MALAYSIA'S proud experiment in constructing a multiracial society
exploded in the streets of Kuala Lumpur last week. Malay mobs, wearing
white headbands signifying an alliance with death, and brandishing
swords and daggers, surged into Chinese areas in the capital, burning,
looting and killing. In retaliation, Chinese, sometimes aided by
Indians, armed themselves with pistols and shotguns and struck at Malay
kampongs . Huge pillars of smoke rose skyward as houses,
shops and autos burned.Firemen drew sniper fire as they attempted to douse the flames, and
outnumbered police watched helplessly at times as the street gangs
rampaged. One man, trying to escape from his burning car, was thrown
back into it by a howling mob, and died. By the time the four days of
race war and civil strife had run their course, the General Hospital's
morgue was so crowded that bodies were put into plastic bags and hung
on ceiling hooks. Government officials, attempting to play down the
extent of the disaster, insisted that the death toll was only 104.
Western diplomatic sources put the toll closer to 600, with most of the
victims Chinese.No Longer Satisfied. From its inception, Malaysia has been haunted by
racial divisions. By tacit agreement, the Federation's 4,300,000 Malays
under Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman wielded political power.
Economic power was largely in the hands of Malaysia's 3,400,000
Chinese. There are also the 1,000,000 Indians and Pakistanis who make
up the third major ethnic group. What made it all work was the Tunku's
Alliance coalition, in which Malay, Chinese and Indian parties
participated. But for some time the Chinese and Indians had feared that
eventually they would be pushed out as laws favoring Malays for schools
and jobs bore fruit.The trouble began two weeks ago, when newly formed Chinese opposition
parties cut heavily into the Alliance's majority in parliamentary
elections. It became suddenly apparent that many Chinese were no longer
satisfied with just economic hegemony, but wanted a protective share of
the political power as well. Nothing was more surely calculated to
frighten the Malays, in particular the Malay “ultras” ,
who have long preached the doctrine of Malaysia for the Malays.
Alarmed, the ultras began to discuss ways of retaining control. At a
Malay post-election meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Chinese onlookers began to
taunt those in attendance. Infuriated, the Malays attacked. At least
eight Chinese were killed and within 45 minutes fast-spreading riots
forced the Tunku to clamp a 24-hour curfew on the capital.
