Malaysia’s May 13 racial riots: 50 years on, they couldn’t happen again, could they?

Series of politically spurred, sectarian riots in 1969 left hundreds dead, forced prime minister’s resignation, and resulted in creation of pro-Malay policies

As new Pakatan Harapan government grapples with helming a ‘new Malaysia’, will it succeed in ensuring the May 13 incident remains a thing of the past?

Reading Time:6 minutes

Protesters carry a portrait of slain worker Lim Soon Seng during a 1969 march in Kuala Lumpur. Behind the portrait is Lim’s coffin. He was killed in a clash with police on May 4 that year, fuelling racial tensions. Days later riots erupted. Photo: AP

Published: 9:00am, 13 May 2019Updated: 12:53pm, 14 May 2019

Fifty years ago on May 13, Malaysia was stunned by sectarian riots that would permanently scar the country, killing hundreds and putting on display longstanding differences between the country’s Malay and ethnic Chinese populations.

Today, race relations remain a perennial question as the memory of the violence remains in the national consciousness, but observers say five decades of nation-building as a multiracial country has helped exorcise the bloody spectre to some extent.

The political opening up following last year’s watershed polls, which saw the government change hands for the first time in over six decades, bolstered this idea – although smaller sectarian clashes and racial disagreements highlight that the issue of race relations simmers beneath the surface.

As recently as last November, bouts of intersectarian unrest broke out just outside Kuala Lumpur, sparked by the proposed relocation of a Hindu temple. The progressive Pakatan Harapan government, helmed by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, lifted its moratorium on the use of the Sedition Act in order to safeguard public security.

The proposed relocation of the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Subang Jaya sparked a riot last year. Photo: EPA-EFE

While the Seafield temple riot was a far cry from the deadly May 13 incident – in which riots between Malays and ethnic Chinese raged – it was serious enough to prompt a band of ministers visit the site of the temple in an attempt to calm tensions.

WHAT HAPPENED IN 1969?

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x