It has been almost four decades since the May 13 racial riots broke out.

What had prompted the worst riots in Malaysia's 50-year history that cost the lives of 196 persons (according to official records) however remained shrouded under a veil of secrecy, although there are several versions on the matter so far.

The 'official version' of it has always been the violence was triggered off by the Chinese-dominated opposition supporters' provocation in celebrating their electoral victory which saw the ruling Alliance Party suffered a major setback.

The lack of accessible information in the public domain has been a stumbling block for those who intend to uncover the episode but a set of newly-declassified documents in London gave sociologist Dr Kua Kia Soong a thorough glimpse of the event.

On the 38th anniversary of this event, malaysiakini examines what really happened on that fateful day which left a deep scar in our psyche.

Unveiling the May 13 riots
What actually happened during the 1969 tragedy
Exorcising the ghosts of May 13
May 13 was not a planned coup
'Glorious days' of Kampung Baru old timers


Click here to buy 'May 13' on Kinibooks

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