“Pause” in Malaya

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27735, 12 August 1955, Page 10

“Pause” in Malaya

It is to be hoped that the present “ pause ’’ in hostilities in Malaya I (will last, and lead eventually to an j end of years in which a group of (Communists have, by violence and intimidation, disrupted the lives of ! a normally tranquil, prosperous community. There certainly seems reason for optimism; but while a (hard core of fanatical Communists ; remains intact and reasonably secure jin bases deep in the jungle, it is iclearly too soon to believe that the problem of the terrorists in Malaya is solved. The problem may, indeed, be taking a different but no less dangerous form. The Director of Operations in Malaya (General Sir Geoffrey Bourne) gives three reasons for the present “pause”: | the Malayan elections; the Communists’ offer (made in June) to negotiate; and psychological warfare against Communist detachments in the jungle. To the first two reasons may be added the encouragement the Chief Ministerelect (Tengku Abdul Rahman) is giving the Communists to believe that they will be able to negotiate from a position of some strength. Tengku Abdul Rahman proposes the recognition of the Malayan Communist Party “in due course”; he would virtually “ write off ” the terrorist campaign by allowing terrorists wishing to return to China “ to be given all facilities ” and by offering terms to all Communists “notwithstanding atrocities”. The Communists surely have very good reasons to “ pause ” when such an i advantageous negotiating position j appears to be within reach. The must see that they have Jest almost all the political ground (they once possessed. The successful ■ operations by the security forces Shave diminished the native popula- ■ tion’s fear of terrorists. More and I more Chinese (particularly those in the newly-built villages) are findpng the terrorists a nuisance, and an (obstacle to the development of the | country. The recent elections in Malaya showed the community, both 'Malays and Chinese, interested in their own political parties. With so little political ground left, the terrorist* may well judge a “ pause ” to be expedient. It may not be a coincidence that the “ pause ” in Malaya accords with Mr Chou Enlai’s strategy at the Bandung conference of offering “ peace and “ goodwill ” to all Asia. The “ pause ” may, indeed, hold some such promise. But little will be gained iif the Communists merely call off