The year 2025 marks the 56th anniversary of the May 13 Incident. To commemorate the victims who perished in this historical tragedy, eight civil society organizations, including The Friends of Historical and Cultural Heritage Society of Kuala Lumpur & Selangor (PESAWA), Persatuan Rakyat Sejiwa Malaysia, KLSCAH Civil Rights Committee, LLG Cultural Development Centre Bhd, Chan Deng Culture & Arts Society Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur Eng Choon Hoey Kuan, Persatuan Perayaan Yee Lan Puchong Jaya, and the University of Malaya Association of New Youth, will jointly organize this public memorial service.
Over the past year, significant progress has been made in overcoming the taboo surrounding the May 13 Incident within Malaysian society. The film Snow in Midsummer, based on the Incident, was successfully screened in Malaysian cinemas. Additionally, after years of persistent effort, the Sungai Buloh May 13 Memorial has been officially gazetted by the Selangor State Government. These landmark developments give this year’s commemoration special significance whereby it not only affirms the long-standing efforts of civil society but also highlights the ongoing process of transitional justice. For this reason, the theme of this year’s memorial service will be “Breaking Dawn” (Fajar Menyingsing), symbolizing the hopeful outlook for the future.
The public memorial service will take place on 10 May 2025 (Saturday), with registration starting at 8.30am, and the official ceremony beginning promptly at 9.00am at the Sungai Buloh May 13 Memorial. YB Tuan Lau Weng San, Speaker of the Selangor State Legislative Assembly, will serve as the Guest of Honor. Religious leaders from the Five Major Religions will offer prayers for the over one hundred victims. The Guest of Honor and the organizing committee will also place a wreath. All participants are invited to lay flowers on each grave as a mark of respect for these innocent victims.
To ensure wider participation, the event will be live-streamed on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pesawa2020). This live-streaming arrangement will allow the public, particularly descendants of the victims who may reside in different locations, to join the collective memorial activity. For more information, please contact: Law Jing (011-1143 4178) or Tan Choong Cheng (019-388 5309).
The eight organizing groups sincerely invite the victims’ families and individuals from all walks of life to participate. Through this annual public memorial service, we aim to raise awareness and reflection on the historical truth, contributing to the process of ethnic reconciliation. The truth of history should not be buried beneath tombstones. Only by confronting the past can we move forward together toward a brighter future.
Secretary of the 56th Anniversary May 13 Incident
Public Memorial Service Organizing Committee
Law Jing