MAY 13, 1969: A DARK CHAPTER IN THE NATION'S HISTORY

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13 May 1969: A Dark Chapter in the Nation's History

The Bloody Incident of 13 May 1969

In Kampung Baru and Surrounding Areas of Kuala Lumpur

Friday, 4 July 2014

What is the 13 May Incident?

Not many people want to talk about it openly. If they do, it's only in whispers. It is still considered taboo in such a diverse country. The pain is still felt by the older generation. The younger generation, those who read about it know, but many are ignorant. Read calmly and take lessons from it. There's no use in shouting about past events if we don't learn from them.

This incident, a racial riot that occurred in 1969, was the peak of unity problems in Malaysia. It is better known as the 13 May 1969 Incident. This event resulted in the loss of lives and property and is closely related to the 1969 General Election. The tragedy that occurred on 13 May 1969 is a dark chapter in Malaysia's history.

It all started during British colonial rule. To ensure their grip on Malaya, the British implemented the "Divide and Rule" policy by bringing Chinese from mainland China and Indians from British Raj to work in Malaya under different economic sectors. The racially segregated education system also contributed to socio-economic imbalances among the races in Malaysia. The Japanese occupation further strained racial relations. The Malays were treated less harshly than the Chinese. Many Chinese joined the Communist Party of Malaya (PKM) in an attempt to overthrow the Japanese and establish a communist republic in Malaya.

Racial conflicts, especially between Malays and Chinese, occurred in Georgetown (1957), Pangkor (1959), Bukit Mertajam (1964), and several other places, resulting in deaths and losses on both sides. The situation worsened with the racial riots in Singapore on 21 July 1964, leading to Singapore's separation from Malaysia on 9 August 1965 when Lee Kuan Yew, through the People's Action Party (PAP), questioned Malay privileges during the 1964 election campaign. The PAP's struggle with the slogan "Malaysian Malaysia" was continued by the Democratic Action Party (DAP).

In April 1969, an UMNO election worker, Mr. Kassim Bin Omar, was brutally murdered by Labor Party youths. His body was smeared with red paint and marked with "Do not vote in the election." This showed communist influence and the glorification of Mao Zedong. However, fearing Malay retaliation, election disturbances, and racial riots, the brutal murder was covered up after the government asked the family and Malay leaders to remain calm.

9 May 1969: "Funeral Procession" - The influence of PKM and the Labor Party in promoting communist and Maoist ideologies led to a boycott of the 1969 general election. On 4 May 1969, three police patrols had to fire at a group of Labor Party youths who attacked police officers with iron rods. One of them died. His body was kept by the Labor Party in a refrigerator to be paraded on election day to disrupt the election. The application to hold the procession on the 10th was rejected and replaced on the 9th. The police allowed the procession with conditions, including limiting the number of participants and not heading towards Kuala Lumpur. These instructions were ignored, and 10,000 people participated in the procession in central Kuala Lumpur, waving communist flags and Mao's pictures while insulting Malays with chants of "Malai-Si (Death to Malays)." Since the next day was election day, the police were instructed to be cautious.

10 May 1969: "General Election Results" - The election results saw the Alliance Party denied a simple majority in parliament by the opposition. GERAKAN controlled Penang, PAS in Kelantan, and DAP-PPP-GERAKAN almost toppled the Alliance in Selangor and Perak. However, GERAKAN did not intend to join any opposition coalition, allowing the Alliance to form state governments in Selangor and Perak.

11 May 1969: "DAP Victory Parade" - DAP held a victory parade without police permission. At 5 PM, five cars and 15 motorcycles paraded from Brickfields to Jalan Lornie. At the Brickfields Police Station, participants, mostly Chinese, shouted, "What can the police do? We are the kings" and "Remove all Malay police." Goh Hock Guan was in the parade. At 8:30 PM, another DAP parade took place on Jalan Bukit Bintang. At 10 PM, a victory parade headed towards Kuala Lumpur. In front of the Jalan Travers Police Station, they shouted, "Death to Malays - Sakai go back to the jungle." Meanwhile, 40 GERAKAN members paraded on Jalan Changkat Dollah near Pudu Prison with cars and scooters, shouting, "Kuala Lumpur now belongs to the Chinese." At midnight, a joint DAP-GERAKAN parade passed in front of the Brickfields Police Station, doing the same.

