Q2 part 1: How racial issues could divide the people.

What were the events that led to the race riots of 1964?

During July and September in 1964, two races riots took place in Singapore. The first Race Riots in July happened between the Chinese and the Malay on the Muhammad’s birthday and continue for a period of time. The second Race Riots happened on the 3rd September which was only a months after the first.
In 1964, Malays gathered together to celebrate the Muhammad’s birthday and during the way to Geylang, one of the group walk separately and was asked by a policeman to join back but they ignored the orders and attacked him. They also attacked the Chinese passer-by and spectators. Their action led to a race riots. The racial riots started at evening at about 5.00. A curfew was announced at 9.30 pm to stop the riots and to let people calm down. In the first of the riots, there were already four people being killed and 178 people were injured. On the next morning at 6, the curfew was lifted but order was not yet restored instead it grew even more tense. Thus, another curfew was set and was only lifted for people to buy food.
On August, the curfew was completely lifted and goodwill committees were set up to restore peace and harmony. It was made up of community leaders from various racial groups and they help out by listening to the resident’s concerns.
After a month, a second racial riot started. It started when a Malay trishaw-rider was found murdered and his attacker believed to be a group of Chinese. Troop and curfew was imposed to ease the tension between the Chinese and the Malay. After a few days, the tension eventually eased.

What were the consequences of the race riot?

Both country leaders were shocked by the racial violence and have often appeals for calm. During the July Race Riots, about 36 people lost their lives and 556 people were injured. Building and property were damaged and a total of 3000 people were arrested. During the September Race Riots, 13 people lost their lives and 480 people were arrested. ISA had arrested a number of people during the September riots. They also helped to control the violence in the country and to counter threats of communism or religious violence.

I feel that racial harmony is very important as it can bring peace to the country and it will not cause racial riots to happen again. That why, we celebrate racial harmony to let each other know the different races cultures and to live in harmony.

Credit: Wikipedia

From: ginnie