On the 21st of July 1964, approximately 25,000 Malays celebrated Muslim prophet Muhammad's birthday at Padang and then went on to Geylang. A group was asked to rejoin the main procession by a policeman but instead, they attacked the policeman which led to the Race Riot between Malays and Chinese.Causes of the Racial Riot of 1964.There were many different reasons for the riots caused.- The Malaysia Deputy Prime Minister blamed ethnic Indonesian and Communist provokers.- Singapore Prime Minister and several foreign observers said that it was caused by the agitation of the UMNO (United Malays National Organisation).What happened during the Race Riot.A group of people attacked the policeman led the Racial Riot between the Malays and Chinese. The government then declared a curfew at 9.30pm. The conflict continues as the curfew was lifted and another curfew was imposed. The curfew was finally lifted on the 2nd of August 1964. Goodwill committees were set up. It was made up of community leaders from the various racial groups to maintain peace between different races.Consequences of the Race Riot.The riot took away 36 lives, left with 556 people injured and over 3,000 arrested by the police.Lessons learned from the Riot. I have learnt that for different races to live together in a country is not easy. Our forefathers risked their lives for us today, so we must cherish this peace between one religion and another and not to take it for granted.Why people react sensitively to racial issues.Racial issues are sensitive as people of one race thinks/feels that the people from the other race do not belong to them and are not one of them, thus not wanting to mix around with them.
Information taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1964_Race_Riots
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