The Malayan Communist Party as Recorded in the Comintern Files

Details are below:
(1) Socio-economic conditions of Malaya
Emmigration (sic) to Borneo and Sumatra of thousands of Malay peasants and the insignificant
agrarian reforms such as “free” irrigation cannot solve the agrarian problem. The repatriation of
thousands of Indian and Chinese plantation workers cannot solve the mass unemployment, semi
feudal slavery and mass pauperisation. The vast majority of Malay (sic) population, Malays,
Chinese and Indians are enslaved under the imperialist-feudal yoke. In the present stage, the chief
tasks are a B-D [bourgeois- democratic] rev. (sic), the overthrow of Imp. (sic) and the rev. (sic)
solution of the agrarian problem towards the abolition of all pre-capitalist remnants.
The main driving forces in the rev. in Malaya are proletariat and the basic masses of
the peasantry. The main object of the rev. is British Imp. Its followers are the native
bourgeoisie, the native feudal landlords and usurers, “Independent” and dependent
Sultans and the majority of the Malay chiefs.
As Malay (sic) produces one half of the world rubber, 60-65% of which is produced
by plantation, and 1/3 of the world tin, there is correspondingly developed
proletariat who are the only constant rev. class force.
Slogans of general strike and armed insurrection have not clearly been understood
by the MCP.
A general strike is an essential means of raising local struggles into a nationwide
struggle. It is an essential step towards organising the masses for the highest stage of
the class struggle—mass armed insurrection. But the successful calling and
CARRYING THROUGH [capital letters are original] of a general strike
presupposes an advanced stage in the class struggle. It requires certain objective
prerequisites, particularly widespread dissatisfaction and rev. activity of broad
sections of the working masses. It necessitates strong rev. leadership, esp. the
strengthening of the Party.
Today the Party should use the slogan of a general strike only as a slogan of
agitation. At the same time, it must prepare for a general strike. The Party must
develop and lead the everyday struggles of the masses, of crystalising the discontent
of the masses, of creating a whole net-work of politically active factory, mine,
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