Misunderstanding
and animosity had always existed between the Chinese and the Malays in Pangkor.
Chinese thugs, particularly the secret society elements, and Malay hoodlums on
the island who were known to be collecting protection money, did not enjoy the
best of relations.
With this
background, a fight took place between a Chinese and a Malay youth following an
argument at Sungai Pinang on 1st May. 1959. This led to a confrontation between
the Chinese and Malays, followed by a skirmish. Three Malays sustained injuries
and considerable damage was caused to property. Shortly afterwards about twenty
Malays armed with daggers and parangs advanced towards a group of about thirty
Chinese who were also armed with assorted weapons, but the timely arrival of
the police averted another clash.
On 2nd May,
1959. the local Imam called for a meeting of the Malays at the mosque to plan
protective measures. The Chinese, numbering about sixty, on seeing this quickly
armed themselves with parangs, sharpened slicks and bottles, and began to
gather menacingly about twenty yards from the mosque. The Malays, in turn,
rushed to their homes, armed themselves with parangs and returned to the mosque
where
[17]
the Chinese group met them with
parangs, stones and bottles. In the midst of the clash, a Chinese kongsi in the
vicinity was set on fire and completely gutted, as were six Chinese houses near
the mosque. This further angered the Chinese and they retaliated against the
Malays resulting in the death of one Malay and five others injured. The Chinese
suffered one killed and two injured. Groups of secret society thugs roamed the
island, attacking several Malays and causing much property damage. Tension
developed in towns and villages in the vicinity of Pangkor but strong action by
the authorities prevented the situation from deteriorating.
Curfew was
imposed on 3rd May, 1959. restricting persons from leaving or entering the
island of Pangkor. Several ring-leaders were arrested and a quantity of
assorted weapons recovered. Goodwill committees were formed and police patrols
intensified. The Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and several
Ministers visited the island, and advised the residents to remain calm.
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