1. The Making of Riots in Post-War Singapore
Anatomy of a Riot
The Making of Riots in Post-War Singapore

2. What is a Riot?

3. Maria Hertogh Riots
1950s

4. Maria Hertogh Riots In 1950s: After the war
Singapore was a plural society divided along racial lines
Happened at a time when the gov was discredited distrust of colonial government

5. Flow Chart for the Maria Hertogh Case
The Hertoghs received information about their daughter’s whereabouts in 1949
From 1942 to 1950, Maria was brought up as a Muslim.
Dissatisfaction sparked at the holding of the trials. Political and racial disputes began.
Maria’s parents launched a legal custody battle in the early 1950s.

6. Hock Lee Bus Riots
1955

7. Brief Overview April 23 - May 12, 1955
Members of Singapore Bus Workers’ Union (SBWU) protested
Claimed to have been instigated by Radical Left
Violent, bloody riot resulted in 4 deaths and 31 casualties

8. Anatomy of Hock Lee Bus Riots

9. Causes Poor working conditions
Dissatisfied with long working hours and low pay
Workers riled up by radical left
Unionists used militant methods to obtain increased wages and improved working conditions for employees

10. Causes Effects 25-26 Apr 12/13 May The riot subsided by around 3am
Workers and students gathered outside the bus depot and rioted
This resulted in 4 deaths and 31 casualties
Commission of Inquiry was appointed to calm the situation
Legislative Assembly voted to extend the Emergency Regulations for another three months
24-hour hunger strike

11. Causes Effects Effects Resolution Police managed to break up the riot
Riot subsided by 3am
May 13 was generally quiet

12. Causes Effects Resolution Consequences
Strikers' jobs and pay were restored and they declared victory for their action.
Agreement was reached - the Hock Lee Bus Employees’ Union would be dissolved, the Court of Inquiry discontinued and Charles Gamba of the University of Malaya appointed as arbitrator between the unions and bus management.
Three Chinese middle schools were closed down.
Legislative assembly meeting held for curfews to control internal security of state to be imposed
Gamba ruled in favour of SBWU - 85 out of 170 workers lost their jobs
Several trade unionists were arrested, with Fong Swee Suan fingered as the chief instigator

13. Post Second World War (After 1945)
Context
Maria Hertogh Riots
Hock Lee Bus Riots
Post Second World War (After 1945)
Parties Involved
The Government (consisting mostly of Europeans),The Malay community, The European Community, Che Aminah, Maria and The Hertoghs
Malayan Communist Party, Singapore Bus Workers Union (led by Fong Swee Suan), Singapore Chinese Middle School Students’ Union (led by Soon Loh Boon)
Political Situation
People no longer believed in the inherent superiority of the British colonial government
Communists trying to gain power and strive for self-governance because they felt that the Labour Front were politically too compliant to the British

14. Beliefs and Interests Maria Hertogh Riots Hock Lee Bus Riots Malays
Malays believed that the Europeans were biased towards their own people and wanted to fight for their rights and that Che Aminah should rightfully regain custody of Maria
Europeans
Maria to be returned to her legitimate parents
Workers
Workers believed they deserved better working conditions, instead of the unfair long hours and low pay
Trade Unionists
Trade unionists felt that Labour Front was too pro-British and wanted to strive for self governance and independence, and also thought of the riots as a chance to do so

15. Triggers Maria Hertogh Riots Hock Lee Bus Riots
Che Aminah’s appeal was thrown out in five minutes which justified the Malay’s belief that their government was biased.
The police arrived at Alexandra Bus Depot to break up the meeting between the bus workers who were striking. Agitators among the crowd started heaving bricks and stones, turning the strike into a riot.
political and social contexts were similar.
Social: people were living in discord with people of different races and religions due to the new idea of multi-racial society
Political: people doubted the european government due to the recent abandonment of the british in the world war and the poor defence of Singapore during the recent world war
Thus, these triggers were able to work due to the mistrust between the governemnt and the people and the dissaisfaction at the governemnt at how they handled things.

16. Conclusion

17. By Teo Chee Yan, Simone Ku, Koe Chua and Christie Soo
Thank You!
By Teo Chee Yan, Simone Ku, Koe Chua and Christie Soo