In February 1963, the government of Singapore conducted a security operation, named Operation Coldstore (sometimes spelled Operation Cold Store), and arrested at least 107 left-wing politicians and trade unionists. 1963 (MCMLXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (the link is to a full 1963 calendar). ...

At that time, Singapore was a self-governing state under British rule; but was preparing for a merger with the Federation of Malaya to form the Federation of Malaysia in September 1963. The pro-communists, led by Lim Chin Siong strongly opposed this merger and were challenging the government headed by Lee Kuan Yew of the People's Action Party (PAP) in their endeavor to establish a socialist regime. The Federation of Malaya, or in Malay Persekutuan Tanah Melayu, was formed in 1948 from the British settlements of Penang and Malacca and the nine Malay states and replaced the Malayan Union. ... The Federation of Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia. ... A young Lim Chin Siong. ... Lee Kuan Yew (also spelt Lee Kwan-Yew) (born September 16, 1923) (Chinese: 李光耀; Hanyu Pinyin: ) was the first Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore from 1959 to 1990. ... Party logo with a symbol of red lightning that signifies action. ...

Malaya had a strong anti-communist policy. During the Malayan Emergency, Malaya managed to contain communist influence. However, the communists had substantial influence in Singapore. Fearing a communist resurgency, the Malayan Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman insisted that Singapore round up all pro-communists before the merger occured. Lee Kuan Yew was reluctant at first but consequently, the British and the Malayans had the decisive casting ballots at the Internal Security Council. The Malayan Emergency was an insurrection and guerrilla war of the Malay Races Liberation Army against the British and Malayan administration from 1948-1960 in what is now Malaysia. ... Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj ibni Almarhum Sultan Abdul Hamid Shah (February 8, 1903–December 6, 1990) usually known as the Tunku (a princely title in Malaysia), and also called Bapa Kemerdekaan (Father of Independence) or Bapa Malaysia (Father of Malaysia), was Chief Minister of the Federation of Malaya...

Those arrested were detained under the PPSO (Prevention of Public Security Order). They were alleged to be involved in subversive activities aiming to establish a “Communist Cuba” in Singapore. The arrestees include

• Lim Chin Siong, secretary-general, Barisan Sosialis
• S Woodhull, vice-chairman, Barisan Sosialis
• Fong Swee Suan, secretary-general SATU and executive committee member, Barisan Sosialis
• Dominic Puthucheary, committee member SATU and Barisan Sosialis; vice-president Singapore General Employees' Union
• Tan Teck Wah, president Singapore General Employees' Union; vice-president, SATU and
• A Wahab Shah, chairman, Party Rakyat

Barisan Sosialis (Socialist Front) is a Singaporean political party formed in 1961, by left-wing former members of the Peoples Action Party (PAP) and led by people such as Dr Lee Siew Choh and Lim Chin Siong. ...

See also

• Internal Security Act
• Malaysian Internal Security Act
• [[1]]

In the wake of World War II, a number of countries around the world introduced legislation that severely curtailed the rights of known or suspected communists. ... The Internal Security Act 1960 (ISA) is a preventive detention law in force in Malaysia. ...

References

• Hussin Mutalib (2004). Parties and Politics. A Study of Opposition Parties and the PAP in Singapore. Marshall Cavendish Adademic. ISBN 981-210-408-9
• Lee Kuan Yew. (1998). The Singapore Story. Federal Publications. ISBN 0130208035