Nanyang Technological University
1 Nanyang Walk
Singapore 637616
Diploma in Education (Year 2)
July 2002 Intake
ETL 201 Selected History Topics
Assignment:Oral History (70%)
Name/Reg. No.:Lin Yiwen Yvonne
Identification No.:S8129157H
T. Group No.:2(Monday)
Lecturer:Dr Ang Cheng Guan
Date of Submission:Saturday 18th September 2003
1964 Race Riot (21 July 1964)
In order to do this assignment, I am fortunate to have Mdm Lim sacrificing her precious time to let me do this interview. Mdm Lim, who is in her fifties, who is my aunt, had been through the July 1964 racial riot. She related her experiences in a mixture of Mandarin and Hokkien. She is very enthusiastic in sharing her story during the hour interview. In her accounts, she related the disruption of daily activities during the riot. She also shared with me her personal reactions and feelings towards the riots and the reactions of the neighbours and friends, including the reactions of politicians and life after the riot.
Brief summary of the racial riot in July 1964
On the 21st July 1964, more than 25 thousand Malays gathered to celebrate Prophet Mohammed’s birthday. Various leaders spoke to the people present there. As part of the celebration, the procession was to march through the streets to Geylang. However, along the way, at Kallang, a policeman was attacked after he asked a group, which was straying from the main crowd, to rejoin. This sparked off the race riot. Soon after, there were reports of fights between the Malays and Chinese in other parts of Singapore.
An island curfew was imposed immediately, and only completely removed on the 2nd August 1964.
(Extracted from: Curriculum Planning & Development Division Ministry of Education, 1999, Singapore, Joining Malaysia, Understanding our Past, Times Media Private Limited. Pp. 188-189)
Background
Since young, Mdm Lim had been living in a shophouse with her family members at Shaik Madersah, which was a street near Arab Street.[1] At that time, she was a apprentice of a seamstress. Being the eldest in the family, she had to take care of her younger brothers and only sister. During the time when the riot took place, her mother was in the hospital after giving birth to her youngest brother.
When the riot happened, she was at home looking after her siblings. She did not know about it until her neighbors and her father, who returned from the hospital after visiting her mother, told her the news. She was told that Malays and Chinese were fighting near the Kallang Gas Works.[2] Soon after, a curfew was imposed.
Mdm Lim and her family’ life was not badly affected. Just that, “your granny was in hospital after the birth and grandfather had to bring food to her. I was the eldest and I had to look after your uncle”[3]. That was the only factor that affected her learning as a seamstress.
During the riot, the curfew was lifted for a short period of time for them to buy food. There was no ration for food but prices of the food increased[4]. “As long as you have the money and there were still stocks, you can get your food”[5].
Experiences during the riot
The riot on 21st July 1964
It happened on the day where many Malay Muslims were gathered at the Padang to celebrate Prophet Mohammed’s birthday. Various Malay leaders made speeches that evoked the emotional instability of the Malays who were present there. “…the speeches did not speeches made by Muslim leaders at the rally did not at all portray the teachings of Islam and the Prophet, which stress tolerance, understanding, respect and good neighbourliness among mankind, irrespective of their races, cultures and religion. .Intermittently during the speeches, there were shouts of "God is Great" from the participants. Their voices were not that of praising "Allah", but of anger”.[6]
During the procession to Geylang, a fight sparked off at Kallang area. This was true. Mdm Lim’s neighbour saw the incident[7]. Shortly, clashes between the two races happened in other parts of Singapore were reported. Death and casualties were announced. Hatred was the only thing seen in the eyes of attackers. Bloodshed was seen in various parts and it created fear in the people. However, despite the fighting, there was still racial harmony seen in the locals. An interview of a Chinese man gave his account of how he was saved by his Malay colleague. This showed that not all Chinese or Malay would get into fights at that time of racial clash[8].
At that time, other races were also affected during the riot. Mdm Lim told us her encounter with a group of Chinese who were beating up a guy. However it turned out to be a mistaken identity. The victim was actually an Indian being mistaken as a Malay[9].
Personal reactions and feelings
When the riot happened, local people, not only the Chinese and Malays, got panic and began to look for a safe place to hide. “Malay families living in Queenstown left their homes for fear of their personal safety”[10]. According to Mdm Lim, she said that her friends and neighbours were worried, as they were afraid that they might be attacked by the other race. However they need not search for a refuge, “because the whole street was all Chinese occupants”[11].
