Cooler than Che Guevara

After a brief period of peace and open struggle for Merdeka, the colonial authority declared the 'Emergency' to suppress not only the Communist Party of Malaya but also many progressive trade unions, Malay youth, women, peasants' and intellectual groups in its attempt to preserve its economic, strategic and political interests in Malaya.

Hundreds of Malays, Chinese, Indians, Orang Asli and other were forced to take up arms to answer the repression and continue the struggle for Merdeka.

After being detained for a while, Abdullah CD escaped into the jungle in central Pahang. On May 21, 1949, the all-Malay 10th Regiment of the Malayan National Liberation Army (MNLA) was formed under the political leadership of the Communist Party of Malaya. Rashid Maidin who also escaped from his detention in Malacca later joined the 10th Regiment after he was saved by a 12-year old Chinese cowherd.

This photograph shows the young Abdullah CD in the full military uniform of MNLA in the jungle in the early months of the 'Emergency'.