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9 September 2026 – Book Launch/Talk: The "Communist" Role I Played: Undercover During the 2nd Malayan Emergency (1968-1989)

Book Launch / Talk The “Communist” Role I Played: Undercover During the 2nd Malayan Emergency (1968-1989) Date 9 September 2026 Time 4pm to 5:30pm Venue Karpal Singh ...

Source: Penang Institute · August 19, 2026 at 2:01 PM · AI-assisted report

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9 September 2026 – Book Launch/Talk: The "Communist" Role I Played: Undercover During the 2nd Malayan Emergency (1968-1989)
Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas / CC BY-SA 3.0

PENANG, 19 AUGUST 2026 —

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Malaysian Ex-Police Officer to Unveil Memoir of Undercover Fight Against Communists

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KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 9 (Reuters) – A retired Malaysian police officer who spent 31 years undercover during the Second Malayan Emergency will launch his memoir on Wednesday, offering a rare first-hand account of the covert operations that helped end the communist insurgency.

The book, titled The “Communist” Role I Played: Undercover During the 2nd Malayan Emergency (1968-1989), will be launched at a public talk in Penang, with no live streaming but a recording to be posted on the Penang Institute’s YouTube channel afterward.

Datuk Paul Kiong, born in 1944 in Ipoh, served in the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) from 1968 until his retirement in 1998, primarily in the Special Branch. His operations focused on Perak, where he posed as a food supplier and messenger to infiltrate communist guerrilla networks. His memoir details how he survived in the jungle, often sleeping in hammocks and eating wild game to maintain his cover.

Unlike conventional counterinsurgency tactics, Kiong relied on trust-building and negotiation. His approach led to the capture of all 43 members of the elite Fifth Assault Unit without a single shot fired. For his bravery, he was awarded the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (SP) in 1983, Malaysia’s highest gallantry honor. He is one of only four living recipients of the SP.

The Second Malayan Emergency (1968-1989) was a prolonged conflict between communist guerrillas, primarily the Malayan Communist Party, and government forces. Kiong’s memoir provides insights into the psychological and operational challenges of undercover work during this period, emphasizing the role of intelligence and human relationships in resolving the conflict.

The book launch reflects growing public interest in Malaysia’s Cold War-era security history, particularly among younger generations. While the event is not expected to have direct economic implications, it underscores the enduring legacy of Malaysia’s security apparatus and the contributions of individuals like Kiong in shaping the nation’s post-independence stability.

The memoir also serves as a historical record, preserving the experiences of those who served in covert operations. Kiong’s account may influence future discussions on national security narratives and the methods used to counter insurgencies in Malaysia.

Details not yet available on whether the book will be commercially published or distributed beyond the event. The Penang Institute has not announced further plans regarding the memoir’s availability.

Related: Penang

Reporting based on Penang Institute. Figures and claims are subject to revision as the story develops. DomainFork publishes editorial context, not investment advice — see our editorial standards.