EVERY May 13, older Malaysians are reminded of the day’s bloody blemish on racial unity in the nation’s history.

But come tomorrow, two young men want to replace that red mark with flashmobs instead.

Friends since 2008, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and Chong Hock Soon will travel to five places where the racial clashes took place to perform a flashmob.

The two intend to go dressed in their traditional costumes – baju Melayu and “samfoo” – while carrying a sandwich board with the message “Saya Anak Malaysia” on it.

“Although the riots took place some 48 years ago, the negative sentiments still linger,” said Syed Saddiq at the Bersatu office in Petaling Jaya today.

The Bersatu Youth chief said that they hoped the flashmob could alter the negative memories May 13 still carries.

Syed Saddiq said they will bring along 1,000 unity letters to distribute to the public. Apart from the letters, they intend to have give mini-talks, sing songs and hold a public debate.

“We will go to public areas like LRT stations and give unity speeches. We will not talk about politics. Just speeches that speak about harmony,” said Syed Saddiq.

In 1969, racial riots between the Malays and Chinese broke out in Kuala Lumpur shortly after Malaysia’s third general election. The fights broke out after the opposition made electoral gains at the expense of Barisan Nasional’s precursor, the Alliance. – May 12, 2017.