Tun Abdul Razak Became Prime Minister
Tuesday, 22nd September 1970
Tun Abdul Razak (1922-1976) became Malaysia’s 2nd prime minister ruling from 1970 to 1976. Tun Razak was the Prime Minister responsible in setting up Barisan Nasional, which is the ruling coalition of political parties. After the May 13 Incident in 1969, Tun Abdul Razak's faction in UMNO overthrew Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra and imposed a State of Emergency, ruling by decree until 1970.
Dr Mahathir sacked from UMNO Supreme Council
Saturday, 12th July 1969
Mahathir was sacked from the UMNO Supreme Council, following his widespread distribution to the public of his letter to Tunku Abdul Rahman, the Prime Minister at that time about his handling of the race riots of 13 May 1969. In his letter, he had criticised the manner in which Tunku Abdul Rahman had handled the country's administration which was believed to favour the ethnic Chinese. Mahathir was subsequently expel of his party membership on 26 September 1969. Mahathir joined UMNO at its inception in 1946.
State Of Emergency Declared
Wednesday, 14th May 1969
A state of emergency and accompanying curfew were declared throughout the Malaysia. The curfew was relaxed in most parts of the country for two hours. The National Operations Council (NOC) was established by proclamation of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King of Malaysia) Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah, headed by Tun Abdul Razak. With Parliament suspended, the NOC became the supreme decision-making body for the next 18 months. State and District Operations Councils took over state and local government. The NOC implemented security measures to restore law and order in the country. Curfews continued in most parts of the country, but were gradually scaled back. Peace was restored in the affected areas within two months.
Racial Riots In KL
Tuesday, 13th May 1969
A deadly Sino-Malay sectarian violence in Kuala Lumpur. Malay leaders who were angry about the election results used the press to attack their opponents, contributing to raising public anger and tension among the Malay and Chinese communities. Malays on their way to the procession had been attacked by Chinese in Setapak, several miles to the north. Meanwhile, in the Kuala Lumpur area, a Malay army officer was murdered by Chinese radicals as he and his spouse were coming out from a movie theater in the predominantly Chinese area of Bukit Bintang. A group of Malay protestors swiftly wreaked revenge by killing two innocent passing Chinese motorcyclists, and the riot began. Officially, 196 people were killed as a result of the riots but independent reporters and other observers estimated up to 2,000 people had died.
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.
Third General Election
Saturday, 10th May 1969
Malaysia held its 3rd general election since independence. Election day itself passed without any incident. It resulted in the return to power, with a reduced majority, of the ruling Alliance Party, comprising the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), the Malayan Chinese Association (MCA), and the Malayan Indian Congress (MIC).
RMAF No. 6 Squadron Formed
Tuesday, 1st August 1967
RMAF, TUDM, formed the No. 6 Squadron. The Squadron is the home of the Canadair CL41G Tebuans. The introduction of Canadair CL41G jet strike aircraft marked the end of the "Non-Fighting Force" concept of the RMAF since its formation in 1958.
Jim Thompson disappeared in the Jungle
Sunday, 26th March 1967
Jim Thompson, American ex-serviceman living in Thailand, disappeared while on holiday in the Cameron Highlands of Northern Malaysia. He revived the Thai silk industry after WW II.
Expulsion of Singapore
Tuesday, 7th September 1965
Malaysia's Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman advised the Parliament of Malaysia that it should vote to expel Singapore from Malaysia. Despite last ditch attempts by PAP leaders, including Lee Kuan Yew, to keep Singapore as a state in the union, the Parliament on August 9, 1965 voted 126-0 (all) in favour of the expulsion of Singapore, with members of Parliament from Singapore not present.
Subang International Airport Opened
Monday, 30th August 1965
Subang International Airport, also known as Lapangan Terbang Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SAAS Airport), was officially opened in Subang (Selangor, Malaysia) by Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Dipertuan Agong, Tuanku Syed Putra Ibni al Marhum Syed Hassan Jamalullail. It has the the longest runway (3.7 km long, 45m wide – runway 15 – 33) in Southeast Asia. It replaces the current international Kuala Lumpur Airport at Sungai Besi.