Simon Soon
The feud between the Red and White Flag societies in this year's Muharram celebrations (approx. 6 - 18 May 1867) continued to fester, resulting in constant ssults by individuals of one party on those of the other. This resulted ultimately in the murder of a Malay diamond merchant (likely to be of Arab/Jawi Pekan origin) who lived on Hutton Lane. The victim was murdered on Armenian Street by a Red Flag society member.. Lye Ah Choong, second in command of Ghee Hin, could not confirm his membership in the White Flag.
Because the Tua Peh Kong and Red flag societies were allies, the murder which happened on their turf also brought two rivalling Chinese secret societies into the conflict. Toh Peh Kong leader Khoo Thean Teik retaliated by leading an assault on his rival society, the Ghee Hins. The Ghee Hins were allied to the White Flag.
By 1 July, the tension between these two inter-racial alliances (Toh Peh Kong and Red Flag vs. Ghee Hin and White Flag) exploded into an all out confrontation. The cause was an insult hurled by a Malay member of the White Flag towards a Chinese member of Toh Peh Kong. The riots would last for a period of ten days.
NOTES
The Penang Riots Reports 1867: Report of the Commissioners Appointed Under Act XXI of 1867, to Enquire into The Penang Riots [PCRC]. Penang: Argus Press 1868. PRO CO 273 /21, 161.
