Alias Chin Peng: My Side of History (2003) is the auto-biography of Malaysian communist leader Chin Peng, the former leader of the Malayan Communist Party who led the Malayan resistance against Japan during World War II, the resistance against the British occupation of Malaya during the Malayan Emergency, and later led communist forces during the Communist insurgency in Malaysia (1968–1989).
 | |
| Author | Chin Peng, Ian Ward, Norma Mirflor |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Subject | History, Malayan Emergency |
| Genre | Biography |
| Publisher | Media Masters |
Publication date | 2003 |
| ISBN | 978-9810486938 |
After arriving at a peace deal with the government of Malaysia, Chin Peng travelled to Britain where he accessed British government and military archives to create a biography and history of the Malayan Emergency. Assisting him was former Telegraph journalist Ian Ward and his wife Norma Miraflor. Since its creation, it has become a key text in the historiography of the Malayan Emergency.
History
editThe Telegraph newspaper reported that copies of My Side of History had been seized by the Malaysian government.[1] However the Malaysian Home Ministry later gave a statement saying that the book had not been banned.[2]
In 2007 the book was translated into Chinese.[3]
Reception
editThe book received a generally positive reception.
Journalist Ted Grundy described the book as a "must-read".[4]
British activist leader Peter Taaffe described the book as an important read for the study of anti-colonialism.[5]
Historian Karl Hack described the book as giving a unique look into the historiography of the Malayan Emergency.[3]
Fadiah Nadwa Fikri of the National University of Singapore gave the book an overwhelmingly positive review.[6]
The BBC's Malaysian correspondent Jonathan Kent said that the book revived interest in the history of the Malayan Emergency.[7]
Historian Dan Poole wrote that despite Peng not being a historian, his book contained "ground-breaking" research on the British Malayan headhunting scandal.[8]
References
edit- ^ Spillius, Alex (8 September 2003). "Malaysia bans rebel leader's book on British 'atrocities'". www.telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
- ^ "Chin Peng's memoirs not banned". The Star. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
- ^ a b Hack, Karl; Chin, C. C. (2004), Hack, Karl; Chin, C. C. (eds.), The Malayan Emergency, Singapore: Singapore University Press, pp. 3–37, ISBN 978-9971-69-287-2, retrieved 2023-02-02
- ^ "MY SIDE OF HISTORY". www.churchtimes.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
- ^ Webmaster, M. T. (2013-02-02). "'My Side of History' by Chin Peng". Malaysia Today. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
- ^ "Unveiling the Violence of the British Imperialist War in Malaya: Chin Peng's My Side of History — Liberated Texts". Liberated Texts — An Independent Book Review Website. 2022-09-15. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
- ^ "Malaysia bars communist leader". 2003-09-29. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
- ^ Poole, Dan (2023). Head Hunters in the Malayan Emergency: The Atrocity and Cover-Up. 978-1399057417: Pen & Sword Military. pp. 68–69.
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