12 May 1969: "GERAKAN Victory Parade" - GERAKAN was allowed to parade from Jalan Ipoh to Jalan TAR, Jalan Gombak, Jalan Raja Laut, and back to Jalan Ipoh. Led by Dr. Tan Chee Khoon, they shouted insults at every Malay they saw, such as "Malays go back to the village" and "Malays have no power now." The parade included 500 scooters. When they reached Kampung Baru, they shouted, "Malays get out - what are you still doing here" and "We will hit you, now we are big." At 4 PM, the Pudu Police Station was bombarded with shouts of "Expel all police." At 7:30 PM, five Chinese youths shouted "kill all Malays" and tried to attack a police officer before fleeing when the officer drew his pistol. At 8:30 PM, a joint DAP-GERAKAN parade at the Bukit Bintang Police Station shouted, "What is this Malay, we rule the state now. This state does not belong to the Malays" and "Police are useless." At 9:30 PM, a GERAKAN parade in front of MARA College in Petaling Jaya banged on tin cans and shouted, "MARA is useless, MARA is doomed, the Alliance symbol is sinking" and "MARA will be destroyed in 5 years, now we rule, what can you do, Malays can go back to the village." Witnesses saw V David standing in an open car with a garland around his neck.

13 May 1969: "Tragedy" - At dawn, 60 GERAKAN supporters passed through Jalan Hale and insulted Kampung Baru residents, telling them to "get out of the village and go back to the jungle." At 7:30 PM, the Selangor Alliance victory parade led by UMNO was held with police permission. The parade was also attended by MARA College students. All Malays gathered at the Selangor MB's house in Kampung Baru. Earlier, at 6:15 PM, a riot occurred in Setapak where Malays from Gombak were attacked on their way to Kampung Baru. The riot then spread to Cheras, Kerinchi, Kampung Pandan, and Kampung Datuk Keramat. At 6:30 PM, about 500 people gathered at Dato Harun Idris's house. Some were armed with spears and kris. Dato Harun stood on a bus, pleading for calm, but they shouted, "We can't take it anymore, Tok." Nearly 300 Malays headed towards Jalan TAR while others were stopped by the Riot Control Unit. Armed clashes between Malays and non-Malays occurred. Chinese rioters surrounded and attacked Malays at Rex, Federal, and Capitol cinemas. The Ranger Regiment, later replaced by police and military, controlled the situation and declared a curfew. Frightened families sought refuge in areas patrolled by the military. The military's operation to maintain order during the 13 May 1969 incident was called Ops Gerhana, while the police used the term Ops Tenteram.

Many vehicles on the roadside were overturned and burned without knowing the fate of the drivers and riders. Bodies were scattered, and many shops and houses were burned. Official figures showed 196 dead, 439 injured, 39 missing, and 9,143 detained. 211 vehicles were destroyed. However, many estimated that more were killed.

**14 May 1969: "Emergency"**

The Yang Dipertuan Agong of Malaysia declared a state of emergency. The constitution and parliament were suspended. The East Malaysia elections were postponed.

**16 May 1969: "MAGERAN"**

Tunku Abdul Rahman established the National Operations Council (MAGERAN) led by Tun Abdul Razak to administer the country during the emergency. Tun Abdul Razak was assisted by council members, including political leaders, senior government officials, and high-ranking police and military officers.

The above are some publications that describe the 13 May tragedy. From left: "May 13: Declassified documents on the Malaysian Riots of 1969" by Kua Kia Soong, a former DAP member, "Peristiwa 13 Mei: Sejarah Perhubungan Melayu-Cina" by a British officer Leon Comber, the MAGERAN report on the 13 May tragedy, and "13 Mei Sebelum dan Selepas" by Tunku Abdul Rahman. I encourage you to read about the 13 May incident from various sources. Kua Kia Soong, in his book, claims that the 13 May tragedy was actually a plan by Tun Razak, Dato Harun, and Tun Mahathir to overthrow Tunku. Tunku, in his book, states that the cause of the tragedy was the role played by the communists in inciting racial sentiments. The MAGERAN report also states that speeches by campaigners during the election campaign, which stirred racial sentiments and questioned Bumiputera privileges, contributed to the incident. Tunku and the MAGERAN report also mention the involvement of secret societies worsening the situation.

