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Synopsis :

This documentary - The 9th of August - is the first of three productions in conjunction with the 25th Anniversary of the PAP Government in Singapore. It traces the events that lead to the independence of Singapore on 9th August 1965, covering the period 1959 to 1965. It examines the issues behind Singapore merging to from Malaysia and separation from Malaysia. Details include:

1. Beginning with visual of Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew fighting for merger, and then separation; with comments from Dennis Bloodworth, Chief Far East Correspondent, The Observer (UK) on whether PM Lee is disappointed;

2. Self-rule for Singapore in 1959: election on 3 June; PM Lee at post election victory rally; question of merger is already 'central objective of the PAP'; Deputy Prime Minister Dr Toh Chin Chye recalls 4 years of self-rule, believing it is valuable as the PAP 'learn how to manage';

3. Meaning of merger: advantages for Singapore, but 'UMNO has different perspective'; Dennis Bloodworth explaining; 'Singapore wants merger' but Malaya 'wants Singapore on finance and economic reasons, but does not trust the Chinese majority'; Minister for Foreign Affairs and Culture S Rajaratnam explaining having Malay as National Language;

4. Malaya's Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman's speech to Foreign Correspondents Association in Singapore on May 1961'changes the political map of the region'; comments from Dennis Bloodworth, V. T.Sambandan, Correspondent, The Hindu, Madras;

5. Singapore government has to fight battles with 'left wing which denounces merger as an imperialist plot';

6. 20 July 1961 - crucial day for PAP government as it wins a vote of confidence in Legislative Assembly debate which 'decides the future of the PAP and the issue of merger'; Dr Lee Siew Choh recalls his marathon speech in Assembly; MP Madam Zahara, who is in hospital, is wooed by both government and opposition for the vote;

7. National Referendum held on 1 September 1962 to win 'public sentiment' for merger; government and opposition step up their campaigns, not only at rallies but also on radio and television;

8. 71% of votes from Referendum set stage for government's 'final negotiations with Kuala Lumpur' tough bargaining over financial arrangement; excerpt of PM Lee's speech before he leaves for KL;

9. 6 July 1962 - 'Singapore in' the merger published in The Straits Times;

10. 16 September 1963 - Singapore is part of Malaysia; excerpt of PM Lee's declaration adding equal relationship between state and central government; comments from DPM Dr Toh on 'grave mistake that Singapore  government not represented in central government'; S Rajaratnam on 'built-in factors that make collapse of merger between Singapore and Malaysia inevitable';

11. 'Factors' surface not long after merger, which include:

a) Singapore's general election 5 days later, Singapore Alliance fails to win even a single seat; comments from Minister for Social Affairs Othman Wok;

b) Relationship 'worsens' when DPM Dr Toh announces in March 1964 PAP taking part in Federation election; Dennis Bloodworth comments on Tunku considering this 'a breach of contracts';

12. Issues being 'kept alive' by UMNO extremists', whom PM Lee calls 'ultras'; comments of Encik Othman;

13. 24 July & September 1964 - troubles break out in Singapore; Encik Othman recalls the 'worst racial riots in Singapore';

14. In following months 'more misunderstanding' between Singapore and Central Government, expecially when 'PAP leaders step up ideas of equal opportunities for all' - Malaysian Malaysia concept; excerpts - PM Lee's speech, comments of Tunku,  Mr S Rajaratnam;

15. 9 May 1965 - Singapore with opposition parties from Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak form Malaysia Solidarity Convention; excerpts of DPM Dr Toh and PM Lee's speeches, comments of Mr Rajaratnam;

16. Anti-PAP 'sentiments heating up' in Kuala Lumpur, expecially against PM Lee, although Tunku does 'not heed the ultra's call for action';  comments of Tunku, Encik Othman, Mr S Rajaratnam;

17. 5 August 1965 - when Tunku returns to Kuala Lumpur, it is 'clear he has decided on the break-up'; comments of Tunku, Mr S Rajaratnam;

18. 6 August 1965 - Tunku tells Minister for Finance Dr Goh Keng Swee, while playing golf, 'cannot go on as one country ... give Singapore independence on any term and condition';

19. Reaction to 'the break-up' from DPM Dr Toh, Encik Othman, Mr S Rajaratnam, Fong Sip Chee;

20.  PM Lee's announcement of Singapore's separation and independence at City Hall steps;

21. Reaction to Singapore's new status: from journalists - Mr Bloodworth, Mr Sambandan and Peter Lim with Sunday Times, 1965; Lee Wai Kok, Assistant Secretary, PM office 1965; Encik Othman;

22. 9 August 1965, 12 noon - PM Lee's press conference on the separation; comments from Mr Sambandan, Peter Lim;

23. Chandra Mohan, RTS producer for press conference, comments include: 6.30am call to go to the studio; camera focusing on PM Lee 'as long as we could' to 'witness the anguish' during the press conference;

24. Reactions of Singaporeans  - Peggy Hochstadt, Assistant Librarian, University of Singapore; Lee Wai Kok; Haji Ariff Ahmad, Lecturer, Teacher Training College; Lim Tiow Lye, sole proprietor; Victor Olsen, student 1965;

25. For PAP leaders - '9 August brings back painful memories even today' -DPM Dr Toh, Mr Rajaratnam;

26. PM Lee has the last words - 'total independence for Singapore' before 9 August, is 'out of question ... not an attractive option'; 'two years in Malaysia have taught the people ... the lessons of life ... and resolve to go it alone and try very hard'.