Learning from May 13 for lasting national reconciliation

 

From Aizat Shamsuddin

The May 13 tragedy in 1969 remains etched in Malaysian history as one of this nation’s darkest moments.

Widespread riots – primarily in Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, and other towns in Peninsular Malaysia – inflicted deep wounds on the generation that experienced it, contributing to the inter-ethnic distrust of today.

Official records report that 143 Chinese, 25 Malays, 13 Indians, and 15 others were killed in the riots, with over 400 injured. Unofficial accounts suggest a higher number of Chinese fatalities.

Exploiting the tragedy

An alarming trend of escalated far-right extremism exploiting the May 13 tragedy has been observed by the Initiative to Promote Tolerance and Prevent Violence (Initiate.MY) on social media, particularly on TikTok, From this observation, three key findings have emerged.

First, political events such as the 15th general election in November 2022 served as triggers for the escalation of online hate and extremism.

The transfer of power between political coalitions, along with the involvement of influential supporters from religious figures, celebrities, and the public, intensifies the politicisation of race and religion.

This is particularly evident during the vote counting period, where much of the content coopted the May 13 tragedy to warn against the resurgence of the Pakatan Harapan coalition, particularly the Chinese-dominated DAP, to federal power, portraying it as a threat to the Malay’s special position.

Second, there was a notable use of combative language and symbols in describing these narratives.

Captions such as “hunting mode” and “looking for halal” depict a readiness to hunt non-Muslims, often accompanied by images of brandished daggers, arrows, bows, and/or eerie and jihad-invoking songs.

While the language used may be indirect or conveyed through innuendos, it is clear that in this intense context it constitutes a call for violence targeting ethnic and religious minorities in the country.

Many of these content have been taken down by TikTok after public pressure, and police had warned against any further production or resharing of such content.

Third, the majority of those disseminating these dangerous narratives were youths, as evident from their account profiles.

This underscores how more young people are being exposed to and engaged in political content following the passage of Undi18. Far-right political actors exploit these young individuals to create such content, often coordinating efforts and even paying content creators.

Despite the liberal nature of this legal passage, there remains a glaring insufficiency in political education. It is imperative to cultivate political maturity among the youth and prevent their exploitation by fear-mongering and financial incentives.

Overall, these trends underscore two risks: such dangerous content could resurface during other tense periods, and it is not confined to the virtual space.

This means that the radicalising effects can spill over into the real world as online platforms increasingly serve as avenues for radicalisation.

This may result in the translation of hate into acts of discrimination, coercion, and even violence. These trends must be prevented from escalating into violent extremism.

How to nip it in the bud

If they are serious about promoting social harmony and security, the Madani government should consider two recommendations to drive the nation towards national reconciliation:

First, there needs to be a widespread awareness campaign regarding the lessons learned from the May 13 incident.

Many individuals, particularly young people who lack firsthand experience of the events, are unaware of the significant political, social, and economic upheavals caused by the riots that occurred during that period.

With a state of emergency declared, police were deployed to de-escalate the riots, enforce curfews, and businesses were forced to close. Hundreds of Malaysians lost their lives, and widespread property damage ensued.

Some information, particularly regarding the true extent of casualties and the identities of perpetrators, remain undisclosed to the public or are classified under the Official Secrets Act due to its sensitivity, which could exacerbate tensions.

However, the government should consider declassifying certain information for educational purposes, allowing researchers and the media to ethically document, report, and conduct educational programmes about it.

It is crucial to openly acknowledge and explain tragic events in history rather than conceal them to construct a nation-building narrative.

Otherwise, malignant actors, such as extremists and terrorists, will continue to exploit this information gap by promoting false victimhood to radicalise their supporters for political gain.

For instance, Germany has a comprehensive nationwide education programme that delves into the lessons learned from the Holocaust during the Nazi era.

Similarly, Singapore has observed Racial Harmony Day annually since 1997 educating about the lessons learned from the communal riots of 1964.

Malaysia could introduce similar educational initiatives at both community and institutional levels. These should include testimonies from diverse ethnic survivors and recognise the contributions of armed forces and police veterans, such as those with the National Patriots Association.

Making them pay

Second, perpetrators of extremism must face accountability for their actions. This requires enforcing content restrictions proportionately, especially for materials inciting hate and violence.

While some content may not overtly advocate violence, human analysis remains crucial for interpretation within specific contexts. Enforcement units at social media companies and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission must rely and strengthen both human and AI-powered moderation methods.

Individuals propagating explicit hate speech and incitement to violence should face stricter levels of accountability, including legal penalties.

However, Initiate.MY advocates for restorative justice measures, such as public apologies, mediation, and dialogues with affected parties, to instil a sustainable sense of remorse within perpetrators and foster closure within affected communities.

This approach is essential for achieving lasting national reconciliation. - FMT

Aizat Shamsuddin is an FMT reader, a security analyst and founder of the Initiative to Promote Tolerance and Prevent Violence (Initiate.MY).

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.