KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the government had no intention yet of remembering the May 13 incident as the ‘National Muhibah Day’ like Singapore which marked the worst racial riot in the republic on July 21, 1964 as Racial Harmony Day.
LAUNCHING: Dr Koh (centre) showing the ‘Manifesto Suara Hati Kanak-Kanak Tabika Perpaduan’ after launching the ‘Program Karnival 1Malaysia Tabika Persekutuan’. Also seen is Director of Department of National Unity and Integration Datuk Azman Amin Hassan (second right) — Bernama photo
Koh, who is also the Gerakan president, said there was no necessity at the moment to emulate Singapore which had set July 21 as ‘Racial Harmony Day.
“I don’t think so, because in Malaysia, May 13 may be interpreted differently… that’s why we should not make any decision now, it’s not unusual because it’s implemented in Singapore,” he told reporters after launching the ‘Program Karnival 1Malaysia Tabika Persekutuan’ at the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory level at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, here yesterday.
He was commenting on the Utusan Malaysia ‘Cuit’ column on Wednesday which suggested that May 13 be turned as a day to remember like Singapore which remembered the bloody racial riot on July 21 1964 as a Racial Harmony Day.
Columnist Zaini Hassan made the suggestion after the Penang DAP government suspended Opposition Leader Datuk Azhar Ibrahim for six months for not removing the word ‘May 13’.
He said the suggestion to create the rememberance day should receive agreement from everyone in the country.
“The people of Malaysia must have a discussion…this does not mean I agree with Utusan Malaysia, whether it’s suitable or otherwise, let the people discuss first,” he said.
The May 13 incident in 1969 is a black mark in Malaysia’s history when racial riots broke out and posed the biggest problem for racial solidarity in Malaysia which resulted in the loss of lives and property.
About 6,000 children and parents were involved in the carnival being held for the first time by the Department of National Unity and Integration to churn out creative and praiseworthy kindergarten children. — Bernama