A GLANCE OF HOME GUARD (HG) IN KEDAH AND THE STRENGTHENING OF HIS WORK JOURNEY IN THE EMERGENCY ERA

Abstract

This article delves into the Home Guard (HG) which is a defense force that involves the involvement of the general public as its backbone. HG was introduced in Malaya in the emergency era (1948-60), operating actively in 1950. The content of this writing is about HG in Kedah, as Kedah is one of the great states threatened by the Malayan Communist Party (CPM) in emergency episodes. This article highlights some of the aspects made by the government at that time to strengthen the work of HG. The force was streamlined with a more robust administrative arrangement to make HG a second defensive bulwark against the Communists at the time. This includes the involvement of expatriates from outside Malaya and the strengthening of domestic officers. This article also features about the welfare of team members done during HG activities. Not to be outdone also this article touches on the aspects of leadership that are seen to be core to the integrity of HG’s work journey. All the contents of this writing are from the main source generally from the file of the Kedah State Secretary (SUK) as well as interviews with several respondents to strengthen the facts and comments. In general, HG has played its role well and the participation of the people is a wise move on the part of the government to fight the communists.