Personally she felt that the riot did not start out due to disobeying of instructions, it was actually a set up. She recounted, “My friends living near the Sultan Mosque told me that they saw Malays in the mosque hiding parangs and wooden rods in their clothing and joined in the procession”. Evidence showed that the riot was politically provoked. In Lee Kuan Yew’s memoir, it was stated that a senior reporter told Othman Wok that he received news that something would happen and front pages of the newspaper, Utusan Malayu, were reserved to report about the happenings[12].
Reactions of neighbours and fellow Chinese men
In the street, which Mdm Lim lived, only Chinese residents were staying there. During the riot, residents living along that street took turns to patrol and looked out for any troublemakers[13]. Our neighbours were very cooperative and we helped each other during that difficult time.
Reactions of politicians
When the number of casualties increased, John Le Cain, the police commissioner, imposed the curfew. Mr Lee Kuan Yew was briefed by John Le Cain about the how serious this riot was. He then gave speeches through the radio that plans were drawn to control the situation. He also formed a goodwill committee was set up from the various racial groups to cater to the needs and fears of residents[14].
Mr Lee Kuan Yew also made visits to various places, especially areas that ad large number of casualties, to calm the residents and assure them by showing them concern. This was true as Mdm Lim affirmed it[15].
Life after the riot in 1964
The curfew was completely lifted in August 1964. However, relationship between the two races was still very tensed[16]. Mdm recounted that she can feel the tension when she went to the market. Glares and suspicious looks were still present in the eyes of each race. Members of secret societies were still looking for chances to seek for revenge. Policemen were still seen on the roads to prevent any troublemakers.
Just as things were calming down, a second riot began in September. A Malay trishaw-rider was killed at Geylang Serai[17]. A curfew was imposed again. There was more death reported after the riot.
Conclusion
Singapore’s road to independence is not a smooth one. We should never take the success of present Singapore for granted especially people like us, who have not been though any riots and instabilities. The annual Racial Harmony Day[18] is a reminder to the young generations that race is always a sensitive issue in Singapore. A wrong gesture or speech may lead to a serious matter like the racial riot in 1964, which caused innocent deaths and injuries.
Hence we must always bear in mind that living in harmony in a multi cultural country like Singapore is a gift and should not be neglected and taken upon lightly.
1964 Race Riot (21 July 1964)
Transcript
Profile of the interviewee
Name: Mdm Lim
Age: 56 years old
Place of birth: Singapore
Language: Mandarin / Hokkien (interview of translated into English)
Duration of the interview: 1 hour
How old were you when this riot took place?
I was 15 years old. That time, your granny was in KK hospital giving birth to my uncle.
Where were you living then? What are the daily activities?
I was living in a shophouse in a street called Shaik Madersah. It was somewhere near the present Bugis Junction and Sultan Mosque Now the shophouses were already demolished, you can’t find the street in Singapore already. The street we were living at was very lively. The street had a lot of Hokkiens and Teochews staying. The Teochews there sell fishes. I enjoy my days staying there.
How did you know about the riot had taken place?
At first, I didn’t know anything. I was at home looking after your uncles; suddenly I heard sirens going on. It was then your grandfather and my neighbour, who witnessed the procession, told me that a riot had happened and there was a fight going on at Kallang (not very far from our place). They told me to stay indoors because the Malays are beating up Chinese. My friends living near the Sultan Mosque told me that they saw Malays in the mosque hiding parangs and wooden rods in their clothing and joined in the procession. My friends also saw some Malays purposely bang into passers-by and took the opportunity to draw their weapons and attack them.
What were you feelings then after you heard about the news?
I was very worried and afraid. Your granny was in hospital after the birth and grandfather had to bring food to her. I was the eldest and I had to look after your uncles. I was only afraid that the Malays would come to our street to attack us because only Chinese live in our street.
Did you get to see any group fighting or bloodshed?
