Malaysian Studies Lesson 12
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Transcript of Malaysian Studies Lesson 12
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.
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.
… 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.
… 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.
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).
The Briggs Plan Sir Harold Briggs introduced the plan by
relocating the squatter areas from the forest to a new village.
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 He used firm military force to fight the
communists. Among others, he used 13 battalions of
English soldiers, Gurkhas and Malays.
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 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.
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 Chin Peng, Chen Tien
dan Rashid Maidin diiringi ke tempat rundingan.
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)