RI Y2 Malayan Emergency Slides

The Malayan Emergency (1948-1960)

Key Question Why is the Malayan Emergency significant in our study of Singapore history?

Big Question Why is the Malayan Emergency significant in the study of Singapore history? What is the Malayan Emergency? • How did it happen? • What took place? • How did it end? Why is it important? • How did it affect Singapore? • What political developments took place as a result of the Malayan Emergency?

12min+ video on the Malayan Emergency https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1evyTYYwUM

The short story of the Malayan Emergency Spread of communism worldwide (Russia)  Rise of Communist China (Read: Communist ideology) Inspired local communists & sympathisers, ideology appealed to the disillusioned & pro-communists (Recall: Post-JO, problems faced by the locals, unsolved by the British) Ripe post-war conditions: MPAJA popular, inter- ethnic tensions, limited trade, low wages, inflation, poor living conditions, failing economy  protestors punished harshly and deported by the British  Protestors increasingly militant. Enters MCP! Aim: End colonial rule in SG & Malaya. Replace with a communist govt. controlled by China. Had training, weapons, experience + prestige. Ruled in post-war vacuum. Legitimacy! 1946 Malayan Union: To give all citizens equal rights. Rejected by many Malays & rulers of various protected states under Br ctrl.  British withdrew proposal  Many Chinese felt betrayed since Ch. ppl bore brunt of fighting with JO. MCP: Stirred feelings. Demand higher rice rations & cheaper foodstuff; Formed many trade unions to dd better working conditions & higher pay; Organised strikes & demonstrations against Br. rule. 1947 = Year of Strikes Govt measures: Passed laws to prevent TUs from being ctrl’d by the comm’ts; allowed govt to monitor membership; ensure $ not used for comm’t activities Result? Workers lost interest in the comm’t cause. B‘cos unpaid during strikes; tired of the disorder; comm’ts actually not interested in fighting for workers’ rights; some workers had obtained better paying jobs. Comm’ts realised methods of stirring up anti-British feelings not successful. Turned to violence to drive the British out. Formed Malayan People’s Anti-British Army (MPABA). MCP moved into the jungles and towns of Malaya and carried out attacks against the British government.

The short story of the Malayan Emergency In Malaya… Communist Modus Operandi: Strike fear, use fear to control ppl. Make it difficult & costly for British to govern so that they will give up & leave. No way was Britain going to let the communists get their way! Cold War period. Democracy vs. Socialism, Capitalism vs. Communism. Zero sum game. Briggs Plan 1950 Resettlement into New Villages Operation Starvation (Food Denial) Reorganised Police Templer 1951 Hearts & Minds campaign Relaxed Malayan Citizenship Generous rewards Basic amenities Black & White Areas State of Emergency declar