(Ep 9) Blood spills on the streets of Singapore in 1964 race riots | Merger To Separation #History

1964 Procession and Riots in Singapore

The 1964 procession marking Prophet Muhammad’s birthday turned violent near the Kallang Gasworks after people leaving the procession attacked a member of the Federal Reserve Unit. Further disturbances spread across the city, with groups attacking passersby and spectators.

Officials said the violence showed signs of organization and planning. An unnamed Malay reporter later told a speaker that he had known a riot would occur that day, reinforcing suspicions of advance planning. However, the account does not establish who was responsible.

Lee described killings and retaliation between Malays and Chinese as fear spread across the island.

The Singapore government wanted to impose a curfew but did not control the police. Attempts to contact Malay leaders were also unsuccessful.

Presenters and Contributors

No presenter is identified in the subtitles. Archival interview contributors include Othman Wok and S. Rajaratnam. Lee and the Malay reporter are mentioned but not fully identified.