Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was the occasion of the first series of race riots in Singapore in 1964?
A Muslim procession held to celebrate the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday
What was the incident that triggered the second series of riots in 1964?
The killing of a Malay trishaw rider in Geylang Serai
What was the political context in which the communal riots of 1964 took place?
The Indonesia–Malaysia Confrontation and rising political tensions between the PAP and UMNO-led governments
Which political party in Singapore was unable to win any seats in the 1963 general election?
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What description has been given to the communal riots of 1964?
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What was the nature of the competition between the PAP and UMNO-led governments in 1964?
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What was the outcome of the PAP's campaign in the 1964 Malaysian general election?
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What was the understanding reached between the Tunku and Lee Kuan Yew after the 1964 Malaysian general election?
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What was the goal of the campaign launched by Malay activists within UMNO against the PAP?
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What was the outcome of the convention organised by UMNO on 12 July 1964?
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What was the purpose of the meeting sponsored by the PAP on 19 July 1964?
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What did Lee Kuan Yew make clear in his speech at the meeting on 19 July 1964?
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Study Notes
Communal Riots of 1964
- The communal riots of 1964 refer to two separate series of race riots involving clashes between Malays and Chinese in Singapore when it was part of the Federation of Malaysia.
- The first series of riots started on 21 July during a Muslim procession held to celebrate the Prophet Muhammad's birthday.
- The second series of riots broke out on 2 September after a Malay trishaw rider was killed in Geylang Serai.
Political Tensions
- Prior to the outbreak of communal riots in 1964, political tensions had been building up between the PAP government in Singapore and the UMNO-led Alliance government in Malaysia due to electoral competition.
- In 1963, Singapore UMNO (SUMNO) participated in the island's general election, but was unable to win any seats despite competing in three Malay-dominated constituencies.
- In 1964, the PAP sent a team of candidates to contest the Malaysian general election, but only managed to win the Bangsar constituency seat.
- Following the end of the Malaysian general election in April 1964, relations between the PAP and the Alliance Party entered into "a period of cold peace".
UMNO Campaign Against the PAP
- Malay activists within UMNO led by then Secretary-General Syed Ja'afar Albar launched a campaign to accuse the PAP government of oppressing local Malays and depriving them of special rights.
- The campaign used Malay newspapers and provocative speeches to regain the support of the Malay electorate in Singapore.
- Utusan Melayu, a Jawi-script Malay newspaper, was particularly active in the campaign against the PAP due to its links with UMNO.
- The newspaper published a series of articles accusing the PAP government of mistreating the Malays in Singapore, while urging the Malay community to support UMNO against the PAP.
Events Leading to the Riots
- On 12 July 1964, SUMNO organised a convention at the New Star cinema in Pasir Panjang to discuss the problems faced by the Malays in Singapore.
- The convention was attended by 450 representatives from 123 Malay and Muslim organisations.
- Syed Ja'afar accused the PAP government of oppressing the Malays in Singapore and called for Malay unity in boycotting the upcoming meeting organised by the PAP government for the Malay community.
- The convention also saw the establishment of the 23-man Singapore Malays Action Committee (SMAC) to be the sole representative body for all Malays in their dealings with the PAP government.
- A meeting sponsored by the PAP was held on 19 July 1964 at the Victoria Theatre to discuss issues that the Malay community was facing in Singapore.
- Despite Syed Ja'far's call for a boycott, the meeting was attended by around 900 Malays representing 103 of the 144 organisations that had been invited.
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Description
Test your knowledge about the communal riots that occurred in Singapore in 1964, involving clashes between Malays and Chinese. The riots were sparked by two separate incidents, one during a Muslim procession and the other after a Malay trishaw rider was killed. Learn more about this significant event in Singapore's history.
