May 13 - 50 years on,
time to declassify...
The political opening up following last year’s watershed polls, which saw the government change hands for the first time in over six decades, bolstered this idea – although smaller sectarian clashes and racial disagreements highlight that the issue of race relations simmers beneath the surface.
As recently as last November, bouts of intersectarian unrest broke out just outside Kuala Lumpur, sparked by the proposed relocation of a Hindu temple. The progressive Pakatan Harapan government, helmed by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, lifted its moratorium on the use of the Sedition Act in order to safeguard public security. While the Seafield temple riot was a far cry from the deadly May 13 incident – in which riots between Malays and ethnic Chinese raged – it was serious enough to prompt a band of ministers visit the site of the temple in an attempt to calm tensions.
WHAT HAPPENED IN 1969?
The May 13 incident has long been viewed as an unhealed wound on the nation’s psyche, and is commonly used by Malaysian politicos to caution against upsetting the nation’s delicate political and racial balance. The riots were kindled after the Chinese-majority opposition Democratic Action Party (DAP) performed well in the 1969 general election, tying with the ruling Alliance Party, in the state of Selangor, where the conflagration soon took place.
During celebratory parades on both sides, racial taunts were exchanged between Malays and non-Malays – and one such rally eventually spiralled into widespread riots that saw bloody fights breaking out in the streets of Kuala Lumpur, with shops and homes set on fire.
Although the authorities quickly mobilised the army, and a state of emergency and curfew were put in place, hundreds were killed. The final death toll was 196, although Western sources claim the number was closer to 600 casualties, with mainly Chinese victims.
The violence forced the country’s first premier, Tunku Abdul Rahman, to step down from office. He was succeeded by Abdul Razak – the father of disgraced sixth prime minister Najib Razak – whose administration strengthened pro-Malay policies and pushed more forcefully for affirmative action.
For many older Malaysians, vivid memories of blood, violence and fire remain. “It happened in the evening – a sudden frenzy, people slashed and killed on the spot by Malays with knives and swords, bodies left on the roads,” said an ethnic Chinese Malaysian man who declined to be named. “Gangs and younger local men got together wielding crude weapons [such as] sawn-off pipes, carpentry saws. Some had guns. “At first, the attackers didn’t seem to bleed – people thought it was black magic – but then someone realised they had tied bamboo strips to their bodies under their shirts.” - scmp
To many Malaysians, question marks continue to hang over them for the past half a century.
Was May 13 a painstakingly orchestrated political ploy as many would have believed, with the motive of overthrowing then prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman?
Or was it an ad hoc racial conflict that had gone out of control? Or could it be due to some other reasons? How many casualties were there altogether? Why were they targeted?
For the past 50 years, this county has seen a change of six Agongs but none has yet to exercise the powers in their hands to declassify this highly controversial and suspenseful May 13 incident. The secrets are still kept tight in a dusted chamber and are regularly manipulated by irresponsible politicians to intimidate Malaysians in a bid to gag them.
To politicians that are expert in cooking up sensitive racial issues, the May 13 incident is indeed an effective tool that can frighten the people. So long as the truth remains unexposed, it will continue to be manipulated by such rogue politicians.
As the country is entering a new era under a new government which has promised to lead Malaysians to greater democracy and transparency, the people's right to the truth has to be met unconditionally. The government must be concerned about what actually took place on May 13, 1969, and take the initiative to break the shackles of historical truth so that the entire unmasked file is laid bare before the eyes of all Malaysians.
The past governments might have reservation about declassifying May 13 for fear of public scrutiny, or could have refrained from doing so as a result of involvement of certain political groups' interest. Now that we have a new government in place, it is time for the dusted historical archive to be uncovered once again.
History serves as a mirror that allows us to see clearly what grave mistakes we should have avoided. It will help put the nation back on the right track of growth. If unfortunately the same is exploited by irresponsible politicians as a tool to sow the seed of fear and hatred, tragedy could repeat itself if things get out of hand.
The May 13 tragedy was an utterly crucial historical event in the course of nation-building of a post-independence multicultural Malaysia. The truth, causes and effects of this landmark historical event should by right go on public display at the National Archive and be a part of the nation's history. It should be detailed in the country's history textbooks as a stern reminder for all.
May 13 shouldn't have become a tool exploited by certain quarters to intimidate the people. It should not be a classified file full of unanswered questions. In New Malaysia, it should lie bare under the sun, and the whole 50 years of truth be disclosed to all. - Sin Chew Daily
Ingat todak langgar Singapura...
