5Ws1H

WHO was involved?

- Lim Chin Siong
- Fong Swee Suan
- Devan Nair
- Chinese Middle School Students

WHEN did the riot happen?
5 October 1956
It lasted for 5 days.

WHERE did the riot take place?
- Roads
- Streets
- Schools

Lim Yew Hock

David Marshall

WHY did the riot take place?
In 1956, after Lim Yew Hock replaced David Marshall as the Chief Minister of Singapore, he began to take tough measures to suppress communist activities with the support of the British Governor and Commissioner of Police. He deregistered and banned two pro-communist organizations: The Singapore Women's Association and the Chinese Musical Gong Society. The Singapore Chinese Middle School Students Union (SCMSSU) was also dissolved. Therefore, the Chinese Middle School students protested as they were angry that the SCMSSU was banned.

HOW did the students riot?

They hung black veils on the school gates and classroom doors and recited "mourning speeches" to signify the death of "popular will end democracy".

The Chinese Middle School students gathered and camped in Chung Cheng High School and Chinese High School at night to prepare a long peaceful protest. They set-in for 2 weeks, organizing meetings and holding demonstrations. 13500 students created havoc in streets. Although the government issued an ultimatum that the schools must be vacated, the riots started at The Chinese High School when the deadline drew near. With that, the government decided to take action. The police entered the school on 26 October 1956 and tried clearing the students with tear gas. Being forced out of the school, the students headed for the city. They then overturned cars and damaged traffic lights. They also threw stones and bottles. After Chew Swee Kee expelled 142 students, a group of about 1000 Chinese High students and 3000 Chung Cheng High Students took over control of their schools, putting up anti-government posters and holding meetings with resolution by putting up anti-government posters and holding meetings with resolutions passed condemning the government's action. Students from other chinese middle schools such as Nanyang University also contributed to the cause. Chew Swee Kee ordered the schools to close temporarily.

Other than students, their parents also supported them by providing supplies to them while they were staging a stay-in demo at Chung Cheng High School.

WHAT happened in the end?

Lim Yew Hock suppressed the riots and the British was pleased with him. 142 students were expelled and 900 were detained. 13 people killed and about 100 injured. 4 student leaders from Chinese High School and Chung Cheng High School were also arrested. By 2 November, lessons were resumed in all schools except Chung Cheng High School and Chinese High School, but both schools were later reopened on 13 November. The detainees were released after People Action Party (PAP) won the election to form the government.