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How S. Rajaratnam handled S’pore’s 1964 race riots in the face of ‘arsonists playing firemen’
Edited excerpts from Irene Ng’s new book S. Rajaratnam, The Authorised Biography, Volume Two: The Lion’s Roar, give insights into how he shaped Singapore’s history, including the critical role he played in handling the race riots in 1964.
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Then Culture Minister S. Rajaratnam and Deputy Prime Minister Toh Chin Chye visiting riot-stricken areas in their wards in an open-top vehicle on July 24, 1964, after the day’s curfew ended.
PHOTO: ST FILE
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As he listened to the frantic voice on the phone, S. Rajaratnam realised that his greatest fear had come to pass. As one of the chief architects of Singapore’s independence, he had experienced some tough situations – but this was the worst tragedy to befall his country in his five years in politics.
It was July 21, 1964, barely a year after Singapore merged with Malaya and two Borneo states, Sabah and Sarawak, to form Malaysia in September 1963.
