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Hock Lee bus riots : no end to a conflict?
Author
Sharifah Samirah Syed Mohd
Supervisor
Hack, Karl
Abstract
This Academic Exercise focuses on Singapore in the 1950s. More specifically, it looks at the first bloody labour disturbances in Singapore in this period - the Hock Lee Bus riots of 12 May 1955. These were said to have been instigated by the Communists. Leftist unions were believed to have played an important role in the Hock Lee bus riots. In view of the rising tide of Communism, and of Chief Minister David Marshall's handling of the riots, Singapore's further progress to full self-government was subsequently delayed.
The existing historiography thus suggests that the Hock Lee Bus riots complicated Singapore's path to independence. It cites Marshall's 'failure' to efficiently suppress the riot as a main factor in influencing Britain's stance at the London conference of 1956, which was held to discuss Singapore's future progress.
This paper aims to test the traditional historiography by a reassessment of the Hock Lee Bus riots and a reevaluation of David Marshall's role, as the newly elected Chief Minister at the time. It also aims to provide fresh perspectives on this event.
To this end several primary sources have been consulted, namely: British Public Records from the Kew Gardens Records Office 11 London; the Singapore Public Relations Office records from the National Archives of Singapore; the David Marshall papers; both English and Malay newspapers; and oral interviews.
This paper consists of two parts. Part One gives the essential background to the riots, describes the events themselves, and sets out the existing historiography concerning their significance. Part Two then tests the existing historiography by looking at the interpretations of various groups to the riots. It is hoped that by the end of this Academic Exercise, a more rounded picture of the Hock Lee bus riots and their significance can be achieved.
The existing historiography thus suggests that the Hock Lee Bus riots complicated Singapore's path to independence. It cites Marshall's 'failure' to efficiently suppress the riot as a main factor in influencing Britain's stance at the London conference of 1956, which was held to discuss Singapore's future progress.
This paper aims to test the traditional historiography by a reassessment of the Hock Lee Bus riots and a reevaluation of David Marshall's role, as the newly elected Chief Minister at the time. It also aims to provide fresh perspectives on this event.
To this end several primary sources have been consulted, namely: British Public Records from the Kew Gardens Records Office 11 London; the Singapore Public Relations Office records from the National Archives of Singapore; the David Marshall papers; both English and Malay newspapers; and oral interviews.
This paper consists of two parts. Part One gives the essential background to the riots, describes the events themselves, and sets out the existing historiography concerning their significance. Part Two then tests the existing historiography by looking at the interpretations of various groups to the riots. It is hoped that by the end of this Academic Exercise, a more rounded picture of the Hock Lee bus riots and their significance can be achieved.
Date Issued
1997
Call Number
DS610.6 Sam
Date Submitted
1997