The Malayan Communist Party as Recorded in the Comintern Files

exclusionism. “Struggle for democratic system” is hollow. The interests of non-
Chinese and peasants should be taken into consideration.
5. The Third Standing Committee Conference of the MCP (13 June 1939)
Rightist (Leftist?) exclusionism and narrow class-line should be opposed.
Cooperation should be pursued with the petit bourgeoisie and the masses in the antiimperialist
united front. Open organizations / activities should be retained. The Party
should unite with the Chinese masses and Chinese national bourgeoisie in the anti-
Japanese united front. The Party should not use the slogans, “Down with BI” and
“Oppose imperialist war”. Anti-Japanese national salvation organizations should be
given priority.
This decision (5) would appear to reflect the influence of Lai Teck who assumed the position of
Secretary-General at the Sixth Enlarged Plenum in April 1939. It is apparent that the MCP’s stand
wavered and yet to be conformed in this period.
Notes
1. See Russian language letter dated 1 February 1931 quoted above. 7th World Congress of
the Comintern was held between 25 July and 21 August 1935.
2. Ф. 14 оп.385.
3. Cheah, op., cit., pp.19, 79.
4. Kurihara, op., cit., pp.21,101. The Thai Communist Party was not approved as a branch,
either.
5. Hanrahan, G. Z., The Communist Struggle in Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, University of Malaya
Press, 1971, p.151. / McLane also follows Hanrahan’s mistake. (McLane, op., cit., pp.202,
237).
6. Fang Shan, et.al., eds., Magong Wenji, Di 2 Ji, Zhanqian Dixia Douzheng Shiqi (2) (MCP
Anthologies, Underground Struggle Era before the War. 方 山 等 编 马 共 文 集 第 2 辑 战 前
地 下 斗 争 时 期 ( 二 )), Kuala Lumpur, Penerbitan Abad 21, 2010, p.23./ This Constitution
was adopted on 6 April 1939.
7. Nan Dao Zhi Chun, p.8.
8. The MPAJBS ( 马 来 亚 华 侨 抗 敌 后 援 会 ) was set up in August 1937.
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