Malaysian Studies Lesson 12

The Era of the Emergency

The Era of the Emergency One of the most important period in

Malaysian history.

This period is closely related to the development and activities of the Communist Party of Malaya (MCP).

The Era of the Emergency Communism crept into Malaya in the 1920s

through a branch of Kuomintang Party in China.

The Era of the Emergency It was therefore no surprise that the

majority of the MCP members were Chinese.

Chin Peng - Leader of the Communist Party

 Mao Zedong meeting with the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Malaya Chen Ping at Wuhan on March 19th, 1965

.. The era of Emergency The primary objective of MCP was to overthrow

the British government and establish the Communist Republic of Malaya.

MCP had been an underground movement except during the years 1945 to 1948.

After the WWII, MCP guerillas prepared a strategy to take over the controlling power before the British resume their rule of Malaya.

Communist Terrorists (CTs).

… era of emergency The MCP formed the Malayan Races

Liberation Army (MRLA), better known as the Three Stars (Bintang Tiga – symbolizing the three main races in Malaya) to fight for the establishment of the Communist Republic of Malaya.

"Training camp of the "Bandits

… era of emergency The MCP also set up a supply and public

spy unit known as Min Yuen. Min Yuen main two functions:1. Get food and medical supplies2. Obtain information on British activities.

No Support for Communism The majority of the population did not support the

communist ideology. For the Malays, communism was against Islamic

teachings as it denied the existence of God. Republic – royal institution would be abolished. MCP dominated by the Chinese – created

suspicion among the Malays and Indians.

Communism Uprising and Terrorism The Asian Communist Youth Congress held in

Calcutta in Feb 1948 greatly influenced the MCP. Following the Calcutta Resolution, the MCP

launched attacks on rubber estates and tin mines causing many deaths and loss of means of livelihood.

In June 1948, the MCP launched an armed uprising in Malaya.

..Communist Tactics The MCP employed guerilla war tactics to cripple

the economy by conquering big cities (form headquarters) and eventually drive the British out of Malaya.

On 6 Oct 1951, Sir Henry Gurney, the High Commissioner was shot dead.

His death spurred the British into action to eradicate the communists and their activities.

Funeral, Sir Henry Gurney

A train overturned : One of the sabotages taken by theCommunist Party of Malaya.

Steps to eradicate communists The declaration of emergency

The Briggs Plan

Military steps

Psychological warfare (the Templer Plan)

Declaration of Emergency On 16 June 1948, Sir Edward Gent, a British

Commissioner, declared Perak and Johor emergency areas.

On 17 June 1948, emergency was declared on the whole of Malaya following the killing of 3 European estate managers in Perak.

On 23 July 1948, the MCP was officially outlawed.

…Emergency Law The Emergency Law of 1948 gave powers to the

police and soldiers to arrest and detain communist suspects without trial.

Imposed roadblocks and curfew where communists activities were rife.

The registration system was also introduced where citizens aged 12 years and above must register and own an identification card known as identity card (IC).

British soldiers on jungle patrol in Malaya

The Briggs Plan Sir Harold Briggs introduced the plan by

relocating the squatter areas from the forest to a new village.

The Briggs Plan Launched starvation movement.

The Briggs Plan Aimed at restricting the Chinese from

supplying food, medicine and information to the communists.

Malaya Ration Card

The Briggs Plan This plan was effective because it

weakened Min Yuen activities and forced the communists out of the jungles

Military Measures Sir Gerald Templer, a military general, replaced

Sir Henry Gurney in 1952.

Military Measures He used firm military force to fight the

communists. Among others, he used 13 battalions of

English soldiers, Gurkhas and Malays.

Gurkhas

Malayan Police patrol based at Fort Brooke

Military Measures Formed home guard systems with

210,000 soldiers.

The strength of the military team enabled to launch more aggressive attacks on the communists and ensured food was not smuggled out for the guerrilla communists

Psychological Warfare Among them were making conditions easier for

non-Malays to obtain citizenship.

Psychological Warfare Pardoning MCP members who

surrendered.

Psychological Warfare Rewarding people who provided

information on communists terrorists.

Psychological Warfare Giving out pamphlets calling the

communists to give up their fight.

A Mark 4 RAF Auster disseminating propaganda leaflets.

Air Dispatcher L/C Ken Thomas of 55 coy AD, RASC, throws out propaganda leaflets over the Malayan jungle in 1958.

Psychological Warfare Introduced the White and Black Areas.

Psychological Warfare Introduced curfews where soldiers were

hunting for the communists.

The Baling Negotiation, Dec 1955 After experiencing a decline, the MCP decided to

negotiate with the government of Malaya.

Held in Baling, Kedah on 28-29 Dec 1955.

Tunku Abdul Rahman, David Marshall and Tun Tan Cheng Lock represented the government while Chin Peng, Chen Tien and Rashid Maidin represented the MCP.

The Baling Negotiation, Dec 1955 Rundingan Baling dari

kiri: Tan Cheng Lock, YTM Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Alhaj dan David Marshall, mewakili pihak kerajaan

The Baling Negotiation, Dec 1955 Inilah sekolah yang

digunakan sebagai tempat perundingan

The Baling Negotiation, Dec 1955 Chin Peng, Chen Tien

dan Rashid Maidin diiringi ke tempat rundingan.

Suasana dan pandangan di bilik perbincangan Rundingan Baling pad tahun 1955

Surat yang ditulis oleh Chin Peng

The Baling Negotiation, Dec 1955 The MCP asked to be legally recognized

but was turned down.

The MCP rejected government’s counter offer and refused to lay down their arms.

Impact of Emergency Gradually the influence and activities of the MCP

declined. On 31 July 1960, Tunku proclaimed the end of

emergency. MCP failed due to: 1) their offensive acts 2) lack

of support 3) lack of protection for China & Russia

Loss of lives, the destruction of property and the cripple of economy.

.. The impact of emergency

New villages with public facilities were developed unlike in traditional Malay villages. – widened social gap.

worsened the racial issue. Challenge for the people to work together to defeat

the communist terrorists. The unity among the citizens of Malaya that

convinced the British to grant independence – (Social Contract – Pakatan Murni)

Website www.psywar.org/malaya.php