
July 22,
1964
The Acting Prime Minister, Tun Abdul Razak, made
an appeal for calm in a broadcast tonight on the
clashes which occurred in Singapore today in which
four people were killed and about 178 injured,
leading to the imposition of a curfew from 9.30pm to
6am.
In his broadcast, Tun Razak reminded Malaysians
that they had lived together in peace for hundreds of
years.

On the
lookout for trouble -- an armoured car
patrolling the Geyland Serai area |
"We have never broken
the peace of our beloved country. Only those
who have been misled by foreign elements and
have no love for this country have offended
us. "We now face a very critical
situation. It is very dangerous for all of
us, whether we are Chinese, Malays, Indians
or of other races.
|
"You must not forget that we are facing a
common enemy. This is an enemy dangerous to us all.
If we are divided, we shall all be destroyed. We must
not be at odds with one another nor must we fight
each other.
"If we fight one another, Malaysia will be
destroyed, and so will all of us."
The
disturbances occurred during a mammoth procession
which started from the Padang, where earlier in the
afternoon about 25,000 Muslims had gathered to
commemorate the birthday of the Prophet.
| A
series of incidents occurred near Lorong 3,
Geylang, just opposite the Gay World --
fights broke out, and cars were overturned.
There were also reports of arson. By 8.30pm, there were 50
injured people in the General Hospital,
mostly with head injuries received during the
disturbances.
|

An
overturned vehicle near the Geylang fire
station |
 
A
deserted stretch at Geylang Rd, soon after
the curfew was imposed
|
At 9pm, an official
announcement was made. Organised groups of youths
went around in the areas between Kallang and
Geylang Serai, creating disturbances. The
public was advised to remain indoors and a
curfew was imposed from 9.30pm to 6am.
Public transport was
withdrawn as dusk approached.
|
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