Lim Yew Hock

Who was Lim Yew Hock?

Haji Omar Lim Yew Hock, born Lim Yew Hock, was a Singaporean and Malaysian politician of Chinese descent, who served as a Member of the Legislative Council and Assembly from 1948 to 1963, and the second Chief Minister of Singapore from 1956 to 1959.

In his early years, Lim worked as a clerk upon graduating from the Raffles Institution. Following the end of World War II, he joined the labour movement and later began his political career, joining the Progressive Party in 1947. In 1949, he became a member of the Labour Party. He founded the Labour Front with David Marshall. The Rendel Constitution was implemented in 1955 due to political instability and greater demands for independence in post-war Singapore. LF won the Legislative Assembly election, with Marshall as Chief Minister. Lim was appointed Minister for Labour and Welfare, and served as his deputy during his term of office.

However, after talks with the Government in London for self-rule failed, Marshall resigned as Chief Minister, and Lim took over. In order to gain trust from the British, Lim suppressed leftist movements.