Communist-inspired subversion and violence was a serious problem in Malaya and Singapore in the post-World War II period. In June 1948, the British colonial government declared a state of Emergency in Malaya and Singapore and passed tough security laws to cope with the threat. After Lee Kuan Yew led thÍÍÍÍe PAP to victory in the 1959 election, the influence of the communists quickly declined and citizens known or alleged to have contacts with the CPM or other groups that advocated the overthrow of the government were closely monitored by the police.

Data as of December 1989