May 13: Hidden hands still at work — Dr Kua Kia Soong
MAY 13 – When the May 13 Incident broke out in 1969, Said Zahari wrote these lines while under ISA detention in Singapore:
“Once again
History repeats itself
By savage deeds
In a civilized age
Once again
Hidden hands appear
Seeking the blood
Of the poor and the wretched
Once again
Colour, race, religion and language
Become sharp blades
To use in the carnage
It has happened
In every corner of the earth
Where the few eat bread
And the rest sand
It has happened
Where the few clothed in velvet
Sleep in palaces
The rest go naked, squeezed into shacks
It has happened –
Then hidden hands reappear
Spilling the blood of the poor
To cling on to power…”
Said Zahari certainly did not buy the official line that the riots had broken out spontaneously. The thesis of my 2007 title May 13: Declassified Documents on the Malaysian Riots of 1969 was that the pogrom was orchestrated by these hidden hands to facilitate the rise of the Malay state capitalist class in Umno and to topple the aristocratic class headed by the Tunku. This opportunity presented itself after the devastating results for the ruling coalition in the 1969 general elections.
LAUNCHING OF MAY 13, 1969, TRUTH & RECONCILIATION BLOG
Exactly 40 years ago a great tragedy occurred in Kuala Lumpur where many people were killed or injured. This tragedy came to be known as the May 13, 1969 incident. Today the very mention of May 13 still bring shudders and strike fear in the hearts of many Malaysians.
Generally, the subject of May 13 is a social taboo in Malaysia, at least in public discourse. It is the tacit understanding of reasonable citizens that the topic is too sensitive for public discussion, especially among mixed company thus perpetuating the fears and myths.
It is with this unhealthy closeting of truths that a blogger decided to create a blog which aims to bring out ‘TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION’ and a proper closure to the tragic incident. After all reconciliation always starts with the TRUTH.
This initiators of this blog believes that every Malaysian particularly those born post-May 13, 1969 should be given every opportunity to learn the truth about the tragic May 13 incident. As a visitor to Malaysiakini commented,
“How are we to achieve excellence if we do not allow the freedom to probe and research? Without this freedom to probe and research, we will always be a mediocre nation and a mediocre people. “
The South Africans under their first ANC government thought so. Once the native Africans came to power after a bloody and protracted struggle, they did not persecute their white minority population as Robert Mugabe did in Zimbabwe. Instead, the first ANC government established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, confronted their ugly past face to face, and wrestled their infamous national demon to the ground. ” – Sim Kwang Yang in “Unmasking the Hornets”, Malaysiakini
The initiators of this blog invites all Malaysians to confront their ugly past face to face, and wrestled their infamous national demon to the ground. And nothing short of an national inquiry and the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission could this past demon be overcome.
This blog also invites any eyewitness accounts of the May 13 incident to come forward and published their stories here for future generations to know. Its time for the tragedy to be demystified.
NO MORE SECRECY. NO MORE CENSORSHIP.
LET THE TRUTH BE TOLD.
NGOs demand May 13 Reconciliation Commission
Malaysiakini
One hundred NGOs and civil society groups today called on the government to form a reconciliation commission to unveil the truth behind the bloody May 13 racial riots, 41 years ago today.
The people need to know the truth of what really happened that day so that we can move on, said spokesperson for the coalition, Ambiga Sreenevasan (below) during a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.
The press conference with the theme ‘Make May 13 a day for peace, reason and freedom’ was held in response to the proposed controversial ‘Melayu Bangkit’ rally in Kuala Terengganu today. The rally, organised by Gerakan Kebangkitan Rakyat (Gertak), has since been postponed.
Suaram coordinator Tah Moon Hui reiterated that only the truth can bring closure for Malaysian society.
“There are so many different sides of the story, but nobody knows what really happened.
“In Korea and Taiwan, the governments support and organise peace forums to discuss how peace can be maintained,” he explained, saying Malaysia should emulate them in order to achieve a higher understanding and harmony between the races.
