But one or two said: ‘If the People Inside had not attacked the police, we would not suffer thus.’ They did not understand the tactical necessity of our action.

20 July Troops are searching this area, and prices are offered for our capture. We crossed the swamp to the north and after a day’s march arrived at another of our camps. I said to Ah Kei that it was like in the old days, fighting the Japanese. Old comrades like ourselves who had a taste for the jungle do not find it difficult. We are tough and trained. But recruits are too enthusiastic at the beginning, get disheartened, and then are tempted back to the prison outside. Some of them have come.

Inside through spite, or temper, and have no proper thought-training or knowledge of revolutionary principles. Many are now coming Inside because of the government Manpower Regulations. They are frightened of being forced by the British into the Police or Army. But these young men and girls are often soft and subjective. Some will surrender and turn traitor if hardships come.

Comrade Small Cloud said that when she was tapping near Labis town she and her girl friends often incited the young men to come Inside. Her girl friends teased the young men that unless they had connexion with the Organization they would never marry them. ‘Do you want to be one of our People Inside, or do you want to become a pig-faced soldier?’, they would ask the young men. My respect and admiration for Small Cloud grows daily.

24 August Our new teacher is very stingy with his medicines. He is always sending messages through our couriers, asking for drugs. Our new ‘Uncle’ puts these slips in a hole in his tooth. Today I had a headache and asked him to give me some Tiger Balm. He replied that he did not have any. He is popular with the new recruits because he will compose songs, teach wrestling, sing scraps of opera. But he is unable to find his way in the jungle and never dares leave camp at all.