From Remembering to Understanding: A Cross-Generational Dialogue on the May 13 Incident

The May 13 Incident remains a pivotal turning point in Malaysian history, leaving deep and lasting impacts on the nation’s social, political, and cultural landscape. Despite its significance, open discussions about the tragedy have long been limited and often regarded as sensitive. Although public discourse has gradually become more open in recent years, meaningful engagement at the community level remains insufficient.

The forum aims to move beyond remembrance toward a deeper and more critical understanding of the May 13 Incident by fostering dialogue across generations. By bringing together speakers from diverse professional and social backgrounds, the session seeks to explore the multiple meanings and long-term implications of the incident within historical, social, and contemporary contexts, while encouraging constructive conversations on reconciliation, mutual understanding, and collective healing.

Event details:

Date: 10 May 2026 (Sunday)
Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Venue: Cheng Yi Auditorium, KLSCAH
Language: English

Panel speakers:
1.Prof. Dr Mohd. Tajuddin Bin Mohd. Rasdi (Academic and Well-known Author)
2.Law Jing (Secretary of PESAWA)
3.Tham Seen Hau (Co-author of Life After: Oral Histories of the May 13 Incident)
4.Muhamad Azan Safar (Kawah Buku)
5.Jason Wee (Co-Founder & Executive Director of Architects of Diversity)

Moderator: Jowyn Saw (Committee Member of KLSCAH Youth)

Organizer: Friends of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Heritage Association (PESAWA)

Co-organizers:
KLSCAH Civil Rights Committee
KLSCAH Youth
LLG Cultural Development Centre
University of Malaya Association of New Youth
Persatuan Rakyat Sejiwa Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur Eng Choon Hoey Kuan

Members of the public are encouraged to attend and participate in this important dialogue, which represents a meaningful step toward cultivating a more open and thoughtful engagement with shared history in Malaysia.

Registration is available via the following link: https://forms.gle/ZPUZnRqa5Gz5Xm6W8

Programme Schedule:
1:30pm – 2:00pm: Registration and refreshments
2:00pm – 2:10pm: Opening and introduction
2:10pm – 3:50pm: Keynote presentations (15 minutes per speaker)
3:25pm – 3:55pm: Q&A session
3:55pm – 4:00pm: Closing remarks