PASUKAN POLIS DALAM MEMELIHARA KESELAMATAN PENDUDUK DI PERAK, 1948-1960

Abstract

During  the  emergency  period  from  1948  to  1960,  the  police  force  in  Malaya  worked tirelessly in the fight against communist in order to maintain security. As a result, the burden and responsibility of the police force increased during the emergency as it was responsible  for  combating  communist  armed  movements  at  the  same  time.  Before  the emergency,  the  police  concentrated  their  focus  in  solving  crimes  that  occurred  in Malaya.  To  face  the  threat  of  communism  and  communist  sympathizers  in  Tanah Melayu  including  Perak,  the  government  has  taken  steps  to  expand  the  power  of  the police force with the establishment of various branches and units of the police force at the  beginning  of  the  emergency.  Branches  and  units  set  up  by  the  police  force  to combat   the   threat   of   communism   in   Malaya,   including   Perak   such   as   Special Constables,  Auxiliary  Police,  Home  Guard,  Police  Women,  Special  Branch,  Flying Squad,  Jungle  Squad,  Jungle  Company,  Police  Field  Force  and  Senoi  Praaq.  Police forces  were  stationed  inthe  Perak  area.  The  presence  of  the  police  force  not  only protects  the  safety  of  the  people,  but  also  prevents  the  villagers  from  passing information  on  the  movement  of  the  police  force,  food  supplies  and  medicines  to  the communists.  In  addition,  police  forces  were  also  deployed  to  the  estates  and  mines  to counter  communist  attacks  in  Perak.  Rail  transport  safety  is  also  the  responsibility  of the  police  force.  Security  operations  were  also  carried  out  by  police  forces  in  the inland area and forests of Perak to clear the communist hideout. This article examines the  extent  of  the  involvement  of  police  forces  in  safeguarding  the  safety  of  Perak residents  in  the  emergency  period  (1948-1960).  Therefore,  the  purpose  of  this  article aims  to  discuss  the  task undertaken  by  the  police  force  to  protect  the  people  of  Perak from  communist  threats.  This  article  is  completed  using  qualitative  and  quantitative library research methods. Interview methods are also used to complete this paper. The article  is  written  based  on  primary  and  secondary  sources  from  National  Archives  of Malaysia, University of Malaya Library and Royal Malaysia Police Headquarter.

Received: 12 December 2019

Reviewed: 12 December 2019

Accepted: 10 May 2020