.Sunday, August 26, 2007@ 6:26 PM Y
" Singapore's struggle to achieve internal self-government in the period 1945-1959 had its costs." Was it worth it? Give at least 2 reasons to support your stand. I think all the effort was worth it. If not for the stuggle to achieve internal self-government, Singapore would not be what it is of today or in fact, still under the British.
Firstly, the riots in the early 1950s were caused by the displeasures of people with the British. For example, there was anti-national service riots which was due to the British who failed to spare a thought for the students in Chinese schools. If they had been bothered to ask for opinions from the students, things might have been different. Thus, Singapore's struggle to achieve internal self-government was worth it. In this way, locals can be in charged of Trade and Industry, Health, Education, Housing, Law and Labour as well as Finance. As the locals would be able to understand more about the feelings and thoughts of people in Singapore as well as the situation and conditions in Singapore, they would be able to make laws that are suitable to be carried out in Singapore. Hence, there would be less displeasures in the minds of people.
Secondly, the British insisted their way all along and forgot that people here in Singapore were different from those who were in Britain. The conditons of living were totally different. Thus, they would not be able to understand more about the needs and wants of the people in Singapore. They just think they were always right and tried to control the people the way they wanted and did not allow people to voice out their opinions. These actions stirred up the feelings of people. Hence, communists emerged to go against them and chaos were seen everywhere. If Singapore had not put in the effort to fight for internal self-government, I believe Singapore today would be still as chaotic as the past.
In conclusion, all the things, struggles and efforts that have been put in and done were worth it in exchange for internal self-government and the way Singapore is today. The struggle for internal self-government was really important and with that, Singapore managed to take a big step in moulding its future.
