Singapore Chinese Middle School Students' Union Riots

Part IV: What happened after the riot?

The 900 people who were arrested were released in 1959 when the People's Action Party, led by Lee Kuan Yew at that time, won the 1959 general election to form the government as Singapore gained independence.

Singapore Chinese Middle School Students' Union Riots

Part III: When and how did it happen?

In 1956, after Lim Yew Hock replaced David Marshall as the Chief Minister of Singapore, he began to take tough measures to suppress the communist activities with the support of the British Governor and Commissioner of Police. In September, Lim Yew Hock banned two pro-communist organization: the Singapore Women's Association (SWA) and the Chinese Musical Gong Society. The Singapore Chinese Middle School Students' Union was also disbanded. In protest, students gathered and camped at Chung Cheng High School and The Chinese High School. They sat-in over the next two weeks, organizing meetings and holding demonstrations.

On October 24, the government told their parents to persuade them to return home but they refused. So, the government issued an ultimatum that other schools be vacated. The pro-Communist leader, Lim Chin Siong, organised a workers' meeting a short distance away from the Chinese High School. After the meeting, some of the workers joined the students in causing disruption. Riots broke out at the Chinese High School and spread to other parts of the island. Over the next 5 days, 13 people were killed, more than 100 were injured and around 900 were arrested.

On 26 October 1956, the government decided to take action. The police entered the schools and used tear gas to clear the students. But they did not give up. Instead of fighting to reenter the school, the students headed towards the city and threw stones and bottles, overturned cars and damaged public property. A curfew was set by the police but instead of improving, the situation became worse. This caused the government to call in the army.

During the curfew, the police and the army set up road-blocks to prevent large crowds from gathering at one place.

Singapore Chinese Middle School Students' Union Riots

Part II: Why did the riot happen?

The riot happened because the Chief Minister of Singapore, Lim Yew Hock, announced that the Singapore Chinese Middle School Students' Union would be closed down as a result of it's Communist activities. The government also arrested 4 student leaders and expelled 142 students from the Chinese High School and Chung Cheng High School for taking part in the Communist activities.

Singapore Chinese Middle School Students' Union Riots

Part I: Introduction

The Singapore Chinese Middle School Students' Union Riots were a series of riots that broke out in the Chinese Community in 1956, resulting in 13 people killed and more than 100 injured.

Hock Lee Bus Riot

Part V: Comics on the Hock Lee Bus Riot

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Hock Lee Bus Riot

Part IV: What happened after the riot?

The riot ended at 3 a.m. the next day. 4 people were killed and 31 were injured. This was why May 12, 1955 was known as the 'Black Thursday' in Singapore's history. On May 14, 1955, the strike came to an end and the workers who were dismissed got their jobs back.

Hock Lee Bus Riot

Part III: When and how did it happen?

It happened on Thursday, May 12, 1955 and was known as the Black Thursday. As a results of losing their jobs, the workers gathered at the Hock Lee Amalgamated Bus Company's depot in Alexandra. They sat in front of the gates to stop the buses from leaving the garage. On 27 April 1955, the police were called in. The protesters blocked the gates and threw stones at the police. The police had to use their batons to clear the crowd and as a result, 15 people were injured.

To support the protesters, more than 10,000 students from the nearby Chinese schools arrived everyday in lorries. They showed their support by bringing food, giving speeches and financial support, and entertaining the workers with songs and dances.

David Marshall, the chief minister at that time, tried to settle the disagreement between the company and the union by creating a Commission of Inquiry. But, both sides did not reach an agreement and the strikes continued.

Soon, the strikes began to grow and workers from 6 other bus companies joined the strike to protest against the government's treatment of fellow workers. The government called in the police to control the protesters by using fire hoses.

Tension began to build up and finally reached it's climax on May 12, 1955. About 20 lorries carrying the supportive students arrived at the Alexandra Depot. Around 4 p.m., the crowd started to attack the police with hard objects like bricks, stones and bottles.

Hock Lee Bus Riot

Part II: Why did the riot happen?

The riot happened because the members of the Singapore Bus Workers' Union (SBWU) were unhappy with the poor working conditions, long working hours of work and low amount of salary from the company called 'Hock Lee Amalgamated Bus Company'. They started to go on strike for better pay and working conditions. The company did not want to give in and in response to this, they dismissed 229 workers.

Hock Lee Bus Riot

Part I: Introduction

These riots began on April 23, 1955, when the workers from the Hock Lee Amalgamated Bus Company and some Chinese students began to go on strike.

A video on the Hock Lee Bus Riots