Ingat kisah todak melanggar Singapura dalam Sejarah Melayu? Bagaimana raja menaiki gajah lalu diserang todak carik baju raja? Para pembesar super bodoh paksa rakyat tahan betis di tepi pantai sebagai kubu. Kata seorang budak bijak, Sang Nadim, lebih baik berkubukan batang pisang menentang todak. Akhirnya rakyat Singapura selamat.
Budak bijak menyelamatkan rakyat dan rajanya. Tapi nyawa budak bijak jadi taruhan. Para pembesar yang super bodoh, punya kepentingan diri, menghasut sang raja yang juga super bodoh bunuh budak itu. Kononnya kalau budak itu besar, dengan kebijaksanaannya, dia boleh menyingkirkan sang raja untuk merebut takhta. Maka raja jadi panik takut hilang takhta, perintah budak bijaksana dibunuh. Sang raja dan para pembesar sama-sama bodoh.
Inilah tragedi kehancuran keitelektualan Melayu yang diabadikan dalam Sejarah Melayu. Anti intelektualisme ini menjadi barah dalam kehidupan budaya Melayu sampai sekaranng. Sudah lebih 61 tahun merdeka Melayu masih bercawat minda. Akhirnya UMNO yang gagah perkasa pada suatu masa dulu rontok dalam penghinaan, korupsi, salahguna kuasa, melahirkan lanun-lanun kelas jerung, naga bunting yang kini menunggu masa ditendang ke Sg Buloh, reput jadi daki sejarah. Inilah Melayu yang bangsatkan Melayu.
Hari ini Melayu seperti mabuk ketum, bersilat berkuntau dengan musuh fantasi mereka. Mereka, tanpa malu dan segan, mendabik dada sebagai pejuang Melayu, Islam dan pembela raja. Beruk, siamang, buaya sakit gigi pun ketawa melihat kemunafikan baghal-baghal yang berpretensi sebagai pejuang palsu bertaraf kampungan. Inilah jenis manusia Melayu yang menipu diri sendiri, bangsa sendiri yang menjaja bossku dan para pengkhianat bangsa sebagai pahlawan mereka. Bangsa punya pemimpin dan para macai yang menjilat kemungkaran.
Melayu sudah hilang maruah, hargadiri, integriti. Universiti melahirkan ayam itik, kerbau lembu yang punya otak di lutut. Mereka bermegah dengan profesor kangkung yang menjual koyok di kampus tapi takut bersemuka dalam forum keilmuan kerana minda mereka bercawat, celana dalam koyak. Mereka menentang musuh-musuh bikinan mereka sendiri untuk menutup kelemahan minda, kemiskinan ilmu pengetahuan dan budaya hamba yang mereka warisi.
Saya mengikuti dan mengkaji politik Melayu Islam lebih 40 tahun, dan telah menghasilkan lebih 50 buku mengenai politik Melayu. Minda Melayu dari kisah todak melanggar Singapura itu masih mencengkam, menguasai budaya Melayu sampai sekarang. Kalau Melayu tidak berani merevolusikan minda mereka dengan ilmu pengetahuan dan menjadikan Islam sebagai akar tunjang perjuangan hidup jangan salah ibu mengandung kalau generasi Melayu menjadi pengemis di bumi mereka sendiri. - Yahaya Ismail
“Jika melarat saya boleh dedahkan cerita ini A sehingga Z dan background (latar belakang) audio itu sendiri. Berdepan dengan orang alim senang sebab hujah yang menjadi panduan. Berdepan dengan orang jahil lebih susah sebab mereka berpegang dengan sentimen.“Tetapi berdepan dengan hipokrit penipu jauh lebih sukar sebab depan sokong, belakang bangkang fitnah dan cantas. Jenis macam ni hanya kebenaran, hujah dan sabar serta istiqamah sahaja (menjadi) bekal terbaik,” katanya.
Engko tak balik raya rumah pak metualah tahun ni,
Raya rumah abang Mat Sabu sajale...😂😂😂
Rasanya orang tidak lagi berasa pelik dan bingung dengan penafian itu. Sebelum ini sudah berapa kali dia bersikap macam ikan keli dalam besen. Bahkan kalau dia tidak menafikan apa yang dia kata, itu yang peliknya.
Yang menghairankan orang parti gemulah chek itu tidak pening dan mabuk walaupun menaiki bas buruk yang dibawa Hadi Awang berputar putar, hatta walaupun sebelumnya dihidang dengan gadung separuh masak.
Hairan sungguh. Orang Pas yang menerima cara politik Hadi Awang tidak ubah seperti kumbang lilin yang dikapur matanya. Lepaslah ke udara si kumbang itu tetap berputar dan terjelapk di kaki. - mso
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