# Penang Riots of 1867 (3–12 August 1867)

URL: https://allhistories.com/malaysia/timeline/1867-penang-riots-of-1867
Location: George Town, Penang
Themes: Selangor, Civil war

Fighting began on 3 August 1867 on Penang Island and lasted ten days. The Ghee Hin, with about 20,000 members, mostly Cantonese and linked to the White Flag Malay faction, fought the Toh Peh Kong, about 9,000 mostly Hokkien and linked to the Red Flag Malays and led by Khoo Thean Teik. The deaths were never counted but were estimated at over one hundred. The riots grew from a minor incident in July, when a rambutan skin was thrown at a Toh Peh Kong member, which gave rise to the name rambutan skin riots, and a false accusation of theft on 1 August. Underlying them were rivalries over trade, tin and revenue farms. The police were overwhelmed and the garrison was away. Troops returned on the tenth day and the Governor arrived from Singapore. Each side paid a penalty of 5,000 dollars, six rioters were transported for 21 years, and the police were enlarged. The disorder led to the Suppression of Dangerous Societies Ordinance of 1869, which eventually outlawed the secret societies, and it increased the view in Singapore that Chinese violence was spreading to Malay areas. At this point in the timeline (1867), the Straits Settlements were under Harry St. George Ord, governor of the Straits Settlements (16 March 1867 – 4 March 1871). Other contemporary rulers included Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Mukarram Shah of Kedah (1854 – 1879), Sultan Ali of Perak (1865 – 1871) and Sultan Abdul Samad of Selangor (6 January 1857 – 6 February 1898).

## Why it matters
The riots exposed the weakness of colonial policing and led to the first laws against secret societies.

Ruler at the Time: [Harry St. George Ord](https://allhistories.com/malaysia/rulers/harry-st-george-ord)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — 1867 Penang riots](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1867_Penang_riots)
- [Wikipedia — Hai San](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hai_San)