Book Launch / Talk

Note: There will be no live streaming for this event. However, a recording will be available on the Penang Institute YouTube channel after the event.

In 1944, Datuk Paul Kiong was born in Ipoh, Malaysia, into a world marked by conflict and uncertainty. His journey led him to dedicate 31 years to the Royal Malaysia Police, where he operated deep within the jungles of Perak during the Second Emergency. Undercover as a food supplier and messenger, he lived a precarious double life, often sleeping in hammocks and subsisting on rats and monkeys to maintain his cover.

Rather than relying on conventional firepower, Datuk Paul utilized trust and negotiation as his primary tools. He took significant risks, frequently venturing into the wilderness alongside former insurgents to engage with active guerrillas. This strategy proved remarkably effective, leading to the capture of all 43 members of the elite Fifth Assault Unit without firing a single shot.

For his exceptional courage and ingenuity, he was awarded the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (SP) in 1983, Malaysia’s highest gallantry award. This introduction delves into Datuk Paul’s remarkable journey, illustrating his commitment to preserving stability and his enduring impact on Malaysia’s security landscape.

Datuk Paul Kiong is a retired Superintendent of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) having served with distinction until 1998. He had served in the police Special Branch for 31 years mainly in the states of Johor and Perak.

He is one of only four living recipients of the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (SP), Malaysia’s highest gallantry award for extreme bravery.

During the 2nd Malayan Communist Emergency from 1968 to 1989, Datuk Paul Kiong served in undercover operations against communist insurgents in the urban and jungle areas of Perak state. His first-hand experiences, courage and dedication to national security are documented in his book “ The Communist Role I Played”.

Through this book, Datuk Paul Kiong aims to preserve and put on record Malaysia’s history and to honor the sacrifices of those who served to protect peace and sovereignty of the nation.