Even the experts don’t see eye to eye

“The communists, along with the left wing nationalism movement – political parties like the Kesatuan Melayu Muda (KMM), Parti Kebangsaan Melayu Malaya (Malaya Nationalist Party), Angkatan Pemuda Insaf (API), Angkatan Wanita Sedar (AWAS), and Pusat Tenaga Rakyat (PUTERA) – all fought for independence. The only difference was that they had a different ideology and different approach."

The Star Editorial

DID the armed struggle, specifically that of the Communist Party of Malaya, contribute to the country’s fight for independence?”

This has been the question plaguing historians and non-historians alike recently.

Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Khoo Kay Kim is adamant that the Com­munist Party of Malaya (CPM) did not fight for our country’s independence.

“The first Communist organisation was established in Malaysia two years before the CPM was established. It was called the provisional division of the communist party of China. They were fighting to support the communist party of China,” he says.

Former Perak police chief Tan Sri Yuen Yuet Leng agrees, pointing out that the communists’ intention was only to destroy the country’s monarchy at that time.

“If the communists wanted a stable country then, I would not have been worried even if there were 10 Chin Pengs (head of the defunct communist party who is now living in exile in Southern Thailand),” he has been quoted as saying.

But Dr Ranjit Singh Malhi, another historian, strongly believes that the CPM played an important role in the country’s struggle for independence and should be recognised.

“The communists, along with the left wing nationalism movement – political parties like the Kesatuan Melayu Muda (KMM), Parti Kebangsaan Melayu Malaya (Malaya Nationalist Party), Angkatan Pemuda Insaf (API), Angkatan Wanita Sedar (AWAS), and Pusat Tenaga Rakyat (PUTERA) – all fought for independence. The only difference was that they had a different ideology and different approach."

“The Alliance Party worked with the British and won us our independence. The Leftists were more confrontational.”

Citing his research to back his views, he says, “We cannot deny the fact that the communists too fought for independence. In that sense, they can also be called nationalists. Nationalists are people who love the country and defend it or fight for its freedom.

“Nationalism is freeing the country from colonial powers. The only difference is that the CPM wanted to create a communist republic.”

He highlights that this was even acknowledged by our first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, in his writings.

“Tunku said the communists ‘too fought for independence’. He also acknowledged that the communist insurrection sped up the independence of Malaya. As Tunku wrote about the Baling Peace Talks, “Baling led straight to Merdeka. This is a less-known fact.”

But he stops short of calling them heroes.

“They did not reflect the popular will of the people, even among the Chinese, except maybe the poor and those in the rural areas.

“They were not well received and accepted by the majority, so how can you consider them as heroes? To be a hero, you need to be popular with the people,” opines Dr Ranjit, who is also a committee member of the Campaign for a Truly Malaysia History.

Ultimately, he adds: “One cannot accuse Onn Jaafar and Tunku Abdul Rahman of being British collaborators or stooges; they had their own way and belief.

“They were definitely nationalists and Tunku is the Bapa Kemerdekaan Malaysia. This is one historical fact that cannot be disputed.

“His efforts got us independence and later when we had some trouble in the country, he managed to hold the nation together.

“This we cannot dispute and anyone who challenges this is wrong. That is twisting historical facts.”

Most importantly, he notes, we cannot belittle the role of the police in fighting for our homeland.

“They ought to be respected for their bravery and loyalty. To me, they were heroes. Even though they were technically working for the British then, they were protecting their own kampung and their own community.”