Chairperson of the Civil Rights Committee of the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall Liau Kok Fah said it is time for the government to recognise the need for such a commission.
Umno MP accuses DAP of starting May 13 riots
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 1 — Umno’s accusations that the DAP is anti-Malay spread to Parliament today when a lawmaker accused the opposition party of starting the May 13, 1969 race riots.
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat, Ipoh Timor MP Lim Kit Siang described Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s accusation yesterday that the DAP was anti-Malay and anti-Islam as “slanderous lies” and one of several “hate speeches” made at Umno’s ongoing general assembly.
But Lenggong MP Datuk Shamsul Anuar Nasarah stood up and interrupted Lim (picture), the DAP parliamentary leader, by repeatedly shouting “May 13, Ipoh Timor.”
“It is true,” he said, referring to Muhyiddin’s speech when opening the Umno Youth and women’s wing assemblies. “May 13, who moved it? May 13, Ipoh Timor. Who moved on May 13?”
After MPs from PAS and PKR stood up to defend their Pakatan Rakyat (PR) colleague, other Umno MPs shouted that the DAP “cheats Malays” and “PAS is a warrior for DAP.”
They also accused PKR deputy president Azmin Ali (Gombak MP) and PAS political bureau member Khalid Samad (Shah Alam) of being supporters of “the racist DAP.”
The May 13 race riots, which some reports say killed over 2,000, were sparked off after opposition parties had denied the Umno-led Alliance its customary two-thirds majority in Parliament.
A victory parade in Kuala Lumpur led to a reaction by Malays and a state of emergency being declared.
Datuk Seri Najib Razak had said in his presidential address at the Umno general assembly this morning that his party was not racist and that it was in fact responsible for the country’s current “social stability.”
But he also said “let us not be complacent, as among leaders of the opposition are those who incited slogans to insult Malays that led to the May 13 tragedy.”
The prime minister has repeatedly pleaded to Umno delegates to adopt a more moderate approach, but his pleas appear to have gone unheeded.
Party conservatives have already been roused over the past two days by speeches demonising PR as anti-Malay, anti-Islam, “agents of Christianisation”, “bapok” (transvestites), “bangsat” (bastards) and “pondan” (effeminate)
Response from LKS:
Downright UMNO lies. Intervened 2point out in Parlmnt 1971 I had called for public inquiry into causes of May 13 riots http://t.co/lVghutpH
Are we Umno’s prisoners of irrational fear
Umno is bereft of conviction and hampered by weak leaders and their only course of action is to remind us of the possibility of another May 13.
Utusan Malaysia’s headline, ‘Malaysia Negara Kristian?’ (Malaysia a Christian state?), was a subtle Umno plot to warn us, that the consequences of voting for the Opposition might trigger another ‘May 13’.
The Utusan article bears all the tell-tale signs– sowing the seeds of discord and exaggerating our fears. Ever since the May 13 riots of 1969, Umno has relied on scaremongering and threats, to make Malaysians prisoners of irrational fear.
‘Don’t allow for a repeat of May 13′
By Teresa Kok | May 13, 2011
Free Malaysia Today
Today marks the 42nd anniversary of May 13 riots. It stands as a day of infamy, caused in part by misinformation to stoke the flames of discontent among the races being spread among the populace, leading to fear, anger and ultimately to destruction of property and deaths.
To ensure that this day does not repeat itself, the government must send a strong message that those guilty of spreading misinformation which divides multi-racial multi-religious Malaysia must stop or be made to stop.
Thus, I urge the government to take stern action against Utusan Malaysia for spreading its lies and misinformation with its utterly irresponsible and unconscionable reporting of its “Kristian agama rasmi?” frontpage story.
May 13: A recollection — Adrian Ng (www.loyarburok.com)
MAY 13 — Mom was 16. They lived at Cheras Batu 2 1/2 squatters, near the legendary field which produced Mokhtar Dahari, and near Cochrane Road School, where DBKL has now built a hall along Jalan Loke Yew. Grandpa decided not to open his stall at Central Market that day. The situation was tense from what was being heard in KL due to the massive win of the Democratic Action Party. Rumours were spreading that the Malays were going to attack the Chinese. Everyone was terrified.
