Victory Parade Turned Ugly

Monday, 12th May 1969

Thousands of Chinese marched through Kuala Lumpur, parading through predominantly Malay areas, which hurled insults that led to the incident. The largely Chinese opposition Democratic Action Party and Gerakan gained in the elections, and secured a police permit for a victory parade through a fixed route in Kuala Lumpur. However, the rowdy procession deviated from its route and headed through the Malay district of Kampung Baru, jeering at the inhabitants. Some demonstrators carried brooms, later alleged to symbolise the sweeping out of the Malays from Kuala Lumpur, while others chanted slogans about the "sinking" of the Alliance boat the coalition's logo. The Gerakan party issued an apology the following day for their rally goers' behaviour.

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