No, I was at home especially when the curfew was implemented. But, there was an incident, which really shook me. When the curfew was lifted for a few hours for us to do marketing, I had to go out to buy ingredients to cook, as granny was in the hospital and grandfather had to visit her. As I was walking to the market at Rochor Road with my friends, we saw a group of Chinese people chasing after a man. They were shouting as they beat him up. Suddenly, I saw the injured man running towards us. I quickly ran to hide with my friends, afraid that we might get hurt. At that time, I was in total shock. The man was badly injured and looked bloody. Thinking that the coast was clear, I continued my way to the market. But again, I heard shouts. I still remember what they were shouting, “we beat the wrong person. He is an Indian not a Malay!” Immediately, the group was dispersed. I felt sorry for that man. Beaten up for nothing.
How was the situation at the market? Was there any shortage of food?
It was terrible. Everyone was so panicky and running all over. Trying to buy the necessities and groceries. I also saw a group of people damaging a car and setting it on fire. I didn’t see which race was that as I was very nervous; wanting to buy all the things I need and go home quickly. There was no shortage of food. As long as you have the money and there were still stocks, you can get your food. However, everybody was so panic, we don’t have time to pick and choose. We took what the sellers gave us. Luckily the sellers did not cheat us; maybe we are of the same race.
Is there any measure that you and your family members take during the riot period? If yes, tell me about it.
Yes, in fact the street where we were living in was on high precautions. Because the whole street was all Chinese occupants so we afraid the Malays would come and create trouble here. At night, men would take turn to patrol the street. In every household, we had weapons like wooden rods placed by the door. We were afraid that the Malays would climb in through our windows. During that period, we were living in fear.
Oh, men took turns to patrol the street. But I thought when the curfew was on, no one was supposed to leave his or her homes. Why these men were able to walk alone the streets?
It is true that people are not allowed on the streets. But only the main roads were stricter and had policemen, in Hokkien we called them “or ka bing”, patrolling and setting up roadblocks. Our street was a small street so there weren’t policemen stationed here. But they occasionally would patrol the street.
It was stated in history books that Mr Lee Kuan Yew went round the island to calm residents. Did he go to your street?
Yes, he did go around calming people but not the whole island. But he did not come to our street. He only went to places that had the most casualties, like Geylang Serai. Luckily he reacted fast enough else I think there would be more death and injuries.
Did the media report everything about the riot? Like number of deaths, what was the actual event leading to the riot?
We don’t buy newspaper. But I heard from my friends that the newspaper just did brief reports, no details of the riot. However, my friend living near a Malay Kampong told me that they were actually a lot of Chinese living in the Kampongs was killed. But the newspaper did not report the actual number of Chinese death, because the Chinese population was huge at that time, and if they report the actual number, the riot would get out of hand, because the Chinese would start another riot seeking for revenge on the Malays. That time the newspaper was controlled by the government so I think that was a good move that the reporters were stopped in reporting the actual deaths.
What was the situation like after the curfew was totally lifted?
The situation was still tense. Malays and Chinese were wary of each other, afraid that they might get beaten or killed. We could still see policemen patrolling the areas, because they were afraid that the Chinese secret societies would come out and beat the Malays for revenge. Therefore, the relationship between Malays and Chinese were still very strained.
I could feel a very tense atmosphere when I went to the market every morning.
Did you learn any lesson through this riot?
Oh, in this riot a lot of our fellow Chinese men were killed innocently. Some were just passers-by and yet they were attacked and some given sacrificed their lives. I think riots are not a solution to problems. Riots are just an act of vending their anger but it actually made things worst, causing so many deaths.
Credits
Thanks to Mdm Lim for sacrificing her precious time for the interview.
Curriculum Planning & Development Division: Ministry of Education, 1999. Singapore Joining Malaysia, Understanding our Past, Times Media Private Limited. Pp. 188-189
Lee Kuan Yew, 1998, The Singapore Story: Memoirs of Lee Kuan Yew, Times Edition Pte Ltd.
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[1] Transcript
[2]
[3] Transcript
[4]
[5] Transcript
[6]
[7] Transcript
[8] A recount by a Chinese man:
[9] Transcript
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[11] Transcript
[12] The Singapore Story, Memoirs of Lee Kuan Yew, Pg 562-563
[13] Transcript
[14] The Singapore Story, Memoirs of Lee Kuan Yew, Pg 562-563
[15] Transcript
[16] Transcript
[17] CPDD MOE, Understanding our past, Pg 188-189
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