1953 in Singapore

none March 2021 February 2020 1953 Singapore Template:Year in Singapore: Parameter 1=year required! Flag of Singapore (1952–1959).svg 90px Other events of 1953 Timeline of Singaporean history The following lists events that happened during 1953 in Colony of Singapore. Incumbents Governor: Sir John Fearns Nicoll Colonial Secretary: Sir Wilfred Lawson Blythe (Until 30 July), Sir Wiiliam Goode (From 30 July) Events January 18 January One of three main water supply pipes near MacPherson-Aljunied Road junction burst, leaving 70,000 people without water.70,000 WATERLESS IN COLONY https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530119-1.2.2 25 October 2024 NewspaperSG Singapore experienced power outage for one hour when St. James Power Station broke down.HUNDREDS OF DINNERS HIT BY BLACKOUT https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530119-1.2.4 25 October 2024 NewspaperSG 30 January – 450 attendants at Woodbridge Mental Hospital staged a strike, initially leaving 1,758 patients to the care of 30 nurses, the doctors and three volunteers.MENTAL HOME STRIKE IS ON https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530130-1.2.2 25 October 2024 NewspaperSG The strike ended on 5 February 1953, after negotiation between union leaders and Governor of Singapore Sir John Fearns Nicoll.NICOLL'S WORD ENDS STRIKE https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530205-1.2.35 25 October 2024 NewspaperSG February 20 February – Record-breaking rainfall flooded several regions of the city-state, including Bukit Timah Road, Orchard Road, Tanjong Pagar and Kallang Airport.SINGAPORE FLOODS https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530221-1.2.10 25 October 2024 NewspaperSG 23 February John Eber, lawyer and Malayan nationalist, was released after two years of detainment by Singapore Special Branch in Changi Prison under emergency regulation and without trial.JOHN EBER IS FREED https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530224-1.2.7 25 October 2024 NewspaperSG The Finnish oil tanker Wiima, carrying 7,000 tons of jet fuels and bound for Communist China, was ordered to sail into Singapore waters by the British authority. The ship was eventually allowed to leave Singapore for Kokkola on 12 May 1953 after it sold its cargo to the US Navy ship USS Cahaba for a price of US$500,000 (about US$5.9 million in 2024 money).Voyage of the Wiima https://majakka.rmm.fi/en/ex/wiima/?full 25 October 2024 MAJAKKAAFTER 11 DAYS—THE WIIMA SAILS INTO SINGAPORE WATERS https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530224-1.2.128 25 October 2024 NewspaperSG10.17: THE WIIMA SAILS https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530512-1.2.3 27 October 2024 NewspaperSGThe Wiima drama draws to an end https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530513-1.2.3 25 October 2024 NewspaperSG April 9 April – Devan Nair, then former secretary of Singapore Teachers' Union, was released from more than two years of detainment on the St. John's Island under emergency regulation.Nair and Samad report to the C.I.D. https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530411-1.2.12 26 October 2024 NewspaperSG 12 April – In an arbitration of wage dispute between the Government and the postal clerks, nearly 1,000 clerks were awarded 500 Malayan dollars, equivalent to 28 months of back pay. Lee Kuan Yew represented the workers during the arbitration.YONG GIVES THE CLERKS $500 https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530412-1.2.2 26 October 2024 NewspaperSG 21 April – The Government announced that, as part of the local government reform, the Singapore City Council will elect a mayor annually.CITY TO HAVE A MAYOR https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530422-1.2.6 26 October 2024 NewspaperSG 25 April – The Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hall was opened by then British High Commissioner Malcolm MacDonald.Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hall https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/article-detail?cmsuuid=54bde343-b011-4428-aadf-919c18cc563e 28 October 2024 Singapore Infopedia 27 April – In an attempt to reduce recurring expenses, the Government required all new hirings to be approved by the Financial Secretary.GOVT. CUTS THE COSTS https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530428-1.2.6 26 October 2024 NewspaperSG 28 April – Two-third of the island's electricity supply was cut off for about 15 minutes due to a fault at the then new Pasir Panjang Power Station.POWER BREAK-DOWN BLACKS OUT ISLAND https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530429-1.2.18 26 October 2024 NewspaperSG May 2 May – BOAC Flight 783, a Comet jetliner flying from Singapore to London, crashed near Calcutta, India after encountering bad weather, killing all forty-three passengers onboard.COMET CRASHES IN RAGING STORM—43 KILLED https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530504-1.2.2 26 October 2024 NewspaperSG alt=black and white photo of a jetplane|thumb|The Comet jetliner 10 May – The City Council announced that it is banning smoking in buses.Smoking in buses to be banned by city council https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530511-1.2.8 27 October 2024 NewspaperSG 11 May Parts of Singapore were without electricity for up to three hours in the evening due to a technical fault at Pasir Panjang Power Station and subsequent overloading at St James Power Station.Singapore's 3-hour black-out https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530512-1.2.9 27 October 2024 NewspaperSG The Governments of Singapore and British Malaya appointed a joint committee, headed by Commissioner-General Malcolm MacDonald, to make recommendations for unification.The first step to 'one Malaya' https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530512-1.2.16 28 October 2024 NewspaperSG 14 May – The