CTL 202: Selected History Topics for Primary Social Studies

CTL 202: Selected History Topics for Primary Social Studies

Oral History Assignment

The Racial Riots of 1964 in Singapore

Wong Kai Keong

BA (edn) Yr 2

037564A08

Tutor: Professor Ang Cheng Guan

Introduction

My essay aims to discuss the 1964 racial riots from my father’s point of view with documented historical facts that will supplement alongside with it. The second half of it will encompass my reflection on this emotive incident after doing research and the interview with my father.

The Interview

The interviewee, Mr Wong, lived in Aljunied during the 1964 racial riots[1]. He was thirteen then and is the eldest in the family. As Aljunied is pretty close to Geylang Serai, he was able to provide some insights of the riots based on what he could remember.

The interview started off with some casual conversations that I will usually have with him. However, when I started to jot down what he was saying, he was pretty reluctant to provide me with information as he felt that it is not appropriate and sensitive to talk about the racial riots now. After reassuring him that I am doing it for school assignment, he appeared more willing to talk more on it.

He mentioned that during that period of time, Geylang Serai was a Malay stronghold and the riots started to erupt from there. As far as he could recall, he said that there were unreported cases of killings just like the one in Malaysia[2]. When I asked about the source of this information, he told me that he had heard it from someone else. It led wondering if it was just a rumour[3] being spread during this period of time by the Indonesian agents. In pursuance of their Confrontation, they could have been involved in provoking to aggravate the disorder by increasing tension between the two races involved.

“Indonesia, under the direction of President Sukarno, was opposed to the formation of Malaysia as she was interested in capturing Sarawak and Sabah in East Malaysia. The Indonesian government was also faced with various problems, such as economic perils, corruption, maladministration and subversive activities by communists. Its attempt to create disorder and instability in Malaysia would divert the attention of Indonesians from such problems.” (Little Speck, 2000.)

Proceeding on to as if his kampong was involved in any fighting with the Malays from Geylang Serai, he replied that the people in his kampong were not involved, though he could not be sure about it. However they got themselves equipped themselves with long sticks[4]. It was a move to prevent anyone who had the intention to sabotage or setting their attap houses on fire. During this period of time, in his kampong, there was one Malay family and the head of the Malay household was normally being affectionately addressed by them as “ah tan”. This family was protected[5] and advised to stay indoors during the riots by their fellow kampong Chinese people.

Moving on to the curfew[6] at that time, he could not recollect much but did remember that it were the Ghurkhas that patrolled the area. Ghurkhas policemen might be deployed during this period of time as I think that by using Malay or Chinese policemen, they might complicate matters. For example, a Malay policeman might become a target for the Chinese to attack and vice versa.

My Reflection

There are several learning points in these 1964 racial riots. There is one that I feel should be emphasized on and commended for. The selfless act of the Malays and Chinese protecting each other in the kampongs and this sense of righteousness should be highlighted to people.

I am particularly intrigued and touched when I was told by my father that during this period of turbulence, the Malays and the Chinese helped and protected one another in kampongs. It seems that the relationship between the races were not so superficial like now and delicate that we could not talk about it.

“After independence, the Singapore government began to use the new public housing built by the HDB to break up racial concentrations. […] HDB became a vehicle for nation building and racial mixing and the Malay kampong began to disappear.” (Baker, Jim, 1999, p.374. Crossroads- A Popular History of Malaysia and Singapore. Time Editions Pte Ltd, Singapore 1999)

Just like what my dad has pointed out, in our housing policy, a fixed ratio of the composition of the races staying in an estate is adhered to so as to prevent a particular race from domineering a certain area.

One more thing to note from the interview is that my father feels that talking anything that involves races is taboo.

“One lesson particularly noted from the 1964 Singapore riots was the influence of the vernacular press, both Malay and Chinese. Some of the Malays newspapers […], and some of the more chauvinistic Singapore Chinese Papers, were highly inflammatory and the price of this in loss of life had great influence in the much criticised Government measures to control the press… “(Clutterbuck, 1985, P.321-322)

In this case, it would not be hard to understand why the Singapore Government wanted to control the press and freedom of speech. All these pre-emptive measures are in place to prevent a hypothetical scenario – racial riots from erupting again.

Perhaps as I belong to a new generation entering adulthood, we have not experienced the civil disorder caused by racial and economic divisions in the society of the 1950s and 1960s, resulting us seeing no need for the political control and social regimentation by the government. I believe it was necessary then but things are different now. Singaporeans are better educated now. If these measures are always in place, it will be reminding us of our differences in race. Moreover, the concept of racialising into the CMIO (Chinese/Malay/Indians/Others) model is deeply entrenched in our society. The differences of the races, for example, education achievements, are highlighted and similarities are downplayed. How then are we able to move forward as a nation when we are segregated by races?

For now, we should avoid highlighting the differences in us. Instead, we should seek more similarities in us and a common destiny that will bond us together and move forward together as Singaporeans.

During the interview with my father, it brought out another point in my mind. Living in housing estates has isolated people and prevented us from interacting like before. With much lesser communication now, would the housing policy on the ratio of racial composition matter? Though it will prevent a certain race from clustering in an area, does it promote interaction between races with its racial mixing policy? I doubt so.

Furthermore, like what my dad has lamented on the present living condition, the setting of a kampong life and the “open door” concept clearly enabled more human interaction, thus people were warmer and friendlier. Of course, I am aware that during that period of time, for a small country like us, constructing high-rise flats was the solution to address housing issues and to improve the living conditions of the population.

