On May 30, 1959, Singapore had its first elections; to elect 51 members to the new legislature, against 25 in the old 32-member Rendel Assembly. Candidates from 10 different parties, including David Marshall’s Workers Party and 39 independents, contested the 51 seats. PAP fielded candidates in all constituencies. The electorate had doubled to 587,797, the result of the new citizenship laws which had swollen the register by some 300,000 voters, including many who were China-born. They were now required by law to cast their ballots. The people voted for those who were to guide the destinies for the new state of Singapore. AND The PAP romped home to a spectacular victory, winning 43 seats out of the 51 being contested. Of 524,420 ballots cast, 283,799 went to the PAP. The results of the elections placed control of Singapore’s internal affairs firmly in PAP’s hands. The PAP had set the pace and the direction of the election campaign. The Labour Front, was damaged politically by its strong action against pro-communist activities in trade unions and Chinese schools. The Lim Yew Hock government suffered another blow when the PAP revealed that Chew Swee Kee, Minister of Education, had been receiving funds from American sources. The PAP made it clear that they stood for a non-communist independent state. Lee Kuan Yew had pledged that PAP would only assume office if the eight pro-communist arrested in 1956 and 1957 were released. These men include Fong Swee Suan, Lim Chin Siong, Devan Nair, Chan Chiaw Thor and S Woodhull. The men were released but only after Lee Kuan Yew had obtained a pledge from them that they would strive for a "united, independent, democratic, non-communist and socialist Malaya by peaceful means". On June 5, Lee Kuan Yew and his eight-member Cabinet were sworn in. The Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, was only 36 then. 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.