Hwa Chong Institution

Hwa Chong InstitutionHwa Chong InstitutionChapter 7Chapter 7

How did the local people How did the local people respond to British Rule after respond to British Rule after

World War Two?World War Two?

Post-War Conditions that affected Post-War Conditions that affected the local peoplethe local people

Shortage of foodShortage of food Disruption of Water, Electricity and Disruption of Water, Electricity and

Gas SuppliesGas Supplies Change of CurrencyChange of Currency UnemploymentUnemployment Shortage of HousingShortage of Housing Poor Health ConditionsPoor Health Conditions Disruption of EducationDisruption of Education

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION In spite of the efforts by the British Military Administration, many were In spite of the efforts by the British Military Administration, many were

inadequate and ineffectiveinadequate and ineffective

Rapid population growth, food shortage, unemployment and poor housing Rapid population growth, food shortage, unemployment and poor housing continued well into the 1950scontinued well into the 1950s

Caused discontent and many became increasingly unhappy with British ruleCaused discontent and many became increasingly unhappy with British rule

Political and SocialChanges that Political and SocialChanges that affected the response of the local affected the response of the local

peoplepeople

What is Communism? What is Communism?

What is Nationalism?What is Nationalism?

Influence of CommunismInfluence of Communism

Communist Activities 1945-1948Communist Activities 1945-1948

COMMUNISMCOMMUNISM

What is Communism?What is Communism?A system of society where property belongs A system of society where property belongs to the whole communityto the whole community

Each member work for the common good of Each member work for the common good of the community according to his capacity and the community according to his capacity and receiving according to his needsreceiving according to his needs

However, since 1917, the term has come to However, since 1917, the term has come to denote those who regard the Russian denote those who regard the Russian Revolution as the model for all communists Revolution as the model for all communists to follow to follow

What is Nationalism?What is Nationalism?People began to have a sense of People began to have a sense of belonging to Singapore.belonging to Singapore.

They felt that Singapore should be They felt that Singapore should be ruled by people that share the same ruled by people that share the same interests and ideals for the country as interests and ideals for the country as their own.their own.

Many people were influenced by Many people were influenced by nationalist leaders around Southeast nationalist leaders around Southeast Asia and Asia.Asia and Asia.

Communist activities in Singapore and Communist activities in Singapore and MalayaMalaya

Trade Unions, Chinese newspapers and Trade Unions, Chinese newspapers and student leaders in Chinese schoolsstudent leaders in Chinese schools

Members : teachers and students in Members : teachers and students in Chinese schools, Chinese workersChinese schools, Chinese workers

COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES : 1945 - COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES : 1945 - 19481948

Lim Chin Siong

Stirred up feelings of the peopleStirred up feelings of the people to demand higher rice rations and to demand higher rice rations and cheaper foodstuffscheaper foodstuffs

Formed many trade unionsFormed many trade unions to demand for better working to demand for better working conditions and higher payconditions and higher pay

influenced TU leaders to organise influenced TU leaders to organise strikesstrikes

British way of dealing with strikes British way of dealing with strikes made the workers even angriermade the workers even angrier

STRIKES AND DISORDERSSTRIKES AND DISORDERS

Communist led workers’ strikeCommunist led workers’ strike

SINGAPORE 1948 : BRITISH VIEWSSINGAPORE 1948 : BRITISH VIEWS

Cautious about giving more power Cautious about giving more power to the locals – unsure about loyalty.to the locals – unsure about loyalty.

Did not want to give up their Did not want to give up their control of Singapore because of control of Singapore because of investments in the country.investments in the country.

Singapore was still useful as a free Singapore was still useful as a free port and a military baseport and a military base

Singapore still faced threat from Singapore still faced threat from the communiststhe communists

1948 Elections – Gradual Change1948 Elections – Gradual Change

British feared that rejection of the British feared that rejection of the people’s demands might lead to a people’s demands might lead to a revolution.revolution.They decided to transfer some power They decided to transfer some power to the people.to the people.Look at the chart in the next slide to Look at the chart in the next slide to understand the gradual changes understand the gradual changes made to the government from 1948-made to the government from 1948-1955.1955.

Progress Towards internal Self-Govt 1948-1959Progress Towards internal Self-Govt 1948-1959

Branch of govtBranch of govt 19481948 19551955 19591959

ExecutiveExecutive British Governor British Governor had final sayhad final say

Ruled with Ruled with only nominated only nominated British govt. British govt. officials officials

British Governor British Governor but rules withbut rules with

3 British 3 British Nominated Nominated ministersministers

Local Chief Local Chief Minister Minister

6 local 6 local elected elected ministersministers

Head of State – Head of State – yang di-pertuan yang di-pertuan

NegaraNegara

Prime MinisterPrime Minister

All ministers All ministers are elected and are elected and must be localmust be local

Progress Towards internal Self-Govt 1948-1959Progress Towards internal Self-Govt 1948-1959

Branch of govtBranch of govt 19481948 19551955 19591959

LegislativeLegislative 6 elected 6 elected non-officialsnon-officials

13 officials 13 officials nominated by nominated by the Britishthe British

3 selected by 3 selected by the Governor the Governor from the from the Chamber of Chamber of CommerceCommerce

Can only Can only give advice.give advice.

