The infamous and tragic “May 13, 1969″ incident is not the first racial violence to rock Malaysia (and Singapore). But it certainly is the one that changed Malaysia to what it is today. Polite and political discourse does not (and will not) touch on this subject, and has become taboo as sex is to Victorian England and homophobia is to Australia.
Kua Kia Soong has broken this taboo. And despite fears that ISM might ban this book, they have not. So in a nutshell, after reading it, what do I think?
Here’s what it is in 4 succint propositions. Who is responsible for the May 13 riots?
Tunku claimed it was the communists.
Then Razak blamed the opposition (back then.) for instigating it,
Kua claims it’s a coup de’tat.
But now in 2007, the general population thinks it doesn’t matter,…
…because even if Malay hooligans started it back then, recent overtures by certain leaders of a certain political party would indicate that they will not hesitate to use thuggery and lie about it (openly!?) just to get what they want.
Power.
Such is the sad state of affairs we are in today. No thanks to the British, our government is bullying (with the veiled threat of May 13) it’s own citizens to maintain the status quo.
Born and bred in KL, Malaysia. Now studying for his Phd in Singapore. Learning to walk one fall at a time.
The May 13 riot and the later events were the reasons why we left Malaysia in 1988. The political leaders used the bully tactics then and now. What is new?
The Malay politics is all about hooliganism,keris wielding and fist thumping. Cave men.
I remembered my father’s friend asked if I’m plan to comeback to Malaysia. I remembered it clearly that I told him I’ll come back to Malaysia. He asked me why would I want to come back to Malaysia since we are treated unequally. I told him this is the only place I know as my home. I don’t know if there is any where else be like Malaysia. Regardless, how the government or politician politicize racial and religion issues this is still my beloved home.
Furthermore, Malaysia is my home too. Nobody can deny my rights! I would not let anybody destroy this beautiful country. Hence, I would like to remind all my friends still in USA please do go home with me this December.
to james,what you think is all in within your head,the country sould look beautiful event back to B.C 100,000.the leader in malaysia has no plan for you,try to be globalize,if your friends feel happy in US then,suit in!
hi there.
i’m a malay. saya orang melayu.
i would like to commend people like James Loh, one of the commenteur, to have this honest & undying love for this land.
this chinese guy, i see him as one of us.
why? simply because his loyalty to this land. simply because he has a good heart to begin with.
the rest of you chauvinists, you can call the malays as cavemen, keris-wielding man etc.
you can take it somewhere you think more appropriate for you to instigate, proliferate that hatred (deep).
i say, if you’re looking for the truth rather than pushing for the truth, you will have in the end.
in the meanwhile, you can migrate to other places that you can ’suit in’.
Just read this. I fully agreed with James.
I have worked in Singapore for 15 years and feel “almost at home”. Singapore government offered me citizenship. But like James say, Malaysia is home. Home is where our parents and relatives are…Not to mention, all the great food! Yes, there are problems in Malaysia..e.g. crime rate, racial politics…but until we put our roots in, we can work together for a better home.
To orang biasa Melayu, many Chinese Malaysians are deep inside patriotic. It is just that they are made to feel they do not have a place in this country, due to the overzealous UMNO politics and policies… This are good Malaysians we should try to persuade not to migrate ….. we have lost countless good people who could have make a great difference to Malaysia. E.g. NUS in Singapore is a top Uni in the world, partly because of many Malaysians who worked there….