On May 13, 1969, Malaysia was rocked by racial riots that left more than 200 people dead and hundreds injured. Thirty-four years later, the older generation remembers while the young ask for more information, as a street poll reveals.

Mohd Norzainuddin, 19, a restaurant worker said he does not know about the incident because he is young and doesn't have the time to find out about it.

However, he added that there should be some information given to the public to let them know more about the riots.

Echoing this were 22-year-old sales executive Suraya Shafiee and 25-year-old sales promoter Cendredzman Edris who were also in the dark about the incident since it "happened a long time ago."

No sources

Suraya added that it has never even occurred to her to find out more while Cendredzman claimed that he is interested but can't find the right sources.

He added that although racism is "under control" in the country, it is still apparent among certain groups.

Meanwhile, Mohd Rizal Abbas said there is a need for more information o­n the incident, which he likened to the Kampung Medan tragedy in 2001.

(In the latter incident, six people were killed and scores others injured but the authorities classified it as an isolated matter)

"More information should be given especially to students as they are the right people to know about it first," said the 18-year-old sales promoter.

Jarrod Wilson,18, who heard about the riots from his mother, also wanted more information.

"There must be more information and we must make sure not to repeat the same mistake," said the TAR college student, adding that the situation in Malaysia now is far better.

Racial unity

For Kevin Thomas, 22, the incident serves as a reminder o­n the importance of racial unity.

The Kolej Universiti Terengganu student, who also learnt about the incident from his mother and history books, said youths should remember the suffering that was endured during the riots.

"It must be a lesson to all and they must learn to cooperate with other races," he said.

University Malaya student Faridah Abdul Aziz, 25, agrees.

She said although things are better now, there are still many students who are racist even when choosing friends.

"I think this should not be the way in a multi-racial society," she added.

Black spot

For the older generation, memories of the riots remain vivid.

Wee Chin Yuan, 63, described the incident as a black spot in the nation's history that served as a reminder o­n the importance of unity.

"After that (the riots), Malaysians realised how important unity was," he said.

He also lamented the lack of information about the incident, resulting in the younger generation being unaware of it.

Businesswoman Kanaga said she was o­nly 12 when the riots erupted and remembered clearly how her parents and she coped with it.

To make matters worse, she recalled, there was a bad flood in Kuala Lumpur during that time.

"I just hope that it does not happen again," she said.

However, a 59-year-old sales manager who declined to be named felt that there shouldn't be any discussion about the incident as it may lead to misunderstanding and conflicts.