SINGAPORE \u2013 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. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we went out after the curfews, we didn\u2019t talk much,\u201d said the 71-year-old. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe all kept quiet, didn\u2019t talk about the issue, and then we just slowly forgot about it.\u201d <\/p>\n
In total, more than 30 people died and hundreds were injured in riots that broke out twice in 1964.<\/p>\n
Mr Sharif, who was born in 1954, is among about 1,400 seniors who, since April 2025, have shared their memories with the Founders\u2019 Memorial as part of a campaign to gather stories from first-generation Singaporeans.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
But that did little to quell the fears and suspicion in his predominantly Malay kampung, which was impacted by curfews that were imposed islandwide. <\/p>\n
The July 1964 episode began near Kampong Soo Poo \u2013 near Kampong Bugis today \u2013 when a stray bottle landed in a crowd that had gathered to celebrate Prophet Muhammad\u2019s birthday, causing clashes to break out.<\/p>\n
It took 17 days for peace to be restored, during which 23 people lost their lives, while another 454 were injured. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
Mr Sharif recalled not being able to leave his home during curfew, and that schools were closed during both periods. \u201cAll the parents stayed at home. They said they wouldn\u2019t let us go outside, because maybe if (we went) outside, the Chinese and the Malays (would be) fighting,\u201d said Mr Sharif. <\/p>\n
Although he never witnessed such fights first-hand, he remembers rumours were swirling during those episodes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey take parang<\/i>, they never ask \u2013 they saw the Malay or they saw the Chinese and they would just chop, chop, chop,\u201d he said, referring to what he had heard about those who were fighting.<\/p>\n
Reflecting on those past dark times, he said that while different ethnic groups have their own traits and beliefs, \u201cwe are one country\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood (times) or bad, we have to face all the things that happen,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Mr Sharif said that while Ah Seng\u2019s provision shop was closed because of the curfew, he used to leave a door panel open to allow regulars like Mr Sharif\u2019s family to get groceries.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were still friends, we were still on good terms,\u201d he recounted.<\/p>\n
A bit over 60 years after the 1964 riots, Mr Sharif said he cannot imagine racial strife breaking out again in Singapore.<\/p>\n
He said Singapore\u2019s founding leaders brought everyone together, including by being on the ground and rallying people \u2013 even in Kampong Tengah.<\/p>\n Then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew speaking at Kampong Tengah Community Centre in 1965.<\/p>\n PHOTO: ST FILE<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no, \u2018you are Chinese, you are Malay, you are Indian\u2019,\u201d he said. \u201cEverybody is the same. You are Singaporean, we are brothers. That\u2019s why Singapore is a peaceful place.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr Sharif said he is encouraged to see Singaporeans of all races sharing their culture and mixing with one another today.<\/p>\n Over the years, he has worked as a mechanic in a petrol station and as a welder in Sembawang Shipyard.<\/p>\n \u201cI 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 \u2013 quite nice also,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are a few songs that I know also, but all rojak rojak<\/i> one lah,\u201d quipped Mr Sharif, whose living room is filled with trophies from Malay karaoke competitions. <\/p>\n Citing Cheng Hong Welfare Service Society\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Mr Sharif signed up for the service with the organisation, which has Buddhist roots, after speaking with its volunteers, who he noted were Chinese.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no separation between Chinese and Malay. We are Singaporean, and we take care of each other,\u201d he said, and quoted \u201cmarilah kita bersatu<\/i>\u201d from the lyrics of the National Anthem, meaning \u201ccome, let us unite\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we sing \u2018Majulah Singapura\u2019, it\u2019s not for one, it\u2019s for all.\u201d<\/p>\n Stories and memories of first-generation Singaporeans like Mr Sharif are being compiled by the Founders\u2019 Memorial through its senior engagement programme, which will run until the end of 2026.<\/p>\n The memorial seeks to connect every Singaporean with the nation\u2019s founding story, bringing to life its values and ideals for the future.<\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n The programme is part of an ongoing Project Citizens campaign, which spotlights independent Singapore\u2019s first citizens.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n<\/picture><\/div>