10 Questions
What event was being celebrated by the 20,000 Malays gathered at the Padang on 21 July 1964?
Prophet Muhammad's birthday
What was the spark that triggered the violence between the Malays and Chinese bystanders?
A glass bottle was hurled into the crowd, hitting someone on the head
Who was accused of starting the campaign that led to the racial riots?
Ja'afar Albar, then UMNO secretary-general
How long did it take for the situation to stabilise after the riots?
17 days
What were the Goodwill Committees tasked to do in the aftermath of the riots?
Restore harmony amongst the races by listening to and addressing the concerns of residents
What was the outcome of the communal riots that broke out between the Malays and Chinese in Singapore in 1964, following the mysterious killing of a Malay trishaw rider?
13 people died and another 106 were injured.
What was the target of the communal riots in 1964, besides the Singapore Chinese?
The Malay PAP leaders, in order to pressure them into endorsing the primacy of Malays.
What event in 1969 triggered the riots between Malays and Chinese in Singapore?
Riots between Malays and Chinese erupting in Kuala Lumpur as a result of unhappiness surrounding the general elections results.
What was the outcome of the seven-day clashes between Malay mobs and Chinese triads in Singapore in 1969?
Four people died and some 80 were injured.
What was the alleged provocation that led to the outbreak of violence in Kuala Lumpur on 13 May 1969?
The parade by winning opposition parties DAP and Gerakan, which was seen as an attack on Malay supremacy.
Study Notes
Racial Riots in Singapore
- 1964: 20,000 Malays gathered at the Padang to celebrate Prophet Muhammad's birthday, but a glass bottle was hurled into the crowd, sparking violent clashes with Chinese bystanders.
- The incident escalated into fights across the island, with the police force and armed forces mobilized to restore order.
- Tear gas was used to break up fights, and an islandwide curfew was imposed.
- The Singapore government traced the incident to Malay UMNO activists led by Ja'afar Albar, who had started a campaign accusing the PAP government of depriving Malays in Singapore of special rights.
- 17 days were needed to stabilize the situation, with 23 people losing their lives and 454 injured.
- Goodwill Committees were set up to restore harmony among the races, and Peace Committees were formed to counter rumors.
Second Outbreak of Racial Riots in 1964
- 1 month later, widespread communal riots broke out between Malays and Chinese after a Malay trishaw rider was mysteriously killed in Geylang Serai.
- Curfews were imposed again, and the police and military mobilized.
- 12 days were needed to establish calm, with 13 people dead and 106 injured.
- The target was not just the Singapore Chinese but also Malay PAP leaders to pressure them into endorsing the primacy of Malays.
1969 Racial Riots
- Riots between Malays and Chinese erupted again, spilling over to Singapore from Kuala Lumpur.
- The riots were triggered by unhappiness surrounding the general elections results and rumors about the Chinese and Malays.
- A Malay political worker was killed by a Chinese gang in Penang, and a Chinese youth was shot and killed by police in Kuala Lumpur.
- On 13 May, fist fights broke out in Setapak, KL between Malays and Chinese bystanders, escalating into violence.
- The violence spread across the city and into Singapore.
- On 31 May, Malay mobs and Chinese triads in Singapore began attacking each other.
- The 7-day clashes left 4 people dead and around 80 injured.
- The government quickly contained the riots, with the Internal Security Department (ISD) stepping in with the police to suppress the conflict.
Test your knowledge on the Racial Riots that took place in Singapore in 1964 and 1969. Learn about the events that led to the violence and its significance in Singapore's history. Understand the impact of the riots on the country's social fabric.
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