Forthcoming Book: Narratives From Piyamit: Life Stories at the End of the Revolution
Preorder at Gerakbudaya RM 49
Narratives From Piyamit: Life Stories at the End of the Revolution
This is the story of 12 young people, born in the even younger nation of Malaysia, told from their homes today in southern Thailand. Ask a Malaysian on the street today about the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM), and you are likely to hear references to history textbooks and examinations. The average layperson would have been schooled about the early days of this Party which opposed the Japanese Occupation, and the activities of the Communist guerrillas during the Malayan Emergency from 1948 to 1960.
However, little is known about the other group of young people who left the comfort of home to join the Communist movement between the late sixties to mid-seventies, against the backdrop of the New Economic Policy, the racial violence of the May 13 incident, and the so-called Communist Insurgency in Malaysia from 1968 to 1989.
Today, these surviving members of the movement have settled in their homes in southern Thailand, known as the Friendship Villages, ready to share their stories of that missing chapter of Malaysian history.
Reputable independent scholars agree that the Liberation Army of the Communist Party of Malaya, under the skilful leadership of Chin Peng, contributed to the early granting of Merdeka by a reluctant colonial power, the British Empire. The armed struggle organised by the Communists from 1948 (euphemistically, called the Emergency) hastened the British exit from Malaya. Yet chauvinists deny their role altogether on the road to nationhood.
This Book gives voice to the voiceless: dozens of idealistic youths who bravely gave up their cushy and comfortable civilian lives to take up the life of liberation fighters in harsh, brutal conditions in the awesome jungles of Malaya and Thailand. Not all of them were Leftists or Communists. They were profound Nationalists. Their moving life-changing experiences are ably recorded here for posterity.
Murray Hunter and Jason Ng have produced a first rate work that will enrich historical scholarship in a sadly neglected area of our nation’s struggle for independence. Highly recommended.
Tommy Thomas Attorney General of Malaysia: 2018 – 2020 Chin Peng’s Lawyer
“History, as we know only too well, is customarily written looking down from above, focusing on the events and issues that stand out most boldly. The value of this book - in contrast, and refreshingly - rests in its grassroots perspective, where the rich human fabric of the story it tells is allowed to speak with its own voice. Anyone who has been involved in intelligence work appreciates how important this is in order that a comprehensive and complete history is produced, rather than something often grossly distorted. A ship at sea is hardly just the visible superstructure; without the hull below and its engine-room there would be nothing.
Warren Reed was an intelligence officer with the Australian Secret Intelligence Service. Trained by MI6 in London, he served in Asia and the Middle East.”
“Narratives from Piyamit: Life Stories at the End of the Revolution is an important addition to the literature on Malayan communism and the anti-colonial struggle, and must be read by anyone with a serious interest in learning about this dimension of Malayan history. This is an admirable work of recovery and preservation of silenced voices and contributes to our understanding of the struggles of the non-elites, of those who took up positions against both capitalism and colonialism.”
Prof Dr Syed Farid Alatas Professor of Sociology National University of Singapore
“Everyone interested in one often-overlooked facet of Malaysian history—the common cadres who fought for the MCP and MNLA—should read Jason and Murray’s book. During a time when revolution was considered feasible in Malaya and the surrounding area, these persons took up arms in an attempt to 'liberate' Malaya and subsequently Malaysia. Since all of them are in the twilight of their lives, this volume is likely their final chance to share their personal stories. These stories tell us that ideology matters.”
Prof Dr James Chin Professor of Asian Studies University of Tasmania
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I have seen a video of Malays who fought as members of CPM. They look like the typical mak cik and orang kampong. But they talk like a patriot. They said they did it for Malaya. UMNO narrative
makes them look like UMNO were heroes. Of course you have to agree. They control the army and police so they are right. I am glad for this book. We need some documenting of our true history.
I am fortunate to have lived in that era of great change and propaganda. Chin Peng's trump card was to challenge Tuanku Abd Rahman(TAR) that he will not get independence with control of internal security. It was also a challenge to the British that it will not give control of internal security to TAR. Unfortunately for CP, the British gave both to TAR. Thus CP lost the political battle and had to settle in the jungles when TAR refused his MCP the political recognition he asked for. Then came 1969 when the Malays took advantage of a lost election to start a program against the Chinese. As a result of this, thousands of Chinese youths went into the jungle, thereby resurrecting a limpid MCP, and initiating the 2nd Emergency. Chin Peng's MCP was reinvigorated and gained more strength with each passing day. This was reflected in their contacts with the MAF which suffered high double digit casualties, esp the 2nd RMR which had to be taken off their duty roster in the jungles. By the early 80s, the MCP was so bold as to march, a few hundred strong, down from the north of Perak to the state of Johor, to their birth place. All along the way, they marched in the rural areas in full view, passing through village after village. They were not interdicted by the MAF in spite of such open challenge. Even in their 'home' state of Johore, they were left alone, which is quite unbelievable. All this is stated by Chin Peng in his book, and corroborated by MGG Pillai in his blog 'Sang Kanchil'. In fact MGG Pillai says worse things in his blog.
By the late 80s the Thai Southern Command realised that they should not be fighting the MCP because the MCP was not interested in fighting the Thais. Thus the two got together to formulate and sign a peace plan, which saw the setting up of peace villages in southern Thailand. This shocked Dr M, who realised that the MCP would turn its full attention southwards and give him a lot of trouble. But his outreach to CP was snubbed and he had no choice but to go to Deng XiaoPeng for help. Thus a peace treaty was signed in Beijing. Even then Dr M could not help but show his Machiavellian mindset in the aftermath of signing the treaty.
Readers can confirm all these by reading Chin Peng's 2 books and accessing the blog Sand Kanchil, if its still available. Hopefully other readers can contribute their knowledge of the past untold history which is far and away beyond what the official version is.