It has been almost four decades since the May 13 racial riots broke out.
What had prompted the worst riots in Malaysia's 50-year history that cost the lives of 196 persons (according to official records) however remained shrouded under a veil of secrecy, although there are several versions on the matter so far.
The 'official version' of it has always been the violence was triggered off by the Chinese-dominated opposition supporters' provocation in celebrating their electoral victory which saw the ruling Alliance Party suffered a major setback.
The lack of accessible information in the public domain has been a stumbling block for those who intend to uncover the episode but a set of newly-declassified documents in London gave sociologist Dr Kua Kia Soong a thorough glimpse of the event.
On the 38th anniversary of this event, malaysiakini examines what really happened on that fateful day which left a deep scar in our psyche.
What actually happened during the 1969 tragedy
Exorcising the ghosts of May 13
'Glorious days' of Kampung Baru old timers
Click here to buy 'May 13' on Kinibooks
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