May 13, 1969

I can still remember vividly, after 39 years!

I was studying ‘A’ levels in Tunku Abdul Rahman College, one of the ‘pioneer students’ or guinea pigs, if you like, which did not have its own premises. We started at the Teachers’ Training College in Jalan Kuantan, KL for a few months before we were told that we had to move to Jalan Cheras – for those in Arts stream, at Jalan Cheras Secondary School, while those in the Science Stream, at the Technical Institute, in the afternoon session.

Just before we started at the new borrowed premises, a group of students from out of town, approached me to look after their flatmates (ladies) at Jalan Pekeliling flats, by providing transport on my way from Jalan Ipoh to Jalan Cheras and back.

Being a ladies’ man, I agreed. After all, it was not out of the way and I was only driving an old Wolseley, if they did not mind. For not charging them, I received birthday presents instead. The four young ladies were from Alor Star, Ipoh, Muar and Kuantan. In fact, at the end of the two-year course, three other boys joined me in visiting each of them in their home towns.

Anyway, on that fateful day, I returned from Jalan Cheras in the late afternoon, as usual, except for a few FRU trucks (and ambulances?)with sirens on, went past in the opposite direction when I dropped off my classmates at Jalan Pekeliling flats. Not knowing what was happening, I went straight to my friend’s house in Jalan Kasipillay! I had my drums kit there and I was more interested in practising with them before I return home.

Later, while I was still out, my dad was getting worried and he told my elder brother to drive him to Jalan Cheras to find out! Those were the days without mobile phones and almost every matter had to be checked out personally. In retrospect, it was such a risky thing to do by going back to Jalan Cheras, having to travel along Jalan Pekeliling which had to pass the junction of Jalan Raja Muda where then Selangor Menteri Besar, Harun Idris used to live! But then again, nobody knew what had happened and as to what extent the trouble was.

My elder brother was very lucky too. He was then supposed to be having bookkeeping lessons at Goon Institute, opposite the Chow Kit market and it so happened, he did not attend that day’s evening class!

I can still recall some of the stories of people known to me. An ex-classmate was chased by a mob somewhere in Jalan Ampang near Jalan Campbell junction. He thought the nearest was his step-brother’s house in Jalan Damai. He managed to drive his car to the front of the house and jumped over the gate (thanks to his gymnastic skill) before another mob nearly got to him. His brother even fired some shots to warn them.

Another ex-classmate actually lived in Jalan Raja Muda, opposite MB’s residence, and next to then Minister of Health, Bahaman’s house. His family was lucky, given the protection by the minister.

Some relations of mine (related to my mother) came in a lorry from Segambut, to stay with us for a few days during the curfew. In fact, there was no trouble there as the Malay village elders like Tuan Haji Said were close to the Chinese, and a good friend of my dad who serviced his cars. Years later, during one of his visits, he invited us to go to his ‘dusun’ or orchard and came back with our Mini Minor pickup almost filled with dukus!

During the curfew period, once or twice a military truck went passed our house and we were afraid that they might open fire on us. My eldest brother, at one stage, was so worked up that he was all prepared to defend us, keeping watch overnight.

I think the then Deputy Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Ismail, was very re-assuring each time he came on television to make announcement on the state of security, improving each day until curfew was lifted.

When we went back to college, the curfew was still on in certain areas and/or during certain hours as some VIPs’ cars had the privilege of having a sticker ‘Emergency’ which allowed them access in certain restricted areas denied to ordinary folks. We were actually envious of one of our classmates who used to travel in a chauffeured Mercedes with one.

Today, on the 39th anniversary of this black incident of our nation’s history, hopefully, we can all put the ghost of it to rest.

One of Malaysiakini’s headlines is Headlines: May 13:

updated 3.10pm All the dailies today reported on the measures taken by the government to put a lid on the price of rice, which has increased substantially over the past few months.MORE
The Sabah pressure
Mother wants son released

So, our major problem seems to be our staple food, rice and its price, which is on the rise and rise. The other problem was political – East vs West Malaysia within Barisan Nasional.

Today, over in Maastricht, Holland, with a time difference of 6 hours behind, my daughter, Cheng, is having her defence. She explained to us that it is like an examination, to see whether her proposal for a thesis is good enough for her to continue her Ph D. We can only wish her good luck.