Findings from the Project

After this project, our group has learnt more about the Hock Lee Bus Riots that happened in 1955. We have also come to a conclusion as to why the 1950s and early 1960s should be remembered today, with reference to the Hock Lee Bus Riots.

As a quick introduction, the Hock Lee Bus Riots was one of the worst riots that happened in Singapore, leaving 4 dead and 31 injured. The blog post our group has presented shows us 4 talk points from 2 different perspectives each. We learn more about the difference between the understanding of the problem with the bus drivers themselves and their employers. 

We feel that the 1950s and 1960s are worth remembering because incidents that happened during that period of time have valuable life lessons that we, the future generation, should learn from and improve on so as to create a better future for our descendants. 

For example, the Hock Lee Bus Riots as well as the other riots that happened then teaches us that violence or riots will not solve any problem and that treating people with dignity and respect is a key factor in avoiding similar conflicts. 

It is absolutely logical for the bus drivers to pursue a better life and better working conditions, but because most of the bus drivers were illiterate at that time, they were often treated lightly and underestimated. They felt that the only way they could voice out their wants and be heard was to hold a strike. The strike they held started off as a peaceful strike without any violence but the government decided to send police troops to break off the groups, which was perfectly fine in the eyes of the law, but which at the same time, angered the protesters. Similarly, the Hock Lee Bus Company employers also decided to fire the workers indiscriminately and refused to listen or try to fulfill their employees’ requests. There is nothing illegal about the way the whole incident was handled, but the consequences of the actions that were taken out prove to us that what is legal may not always be the right thing to do. 

Hence, the 1950s and 1960s are worth remembering in order to avoid letting history repeat itself and to mould a better future for everyone, through the lessons we learnt from the Hock Lee Bus Riots.

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