In 1964, Singapore experienced race riots which result in 36 people killed and 556 others injured. The riots happened during two separate periods in July and September between the Chinese and Malay.The first incident occurred on 21 July during a Malay procession that marked Muhammad's birthday. About 3,000 people were arrested. At that time, Singapore was a state in the Federation of Malaysia.What causes Riots at 1964?
July Riots
Different reasons have been cited for the riots. Malaysia Deputy Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak blamed ethnic Indonesian and Communist provocateurs.
On the other hand, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and several foreign observers attributed the riots as the result of agitation by Syed Jaafar Albar and other elements of the ultra-nationalist faction in United Malays National Organization.
July Riots
Different reasons have been cited for the riots. Malaysia Deputy Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak blamed ethnic Indonesian and Communist provocateurs.
On the other hand, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and several foreign observers attributed the riots as the result of agitation by Syed Jaafar Albar and other elements of the ultra-nationalist faction in United Malays National Organization.
September Riots
This time, a Malay Trishaw-rider was found murdered in the Geylang Serai neighborhood. His attackers were believed to be a group of ethnic Chinese. The race riot ensued in the neighborhoods of Geylang, Joo Chiat and Siglap and, and the government again imposed a curfew. In this incident, 13 people were killed and 106 people were injured. With the presence of troops and imposition of curfews, these tensions eventually eased after a few days. Nearly 500 people were arrested.
This time, a Malay Trishaw-rider was found murdered in the Geylang Serai neighborhood. His attackers were believed to be a group of ethnic Chinese. The race riot ensued in the neighborhoods of Geylang, Joo Chiat and Siglap and, and the government again imposed a curfew. In this incident, 13 people were killed and 106 people were injured. With the presence of troops and imposition of curfews, these tensions eventually eased after a few days. Nearly 500 people were arrested.
After 1964 riots, leader in Malaysia and Singapore were surprised by the rapid escalation of racial violence and both sides made frequent appeals for calm. The riots exposed serious racial tension. The fear of further violence contributed to Singapore’s population was of Chinese descent. Singapore and Malaysia made numerous arrests under internal security to help contain violence.