Anti-National Service Riot 1950s

ANTI-NATIONAL SERVICE RIOT 1950s

[Picture: School Crest of Chung Cheng High School and The Chinese High School/ Hwa Chong Institution (Left to Right)]                                                                    

The National Service Ordinance was introduced by the British government in 1952 (but took effect in 1954), that people seeking self-government should be able to defend themselves. 


[Pictures of: a conscription card for the registration of the National Service]

(Source: http://singaporestoreroom.com/?portfolio=national-service)

.Occurred when the British wanted to impose compulsory part-time military service on locals aged 18 and above as the Chinese Medium School students did not want to serve a foreign government against the Malayan communists.

On 13 May 1954, 500 students held a demonstration against the National Service Ordinance.  500 Chinese schoolboys and girls tried to march onto the Government House (Istana Negara) to lodge their protest. 

The police later persuaded the leaders to let the parents pass and the school grounds were cleared peacefully by 11 am.

                           
                           [Picture of: Riot outside the Istana Negara]
                           (Source: http://ourstory.asia1.com.sg/independence/ref/riot54.html)