During Malaysia’s path to independence, especially during the Malayan Emergency, the military and police played significant roles. Their contributions were crucial in maintaining order and supporting the transition from colonial rule to freedom.
The story of the police force in Perak tells of how people from different backgrounds united to achieve a common goal, as young men of diverse races and creeds fought side by side against communist insurgents.
According to Ching Bee Geok – a lawyer in Sitiawan, Perak – her father, Ching Chee Ming, had been part of the Sitiawan Police Jungle Company before joining the special branch as a detective.
A former student of Nan Hwa High School in Sitiawan, one of Chee Ming’s classmates was Ong Boon Hua – also known as Chin Peng.
Chin Peng was known to coerce his peers into joining the communist party, resulting in many of them aligning with the communists. Chee Ming, however, refused to join.
The communist movement actively promoted their ideologies among youths, focusing on recruiting individuals from schools to support the establishment of a communist state. As a result, Chee Ming had to conclude his schooling early, and joined the police force.
Working as a plainclothes police detective, he recruited several students as informants. Sadly, many of his colleagues who served as detectives were actively pursued and killed by the insurgents.
Despite being targeted himself, Chee Ming continued to serve his country during the Emergency. Throughout his career, he played a significant role in taking down bandit gangs, making him a true asset to the force.
Chee Ming was subsequently promoted to the rank of detective sergeant and retired in 1973. Before his passing, he predicted that as long as people valued peace and stability, Malaysia would advance and thrive.
Close bonds
Everyday life in the police barracks encouraged neighbours to form close bonds, transcending cultural differences. Neighbours knew each other well, shared common experiences, and supported one another. This physical proximity naturally fostered a sense of community and trust.
According to Sarjit Kaur, 80, her late father Sergeant Major Pritam Singh had served as the leader of the police jungle squad in Sitiawan.
This specialised team was composed of personnel of various ethnic backgrounds, including Malays, Chinese, Sikhs, and Punjabis. They were trained for jungle warfare and were often supported by Chinese detectives.
Under his charge, Pritam turned his squad into one of the most formidable anti-bandit units in Malaya. He led the pursuit of communist terrorists, dealing a significant blow to their activities.
At one point during jungle operations, Pritam contracted tuberculosis. After recovering, he was reassigned to light duties at the police station.
Despite this change, he remained devoted to serving his country and was recognised with several awards, including the Colonial Police Medal on Oct 5, 1950; Commissioner’s Commendation letters; the 1st Bar to Colonial Police Medal; the Long Service Medal; and the Ahli Mangku Negara in 1957.
Meanwhile, Dr Partap Singh shared that in the 1960s, there had been a strong sense of “unity in diversity” among the squad members and at their barracks on Jalan Changkat Jong.
The son of Corporal Bachan Singh, who served in the police jungle squad at Teluk Anson (now Teluk Intan) in Perak, Partap said the neighbours then had enjoyed a close bond and trusted one another.
Children in the barracks played together, which helped bridge differences. During festive occasions, households shared food and sweets, fostering open hospitality and cultural exchange.
While the sense of communal harmony that was prevalent in the 1960s and ’70s is increasingly being challenged today, memories of that time remind us of the importance of nurturing inclusive communities, and coming together in unity to achieve common goals.
Harchand Singh Bedi is a historian, researcher and writer from Ipoh. Read more stories by Harchand here.