Conclusion

Although I feel that such racial riots are unlikely to happen again in the near future, this unpleasant incident is still important to educate the future generations and to act as a constant reminder to the Singaporeans that racial harmony is crucial in averting a possible recurrence of such incident. Racial harmony cannot be taken for granted and ultimately, it all boils down to understanding, respect and sensitiveness to one another.

References

Baker, Jim, 1999. Crossroads- A Popular History of Malaysia and Singapore. Time Editions Pte Ltd, Singapore 1999

Clutterbuck, Richard, 1985. Conflict and Violence in Singapore and Malaysia 1945-1983. Singapore National Printers (Pte) LTD, 1985

Little Speck, 2000. Singapore: July 21, 1964 Racial Riots

http://www.littlespeck.com/ThePast/CPast-64riots-640721.htm

Retrieved on 18th October 2004

Oral History Transcript

Name: Mr Wong Say Ngew

Relationship with the interviewee: Father and son

Background information of interviewee: He was 13 years old during the 1964 racial riots and is the eldest in the family

Education level: Primary Six

Language spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese and Hokkien (Translated into English)

Mum said that you can remember the racial riots that happened last time better than her as you lived closer to Geylang where the riots started then .The area in St Michael was ok. So do you still remember when did the racial riots happen?

Erm can’t really remember. But there were a lot of unreported cases of killings over that side (referring to Geylang) just like the one in Malaysia lor.

Ok, it was 1964. So Aljunied is very close to Geyalang right? Was Aljunied a Malay village?

People living at Geylang Serai were predominately Malays. At Geylang Lorong 23. Aljunied leh, it was part of Geylang and Chinese lived from Lorong 23 to 25 and onwards.

Do you know why did it happen?

Er, I think it was due to the unhappiness towards PAP.

(Jotting down) …So was Aljunied a Malay village then?

(Looks Shocked) Why are you recording down everything that I am saying huh?

Aiya, it is for my project in school. Working on racial riots in 1964.

Why do such projects? So Sensitive. Not very nice to talk about it again. Just like the Japanese Occupation, people do not want to talk about it anymore. What if the Malay people get offended? No lah. Better don’t do such report.

It is only a project. I just want to know more about it and am interested to know if the Malays and the Chinese protect each other in the Kampongs or not. You mentioned before that that it happened in your kampong before right?

Yah, there was one Malay living in our kampong whom we addressed as “tan”

During that period of time, we (referring to the Chinese) asked them to stay at home and not to go out of the house unnecessarily.

One Malay only? No family?

His wife and children stayed with him lor.

Ok, so did any of the Malays come over from Geylang Serai and fight with you all?

No lah, all of us had long sticks with us to guard the kampong, fearing that they would come over and burn down our place. You know, there were a lot of attap houses around at that time. It will be very “jialat” (meaning disastrous) if that happened. But generally the Malays were very united. You fight with one, a whole group of Malays would go after you. Very violent. Then, the Malay population was very strong and concentrated there (referring to Geylang Serai). Even the police have to give face to the Malays then as they were very united and powerful.

That is why now the government has the housing ruling of the ratio of races. In order to balance the ratio, more Chinese are required to move into Geylang Serai. Bedok also. To break them up.

Hmm, the Malays are not like that now lor.

Of course. More educated liao mah.

Then what about the Chinese. Were they very united?

They were but not as united as the Malays. But still the Chinese in the 60s were better than the Chinese now. Nowadays, Chinese are more and more educated. Last time, people were warmer and friendlier to each other. We adopted the open door concept. Not like now in flats. Life in the kampong was good. A lot of us living in Aljunied were poor. Mostly made bird cages or do soldering for a living.

But you all could plant your own vegetables right?

(Stands up and goes around the living room) The house area was this big only. How to? And your grandfather, he made a mistake by using his savings to do business. It made losses most of the time. My great-grandfather, I don’t know how you are going to address him, was rich and I would purposely sit besides him to get pocket money... (laughs)

Any of the Chinese staying in Geylang Serai seek refugee in Aljunied?

Not as I know of.

Where did they go? Still stayed on in Geylang Serai?

Of course run lah. Still stayed there to be killed ah. They shifted to other places lor, places where there are a lot of Chinese. For protection.

So you said that there were killings not reported right?

I also heard it from someone .Not very sure about this.

Then there was a curfew during that period of time right? Did you go out during the curfew?

Of course not. You would get caught. The Ghurkhas patrolled around then.

Did you go to school during the curfew?

Forgotten. Think I did not go.

Anyone was killed in the process of arrest?

Don’t know, but I think none was killed.

------End ------

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[1] It started in July 21, 1964. These riots were the worst and the most prolonged in Singapore’s post-war history with a total of 34 killed in the two five day periods of rioting. Clutterbuck, Richard, 1985, P.321. Conflict and Violence in Singapore and Malaysia 1945-1983. Singapore National Printers (Pte) LTD, Singapore 1985

[2] It happened in Kuala Lumpur in 1969. Clutterbuck,1985, P.321-322

[3] Many rumours spread during this period of disorder. One of them was that the water pipe carrying water from Johor had burst. Many families brought out all their containers to top them up with water. Panic only subsided when PUB issued a statement denying that there was any damage to the water pipe from Johor. Little Speck, 2000. Singapore: July 21, 1964 Racial Riots. http://www.littlespeck.com/ThePast/CPast-64riots-640721.htm

Retrieved on 18th October 2004

[4] Carjacking, mob attacks of cyclists and lone pedestrians, and the violent use of sticks, parangs and chairs, were the most common forms of disorderly behaviour during this period of time. Little Speck, 2000.