Malaysia's '513 Incident' 57th Anniversary: Civil Society Groups Call for Declassification to Restore Truth
On the 57th anniversary of Malaysia's '513 Incident,' civil society groups called on the government to declassify relevant archives and restore historical truth, aiming to prevent future racial and religious conflicts.
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- 📰 Published: May 10, 2026 at 20:16
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Huang Tzu-chiang, Kuala Lumpur, May 10) On the 57th anniversary of Malaysia's "513 Incident" ethnic conflict, several civil society organizations held a public memorial service at the Sungai Buloh 513 Cemetery, calling on the government to declassify relevant archives and restore historical truth, so as to avoid society falling back into racial and religious antagonism.
Groups including the Association of Friends of History and Cultural Heritage of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, the Civil Rights Committee of the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, the Lim Lian Geok Foundation for Cultural Heritage Preservation, Universiti Malaya New Youth, Harmonious Citizens Association, and Kuala Lumpur Eng Choon Hooi Kuan, have been holding the "513 Incident 57th Anniversary Commemorative Series of Activities" since yesterday. In addition to the public memorial, the organizers also held a forum today titled "From Looking Back to Understanding: Intergenerational Dialogue on the 513 Incident."
On May 13, 1969, a severe ethnic conflict broke out between Malays and Chinese in Kuala Lumpur, causing many casualties, and is regarded as one of the darkest events in Malaysian history. Related archives have not been fully disclosed to date, and the "513 Incident" has long remained a highly sensitive issue in Malaysian society.
Tan Ah Chai, chairman of the Association of Friends of History and Cultural Heritage of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, stated that the "513 Incident" is not only a bloody and painful history but also a social wound that has not yet fully healed. Many lives were lost in the tragedy, and many families still suffer silently today.
He pointed out that the "513 Incident" is not a problem for the Chinese, Malays, or any single ethnic group, but a common history for all Malaysians, and a shared responsibility that all citizens must face together.
Tan Ah Chai believes that the government should fully declassify relevant archives of the "513 Incident," establish a "Truth and Reconciliation Commission," and refer to South Africa's experience to allow survivors, families, and historical archives to dialogue with each other to restore the full picture of history.
He also called for the abolition of discriminatory policies, the cessation of using the ideology of ethnic supremacy as a threatening political narrative, and the reconstruction of national identity through "unity in diversity," allowing multiculturalism to become a bridge for understanding, reconciliation, and shared prosperity.
State assemblyman Chua Wei Kiat stated that the nation should gradually promote the public disclosure and declassification of relevant information, return to historical facts, and provide more space for society to understand the truth. Only a society built on truth, transparency, and understanding can truly move towards reconciliation and progress.
Scholar Tajuddin, who attended the forum, called on society to reject divisive rhetoric based on ethnicity and religion, warning that ignoring the overall national interest and the reality of a diverse society could lead to social division.
Director Chang Chih-an of the film "Mayday Eve," which is set against the backdrop of the "513 Incident," also recited a memorial poem at the scene to mourn the victims of the incident. He told a Central News Agency reporter today that filming "Mayday Eve" is not just about looking back at history but also hopes to use the film to make society remember history and remind the next generation to cherish the hard-won peace.
Chang Chih-an pointed out that although "Mayday Eve" was cut by 27 scenes before it could be screened, it at least took the first step, allowing a film on the "513 Incident" to appear on the big screen for the first time and reigniting public discussion on the "513 Incident" and the history of mass graves. He believes that film is an important medium for promoting social reflection and transformation.
The public memorial was also attended by representatives of various religions. Participants bowed their heads in silence and offered flowers to the tombstones, in a solemn atmosphere. (Edited by: Tien Jui-hua) 1150510
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(Central News Agency reporter Huang Tzu-chiang, Kuala Lumpur, May 10) On the 57th anniversary of Malaysia's "513 Incident" ethnic conflict, several civil society organizations held a public memorial service at the Sungai Buloh 513 Cemetery, calling on the government to declassify relevant archives and restore historical truth, so as to avoid society falling back into racial and religious antagonism.
Groups including the Association of Friends of History and Cultural Heritage of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, the Civil Rights Committee of the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, the Lim Lian Geok Foundation for Cultural Heritage Preservation, Universiti Malaya New Youth, Harmonious Citizens Association, and Kuala Lumpur Eng Choon Hooi Kuan, have been holding the "513 Incident 57th Anniversary Commemorative Series of Activities" since yesterday. In addition to the public memorial, the organizers also held a forum today titled "From Looking Back to Understanding: Intergenerational Dialogue on the 513 Incident."
On May 13, 1969, a severe ethnic conflict broke out between Malays and Chinese in Kuala Lumpur, causing many casualties, and is regarded as one of the darkest events in Malaysian history. Related archives have not been fully disclosed to date, and the "513 Incident" has long remained a highly sensitive issue in Malaysian society.
Tan Ah Chai, chairman of the Association of Friends of History and Cultural Heritage of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, stated that the "513 Incident" is not only a bloody and painful history but also a social wound that has not yet fully healed. Many lives were lost in the tragedy, and many families still suffer silently today.
He pointed out that the "513 Incident" is not a problem for the Chinese, Malays, or any single ethnic group, but a common history for all Malaysians, and a shared responsibility that all citizens must face together.
Tan Ah Chai believes that the government should fully declassify relevant archives of the "513 Incident," establish a "Truth and Reconciliation Commission," and refer to South Africa's experience to allow survivors, families, and historical archives to dialogue with each other to restore the full picture of history.
He also called for the abolition of discriminatory policies, the cessation of using the ideology of ethnic supremacy as a threatening political narrative, and the reconstruction of national identity through "unity in diversity," allowing multiculturalism to become a bridge for understanding, reconciliation, and shared prosperity.
State assemblyman Chua Wei Kiat stated that the nation should gradually promote the public disclosure and declassification of relevant information, return to historical facts, and provide more space for society to understand the truth. Only a society built on truth, transparency, and understanding can truly move towards reconciliation and progress.
Scholar Tajuddin, who attended the forum, called on society to reject divisive rhetoric based on ethnicity and religion, warning that ignoring the overall national interest and the reality of a diverse society could lead to social division.
Director Chang Chih-an of the film "Mayday Eve," which is set against the backdrop of the "513 Incident," also recited a memorial poem at the scene to mourn the victims of the incident. He told a Central News Agency reporter today that filming "Mayday Eve" is not just about looking back at history but also hopes to use the film to make society remember history and remind the next generation to cherish the hard-won peace.
Chang Chih-an pointed out that although "Mayday Eve" was cut by 27 scenes before it could be screened, it at least took the first step, allowing a film on the "513 Incident" to appear on the big screen for the first time and reigniting public discussion on the "513 Incident" and the history of mass graves. He believes that film is an important medium for promoting social reflection and transformation.
The public memorial was also attended by representatives of various religions. Participants bowed their heads in silence and offered flowers to the tombstones, in a solemn atmosphere. (Edited by: Tien Jui-hua) 1150510
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.