Today is May 13th 2005.

Let us pay tribute to those who have lost their lives today during the 1969 racial riots in Malaysia.

The following excerpts was taken from an article by Loren S. Ryter (ST701831@BROWNVM.BROWN.EDU)

It is hard to imagine that just over two decades ago the streets of Kuala Lumpur ran red with blood. Agonized cries of "Malai si!" (Death to the Malays!) and "Hutang darah dibayar darah!" (Blood debts will be repaid with blood!) shouted by Chinese paraders were only the prelude to the violence that erupted four days later following the release of the 1969 general election results. On the evening of May 13th, thousands of Malays who had purportedly assembled for a victory rally began attacking passing Chinese on motor scooters and in cars, and before long, patches of the city were engulfed in flames. Using any available weapons, the initial attacks escalated into widespread rioting, looting, and killing. In the ensuing confusion, rumors of heroic figures who were skilled in the Malay martial art of silat and were possessed of magic powers such as the ability to fly and invulnerability to bullets and knives spread wildly and encouraged continued violence. Mosque loudspeakers which normally would broadcast the call to prayer were exhorting the faithful to continue the struggle

For over twenty years now, these "sensitive issues" have been tightly bottled up with no hint of release. On the surface, in the official media, Malaysia is a harmonious country characterized by three diverse ethnic groups, each with its own religious and cultural traditions. RTM (Radio Television Malaysia) regularly broadcasts cheerful children from all three races, usually wearing their own traditional dress, singing the national anthem, Negaraku (My Country), or another similarly patriotic song. Underneath this thin veneer of harmony, however, lurks a tension which can be seen in the people's eyes, if not heard in their voices. The collective memory of 13 May 1969 is strong enough among those who lived through it that this tension is bearable if it prevents chaos. Yet it is imperative that this volatile tension be addressed, not suppressed.

Remember them, the hundereds "officially" dead. Reflect on the 2 years when parliament was disbanded, the chaos people had to endure. RTM! RAKAN SETIA ANDA!