Senior who remembers 1964 riots cannot imagine racial unrest in Singapore again

SINGAPORE – Mr Sharif Akif had no problem mingling and interacting with people of all races before the riots of 1964, but found himself avoiding such encounters in the aftermath of the deadly clashes.

“When we went out after the curfews, we didn’t talk much,” said the 71-year-old.

“We all kept quiet, didn’t talk about the issue, and then we just slowly forgot about it.”

In total, more than 30 people died and hundreds were injured in riots that broke out twice in 1964.

Mr Sharif, who was born in 1954, is among about 1,400 seniors who, since April 2025, have shared their memories with the Founders’ Memorial as part of a campaign to gather stories from first-generation Singaporeans.

He was 10 when race riots broke out between the Malays and the Chinese on the other side of the island from where he was born and still lived, in Kampong Tengah, Sembawang.

But that did little to quell the fears and suspicion in his predominantly Malay kampung, which was impacted by curfews that were imposed islandwide.

The July 1964 episode began near Kampong Soo Poo – near Kampong Bugis today – when a stray bottle landed in a crowd that had gathered to celebrate Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, causing clashes to break out.

It took 17 days for peace to be restored, during which 23 people lost their lives, while another 454 were injured.

Similar hostilities were triggered by the killing of a Malay trishaw rider in Geylang Serai in September that year. Calm was established only after 12 days of violence that claimed 13 lives and left 106 injured.

Mr Sharif recalled not being able to leave his home during curfew, and that schools were closed during both periods. “All the parents stayed at home. They said they wouldn’t let us go outside, because maybe if (we went) outside, the Chinese and the Malays (would be) fighting,” said Mr Sharif.

Although he never witnessed such fights first-hand, he remembers rumours were swirling during those episodes.

“They take parang, they never ask – they saw the Malay or they saw the Chinese and they would just chop, chop, chop,” he said, referring to what he had heard about those who were fighting.

Reflecting on those past dark times, he said that while different ethnic groups have their own traits and beliefs, “we are one country”.

“Good (times) or bad, we have to face all the things that happen,” he said.

Mr Sharif added that purchasing daily necessities at the time of the riots reminded him of the interdependence between racial groups, as shops his family frequented were Chinese-owned.

The owner of one such shop near his home, whom he addressed as Ah Seng, brought him a sense of comfort and peace even as tensions between racial groups were high.

Mr Sharif said that while Ah Seng’s provision shop was closed because of the curfew, he used to leave a door panel open to allow regulars like Mr Sharif’s family to get groceries.

“We were still friends, we were still on good terms,” he recounted.

A bit over 60 years after the 1964 riots, Mr Sharif said he cannot imagine racial strife breaking out again in Singapore.

He said Singapore’s founding leaders brought everyone together, including by being on the ground and rallying people – even in Kampong Tengah.

“There’s no, ‘you are Chinese, you are Malay, you are Indian’,” he said. “Everybody is the same. You are Singaporean, we are brothers. That’s why Singapore is a peaceful place.”

Mr Sharif said he is encouraged to see Singaporeans of all races sharing their culture and mixing with one another today.

Over the years, he has worked as a mechanic in a petrol station and as a welder in Sembawang Shipyard.

“I mixed around with a lot of Chinese (colleagues) then. I learnt to talk in Mandarin, Teochew, Hokkien. Sometimes they switched on the radio and sang – quite nice also,” he said.

“There are a few songs that I know also, but all rojak rojak one lah,” quipped Mr Sharif, whose living room is filled with trophies from Malay karaoke competitions.

Citing Cheng Hong Welfare Service Society’s afterlife memorial service, which sees to funeral arrangements for some seniors, regardless of their race or religion, Mr Sharif said he is grateful that ethnic and religious-based organisations look out for all Singaporeans.

Mr Sharif signed up for the service with the organisation, which has Buddhist roots, after speaking with its volunteers, who he noted were Chinese.

“There’s no separation between Chinese and Malay. We are Singaporean, and we take care of each other,” he said, and quoted “marilah kita bersatu” from the lyrics of the National Anthem, meaning “come, let us unite”.

“When we sing ‘Majulah Singapura’, it’s not for one, it’s for all.”

Stories and memories of first-generation Singaporeans like Mr Sharif are being compiled by the Founders’ Memorial through its senior engagement programme, which will run until the end of 2026.

The memorial seeks to connect every Singaporean with the nation’s founding story, bringing to life its values and ideals for the future.

The National Heritage Board said that the stories compiled will shape the content at the memorial, including a display where selected stories will be featured.

The programme is part of an ongoing Project Citizens campaign, which spotlights independent Singapore’s first citizens.

Also part of the campaign is an exhibition titled Not Mere Spectators, which runs until March 29 at the National Gallery Singapore and explores the value of multiculturalism in the country.