No specific No specific areas of areas of responsibilityresponsibility

25 elected 25 elected membersmembers

7 nominated 7 nominated membersmembers

Areas of Areas of Responsibility:Responsibility:

Trade and Trade and IndustryIndustry

HealthHealth

HousingHousing

EducationEducation

51 elected 51 elected membersmembers

Areas ofAreas of

Responsibility:Responsibility:

Trade and Trade and IndustryIndustry

HealthHealth

HousingHousing

EducationEducation

LawLaw

LabourLabour

FinanceFinance

(Internal (Internal Security)Security)

Rendel Constitution 1954Rendel Constitution 1954In 1953 the colonial government In 1953 the colonial government appointed Sir George Rendel to head a appointed Sir George Rendel to head a commission to review the Singapore commission to review the Singapore constitution constitution

The commission recommended partial The commission recommended partial internal self-government for Singapore, internal self-government for Singapore, with Britain retaining control of internal with Britain retaining control of internal security, law, finance, defense, and foreign security, law, finance, defense, and foreign affairs. affairs.

1955 Elections1955 Elections

Although the new constitution was a Although the new constitution was a long way from offering Singapore full long way from offering Singapore full independence, election fever gripped independence, election fever gripped the country as new political alliances the country as new political alliances and parties were formed. and parties were formed.

The Labour FrontThe Labour FrontLim Yew Hock and a prominent lawyer, David Lim Yew Hock and a prominent lawyer, David Marshall, formed a new political party, the Marshall, formed a new political party, the Labour Front, in July 1954. Labour Front, in July 1954. Under the leadership of Marshall, a staunch Under the leadership of Marshall, a staunch anti-colonialist, the party campaigned for:anti-colonialist, the party campaigned for:immediate independence within a merged immediate independence within a merged Singapore and Malaya,Singapore and Malaya,Malayanization of the civil service within four Malayanization of the civil service within four years (by which time local officials would years (by which time local officials would take over from colonial officials) take over from colonial officials)

The Labour FrontThe Labour Front

First Chief Minister, David Marshall

Lim Yew Hock, the Second Chief Minister

The Peoples Action PartyThe Peoples Action PartyThe party was formed by a group of The party was formed by a group of British-educated, middle- class Chinese British-educated, middle- class Chinese who had returned to Singapore in the early who had returned to Singapore in the early 1950s after studying in Britain. Led by 1950s after studying in Britain. Led by twenty-five-year-old Lee Kuan Yew, as twenty-five-year-old Lee Kuan Yew, as secretary general, Toh Chin Chye, Goh secretary general, Toh Chin Chye, Goh Keng Swee, and S. Rajaratnam.Keng Swee, and S. Rajaratnam.

The Peoples Action PartyThe Peoples Action PartyThey shared similar goals with the Labour They shared similar goals with the Labour Front but they concluded this could be Front but they concluded this could be accomplished only with support from the accomplished only with support from the Chinese-educated public and the Chinese-educated public and the communist-controlled trade unions. communist-controlled trade unions.

The PAP, calculating that a united front with The PAP, calculating that a united front with the communists was necessary to end the communists was necessary to end colonialism, declared itself noncommunist, colonialism, declared itself noncommunist, neither pro- nor anticommunist, preferring neither pro- nor anticommunist, preferring to put off until after independence any to put off until after independence any showdown with the communists. showdown with the communists.

In the Meantime… on the streets of In the Meantime… on the streets of Singapore….Singapore….

Due to the unhappiness of the local Due to the unhappiness of the local people, many strikes and riots broke people, many strikes and riots broke out between 1948 to 1955.out between 1948 to 1955.

Among the two most prominent Among the two most prominent ones were:ones were:

The Maria Hertogh Riots (1950)The Maria Hertogh Riots (1950)

The Anti-National Service Riots The Anti-National Service Riots (1954)(1954)

MARIA HERTOGH RIOTS MARIA HERTOGH RIOTS (1950)(1950)

Riots broke out between 11 and 13 Dec Riots broke out between 11 and 13 Dec 1950 over a 13-year old Eurasian girl 1950 over a 13-year old Eurasian girl named MARIA BERTHA HERTOGHnamed MARIA BERTHA HERTOGH

Born in 1937 to Dutch parents in JavaBorn in 1937 to Dutch parents in Java

Parents captured by Japanese during Parents captured by Japanese during WWIIWWII

A Malay woman, CHE AMINAH, and her A Malay woman, CHE AMINAH, and her husband looked after Mariahusband looked after Maria

Brought her up as a Muslim and named Brought her up as a Muslim and named her NADRAher NADRA


With the defeat of Japan, Maria’s mother With the defeat of Japan, Maria’s mother was releasedwas released

