2024 marks the 55th anniversary of the May 13 Incident. Renowned director Chong Keat Aun will also release his film Snow in Midsummer, which is based on the May 13 Incident, in Malaysia this July.
In the past, the May 13 Incident was a taboo subject for many Malaysians and long remained a haunting nightmare in the public consciousness. During election periods, politicians often invoked the May 13 Incident to frighten voters and attempt to manipulate electoral outcomes. After elections, some members of the public would even stockpile food and daily necessities at home. These reactions reflect the long shadow the incident has cast over the nation.
To this day, the May 13 Incident remains surrounded by differing interpretations. Key questions include its true causes, the number of victims, and the locations where the victims were buried, which remain unresolved. One major reason for this is that many official documents related to the incident have yet to be declassified. Considering these circumstances, the question arises: Has the time come to declassify the May 13 documents?
Those who wish to attend are requested to register online by filling out the following Google Form:
https://forms.gle/FspJYDNzMdaJPzh87
Title: Declassifying the May 13 Documents: The First Step Toward Transitional Justice
Date: 21 July 2024
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Venue: Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, Level 2, Tan Sri Yan Keng Ben Hall
Language: Chinese
Speakers:
- Chong Keat Aun – Director of Snow in Midsummer
- Ang Woei Shang – Prominent political commentator and lawyer
- Lee Chean Chung – Member of Parliament for Petaling Jaya
- Kua Kia Soong – Author of May 13: Declassified Documents on the Malaysian Riots of 1969
Programme:
End of Event
1:30 PM – Registration
2:00 PM – Opening Ceremony
2:10 PM – Speakers’ Presentations
3:00 PM – Roundtable Discussion
3:30 PM – Q&A Session
4:00 PM – Closing Remarks