HC Deb 12 November 1947 vol 444 cc371-2
31. Mr. Gammans

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the outbreak of lawlessness on the Malaya-Siam border and also in certain parts of Johore; and if he can give any indication when the situation is likely to be under control.

Mr. Rees-Williams

With the hon. Member's permission I will circulate a statement with the OFFICIAL REPORT. It shows that the authorities in the Malayan Union have achieved considerable success towards keeping the situation under control.

Mr. Gammans

In view of the alarming and deteriorating situation in Malaya, cannot the hon. Gentleman make some statement now to give an indication of the position in that country?

Mr. Rees-Williams

The situation is not deteriorating. It is improving. As the hon. Member will see, the police have been operating in considerable numbers and have had quite a substantial success.

Following is the statement:

The police have been steadily gaining the mastery over lawless gangs in Malaya. These operate chiefly in the difficult country near the Siamese frontier, and in central and south-east Johore. In the frontier area the gangs are being successfully intercepted, and the roads are patrolled, by military forces and special trained anti-bandit squads of the Malayan Police. In Johore at least four armed gangs have been operating in recent months. At least two of these have been broken up in successful operations by the Malayan Police, who, with the full cooperation of the military, are intensifying their efforts against the remainder of the gangs. It is confidently expected that the police will be as successful in the campaign against violent crime in the more remote areas, where their resources and organisation are still being built up, as they have already been in large centres like Kuala Lumpur and Penang.