Year 1950

Maria Hertogh Riots

Monday, 11th December 1950

18 people were killed and 173 were injured during the Maria Hertogh riots. For three days, mobs of Malay and Indian Muslim rioters attacked any European and Eurasian in sight. They set up barricades along major roads, set cars and houses on fire and took control of districts in the vicinity of Sultan Mosque, North Bridge Road and Jalan Besar. Rioting was stopped only after two troops of the Internal Security Battalion were called in, supported by several Malays within the troops. Even so, scattered attacks continued over two days. A 24-hour curfew had to be imposed for two weeks before the Constabulary regained control of the situation.


Mr & Mrs LKY Wedding

Saturday, 30th September 1950

Mr and Mrs. Lee Kuan Yew held their wedding reception at Raffles Hotel. Both are barristers and members of old Straits Chinese families.


Lee Kuan Yew and Kwa Geok Choo Engagement

Friday, 11th August 1950

The engagement is announced between Lee Kuan Yew, eldest son of Mr & Mrs Lee Chin Koon of 38 Oxley Road and Kwa Geok Choo, third daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kwa Siew Tee of 186 Pasir Panjang Road. Their engagement has long been expected by their friends in Singapore and in England. Former Raffles Collegians can still remember the rivalry between the two freshmen.