Because of the vigorous resistance, the first big-scale attempt to recruit male youths for part-time national service died a natural death. The colonial government agreed to postpone National Service. The demonstrations awakened the Chinese students' consciousness and strengthened the influence of student leaders. The riots made the students bold and in October 1954 they made a public proposal to form a Singapore Chinese Middle School Students Union (SCMSSU).
The authorities had used the force of the police to crush the riot of 13 May. In 1955 and 1956, when the process towards Singapore's self-government intensified, police-student clashes were to recur. The government tried to diffuse tension by making concessions to student demands but when the students grew too radical and violent under the influence of the SCMSSU, the police organised themselves effectively. With the help of the army, the police was able to prevent civil disorder arising from student unrests.
For the communists, the demonstrations against the National Service Ordinance and the following use of force by the police played into their hands. These developments aroused public sympathy towards the students' cause and gave a tremendous boost to open left-wing activity in the Chinese Middle Schools. Communist subversion in the Chinese Middle Schools was to heighten subsequently under the banner of the SCMSSU.
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