How far do you agree that the need to set up a Common Market was the most important reason for merger between Singapore and Malaya?

I agree to a large extent. At that time, Singapore lacked natural resources and was also facing a declining entrepot trade. In addition to that, the growing population of Singapore caused an increase in the demand for more jobs. Also, the Malayan Government had decided to introduce import and export tariffs on goods that were traded between the two countries. This meant that taxes were to be collected on the goods that were going in and out of the country. Because of the tariffs, Singapore had to also pay taxes to Malaya if they were to trade, and that would cause Singapore to lose money as well.

Thus, the PAP government thought that the best way to settle Singapore's economic problems, which was a huge problem, was to merge with Malaya. The government also thought that by merging with Malaya, their economic problems will be solved, thus bringing a rapid economic growth as tariffs will no longer have to be paid. Also with this merger, Singapore hoped that a Common Market would be set up to support Singapore's companies. With a Common Market, goods could be bought and sold freely without paying taxes. This would not only increase trade, but would also expand industries and thus create more jobs.

Although there might be other reasons like breaking free from the British completely by riding on Malaysia's indepence, the PAP government thought that since Singapore's economic problems could be solved by setting up a Common Market, it was still one of the best reasons for merger with Malaya.

Singapore’s struggle to achieve internal self-government in the period 1945-1959 had its costs. Was it worth it? Give 2 reasons to support your stand.

In my opinion, I think that the costs for achieving internal self-government were worth it. If the leaders of Singapore had decided to just let the British govern us, Singapore would probably not be what it is today.

At that time, the British were ruling the people of Singapore. They believed that they could govern the people well, but some problems occurred that made the people of Singapore think that people of Singapore could gain internal self-government.

Firstly, in April 1955, the Hock Lee Bus Riots occurred. Workers from the Singapore Bus Workers Union (SBWU) went on strike, as they wanted better pay and working conditions. Instead of listening to the workers, Hock Lee Bus Company dismissed 229 workers.
Another strike that occurred during this period was the Anti-National Service Riots. The Chinese-educated students started these riots when the government introduced National Service. It requires all males aged 18-20 to register for National Service, and those who failed to would be jailed or fined. The Chinese thought that joining National Service would disrupt their studies as it was already interrupted by the war. Thus, they gathered together to present their petition to the Governor, but it broke out into a war when the police were called to disperse the crowd.

In the Anti-National Service Riot case, the British decided to call in the police to disperse the crowd. It was not said whether the students ended up presenting their petition at all. However, the fact that the police were called in tells us that the British Government did not give the students a chance to speak up and discuss the problem properly.

In both cases, the strikes/riots started because the people of Singapore were dissatisfied with the Government, and thus they decided to riot. It showed that the British were not capable in attending to the needs of the people.

Secondly, I find that the British were somewhat biased towards other races. In the Maria Hertogh Riots, the people found that the British were biased towards the Dutch. It might not be so, but many of them thought that way and since they were people of Singapore, they might not like a biased government to govern their country.
Also, Chinese schools were not given grants just because they were thought to have bred anti-British feelings.
Many people were sure to have been discriminated by the British, so maybe they were determined to gain internal self-government and could rule the people by themselves.

Thus, it was definitely worth it.