Among the days in a week, I like Friday the most. It is because on this day, I can finish the class at 12 o’clock at noon. Then, I can go back and have enough sleep as well as to relax. This Friday, I simply didn’t do any homework.
This week I had so many things to do that I could only sleep at 2 a.m. at night. Monday I had German test (as usual), Wednesday I had Mathematics test, Thursday I had Chemistry test and Friday I had to prepare for Open Mike in German. That’s driving me crazy.
Finally the day I’ve long awaited for had arrived – Friday. Today I didn’t go shopping (for daily needs) in Cemara after class but went straight back to my hostel. I was too exhausted. Soon after lunch, my dizziness brought me to sweet long nap.
I woke up at dusk when the darkness starting to veil the daylight. Then, I went out with Hong (my colleague) to night market for dinner.
After that I sat down comfortably and read the story book – The Sands Of Time by Sidney Sheldon. It is about the unforgettable adventure and heart-stopping romance among four nuns and the terrorists, who fought for their freedom . The story was set against the timeless and dramatic landscape of Spain.
The terrorists were the member of ETA – Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (Basque for “Basque Homeland and Freedom”). Basque country is between the region of Spain and French. The support for Basque nationalism is stronger in Spanish autonomous Basque region than in French Basque country.
When General Francisco Franco, the dictator and head of state of Spain, won the Spanish Civil War against the Republicans with the help of Benito Mussolini (from Italy) and Adolf Hitler (from Germany), the nationalists were firmly in control of Spain. Then, General Francisco Franco started to turn his attention to the uncompromising Basque, who wanted to have their own flag and holidays.
As the saying goes: “Every country has a skeleton in a cupboard”, so do Malaysia. Incident 513 is an example. I am not born in that time, so I don’t know what was exactly happening. I searched the internet also but got very little information. What I got are mostly people’s opinions in their blogs.
Here, I am not going to express any of my opinion about the 513 incident, because, being born in nineteen ninety, I have really little facts about the incident. 513 incident is probably the darkest history of Malaysia, which happened on 13th May 1969, twelve years after its independence. The racial riot had claimed hundred of casualties.
“513” racial riot revisited:
1969 election, Chinese opposition parties won bigger than expected and started a parade (May 12) that angered the Malays.
Some UMNO leaders than organized retaliate parades the other day (May 13) and that’s when riots happened.
Then comes the folks stories of parang (a type of knife) killing, massive rapping, fire burning.. some one sided massacre on Chinese citizens in Kuala Lumpur area, followed by a nationwide curfew.
http://jeelife.com/2006/07/22/what-really-happened-in-the-may-13-1969-incident/
You can also find more details information on this website: plug.blogspot.com/2007/05/far-eastern-economic-review-s-reports.html
Our Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had said that the May 13 incident should be left as history that must not be repeated. To review about the 1969 race riots, as demanded by opposition , would only create adverse polemic and benefit no one.
I do agree with him. However, I am really curious to know what is the rational behind the riots. But then, my feeling told me that “curiosity kills the cat”. So, I think I had better stop probing the incident May 13 on the search machine because I might get the wrong bias information. I am contented with my life now and I don’t want be in my senior(s) footsteps, who had been dismissed from government scholarships due to their extreme opinions in their blogs.
One should not forget history as one would be bound to repeat them. I am so grateful that Malaysia is in peace but not in pieces. It is due to the integration of the races in Malaysia. Let us make the integration as the stepping stone to progress to our Vision 2020.
Let the PEACE reign!