Royal Navy exploded 50 tons of bombs in the waters near Pulau Tekong. The explosives were dumped into the sea by the surrendering Japanese army in August 1945.12.30-and up go the Aycr Saniak bombs https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530515-1.2.7 28 October 2024 NewspaperSG 19 May – The Government announced that government officers can voluntarily retire at the age of 45.Singapore officers can now quit at 45 https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530520-1.2.7 28 October 2024 NewspaperSG 25 May – The Singapore Customs Department seized 1.5 tons of opium hidden in a lorry around the Orchard Road area.tons of opium seized—Colony's top haul yet https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530526-1.2.21 28 October 2024 NewspaperSG 27 May – A postman was sentenced to 18 months' jail after hundreds of undelivered letters and thousands of foreign stamps were found in his home.In a postman's home, police found hundreds of letters https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530528-1.2.20 28 October 2024 NewspaperSG 30 May – 6 June: Singapore celebrated the coronation of Elizabeth II with a week of festivities. Queen Elizabeth II's coronation celebrations in Singapore https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/article-detail?cmsuuid=12d4e7ff-b08f-4372-864b-a5a1a84b7c64 28 October 2024 Singapore Infopedia enTHE BRIGHT LIGHTS OF SINGAPORE https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530531-1.2.2 28 October 2024 NewspaperSG June 7 June – A fire destroyed a block of shops and apartments in New Bridge Road, leaving 40 people homeless.BLAZE DESTROYS SHOPS AND THE HOMES OF 40 PEOPLE https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530608-1.2.81 29 October 2024 NewspaperSG 8 June – The 1,546-seat Odeon Theatre opened on North Bridge Road.Odeon Theatre https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/1536 28 October 2024 Cinema TreasuresOdeon Cinema https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/article-detail?cmsuuid=d444a843-ca5c-464a-8602-b4f3e3242271 28 October 2024 Singapore Infopedia 9 June The Government said that as a measure to curb the spread of rabies, 7,397 dogs have been vaccinated and 1,051 stray dogs have been shot since May.Rabies threat nipped by prompt Govt. action https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530610-1.2.115 2024-10-30 NewspaperSG The Government announced that the 1951 limitationCO 953/8/7: Control of Building Ordinance, No 21 of 1951 https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/private_records/record-details/db2b9239-4fc6-11e6-b4c5-0050568939ad 2024-10-30 www.nas.gov.sg of building above 50,000 Malayan dollars will not be renewed.There's now no limit on building https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530610-1.2.24 2024-10-30 NewspaperSG 12 June – The Government announced that it plans to introduce modern prison reform in the colony. The planned measures include segregating inmates by the length of their sentences and setting up discharge camps for inmates with less than 3 months of sentence left.A 'prison without bars' is planned https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530613-1.2.110 2024-10-30 NewspaperSG 15 June – The electoral roll for the Colony's Legislative Council and City Council closed with just over 74,000 voters.The Singapore Electorate https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530615-1.2.73 2024-10-31 NewspaperSG200,000 people in S'pore just don't care enough to vote https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530616-1.2.69 2024-10-27 NewspaperSG 16 June The Legislative Council approved the principle of extending the residential qualification of city councillors from three to seven years.THEY VOTE TO BAR COUNCIL 'BIRDS OF PASSAGE' https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530617-1.2.99 2024-10-31 NewspaperSG The Government announced that it is adopting a new pay structure for its 16,000 workers according to recommendations from the Ritson Report.THE RITSON NEW DEAL https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530617-1.2.2 2024-10-31 NewspaperSGRitson Report and Implementation https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/private_records/record-details/df39de51-115b-11e3-83d5-0050568939ad 2024-10-31 www.nas.gov.sgA sound plan but not good enough https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530617-1.2.6 2024-10-31 NewspaperSG 19 June – The City Council announced that it will ban fresh meat hawker on the streets from 1954, affecting about 1,000 hawkers.1954 ban on street meat men is official https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530619-1.2.125?qt=meat,%20hawker&q=meat%20hawker 2024-11-04 NewspaperSG 20 June – Singapore Association for the Blind announced that, with a badge, blind people can now travel free on buses operated by eight Chinese companies.Blind people get free bus travel https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530621-1.2.42 2024-10-31 NewspaperSG 25 June Malaysian Chinese Association announced that it will end all welfare and social programs due to the Government's ban on lottery organized by political organization.MCA LOTTERY ENDS https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530625-1.2.2 2024-11-01 NewspaperSG Singapore Rural Board agreed to license private markets in rural area due to a lack of government markets.Board will allow private markets https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530626-1.2.107 2024-11-01 NewspaperSG 29 June – The City Council published its administration report for 1952.Laying 'foundations' for city's future https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530630-1.2.91 2024-11-02 NewspaperSG 30 June – The City Council announced that Taximeter will be compulsory for all taxis starting from 1954.Taxi meters a 'must' by January