Malayan Communist Party
As part of the Joint Crisis, this committee will consist of the political and military leaders of the Malayan communist movement during the conflict
By Petros Kwan, Journalist
This year’s Joint Crisis, consisting of two committees, will be looking at the Malayan Emergency, significant as a lesser-known symbol of the proxy war that coloured the Cold War. The Malayan Communist Party (MCP), one of the two committees, was founded in the early 1930s as an anti-colonial movement.
The committee’s focus will be the struggles of the Malayan communist group in its attempt to rid Malaya of its British occupiers, and overthrow the old Malay social order. Groups of interest will include the Chinese and other such foreign advisors and supporters of the communist movement.
Committee Chair of the Malayan Communist Party, Danial Liu, tells The Emissary more about himself and this year’s committee.
1. Tell me about yourself.
I am currently a 3rd year International Relations and History student. I am quite lucky to study what I really enjoy, so if you are not tired about discussing international affairs after a week of Model UN, you can always find me in the Malayan Committee room. Like many Canadians, I was not born here. I'm originally from Dalian, a city in northeast China and moved to Canada with my family when I was five years old. In my time outside of school, I have had the privilege to serve as a signals operator with the Canadian Army Reserves.
2. What is your MUN experience? What drives you to keep taking part in conferences?
My first MUN was here at UofT back in high school. It has been a unique experience for me to be on the other side of the dais as the chair. Previously, I've worked with NAMUN as a crisis analyst and moderator and participate as a delegate with UofT's MUN team. What brings me back to MUN, particularly crisis, is the variety of historical topics that we get to explore in depth. Be it as a delegate or staff, having a chance to participate/simulate these historical events is definitely a treat.
3. Introduce your committee and its objectives.
The goal of this joint crisis is to provide the delegates with a simulation of an under-reported yet important event of the 20th century. The Malayan Emergency was among the first communist insurgencies in Southeast Asia, a region that would become one of the key battlegrounds of the Cold War. The delegates will get a chance to act out this from the perspective of the Communist leaders and test out their strategy in an effort to force their counterparts in the Executive Council out of Malaya. This is one of history's big "what-if" scenarios and I am excited to see what the delegates will bring to the table.
4. What are your expectations of your committee’s delegates, and any words of advice?
If I have had one from MUN its to enjoy your time. Simple as that. The goal of NAMUN is to provide the delegates with a memorable experience and I hope you will enjoy it as much I have. We at the Malayan Communist team hope you have an exceptional time here in Toronto and get a chance to explore our amazing city.
5. Would you rather face one horse-sized duck or a hundred duck-sized horses?
Duck sized horses, they sound like they would make a cute pet. A horse sized duck will eat a person and have room for more.
The NAMUN conference will be held at the University of Toronto from the 22nd to the 25th of February. Read more of the Emissary’s coverage on this year’s committees here.