As a result, Barisan remained dormant.

Communist Allegations

The PAP government consistently labeled Barisan as a communist-controlled organization. While Barisan’s leaders denied direct communist affiliation, they acknowledged using communist tactics for anti-colonial mobilization. Scholars remain divided on whether Barisan was genuinely communist or inspired by communist strategies for its anti-colonial objectives.