Year 1991

Major Events

Lim Yew Hock swore in as Chief Minister

Saturday, 7th July 1956

Lim Yew Hock became Chief Minister of Singapore till 3 June 1959.


Independent Talk Fell Apart

Wednesday, 16th May 1956

The British Government could not accept the terms, which is the "chairmanship of the defence council." Britain insisted on nominating the holder. Mr. Marshall disagree. And the British Team decided to end the talk. Merdeka? It's all over! The final communique was drawn up and released. The British Team led by Mr Lennox Boyd then meet the press and read his statement. Later the Singapore Team meet the press and it was that moment that Mr. David Marshall announce his resignation.


Independent Talk Begins In London

Tuesday, 1st May 1956

The Singapore Team was lead by Singapore's Chief Minister Mr. David Marshall. The British Team was lead by Britain's Secretary of State for the Colonies Mr. Alan Lennox-Boyd. Mr Marshall have told many people in the Singapore Camp that if necessary he would sign an agreement with Britain himself even if there are opposition from other parties. This statement angered many in the Singapore Camp.


Hock Lee bus riots

Thursday, 12th May 1955

Four people are killed during the Hock Lee bus riots. The Hock Lee bus strike began peacefully but escalated into a violent riot in which four people were killed and 31 injured. During the strike, large numbers of dismissed bus workers locked themselves in the Hock Lee garages at Alexandra Road and picketed at the gates.


Singapore Legislative Assembly 2nd General Election

Sunday, 3rd April 1955

The second general election for the Legislative Assembly 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 was led by David Marshall. Labour Front formed a coalition government with the UMNO-MCA Alliance, which won three seats. Another new party, the leftist People's Action Party (PAP) led by Lee Kuan Yew, won three seats.


PAP Inaugurated

Sunday, 21st November 1954

PAP or the People's Action Party was officially inaugurated at the Victoria Memorial Hall. Its objective is to fight colonialism in Singapore. Some of the PAP founder members included Dr Toh Chin Chye (protem Chairman), Mr Lee Kuan Yew (Secretary), Mr S. Rajaratnam, Mr C.V. Devan Nair, Mr Fong Swee Suan and Mr Abdul Samad. It was the largest political gathering Singaporeans had seen for many years. More than 1,500 people packed the Hall. Among the special guests were Dato Sri Tan Cheng Lock, president of the Malayan Chinese Association (MCA), and Tunku Abdul Rahman, president of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).


National Service Riots

Thursday, 13th May 1954

Students at a number of Chinese schools demonstrated against the British government's decision to make young men, age 18-20, do part-time military service. The students were unwilling to defend a foreign government which they wanted to drive out of Singapore. The demonstration led to rioting and the police had to put down on the riot.


Singapore Town Became A City

Saturday, 22nd September 1951

Singapore City Day. On this day, the Town of Singapore was officially made a City of the British Commonwealth, by an official proclamation of a Royal Charter by King George VI. Singapore City Day festivities began with an official parade, in the presence of 50,000 of her citizens at the Padang. The event at the flag-bedecked Padang.  Many activities were lined up to take place around the island "on the hour" throughout the day. Big attractions were lined up for the evening. The city was in traffic chaos and jammed everywhere. Thousands of men, women and children in a festive mood, jammed and crammed the streets or seafronts to catch the best angle and action of the three big shows, the Sea Dragon, the fireworks display, and the City Day Procession. At least 1,500 policemen were assigned to control the overwhelming numbers.


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.


Singapore Legislative Council 1st General Election

Sunday, 21st March 1948

The Legislative Council General Elections was the first election to be held in Singapore when six of the 22 seats on the Legislative Council were open for popular voting, albeit only for British subjects. The election was announced on 1 February, and nominations were due by 15 February. The campaign period lasted for 31 days. Municipal North-East (two seats) won by John Laycock and Mohamed Javad Namazie. Municipal South-West (two seats) won by Tan Chye Ching and Nazir Bin Abdul Mallal. Rural East won by Sardon Bin Haji Zubir. Rural West won by S. C. Goho.


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