The Communists in The Communists in Singapore and MalayaSingapore and Malaya

Who are they?Who are they?

Most of the leaders were teachers and Most of the leaders were teachers and students in Chinese schools.students in Chinese schools.

They felt that the British marginalised They felt that the British marginalised them as compared to the English them as compared to the English educated.educated.

Most members were workers who were Most members were workers who were unhappy about their working conditions.unhappy about their working conditions.

They aim to overthrow the British They aim to overthrow the British government and set up a communist government and set up a communist government under the control of China.government under the control of China.

Background InfoBackground Info

During the Japanese Occupation, the British During the Japanese Occupation, the British and the communists agreed to help each and the communists agreed to help each other against the Japanese.other against the Japanese.

The British trained M.P.A.J.A. and gave them The British trained M.P.A.J.A. and gave them weapons.weapons.

The communists hoped to make use of this The communists hoped to make use of this co-operation to set up communist rule in co-operation to set up communist rule in Singapore.Singapore.

They were surprised by Japanese surrender They were surprised by Japanese surrender and did not have time to organise themselves and did not have time to organise themselves before the British returned on Sept 1945.before the British returned on Sept 1945.

Background Info IIBackground Info II

The British told the communists to The British told the communists to surrender their weapons.surrender their weapons.

They kept some in the jungles as They kept some in the jungles as they predicted they might need to they predicted they might need to use it against the British.use it against the British.

As a reward for their help against the As a reward for their help against the Japanese, M.C.P. (Malayan Japanese, M.C.P. (Malayan Communist Party) was made legal Communist Party) was made legal political party by the British.political party by the British.

Communist activities from 1945 to Communist activities from 1945 to 1948 1948

Communists paid attention to Communists paid attention to spreading communist ideas in spreading communist ideas in Singapore and the town areas in Singapore and the town areas in Malaya.Malaya.

They influenced people through the They influenced people through the Chinese newspapers to demand for Chinese newspapers to demand for higher rice rations and cheaper higher rice rations and cheaper foodstuff.foodstuff.

Student leaders influenced the Chinese Student leaders influenced the Chinese students by playing on fact that the students by playing on fact that the english educated were more valued by english educated were more valued by the British.the British.

They encouraged the workers to join They encouraged the workers to join trade unions to demand for better trade unions to demand for better working conditions, shorter working working conditions, shorter working hours and higher pay.hours and higher pay.

Many trade unions were dominated by Many trade unions were dominated by MCP.MCP.

Workers went on strikes in 1946 and Workers went on strikes in 1946 and 1947 under the encouragement of the 1947 under the encouragement of the Communists.Communists.

1947 – was known as The Year of 1947 – was known as The Year of Strikes. More than 300 strikes were Strikes. More than 300 strikes were organised by about 70,000 workers.organised by about 70,000 workers.

Strikes and Riots 1950sStrikes and Riots 1950s Anti-National Service Riot 1954Anti-National Service Riot 1954

Chinese school students demonstrated Chinese school students demonstrated against law which required young men against law which required young men between 18 to 20 years old to perform between 18 to 20 years old to perform part time military service.part time military service.

Strikes of 1955 – total of 275 strikes Strikes of 1955 – total of 275 strikes which chinese students took part in.which chinese students took part in.

Hock Lee Bus RiotsHock Lee Bus Riots April 1955, workers of Hock Lee Bus April 1955, workers of Hock Lee Bus

Company went on strikes to demand Company went on strikes to demand for better working conditions higher for better working conditions higher salaries.salaries.

Management could not agree to Management could not agree to their terms.their terms.

Riots broke out on 12 May 1955.Riots broke out on 12 May 1955. 1000 people attacked the police 1000 people attacked the police

and 4 were killed and 31 injured.and 4 were killed and 31 injured. As a result almost all bus workers As a result almost all bus workers

went on strike for 3 days.went on strike for 3 days. Riots ended on 15 May 1955.Riots ended on 15 May 1955.

Singapore Chinese Middle School Singapore Chinese Middle School Student’s Union RiotsStudent’s Union Riots

1956 a/m union was shut down by the Br govt for 1956 a/m union was shut down by the Br govt for its communist influenced activities.its communist influenced activities.

4 student leaders from Chinese High and Chung 4 student leaders from Chinese High and Chung Cheng High School were arrested and 142 Cheng High School were arrested and 142 students were expelled.students were expelled.

Lim Chin Siong led the communists to join Lim Chin Siong led the communists to join students to riot in many parts of Singapore. They students to riot in many parts of Singapore. They overturned and burnt cars. They threw stones at overturned and burnt cars. They threw stones at police vehicles at Bt Timah and Katong areas.police vehicles at Bt Timah and Katong areas.

The riots lasted for 1 week, 13 people were killed The riots lasted for 1 week, 13 people were killed and more than 100 injured.and more than 100 injured.

All bus and taxi services were disrupted during All bus and taxi services were disrupted during the riots.the riots.