The Agreement relating to the separation of Singapore from Malaysia as an independent and sovereign State was signed at Kuala Lumpur on 7 August 1965, in two copies, authentic English text, one deposited with each Party. Signatories included Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj and Tun Abdul Razak for Malaysia; Lee Kuan Yew, Toh Chin Chye and Goh Keng Swee for Singapore. Article I: the short title Independence of Singapore Agreement, 1965. It came into force on Singapore Day, 9 August 1965, by signature. UNTS No. 8206, vol. 563. It is not the Agreement relating to Malaysia of 9 July 1963, nor the British Singapore Act 1966.

The preamble notes the establishment of Malaysia on 16 September 1963 and the understanding that Singapore leaves the federation as a State recognised by Malaysia. Article II: Singapore ceases to be a State of Malaysia on Singapore Day. Article III: the proclamation in Annex A, by the Malaysian Prime Minister. Article IV: the Parliament of Malaysia is to enact the Act in Annex B, operative from Singapore Day, for the relinquishment of sovereignty and jurisdiction to the Government of Singapore.

Article V provides for a later treaty on external defence and mutual assistance — a joint defence council, reasonable assistance, Malaysia’s right to maintain bases already used in Singapore, and an undertaking not to enter into any treaty with a third country detrimental to the independence or defence of the other Party — a framework, not a bases handbook. Article VI: economic co-operation after Singapore Day. Article VII: Annexes J and K of the Agreement relating to Malaysia are expressly rescinded. Article VIII: Singapore is to negotiate the release of Malaysia from guarantees given for Singapore’s agreements and to indemnify Malaysia.

Annex B, article 12: a citizen of Singapore ceases to be a citizen of Malaysia. Article 13 of the same annex deems Malaysia’s treaties applicable to Singapore to become Singapore’s, including, as a matter of principle, the continued occupation of United Kingdom service facilities already in use — not an itinerary. Article 14: mutual guarantees of the Johor water agreements of 1961 and 1962. Singapore became a UN member on 20 September 1965.

Cover: the Malaysian Houses of Parliament in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of signature; we do not claim the signing room. Wikimedia Commons, free licence.

Sources consulted: Independence of Singapore Agreement 1965; Agreement relating to the separation of Singapore from Malaysia (UNTS 8206).