The May 13 Incident remains a pivotal turning point in Malaysian history, leaving deep and lasting impacts on the nation’s social, political, and cultural landscape. Despite its significance, open discussions about the tragedy have long been limited and often regarded as sensitive. Although public discourse has gradually become more open in recent years, meaningful engagement at the community level remains insufficient.
In response to this, the Friends of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Heritage Association (PESAWA) will organize an English-language forum titled “From Remembering to Understanding: A Cross-Generational Dialogue on the May 13 Incident.” The event will be held on Sunday, 10 May 2026, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Cheng Yi Auditorium, KLSCAH.
The forum aims to move beyond remembrance toward a deeper and more critical understanding of the May 13 Incident by fostering dialogue across generations. By bringing together speakers from diverse professional and social backgrounds, the session seeks to explore the multiple meanings and long-term implications of the incident within historical, social, and contemporary contexts, while encouraging constructive conversations on reconciliation, mutual understanding, and collective healing.
The panel will feature Professor Dr Mohd. Tajuddin Bin Mohd. Rasdi, an academic and well-known author; Law Jing, Secretary of PESAWA; Tham Seen Hau, co-author of Life After: Oral Histories of the May 13 Incident; Muhamad Azan Safar of Kawah Buku; and Jason Wee, co-founder of Architects of Diversity. The session will be moderated by Jowyn Saw, a committee member of KLSCAH Youth.
Other collaborating organizers include KLSCAH Civil Rights Committee, KLSCAH Youth, LLG Cultural Development Centre, the University of Malaya Association of New Youth, Persatuan Rakyat Sejiwa Malaysia, and the Kuala Lumpur Eng Choon Hoey Kuan.
Members of the public are encouraged to attend and participate in this important dialogue, which represents a meaningful step toward cultivating a more open and thoughtful engagement with shared history in Malaysia. Registration is available via the following link: https://forms.gle/ZPUZnRqa5Gz5Xm6W8
Programme Schedule:
1:30 PM – 2:00 PM: Registration and refreshments
2:00 PM – 2:10 PM: Opening and introduction
2:10 PM – 3:50 PM: Keynote presentations (15 minutes per speaker)
3:25 PM – 3:55 PM: Q&A session
3:55 PM – 4:00 PM: Closing remarks