By Lulin Reutens Lim Yew Hock 1914 - 1984 The man who led the all-party delegation that won internal self-government for Singapore was a leader who had power thrust upon him. When it became imminent in 1956 that Singapore’s first chief minister, David Marshall, would resign for having failed to gain full independence, Mr Lim Yew Hock told the press that he did not want the top job "if he had the choice". But a few days later, when Marshall resigned, Lim, then Minister for Labour and Welfare, was asked to form the new government. Despite his apparent diffidence, he slipped into his new post smoothly. As an established Singapore delegate throughout the independence talks with Britain, he continued the negotiations, but for the less lofty objective of self-government. With that achieved, he moved quickly to try and suppress the anti-colonial activists and communists. He banished two Chung Cheng High School teachers and dissolved the Chinese Middle School Students’ Union. Under his direction, the Special Branch detained Chia Ek Tian, a trade unionist and member of the PAP’s Central Executive Committee. Lim’s government confirmed its reputation for toughness in its handling of the Chinese middle school riots in October 1956. Tear gas and helicopters were brought in and many key pro-communist union leaders in the PAP were detained under the Public Security Act. But in doing so, he alienated a large portion of the Chinese-speaking electorate, a situation on which the PAP capitalised in the historic 1959 general election. Known as a man of the common people, Lim became a tough Chief Minister, making moves that were to cost him dearly. Born: 1914, in Singapore. Died: 1984. He won a four-year scholarship to study in London but his plans were dashed when his father died. He worked as a stenographer with Cold Storage until 1947, except for the war years when he sold charcoal for a living. He became full-time secretary of a trade union. In 1948, he became an appointed member of the Legislative Council, representing trade unionism. 1949: He joined the Labour Party. 1956 - 1959: Singapore's second Chief Minister after David Marshall’s resignation. 1957: Founded Singapore People’s Alliance. Became leader of opposition in the Assembly. Was bestowed title of Tun. 1963: Stepped down as SPA chief. Appointed Malaysian High Commissioner to Australia when Singapore merged with Malaysia. 1965: Mysteriously disappeared for nine days. 1968: Retired to Malacca. In later years, he became a Muslim and adopted the name of Haji Omar Lim Yew Hock. First published in The Straits Times on Dec 1, 1984. Previous Moses' start page Leslie's start page Chee Beng's start page Nura's start page Copyright © 1998 Singapore Press Holdings. All Rights Reserved.