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Communal riots of 1964

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. These riots, the worst and most prolonged in Singapore's post-war history, erupted after Singapore merged with the Federation of Malaysia. There were 22 deaths and 461 injured.

Events
When Singapore merged with the Federation of Malaysia, many among the small Malay minority expected that they would also benefit from the special rights for Malays enshrined in the 1957 Federation of Malaya Constitution. There was deep resentment when it became apparent that this was never part of the agreement for merger and would never be agreed upon by any government of Singapore.

19 July 1964 : More than 1,000 Malay non-political leaders from 101 organisations met Mr Lee Kuan Yew, the Prime Minister of Singapore and Encik Othman Wok, the Minister for Social Affairs 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 quota system for jobs nor special licences and land reservations for Malays. He reiterated that all Singaporean citizens had equal rights, regardless of race.

Meanwhile, the Straits Times of 21 July 1964 reported that more than 25,000 Muslims in Singapore would participate in a giant rally at the Padang on the following day to celebrate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad. Celebrations would also be held in Kuala Lumpur and in towns throughout Malaysia.

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 Action Committee was headed by UMNO State leader, Senator Ahmad Haji Taff who claimed that the meeting was an insult to the Malays. He defended his Action Committee against accusations of communalism by the Premier, by counter-charging that Mr Lee himself was trying to break the harmony and good relations between Malays and Chinese. He emphasised, "Our campaign has been directed solely at Mr Lee Kuan Yew and his Government for not implementing the special rights clause in the Constitution - not campaign against the Chinese."

21 July 1964 : Rioting broke out on the eve of the planned massive celebrations for Prophet Muhammad's birthday when a protest demonstration by Malays escalated from a verbal war of taunts and insults with Chinese bystanders. The ensuing violence which continued for five days, left 22 people dead and 454 injured. Curfew hours were imposed to restore law and order. The curfew 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 erupted again and continued for another five days with 12 people killed, 109 injured and over 1,200 people arrested for rioting and curfew-breaking. The curfew was lifted on 11 September when the situation returned to normal.


Significance and Consequences
The racial riots were, by far, the worst and most prolonged in Singapore's post-war history. A number of 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;
(3) inflammatory reporting in the vernacular press helped to fan racial emotions.

Hence, the Deputy Premier, Dr. Toh Chin Chye, suggested on 2 August 1964 that legislation be introduced to prohibit newspapers from publishing articles which incite communal strife. Furthermore, the leaders of both the Federal Government of Malaysia and the State Government of Singapore gave firm assurances that everyone, regardless of racial origin, "has a place under the Malaysian sun and all will be looked after without discrimination." 
Source: The Sunday Times, 16 August 1964, p.1.



Author
Lay Yuen Tan



References
Clutterbuck, R. L. (1984).Conflict and violence in Singapore and Malaysia: 1945-1983. Singapore: G. Brash.
(Call no.: RSING 959.57 CLU)

Appeal for calm. (1964, July 22). The Straits Times, p. 1.

Back to work. (1964, July 25). The Straits Times, p. 1.

Be patient, forbearing: Tun Yusof appeals to Muslims. (1964, July 22). The Straits Times, p. 18.

Curfew cut....(1964, July 24). The Straits Times, p. 1.

Curfew is eased. (1964, July 26). The Straits Times, p. 1.

Curfew-free day(1964, July 28). The Straits Times, p. 1. 

It's smiles again. (1964, July 27). The Straits Times, p. 1.

Lee: Plans for normalisation of situation being worked out. (1964, July 23). The Straits Times, p. 1.

Under control: Razak. (1964, July 23). The Straits Times, p. 1.


Further Readings
Curfew off. (1964, August 3). The Straits Times, p. 1.

Goodwill committees established in all 51 constituencies. (1964, July 27). The Straits Times, p. 1.

Govt. will help clash victims to rehabilitate themselves: Lee. (1964, July 25). The Straits Times, p. 1. 

Markets and provision shops besiged as curfew is lifted : Soaring prices shock for housewives. (1964, July 24). The Straits Times.

'Moratorium' urged. (1964, July 31). The Straits Times, p. 1.

'Most shocked' says the Tengku in broadcast from U.S..(1964, July 23). The Straits Times, p. 1. 

Premier Lee warns: 'Keep down extremists'. (1964, July 27). The Straits Times, p. 4.

Singapore curfew is further relaxed. (1964, July 29). The Straits Times, p. 1.

Tengku is reassured by Razak report on S'pore. (1964, July 25). The Straits Times, p. 1.

Toh calls for law to ban papers from publishing inflammatory articles. (1964, August 3). The Straits Times, p. 20.


List of Images
Accompanied by members of the Queenstown goodwill committee, the Labour Minister, Mr Jek Yeun Thong, visited kampongs in the Jervois Road area yesterday to distribute gifts of food to people hard hit by the recent disturbances. (1964, July 28). The Straits Times, p. 1.

Mr. Lee Kuan Yew shakes hands with Inche Jailani bin Imam, a community leader, in Kampong Kaki Bukit. (1964, July 25). The Straits Times, p. 1.

Result of curfew: Joo Chiat Road in Singapore at noon yesterday. (1964, July 23). The Straits Times, p. 16.

The Malaysian Acting Prime Minister, Tun Abdul Razak and the Singapore Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew are welcomed by a Chinese family during their tour of Kampong Chai Chee, Paya Lebar yesterday. (1964, July 26). The Straits Times, p. 1.

The Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, speaking to flat dwellers in Cantonment Road on Sunday. (1964, July 28). The Straits Times, p. 9.

Tun Abdul Razak meeting residents of Jalan Eunos, Singapore. (1964, July 23). The Straits Times, p. 1.

The information in this article is valid as at 2002 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.

Subject
Politics and Government>>National Security>>Civil Unrests>>Riots
Race riots--Singapore
Riots--Singapore
Singapore--History--1963-1965
People and communities>>Social conflict>>Riots



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