#### Racial Issues in the 1969 Election

Racial issues that touched on emotions and sentiments became the main theme throughout the election campaign, raising the spirits of the various races in Malaysia. During the 1969 General Election campaign, election candidates and politicians, especially from opposition parties, raised sensitive issues related to the National Language (Malay), the special position of Malays as Bumiputera, and the citizenship rights of non-Malays. This stirred racial feelings and suspicion.

The Alliance Party (UMNO-MCA-MIC) suffered a severe defeat in the 1969 General Election. The number of seats it won in the House of Representatives (Parliament) dropped from 89 seats in 1964 to 66 seats in 1969. The Alliance Party lost its two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives.

The Malaysian People's Movement Party (Gerakan), the Democratic Action Party (DAP), and the People's Progressive Party (PPP) won 25 seats in the House of Representatives, while PAS won 12 seats.

The cause of the 13 May 1969 Incident was the victory parade by the opposition. DAP supporters insulted and humiliated Malays during their parade on the streets of Kuala Lumpur.

**Opposition Celebrates Victory**

This incident occurred following the announcement of the General Election results on 10 May 1969.

Dr. Tan Chee Khoon from the Gerakan party won big in the Batu constituency, Selangor. He sought police permission to parade to celebrate the party's victory in Selangor, which saw a 50:50 split. The parade caused traffic congestion around Kuala Lumpur. The parade went to Jalan Campbell and Jalan Hale and headed towards Kampung Baru. In Kampung Baru, home to over 30,000 Malays and a UMNO stronghold, residents felt threatened by the opposition's victory. This was where the Selangor Menteri Besar's house, Dato' Harun Idris, was located.

It was said that the victorious Chinese paraded with brooms tied to their vehicles as a symbol of sweeping clean the seats, while shouting slogans. Some believed the brooms symbolized sweeping the Malays into the sea. In Malay culture, brooms have a negative (unlucky) connotation. Some spat and cursed at Malays from the top of lorries.

**Chinese Funeral Procession**

Due to the deadly riot, traffic congestion also occurred.

In Jinjang, Kepong, the death of a Chinese person due to old age was paraded along the road with police permission. However, the funeral procession turned into an election victory parade, insulting Malays.

On Tuesday, 13 May, Yeoh Tech Chye, the President of Gerakan, apologized for the rudeness of his members during the parade. Yeoh won big in the Bukit Bintang constituency, Kuala Lumpur. But the apology came too late.

**Selangor Menteri Besar's House**

UMNO held a counter-parade on the morning of 13 May 1969, leading to the incident. This was due to high emotions and lack of control from both sides. The parade was not planned.

Malays gathered at the Selangor Menteri Besar's house on Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz in Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur. Dato' Harun Idris, the Selangor Menteri Besar at the time, tried to calm the situation. However, those gathered had brought swords and long machetes, waiting for Dato' Harun Idris's command to riot.

While gathered, stories about the rudeness of Gerakan members spread and fueled anger. At 3 PM, news came of the murder of Malays in Setapak, just two kilometers from the Selangor Menteri Besar's house. Other stories included a pregnant woman being killed and her fetus removed with a meat hook. Before her last breath, the woman managed to put the fetus back into her womb.

At 4 PM, two Chinese motorcyclists passing through Jalan Kampung Baru were beheaded. A van carrying cigarettes was burned, and its driver was killed. Chinese youths, allegedly from PKM and secret societies, retaliated by killing Malays around Kuala Lumpur. The Chinese and Chinese youths were well-armed with various weapons, spears, and machetes, like in old Chinese movies.

Such stories, whether true or not, further fueled racial animosity between Malays and Chinese. A major riot ensued. A state of emergency was declared, and everyone was ordered to stay indoors. Police patrolled around Kuala Lumpur. The military from the Ranger Regiment was earlier deployed to maintain security around Kuala Lumpur.

**Ranger Regiment**

The FRU was withdrawn from Kampung Baru, and the Ranger Regiment took over. Unfortunately, this regiment consisted of Malays, Ibans, Chinese, Indians, Sikhs, Gurkhas, and others who also shot at Malays, further angering the Malays. According to reports, the Ranger Regiment's leader was Chinese.