Grandpa and grandma quickly packed up some food, just in case they needed to make a run and gathered everyone. They all sat quietly waiting as far back as possible in the tiny little wooden house, at the back of the kitchen. Grandpa took a radio to the kitchen, to listen to any news on what was happening outside.
No one dared venture outside.
Act mean and fast against Utusan
FMT LETTER
From Rtd Brig-Gen Mohd Arshad Raji
What words can I use to describe Utusan Malaysia’s (UM) recent report that some Christian group is plotting to turn Malaysia into a Christian State? What words can I describe the report which says that a Christian group together with the DAP is plotting to appoint a Christian as the Prime Minister? The only words that I can used to describe all this are disgusting, irresponsible, dangerous and a pack of lies.
How on earth could the editors of the daily approve such a report that is unsubstantiated, and knowing full well that the report can be a cause for serious racial strife between Christians and Muslims of this country. This is not the first time UM has reported on issues that can bring devastation and worse still the disintegration of a well tested multi racial and multi cultural Malaysian society. How could the home minister be so lame in not wanting to impose stricter rules to prohibit UM from publishing reports that can bear serious effect on racial harmony?
Personally, I have had enough of UM, and I dread the day when this blessed nation of ours sees the repeat of the bloody May 13 incident.
I would like to ask the entire UM editorial board, where were they during May 13, 1969 i.e. 42 years ago? I think most were mere kids sucking milk bottles. Some may be slightly older who know not what suffering and fear is all about. Just ask the soldiers on how they felt trying to maintain the peace throughout the entire troubled period, and most will say that they do not wish to go through a similar period again. I was lucky because I was in Tawau then, but my parents who were residing at Kg Datuk Keramat lived in fear.
13 Mei bawa mesej perpaduan — Nizam Yatim
13 MEI — Hari ini genap 42 tahun peristiwa berdarah 13 Mei yang berlaku tiga hari selepas Pilihan Raya Umum 1969.
Tragedi itu diceritakan dengan panjang lebar oleh bekas Ketua Pergerakan Wanita Umno, Tan Sri Aishah Ghani dalam bukunya bertajuk Memoir Seorang Pejuang.
Ia diceritakan daripada perspektif beliau sebagai penduduk Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur, antara kawasan utama berlaku rusuhan kaum yang menakutkan itu.
Yang cukup menarik, dalam memoirnya Aishah, 88, menceritakan semangat perpaduan yang ditunjukkan penduduk berbilang kaum dalam menghadapi situasi mencemaskan itu.
May 13: A shameful incest — Boo Su-Lyn
MAY 12 — When some talk of freedom of expression, what they really mean is that only they should have the right to say whatever they want, and no one else. It is those who lament the loudest over the lack of freedom of expression in Malaysia that would throw you behind bars should you disagree with them.
Take Penang Opposition Leader Datuk Azhar Ibrahim, for example. He was referred to the state assembly’s Rights and Privileges Committee for saying that there would be a repeat of May 13 riots if people lost confidence in the police.
Indian anger mounts over Interlok
Tamil foundation threatens street protests and calls for resignation of Indians from the Cabinet. Indian anger mounts over Interlok
KUALA LUMPUR: The Tamil Foundation has given the Education Ministry an ultimatum: withdraw the controversial SPM literature text Interlok or face nationwide street demonstrations.
It also urged Indians who are ministers, deputy ministers, MPs and senators to quit their positions to express their anger.
Addressing a press conference here yesterday, Tamil Foundation president K Uthayasurian complained that the Education Ministry had been unresponsive to calls for the withdrawal of the novel, which is compulsory reading for Malay literature students in Form Five.
Unnecessary to commemorate May 13: Najib
2010-11-17 15:25
PUTRAJAYA, Wednesday 17 November 2010 (Bernama) — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today it was unnecessary to commemorate the racial riots of May 13.
“We should regard it as an event in the annals of history from which we can learn from… as a demarcation for us so that it will not recur,” he said.
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