Mr. Ambrose Khaw was a senior sub-editor, and then deputy managing editor of The Straits Times in the tumultuous years of Merger and Separation. Mr. Khaw was working from the Straits Times office in Singapore during the merger. He moved to the head office in Kuala Lumpur immediately before and after the Separation. Mr. Khaw, now 70, and retired, gives the stories behind the headlines:
The immediate reaction to separation was one of shock. Although there had been signals that things were not going well, the actual separation was not anticipated because despite all the tensions, it seemed as if the leaders were still trying to settle the conflicts.
The Tunku must have felt sad, but it was a political decision. There was no way he could contain the ultras and the people who supported the ultras.
Lee Kuan Yew at press conference to announce separationLee Kuan Yew cried on television, mostly out of shock, I think, and frustration. All his efforts, trying to get more leverage for Singapore in Malaysia, were now futile. He was told he had to get out and run Singapore on his own. Tunku and Lee Kuan Yew, I think, were personal friends. Maybe each had reservations about the other's personal style, but like friends and like people with basic courtesies, these never surfaced.
In fact, the Tunku was more astute than what some people thought. In his political judgment, he was very sound.
He must have seen that his basic support was still Malay. He could not show UMNO that he was partial to Lee Kuan Yew. That would have been the kiss of death.
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