RACIAL CONFLICT AFTER THE JAPANESE OCCUPATION IN 1945 AND THE MAY 13, 1969 INCIDENT IN MALAYA: AN ANALYSIS

The society of Malaya has a diverse and multiracial population, which originates from the British colonial era. In the pluralistic context of Malaysian society, racial issues can be said to be sensitive and important. Pluralism shows diversity based on each racial identity. Diversity refers to the differences that exist in a society. This difference is a challenge to the construction of national identity and national unity because in the effort to create a nation state is not something easy. The focus of the study focuses on the analysis between two incidents of racial conflict that occurred after the Japanese occupation in 1945 and the event of May 13, 1969. This analysis will look in terms of analysing the similarities and differences between the two incidents of racial conflict. Is it true that there are differences or similarities between the two incidents of racial conflict in Malaya? The results of the study found that the two incidents of racial conflict were a planned incident and did not happen spontaneously. It is also motivated by the existence of elements of oppression or very heavy oppression. In terms of communist involvement, it was seen to be more comprehensive during the incident after the Japanese occupation in 1945 compared to the event of May 13, 1969. The racial conflict in 1945 was not entirely racial in nature but more about their goal in expanding communist influence in Malaya. In contrast to the events of May 13, 1969, the racial riots occurred as a result of political competition at that time which was unhealthy and did not care about pluralism.