ARTICLE SUMMARISED

Singapore went through racial or communal riots between Malays and Chinese over two five-day periods beginning on 21 July and 2 September 1964 respectively.

Events
When Singapore merged with the Federation of Malaysia. There was deep resentment that this was never part of the agreement for merger and would never be agreed by Singapore.

19 July 1964 :
Malay non-political leaders from organisations met Mr Lee Kuan Yew and Encik Othman Wok, to clarify the issue of the special rights for Malays.
At the meeting, Mr Lee promised that while every effort would be made by the government to train Malays for top positions in competition with non-Malays, the government would neither allow a special rights(licanse,jobs) for Malays. Meanwhile, on 21 July 1964 Muslims in Singapore would participate in a giant rally at the Padang on the following day to celebrate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad.

20 July 1964 :
In response to Mr Lee, the 23-man Singapore UMNO Action Committee, a political organisation which claimed to speak for all Singapore Malays, called on him to use his time in curbing the secret society menace instead of splitting the Malay community. The State leader, Senator Ahmad Haji Taff who claimed that the meeting was an insult to the Malays. He defended by counter-charging that Mr Lee himself was trying to break the harmony and good relations between Malays and Chinese.

21 July 1964 :
Rioting broke out between chinese and the malays on the eve of the planned massive celebrations for Prophet Muhammad's birthday.It continued for five days.Curfew hours were imposed and was gradually relaxed by 2 August 1964.

2 September 1964 :
Racial tensions exploded once again when a Malay trishaw rider was stabbed to death at night. Rioting continued for another five days. 1,200 people were arrested for rioting and curfew-breaking. The curfew was lifted on 11 September.
Significance and ConsequencesThe racial riots were, were the worst and most prolonged in Singapore's post-war history.

Factors contributed to the outbreak of violence:
(1) to enforce their policy of Confrontation with the newly-formed Federation of Malaysia, a number of Indonesian activists had infiltrated into Singapore in attempts to arouse the religious fervour of the more fanatical Malays;
(2) Chinese Secret Society gangs seized the opportunity to stir up violence;

Author Lay Yuen Tan
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