https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530701-1.2.59 2024-11-04 NewspaperSG July 1 July – K. M. Byrne was charged with two charges of gross insubordination and breaking the General Order for deriding the incompetence of his expatriate colleagues during his campaign against a new family allowance given to expatriates but not local civil servants.UNION MEN WALK OUT OF PAY TALKS https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530702-1.2.3 2024-11-05 NewspaperSGTHREE LA WYERS FOR BYRNE https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530702-1.2.14 2024-11-05 NewspaperSGA Damned Blunder https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/singstandard19530702-1.2.124?qt=km,%20byrne&q=k.m%20byrne 2024-11-05 NewspaperSGK. M. Byrne https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/article-detail?cmsuuid=51df4534-6da4-44e7-8ecb-a0218a648495 2024-11-05 www.nlb.gov.sg On 22 July, he was found not guilty and got off with a reprimand.Now Byrne gets a reprimand BUT HE MAY APPEAL https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530723-1.2.2 2024-11-29 NewspaperSG 3 July – The Pasir Panjang Power Station was officially opened by Governor Sir John Fearns Nicoll.GOVERNOR WILL OPEN $93 MIL POWER STATION https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530630-1.2.109 2024-11-02 NewspaperSG 6 July – Beatty Secondary School was officially opened.Secondary school No. 4 is ready https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530701-1.2.103 2024-11-04 NewspaperSG 7 July – A fire destroyed a row of six two-storey houses in New Market Road and rendered 50 people homeless.50 lose homes in 2a.m. fire https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530707-1.2.5 2024-11-12 NewspaperSG 16 July – A fire destroyed a shanty town in Geylang area, rendering 4,000 people homeless.4,000 LOSE HOMES IN BIG BLAZE https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530717-1.2.7 2024-11-21 NewspaperSGChildren in tears seek parents amid ruins https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530717-1.2.7 2024-11-21 NewspaperSG50 houses for victims of fire in 6 weeks https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530719-1.2.18 2024-11-22 NewspaperSG 20 July – The Custom seized two thousand pounds of opium near the junction of Kallang Road and Mountbatten after a car chase with a lorry.Million dollar opium haul by Customs men https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530721-1.2.8 2024-11-28 NewspaperSG 21 July – The Governor, Sir John Fearns Nicoll, appointed a nine-man commission headed by Sir George William Rendel to review the constitution of the Colony.Nicoll names chief of review team https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530722-1.2.2 2024-11-28 NewspaperSG 25 July – The City Council's building committee announces that unauthorised newly-built houses will get neither water nor light.NO WATER OR LIGHT FOR ILLEGAL NEW HOUSES https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530725-1.2.58 2024-12-25 NewspaperSG 28 July A Royal Air Force transport plane from Singapore crashed near Kai Tak Airport in Hong Kong. One Chinese farmer near the crash site was killed. There were no casualties among the crew and the passengers.Spore plane crashes at Hong Kong https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530728-1.2.10 2025-01-22 NewspaperSG The Singapore UMNO leaders were announced.Singapore UMNO leaders named https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530728-1.2.44 2025-01-22 NewspaperSG September 27 September – The Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) announced it would build Singapore's first satellite town, Queenstown with the construction of Queenstown's first estate, Princess Margaret Estate, which started work last year on July 1952. 28 September 1953 New Town for 70,000 https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19530928-1.2.2 21 June 2025 The Straits Times Singapore December 8 December – The colonial government issued a white paper titled Chinese Schools Bilingual Education and Increased Aid, proposing the introduction of bilingual education in Chinese schools in exchange for increased financial aid. The white paper was met with criticism from many Chinese schools.White Paper on bilingual education in Chinese-medium schools https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/article-detail?cmsuuid=904709fe-cc4f-4255-aaf6-522fbf4b7da6 28 October 2024 Singapore Infopedia Births 22 February – Alan Chan, former civil servant. 27 March – Ho Ching, former CEO of Temasek Holdings. 24 April – Kwek Leng Joo, prominent businessman, photographer and philanthropist (d. 2015). 24 June – Charles Chong, former Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore. 27 December – Tsao Chieh, composer and engineer (d. 1996). Dates unknown Zeng Guoyuan, businessman, philanthropist, author, acupuncturist and perennial candidate (d. 2019). Lim Keng Peng, criminal (d. 1988). Mohamed Yasin bin Hussin, criminal known for the 1972 Pulau Ubin Murder. Deaths 1 January – Maganlal Gangaram, former President of the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and director of Maganlal Nagindas & Co (b. 1905). 3 January 1953 Merchant is dead https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19530103-1.2.110 The Straits Times Singapore 26 January 2026 3 January 1953 Death OF Mr. Maganlal https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/freepress19530103-1.2.98 The Singapore Free Press Singapore 26 January 2026 29 October – Navroji Mistri, Parsi Indian entrepreneur and philanthropist (b. 1885).Navroji R. Mistri https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/article-detail?cmsuuid=82842dec-afab-47bf-8fce-21cc3632cb93 2025-01-06 www.nlb.gov.sg See also List of years in Singapore City of Singapore (historical entity) References 1953 Singapore Category:Years in Singapore Category:Long stubs with short prose