List of riots in Singapore

Riots in Singapore have been documented since its founding as a British colony in 1819 and when it became part of the Straits Settlements in 1826. In the present day, under the Penal Code, rioting refers to the unlawful gathering of five or more people where force or violence is used by any member of the assembly; an affray is committed if two or more people fight in a public place. ^[1] The list of riots in Singapore below describes the most serious and prominent ones.

Straits Settlements (United Kingdom)

Singapore in the Straits Settlements (1826–1942/1946)

• 15 – 20 February 1851 – Anti-Catholic riots (500 dead) ^[2]
• 5 – 17 May 1854 – Hokkien-Teochew riots (200 to 480 dead, 222 injured) ^[3]
• 15 December 1876 – Chinese Post Office Riots ^[4]
• 12 March 1927 – Kreta Ayer Incident  [ zh ] ^[5]

Colony of Singapore (United Kingdom)

Colony of Singapore (1946–1963)

• 11 December 1950 – Maria Hertogh riots (18 dead, 173 injured)
• 13 May 1954 – 1954 National Service riots (26 injured)
• 12 May 1955 – Hock Lee bus riots (4 dead, 31 injured)
• 26 October 1956 – Chinese middle schools riots (13 dead, more than 100 injured)
• 22 April 1963 – City Hall riot ^[6]

State of Singapore (Malaysia)

State of Singapore (1963–1965)

• 12 July 1963 – Pulau Senang prison riot (4 dead, 5 injured) ^[7]
• 21 July and 2 September 1964 – 1964 race riots (36 dead, 560 injured)

Republic of Singapore

Republic of Singapore (1965–present)

• 31 May to 6 June 1969 – 1969 race riots (4 dead, 80 injured)
• 8 December 2013 – 2013 Little India riot (62 injured) ^{[8] [9]}

References

1. "Penalties for Unlawful Assembly and Rioting in Singapore". SingaporeLegalAdvice.com. 23 August 2016. Archived from the original on 8 April 2019. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
2. Yong, Chun Yuan (24 January 2005). "Anti-Catholic Riots (1851)". National Library Board. Archived from the original on 8 October 2016.
3. 新嘉坡擾亂 遭斃者已四百八十人 傷者二百二十二人[Singapore riots, 480 killed and 22 injured.] (in Chinese). Chinese Serial. June 1854.
4. Yong, Chun Yuan. "Chinese Post Office Riots (1876)". National Library Board. Archived from the original on 7 July 2014. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
5. Tan, Bonny. "Kreta Ayer incident". National Library Board. Archived from the original on 14 April 2014.
6. "SEVEN CHARGES". The Straits Times. 24 April 1963. p. 1. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021 – via National Library Board.
7. "ALL THAT HAVOC EN 40 mins: SEOW". The Straits Times. 19 November 1963. p. 6. Archived from the original on 28 February 2018 – via National Library Board.
8. "Riot in Singapore's Little India". CNA. 9 December 2013. Archived from the original on 11 December 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
9. Chan, Francis (8 December 2013). "Busloads of riot police respond to rioting mob in the heart of Little India". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 8 December 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2013.