Birth of a New Nation

Officers responding to the MacDonald House bombing in 1965. It was instigated by Indonesian saboteurs during Konfrontasi. © SPH

Singapore attained self-governance in 1959. In 1963, Singapore merged with Malaysia. The young nation faced many threats to its security, and had to work to build up its defences, institutions and people in order to safeguard its future. Factions against the merger stirred up racial and communal violence, with the worst riots occurring in July and September 1964. Singapore was also subject to spate of bombings carried out by Indonesian saboteurs during the Indonesian Confrontation against Malaysia between 1963 and 1966. The Vigilante Corps was formed in May 1964 amidst the precarious situation. Over 10,000 people from all walks of life registered to help the police in street patrols against saboteurs.