Abstract

This article examines the socio-political context surrounding theMalayan Insurgency and how it shaped the outcome of counterinsurgency operations in the Malayan peninsular. It will put forwardthe idea that the success of British COIN in Malaya was primarily due tothe structure of Malayan society that was inhospitable towards a communistinsurrection by analysing the significance of race relations, religion, cultureand the impact of diaspora towards the changing social landscape of Malaya.