MALAYAN REDS “GO TO EARTH” AFTER BAN: JOHORE CURFEW

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22698, 24 July 1948, Page 5

MALAYAN REDS “GO TO EARTH” AFTER BAN: JOHORE CURFEW

(N.7.P.A.—Reuter—Copyright.)

(11-15 a.m.) SINGAPORE, July 23. Curfew between 6.30 p.m. and 6.30 a.m. has been imposed in Johore Straits separating Singapore Island from the Malayan mainland. It is believed that the curfew is a precaution against

the infiltration of Communist terrorists to Singapore Island from the mainland.

Long before today’s announcement*•(hat the Government had banned the Malayan Communist Party, a large hammer and sickle hoarding outside the Communist Party buildings in Kuala Lumpur had disappeared and officials and supporters went underground. The Singapore headquarters of the Communists were similarly vacated J and officials and members are also disappearing.

Malayan Red Groups Declared Illegal

(10 a.m.) SINGAPORE, July 23. The acting High Commissioner of the Federation of Malaya, Sir Alec NewBoult, has declared illegal the Malayan Communist Party, Malayan People’s anti-Japanese Army Ex-Comrades Association, now the Democratic Youth League and the ikatan Pembela Tanah Ayer of Malaya. An official announcement says that evidence establishes their connection with planning and carrying out the present wave of violence in Malaya. Not only has the Malayan Communist Party been the nerve centre and directing force of the present subversive movement in attacking by unlawful means the authority of the Government, but it is itself engaged in a considerable campaign of subversive propaganda and is the collecting and forwarding agency for cash, food and other requirements of the bandits and guerrilla bands in the Federation of Malaya.

It was unanimously confirmed that the Malayan People's Anti-Japanese Army Ex-Comrades Association was an organisation mainly providing fighting men and arms for the campaign planned by the Malayan Communist Party. The High Commissioner and Gov ernor reaffirmed that they would preserve liberty of speech, freedom and political association among people who did not contravene the law. They stressed that there would be no hindrance to the formation and healthy growth of political parties, trade unions and similar bodies which pursued their aims by constitutional means.