Hock Lee bus riots and First Merdeka talks Flashcards
What was the name of the bus company?
The name was Hock Lee Amalgamated Bus Company.
What were the name of the unions that the workers joined? ( two )
Singapore Bus Workers’ Union (SBWU)
Hock Lee Employees’ Union
Which union went on strike and for what?
The Singapore Bus Workers’ Union as they wanted fair treatment and better working conditions.
What did the Hock Lee Amalgamated Bus Company do after the strike?
They sacked 299 workers who joined the strike.
What happened to the workers that were sacked?
They went on a hunger strike and gathered at the bus depot at Alexandra Road to block the gates so the buses could not leave the depot.
Over the next few days after the hunger strike, what did the students from Chinese-medium schools do?
They came in on lorries bringing food while singing and dancing to show their support for the workers.
What did David Marshall try to do between the bus company and the Union?
He tried to settle the dispute, but in the end both sides did not come to an agreement and the strikes continued.
On what date did the strike became a riot? What happened?
On 12 May 1955. The workers started throwing bottles, bricks and stones.
When did the riot end?
14 May 1955.
What did the government do to help the sacked workers?
They helped them get their jobs back.
What was the British impression of David Marshall after the riot?
They lost confidence in David Marshall as he refused to take any action against the communists involved in the riot.
What did David Marshall try to do after the riots in 1956?
He led a delegation to London to request for full internal self-government, which was the First Merdeka ( Freedom) Talks.
What did the British feel towards the talks? ( request)
The British felt reluctant to grant permission for his request for the talks, thus the talks failed.
What else did the British government feel towards David Marshall? ( protect, law and order)
They felt that he could not protect the British interests.
And that the LF could not maintain law and order and deal with communist threats effectively.
What did David Marshall do after his talks failed?
He resigned from the post of Chief Minister in 1956.