Unable to locate her daughter in JavaUnable to locate her daughter in Java

Finally found Maria in 1949 and wanted Finally found Maria in 1949 and wanted to claim her backto claim her back

Dutch Consul-General requested Maria Dutch Consul-General requested Maria to be put under the care of the Social to be put under the care of the Social Welfare Dept in SingaporeWelfare Dept in Singapore

Maria’s case was brought to the legal Maria’s case was brought to the legal court in Singaporecourt in Singapore


May 1950 : Court ruled that Maria May 1950 : Court ruled that Maria be returned to her natural parentsbe returned to her natural parents

Che Aminah opposed and sent in an Che Aminah opposed and sent in an appealappeal

2 months later, the court returned 2 months later, the court returned Maria to Che AminahMaria to Che Aminah


When Maria was 13 years old and When Maria was 13 years old and under Che Aminah’s care, she under Che Aminah’s care, she married a Malay teachermarried a Malay teacher

Nov 1950 : Judge did not recognised Nov 1950 : Judge did not recognised the marriagethe marriage

Returned Maria to her Dutch parents Returned Maria to her Dutch parents who put her in a Catholic conventwho put her in a Catholic convent

Muslim community was upset; felt Muslim community was upset; felt that Muslim law was not respectedthat Muslim law was not respected


Next two months : many Next two months : many newspaper articles on Marianewspaper articles on Maria

Stirred up feelings of anger Stirred up feelings of anger among the Muslimsamong the Muslims

Che Aminah appealed again in Che Aminah appealed again in Dec 1950 but was turned downDec 1950 but was turned down


Many Singapore Muslims felt Many Singapore Muslims felt betrayed by what they saw as betrayed by what they saw as the British taking the side of the the British taking the side of the DutchDutchThe court order was seen as a The court order was seen as a direct attack on Islam by a court direct attack on Islam by a court under Christian controlunder Christian controlAfter the verdict was announced After the verdict was announced on 11 Dec 1950, a large crowd of on 11 Dec 1950, a large crowd of mainly Malays outside the mainly Malays outside the Padang starting riotingPadang starting rioting


Many Europeans were Many Europeans were attacked. Many vehicles attacked. Many vehicles burnedburned

A sign of growing unhappiness A sign of growing unhappiness with British rule in Singaporewith British rule in Singapore

Also a sign of British failure of Also a sign of British failure of British to be sensitive to the British to be sensitive to the feelings of Muslimsfeelings of Muslims

STRIKES AND RIOTS IN THE 1950sSTRIKES AND RIOTS IN THE 1950sSTRIKES AND RIOTS IN THE 1950sSTRIKES AND RIOTS IN THE 1950s

Besides the workers, the communists Besides the workers, the communists also concentrated on getting the support also concentrated on getting the support of students from Chinese-medium schoolsof students from Chinese-medium schools

Situation in Chinese-medium schoolsSituation in Chinese-medium schools Why were the students unhappy?Why were the students unhappy? By the 1950s, anti-British feelings By the 1950s, anti-British feelings

among the students grew strongeramong the students grew strongerThey started strikes and supported many They started strikes and supported many

strikes organised by workersstrikes organised by workers

1954 ANTI-NATIONAL SERVICE RIOTS1954 ANTI-NATIONAL SERVICE RIOTS1954 ANTI-NATIONAL SERVICE RIOTS1954 ANTI-NATIONAL SERVICE RIOTS

A good example of how the communists stirred A good example of how the communists stirred up anti-government feelings among Chinese-up anti-government feelings among Chinese-educated studentseducated students

May 1954 : Chinese students demonstrated against the May 1954 : Chinese students demonstrated against the British government’s decision to make young men aged British government’s decision to make young men aged 18 to 20 do part-time national service18 to 20 do part-time national service

Many were above 20 as their education had Many were above 20 as their education had been disrupted by the warbeen disrupted by the war

Not willing to defend a government they were Not willing to defend a government they were trying to drive outtrying to drive out

Demonstration led to rioting and police had to put down Demonstration led to rioting and police had to put down the riotsthe riots

1954 ANTI-NATIONAL SERVICE RIOTS1954 ANTI-NATIONAL SERVICE RIOTS1954 ANTI-NATIONAL SERVICE RIOTS1954 ANTI-NATIONAL SERVICE RIOTS

LESSONS LEARNTLESSONS LEARNTWhole country can be affected by strikes, Whole country can be affected by strikes, disorder and riotsdisorder and riots

People’s lives are upset; business disrupted; People’s lives are upset; business disrupted; economy sufferseconomy suffersToday, 40 years after it faded into history, the Today, 40 years after it faded into history, the Maria Hertogh provides us with timely Maria Hertogh provides us with timely reminder of how easily a society can be torn reminder of how easily a society can be torn apart by the unwise handling of sensitive apart by the unwise handling of sensitive issues. issues.

Maria Hertogh Riots show us how important it Maria Hertogh Riots show us how important it is to know, learn and appreciate the culture is to know, learn and appreciate the culture and customs of other racesand customs of other races

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