It is to be hoped that the situation in Malaya
will be fully discussed at the Colombo Conference, for there is good reason to doubt whether we are adequately informed about what is happening in the peninsula. Christmas is being celebrated there by a new and intensive drive against the " bandits." That is no doubt a good thing, but it is not a good thing that such a drive should be needed at this time of day. It is much more than a year since troops were rushed out from Britain to cope with the Communist outbreaks all over the Malay peninsula. The outbreaks were no doubt checked, but the bandits seem to be as active, even if not quite as effective, as ever. And there is evidently a strong feeling among some residents in Malaya that very much less than the truth is reaching this country. I have seen some scathing comment (based on a private letter from Ipoh) about the " lies" told by various authorities in Malaya in an endeavour to cover up their own disastrous under-estimates of the strength of the Communist movement there ; the suggestion that " the situation is now under control " is flatly challenged. There is clearly some ground for the challenge, though I am not prepared to father the charge of deliberate lying. A very full statement of the position
ought to be made as soon as Parliament meets. * *
Previous page
