Part 3/10:
Facing the threat of the Soviet Union and internal ethnic strife, Singapore briefly merged with Malaysia in 1963. However, this union was short-lived due to escalating conflicts among the various ethnic groups. Within two years, Singapore found itself alone amidst chaos and an economic crisis.
The Leadership of Lee Kuan Yew
Singapore's rebirth was spearheaded by the charismatic and visionary leader Lee Kuan Yew. As the first Prime Minister, Lee adopted a “zero tolerance” approach to corruption and enacted strict laws to restore order. His policies resonated in a country that had descended into violence, and he quickly became a symbolic figure of law and order.