The Merdeka Talks

Which political party won the 1955 elections?

• The Singapore Progressive Party

• The People's Action Party

• Labour Front

• Alliance Party

Who became the first Chief Minister of Singapore?

• Lee Kuan Yew

• Lim Yew Hock

• David Marshall

• Lim Chin Siong

Why did the First Merdeka Talks fail?

• Because David Marshall was Jewish

• Because the British doubted Labour Front's ability to maintain law and order to deal with the communist threats

• Because David Marshall wanted the British to grant Singapore self-government

  immediately

Who became Singapore's second Chief Minister after David Marshall stepped down?

• Lee Kuan Yew

• Lim Yew Hock

• Lim Chin Siong

• Fong Swee Suan

Which of the riots occurred in 1956?

• The Maria Hertogh Riots

• The Anti National-Service Riots

• The Hock Lee Bus Riots

• The Chinese Middle School Student Riots

Answer explanation

Maria Hertogh Riots: 1950

Anti-National Service Riots: 1954

Hock Lee Bus Riots: 1955

What were Lim Yew Hock's objectives when he led another delegation to London for the Second Merdeka Talks?

• He wanted to gain control over all internal affairs of government , including internal security

• He wanted Singapore to have control over education, health, housing, and trade and industry.

• He wanted Singapore to have control of only law, finance external affairs and internal security.

The British granted Singapore full internal self-government because:

• Lim Yew Hock's attitude was good.

• Lim Yew Hock had a very capable team.

• Lim Yew Hock showed willingness to compromise.

• Lim Yew Hock wan not a Jew

Answer explanation

Lim Yew Hock recognised that British reluctance to surrender full control of internal security was due to their concerns about the communist threat.

Lim Yew Hock and his delegation also agreed to leave external affairs and external defence in the hands of the British. Hence the second round of the Merdeka Talks succeeded in securing full internal self-government for Singapore.