Page "Malayan Emergency" Paragraph 3

The withdrawal of Japan at the end of World War II left the Malayan economy disrupted.

Problems included unemployment, low wages, and high levels of food inflation, well above the healthy rate of 2-3 %.

There was considerable labour unrest and a large number of strikes occurred between 1946 and 1948.

During this time, the British administration was attempting to repair Malaya's economy — revenue from Malaya's tin and rubber industries was important to Britain's own post-war recovery.

Protesters were dealt with harshly, by measures including arrests and deportations.

In turn, protesters became increasingly militant.

On 16 June 1948, the first overt act of the war took place when three European plantation managers were killed at Sungai Siput, Perak.