Major events of this period

The Sunday Times, Feb 3, 1963 Statement from the Security Council: "Since the formation of the Barisan Sosialis in July 1961 it has been incresingly evident that the party and associated United Front organisation are under the control of the Communists. "These Communists and their supporters in Singapore working through the Barisan Sosialis and associated United Front organisation have done their utmost to sabotage the formation of Malaysia. "They have continued these subversive activities even after the referendum in September in defiance of the wishes of a decisive majority of the people of Singapore. "They have professed to be working constitutionally for democratic ends. "But their open support for armed revolt in Brunei and close connections with leaders of the revolt show they are ready when the opportunity occurs to depart from constitutional methods and to jeopardise national defence and Singapore's security by joining with groups resorting to violence and bloodshed as in the Borneo territories. "The Government of the Federation has consistently in recent years taken action against Communist and subversive elements in the Federation, and recently this action has been intensified. "The Government of Sarawak has also taken preventive security action recently. "All members of the Council agreed that action must be taken to safeguard the defence and security of Singapore and of the territories of the proposed Federation of Malaysia. "This action must be taken immediately and cannot be left until Aug 31. "The internal Security Council has therefore decided that certain persons in Singapore known to the security authorities of the three Governments represented on the Council to be deeply implicated in the United Front working for Communist or, in some cases, for other subversive ends must be arrested. "The Council also decided that certain Communist United Front publications must be banned. "These measures following upon the internal security actions in the Federations of Malaya and Sarawak will safeguard against any attempt by the Communists to mount violence or disorder in the closing stages of the establishment of the Federation of Malaysia. "It will ensure that Singapore enters Malaysia on Aug 31 in a more secure and sound state. "Those detained are being held under the provisions of the Preservation of Public Security Ordinance. "All those of Federation origin are sent back to the Federation." Previous Moses' start page Leslie's start page Chee Beng's start page Nura's start page Copyright © 1998 Singapore Press Holdings. All Rights Reserved.