 The election for the Legislative Assembly held on 2 April 1955 was a lively and closely fought affair , with several new political parties joining the fray . Unlike previous elections , voters were automatically registered , expanding the electorate to around 300 @,@ 000 . The SPP was soundly defeated in the election , winning only four seats . The newly formed , left @-@ leaning Labour Front was the biggest winner with ten seats and it formed a coalition government with the UMNO @-@ MCA Alliance , which won three seats . Another new party , the leftist People 's Action Party ( PAP ) , won three seats . 
