§ 38. Mr. Awberyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the Malayan-Chinese Association was not consulted before any decision was taken to abandon the Mawai settlement in Johore; why the families were only given three days notice to decide where to go; and if the Government will compensate the families for any loss they have sustained.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe villagers were given the option of being re-settled in a wired village or moved elsewhere. They were addressed by the president of the local Malayan-Chinese Association and chose the latter alternative. The offer to re-settle them at Mawai still stands. They themselves wished to leave as soon as possible but no time limit was set. Those who have gone to other re-settlement areas will be paid a disturbance allowance.
§ Mr. Woodrow WyattIs it not a fact that this settlement was attacked by Communists because it was not given protection, and that many of these villagers lost their lives, and that it is vital that all these settlements where squatters are being regrouped should be given adequate protection from Communist terrorists?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI think it is a highly desirable objective but in this matter where we, as did the previous Government, have to carry out re-settlement on a large scale in a short time the desirable is not possible of achievement. In this case four young men were murdered and 21 abducted, and the alternatives offered to the villagers were as I have explained.