I AM shocked and saddened that some politicians are still making threatening reference to the May 13 racial riots of 1969.

One seasoned politician was on national TV Channel 101 on March 15 making reference to the May 13 racial riots, saying that if the Opposition parties continue to fan communal sentiments, another May 13 will happen, adding with a raised index finger “Dan jangan salahkan kami” (Then don’t blame us.)

By all means take the Opposition parties to task, take legal action against them, but please spare us the threat of another dreadful May 13.

For one, it is a well-flogged threat used by some politicians for their own agenda, and two, it does not work anymore.

All it does is that it raises painful memories of the black chapter in our history of our otherwise harmonious relations between all races.

On that fateful day, I was a young officer serving in the army. I witnessed first-hand the carnage as it unfolded.

People were attacked because they were of the wrong race, at the wrong place at the wrong time. Everyone suffered.

It is thus my fervent hope that our new revamped government will pass specific laws making it an offence to raise threats of another May 13 racial riots.

No one should be allowed to hijack peace and stability in our country. After 39 years, it is time to bury deep the ghost of May 13 once for all, so that it never raises its ugly head again.

Lt. Kol (R) Mohd Idris bin Hassan,
Kuala Lumpur.

Source: The Star – March 27, 2008