Malay youths defending Kampung Baru and others rioted, feeling trapped between the Chinese and the Ranger Regiment. Several shots were fired at the Selangor Menteri Besar's house.

**Malay Regiment**

Finally, the Ranger Regiment was withdrawn and replaced by the Malay Regiment. Several buildings and shops around Kampung Baru, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, continued to burn. The Malay Regiment took over administration. Unfortunately, some Malay soldiers also looted Chinese gold shops. Some Malay soldiers shot at Chinese shop houses, claiming they were throwing bottles at them. Some said the soldiers were in plain clothes.

Many Chinese were killed and thrown into tin mines in Sungai Klang near Lorong Tiong Nam, Chow Kit. It was rumored that BBC and Australian reporters recorded the execution of several Chinese youths lined up by the tin mine. However, no evidence of this recording has been released.

Odeon Cinema- Chinese youths from secret societies surrounded the Odeon Cinema on Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Kuala Lumpur. Several advertisements in Chinese were shown on the cinema screen, instructing Chinese viewers to leave. Many Malay viewers in the cinema were killed, including two Malay soldiers from Sungai Ramal, Kajang. Meanwhile, at the market, Malay soldiers shot Chinese people with their armored vehicles, claiming they violated the curfew. On the federal highway, Malay residents of Kampung Kerinchi threw pots onto the highway, causing traffic congestion and accidents. Chinese car owners were slashed and killed. An entire family of Chinese flower sellers nearby was killed. At Sungai Besi Airport, the international airport at the time, Malay soldiers shot Chinese people returning from abroad, claiming they violated the curfew.

A police officer named Rahim, who lived in Kuala Lumpur and watched a movie at Odeon, was slashed in the head and pretended to be dead. He is still alive today. Due to such actions, Malays began to retaliate, and it was said that Chinese heads were placed on fences.

Abdul Rafai Alias and his friends from Semenyih, who came to Kuala Lumpur, were also trapped and shocked by the unexpected racial riot on 13 May. He stepped over the bodies of those killed on the street.

Rumors spread that the Sabil Army from Sungai Manik was coming to Kampung Baru but was blocked. Similarly, the Red Sash Army from Muar and Batu Pahat was blocked by police at Kajang and Cheras Police Stations.

Four religious leaders around Kampung Baru distributed amulets and charms for invincibility, claiming they could make people invincible and fly. What is certain is that the Malay Regiment also saved Malays in Kampung Baru at that time. Many may have heard stories of flying machetes in Kampung Cheras Baru, beheading Chinese people.

However, racial riots did not occur in Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang. In Perak, Kedah, Penang, and Perlis, there were no conflicts. Johor and Negeri Sembilan also remained peaceful due to warnings from PKM. Only a minor disturbance occurred in Melaka. In Betong, PKM fired shots and warned that if Malay soldiers shot Chinese people, they would arm the Chinese.

Some described the conflict as a "political" fight between Datuk Harun, supported by Tun Razak, who was dissatisfied with Tunku Abdul Rahman, rather than a racial issue, as Chinese leaders from the Alliance Party, such as Tan Siew Sin and Ong Yoke Lin, fled with Tunku Abdul Rahman to Cameron Highlands. Before the incident, Malays and Chinese lived harmoniously. As stated, the conflict did not occur in Malay states like Kelantan, Pahang, and Kedah. If it were a racial issue, Malays and Chinese would have fought each other in those states, like in southern Thailand.

In conclusion, the conflict was not a racial riot, as it only occurred after the election (political differences) and only involved Malays and Chinese in Kuala Lumpur, victims of Datuk Harun and Tun Abdul Razak's agenda. After Tun Abdul Razak's death and Tun Hussein Onn's appointment as Prime Minister, he ordered Datuk Harun's arrest for embezzling Bank Rakyat funds. Datuk Harun sponsored Muhammad Ali, supposedly also a Muslim, to come to Malaysia to fight Joe Bugner to show that Muslims could compete with the West. The match suffered losses due to a boycott following Datuk Harun's actions during the 13 May incident. Datuk Harun also intended to challenge Tun Hussein Onn's position.

Negative perceptions of the Chinese among Malays also occurred because the

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