MALAYA: Into the Ambush

In Malaya, where 98% of the Communist strength is among the Chinese, Manap Jepun was a key man. He was one of the few Malayans who would desert Allah for Marx. So he was placed in command of the loth (Malay) Regiment, a unit about 150 men strong and the only all-Malayan regiment on the Communist side.

For two years he held almost undisputed control of the back jungle country in Pahang, terrorizing villagers with his senseless cruelty. Late in 1950, disgusted with his ruthlessness and disillusioned with Communism, many of his own soldiers began to desert him. In one week, more than 10 of them surrendered. Since then, Manap Jepun, with only a small cadre of Chinese terrorists, has been pressed back into the northern mountains, hounded by British teams accompanied by his former followers, eager for the $25,000 price on his head.

Last week, Gurkha jungle fighters, acting on an informer's tip, set an ambush in the mountainous jungle. Into it walked Manap Jepun carrying a Sten gun. A fusillade of shots brought him down.