I am curious if you had ever heard of Malaysia’s infamous racial war known as the “13 May Incident” in year 1969 ? There were several locations that these riots went out of control and death toll was 169. One of the location was at REX Cinema and recently rebranded into a cultural centre, REXKL.

As a child from motherland, Malaysia. I want to bring you the best of Malaysia’s rich cultural stories, places and art pieces. As I was growing up, my family was sharing how they faced the “Black History”, which you will never see in our history textbooks. 

My family kept this piece of dark history for over 50 years. I regretfully am sorry to hear that the 13 MAY incident had left a scar in your families too. 

Here, I want to share this piece to all as they were my reminder of how strong we are despite the “Black History”.

Many enjoy watching movies in the cinema as a hobby, it can help distract you from reality, even just for while. Same goes with my uncles, who knew this trip to the cinema would change their lives forever…..

On 13 May 1969, they arrived at REX CINEMA regardless of the gossips in the neighbourhood after the election. Heated racial riots broke out in the city while movie was playing. Chinese gangsters broke into the cinema as screen flashed “DARURAT”, emergency. 

Pulled back into reality, with terrifying screams followed by a gunshot. Threatened by machetes, victims would helplessly use their arms to protect vital organs. Adjacent to others, climbing over those blood stained cinema seats like terrified animals being massacred in a dark cave. They were very fortunate to be alive indeed.

Unfortunately, this very experience left one of them with a lifelong mental illness. Such traumatization cost his ability to communicate. I guess to the family, his condition was the reminder of that very gloom day.

Only ever suppressing his madness and emotions with antidepressants. Along with trips to the psychologist for his whole life. He stills smiles on good days and loves his bath time everyday. Ultimately, time heals all and experiences bring us to new stages.

https://pages.malaysiakini.com/may13/en/

If you are staying with us at Naibnb , you might like to continue reading as I guide you there;

For our dear Regalia Residence guests,

Finally our lovely The Colony by Infinitum guests,

To get there by MRT&LRT or monorail, click here. You may also take grab or drive to your destination, just select location “REXKL Jalan Sultan” or “REXKL” in Waze too !

It is one of our historical sites, one of the first theaters in city center, Kuala Lumpur. After a tragic fire in 1972, it rebuilt as a grand single-screen cinema with seats enough for a thousand.

Today, it is a cultural centre with restaurants and library. The mission is to bring this historic site back to life with new creative businesses, cultural agenda, bringing people together with creative art, cultural programs and galleries. 

Currently known as REXKL, https://www.rexkl.com/

Bookxcess REXKL
Address: 2nd Floor REXKL, 80 Jalan Sultan, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Hours: 10am - 10pm (Tuesday to Thursday and Sunday)
10am - 12am (Friday and Saturday)New Paragraph



There are many other restaurants like,

HIJAU, Stellar, Ticklish Ribs & Wiches, Alta Burgers, Licky Chan Ice-cream & Tattoo Parlour, Pastalah, Phil’s Pizza, 555 by Kampung Dining;

Merchants and services too for instance,

DH Paper Art, Mana Go, Outsiders Bike and Mentor Bookstore !

REXKL   80, Jalan Sultan, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Selangor.

Tuesday – Thursday (8am-10pm)

Friday – Monday (8am-12am)

Public Holidays will follow holiday opening hours 

I am sure that my family were not the only victims, if you are a fellow countryman. I wondered if your parents had mentioned this tale to you. Although actions in the past is not to be proud, personally I am grateful to have them another day. In my view, it is not a mistake that we did not learn such incident in history class. This was a strategy to have the next generations move past that anger with peace and harmony. We learned from our mistakes and prevented history from repeating itself. These characteristics were the qualities that build a strong country.

I am amazed, that these ambitious and creative entrepreneurs had done a superb achievement turning this painful piece of historic building into a lovely destination for local artists to share their work to the world! This cultural centre had also shed light how much talents we have in this country.

The post What went down during “The 13 May Incident” at REXKL, Kuala Lumpur appeared first on Blog.