The pathway to nationalism and gain independence from colonialists is full of pitfalls and apt to be bloody. The conduct of the struggle may go in a gamut ways, means, and fronts often overlapping if not simultaneously - political, revolutionary and bloody, peaceful negotiation. A nobel idealism can be hijacked and things can go wrong during the years of fight.
Tan Malaka of Indonesia and Rashid Maidin of Malaysia initially joined political (communist) parties which later metamorphosed and turned revolutionary. Tan was killed (1949) in trying to achieve his brand of Republik Indonesia.
Rashid Maidin survived years of guerilla warfare from the jungle first against the Japanese, then the British, and then the Malaysian government. He surrendered and gained amnesty.
"... Tan Malaka joined the Communist Party Indonesia (PKI). His active involvement with civil strike led to his arrest (1922). He requested to leave Indonesia and to go to the Netherlands and Soviet Union to represent PKI in the Commintern. He became a member of the Executive Committee of Commintern for the Far East, Shanghai. He was amongst the communist member who did not agree with the PKI revolution of 1926. At Bangkok he formed PARI (Partai Republik Indonesia) and later known as Proletaris Aslia Republik International (1946). He returned home and went underground during the Japanese Occupation, 1942-1945. After Indonesia proclaimed independence, he joined KNI. Then he formed and led Persatuan Perjuangan that rejected the Linggarjati and Reville Agreement. He was against the FDR (Front Demokrasi Rakyat) led by Muso and Amir Sjarifuddin. He formed Partai Murba which Muso considered it Trotskyist. Tan Malaka and Muhammad Yamin were involved in the 3rd July Incident. He was captured by pro-RI guerillas at Kediri district and was shot (1949). The whereabout of his grave is still unknown. His books include Dari Penjara Ke Penjara, Kuminisme Di Jawa (1922, ditulis bersama Bergsma), Kuli Kontrak (1923), Naar de Republiek (1925), Madilog (1942)."
Tunku Abdul Rahman, the first Prime Minister coming for peace talk at Baling, 28 Dec 1955 with Chin Peng, Head of Comunist Party of Malaya. The latter rejected the terms of peace and surrender and went back into the jungle.
Rashid Maidin (right) accompanied with Chin Peng (beside him) for the Baling peace talk.
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