I came to believe that it was the Malay Ultras who caused the split between Malaysia and Singapore in 1965. After talking to an elder and reading up some materials, it appears that it was more sinister than simplistic view of Malay ultras being the sole cause.

In 1965, UMNO did not have money. They have not instituted money politics yet. Things like GLCs and privatisation has not happened. Without money, how did they do their politics?

The money came from the Chinese tycoons through MCA. MCA controlled the purse. They had huge say in national politics. And the political situation was the same like today, whereby the Chinese masses swamped to PAP rallies rather than MCA.

If PAP remained in Malaysia, MCA would have been obliterated. This was not favoured very well by the rich Chinese tycoons and their association MCA. So they were also instrumental in driving PAP out of the country.

This is what LKY had to say about then MCA President from the very rich Tan Cheng Lock family: "I was angry and bitter at (Siew Sin's) short-sightedness and stupidity. He had thwarted our industrialisation and brought about the Separation almost as much as had the Malay Ultras."

Somebody asked for source. It's from LKY's memoirs, The Singapore Story. https://t.co/3Vp4dYvqaX