3. - usaid

CHARACTERISTICS OF .THE DISASTER
EVENT:
Civil Stfife
DATE-TIME: May 13-26, 1969
IDCATION:
Kuala Lampur
DISASTER VICTIMS : Killed Hospitalized Hgneless Evacuated & Mass Feeding
About
173 336 1,500 9,000
An unanticipated racial riot between Malays and Chinese erupted in Kuala
Impur (including Petaling Jaya) on May 13 and continued with diminishing
violence during the following week. Most deaths occurred during the first
two days, but arson continued to be a problem for several days longer.
Up to 9,000 people were gathered together in a secure mea and cared for
by the Red Cross to keep
them away fkan threat of
attack.
One of many stores destroyed
-215-
The violence followed general
elections that reduced the
majority of the ruling
coalitim government and
resulted in the withdrawal
fram the coalition of the
Malaysian Chinese Association.
The withdrawal left the
country s CNnese, who make
up nearly half the 10
million pc~pulation, without
representation in the
cabinet.
ACTION TAKE3 BY THE GOVERNMENT
OF MAL4YSI:A AND IDCAL ORGANI-
ZATIONS
The Goverrxnent of Malaysia
(GOM) had not anticipated