Singapore, since it attained its independence on June 3, 1959, has been a thriving, trading nation. It had been controlled by the British, but after negotiations, was relinquished to self-autonomy with the understanding that it would remain a republic. Since then, it has reaffirmed its non-Communist stance and continued with progressive economic policies to the delight of the free world.
             Singapore's modern history begins with its independence. It quickly drafted a Constitution, which called for a nine-member cabinet, drawn from the 51-member legislature, and a Prime Minister. An additional stipulation was that there had to be a Malay Head of State in the predominately Chinese population. In the first election, the PAP, or People's Action Party, won 43 seats in the legislature and its leader, Lee Kuan Yew, became Prime Minister. Sir William Goode, the former Governor, received the Malay position of Head of State.
             In 1961, Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman of Malay, proposed a closer cooperation between some of the Southeast Asian countries. Lee Kuan Yew supported this plan to have a central government that controlled defense, foreign affairs, and internal security. Backing for the merger was provided by a public referendum and on September 16, 1963, Malaysia, consisting of the Federation of Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak, and Northern Borneo, was established.
             Despite the overwhelming support for the merger, two years later, on August 9, 1965, Singapore withdrew from Malaysia. On September 21 of the same year, Singapore became a member of the United Nations. It also was joined into the Commonwealth of Nations on October 15. Singapore continued with the radical political changes and formed a republic on December 22 with Yusof bin Ishak as the first President. This struggling country with a myriad of races had now to restructure its economy and focus on its unsurpassed trading potential.
             Still in control, the predomina...