The ‘communist’ role he played to protect Malaysia
Former Special Branch officer Paul Kiong has released a memoir detailing his undercover work against communist insurgents during the Second Malayan Emergency. The book highlights his role in peaceful negotiations that led to the surrender of insurgents in 1981.
Why it matters
The memoir provides a historical perspective on Malaysia's internal security challenges and the personal sacrifices made by intelligence officers during the insurgency.
Paul Kiong hopes his new memoir will encourage Malaysians to remember the courage and service that helped preserve the nation’s peace. (Sheela Vijayan @ FMT Lifestyle)
PETALING JAYA: It was March 4, 1981. Under the cover of darkness, a Special Branch team lay in wait as part of a high-risk covert mission known as Operation Catfish.
Their target was the Communist Party of Malaya’s (CPM) Fifth Assault Unit in Perak, a formidable group reportedly held in high regard by CPM leader Chin Peng.
Among the Special Branch officers was Paul Kiong. Acting on intelligence that five communist insurgents would emerge from the jungle, the team embarked on an audacious mission to capture them alive.
Against the odds, they succeeded.
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