"A victory for non-communal forces" -- Nair
Mr. C.V Devan Nair, general secretary of the pro-tem committe, National Workers of Singapore, today (Sept 3, 1962), described the merger referendum result as a "resounding victory for the multi-racial and non-communal forces of Malayan nationalism."
In a statement he said: "The people of Singapore have shown that they have the capacity to distinguish between what is in their interest and what is against their interest.
"They have expressed their faith that the future of the people of Singapore lies in unity and association with the people of Malaya, and not in hostile dissociation from them.
"In doing so, they have administered a severe rebuff to the anti-national ideologists of Barisan Sosialis, who tried every trick in the bag to frustrate merger and the unity of the Malayan people."
Mr Nair stressed that if we assume that these men have been taught humility by the verdict of the people," he said.
"On the contrary, we can expect them to expose themselves even more by acting in a manner directly contrary to the clear and overwhelming verdict of the masses."
Mr Nair declared:"But we will be ready for them. From now, it won't be merely blow for blow. It will be two blows and more for every blow they deliver.'
"People's decision clear" -- Tun Lim
Tun Lim Yew Hock, chairman of the Singapore People's Alliance, today said it was heartening that the people of Singapore had showed in no uncertain terms that they wanted Malaysia, in spite of the lies and racialist propaganda of the Barisan Sosialis, and their allies.
Describing it as a wise choice, Tun Lim said the referendum result clearly indicated that in a national issue of such grave importance, the people strongly supported the Democratic system and sank thier antagonism against the ruling party. A responsible opposition like the Alliance, he said, would see to it that the people's decision was not frustrated by "evil doers".
He paid tribute to the efficient conduct of the poll and said Singapore owed "a debt of gratitude" to all the civil servants and police who had served it so well.
"Proof that Singapore rejects the Reds"
The President of the Malayan Chinese Association in Singapore, Mr Guoh Sing Leong said that the most significant fact of the referendum result was that the State's people had made up their minds not to toe the line of the pro-Communist elements and the so-called leftists.
In a statement today he said it had shown the world that Singapore was not after all in sympathy with the leftist way of thinking and that its people would not give in to leftist propaganda or coercion.
First published in The Straits Times, Sept 3, 1962
Copyright © 1998 Singapore Press Holdings. All Rights Reserved.
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