Malayan Security Service

The Malayan Security Service (MSS) (Malay: Cawangan Khas) was the domestic intelligence service of colonial Malaya and Singapore from 1939 to 1948. It was established to replace and centralize the operations of the individual intelligence agencies of the Federated Malay States and Straits Settlements under one, Pan-Malayan organization for the entire Peninsular.[1] It was modeled closely after the MI5, the United Kingdom’s domestic counter-intelligence service, in that it was primarily tasked with information gathering and had no executive powers to detain or arrest.[2] It was distinct and separate from the Criminal Investigational Division Branches (CID) of the Malayan or Singapore Police.[3]

The MSS faced much difficulty throughout its short existence. In the immediate years following its creation, its development was severely hampered by the Japanese occupation of Malaya which lasted until 1945.[4] Following the end of the war, the MSS was unable to recruit qualified officers and translators and remained chronically underpowered.[5] The organization was dissolved shortly after on August 23, 1948, just two months after the beginning of the Malayan Emeregency. It was replaced by the two Special Branches of Malaya and Singapore which both fell under the control of the respective Deputy Commissioner of Police in each territory.[6]

The MSS was headquartered on Robinson Road, Singapore and contained a Malayan branch in Kuala Lumpur.[7]

  1. ^ Comber, Leon (2008-12-31). Malaya's Secret Police 1945-60. Singapore: ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute Singapore. p. 25. doi:10.1355/9789812308306. ISBN 978-981-230-830-6.
  2. ^ Comber, Leon (2008-12-31). Malaya's Secret Police 1945-60. Singapore: ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute Singapore. pp. 34–35. doi:10.1355/9789812308306. ISBN 978-981-230-830-6.
  3. ^ Comber, Leon (2018-12-31). Dalley and the Malayan Security Service, 1945–48. Singapore: ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute Singapore. p. 3. doi:10.1355/9789814818742. ISBN 978-981-4818-74-2. S2CID 169146218.
  4. ^ Comber, Leon (2018-12-31). Dalley and the Malayan Security Service, 1945–48. Singapore: ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute Singapore. p. 2. doi:10.1355/9789814818742. ISBN 978-981-4818-74-2. S2CID 169146218.
  5. ^ Arditti, Roger C. (30 April 2019). Counterinsurgency intellignece and the emergency in Malaya. Cham, Switzerland. p. 67. ISBN 978-3-030-16695-3. OCLC 1099675424.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  6. ^ Comber, Leon (2018-12-31). Dalley and the Malayan Security Service, 1945–48. Singapore: ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute Singapore. p. 7. doi:10.1355/9789814818742. ISBN 978-981-4818-74-2. S2CID 169146218.
  7. ^ Comber, Leon (2018-12-31). Dalley and the Malayan Security Service, 1945–48. Singapore: ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute Singapore. p. 2. doi:10.1355/9789814818742. ISBN 978-981-4818-74-2. S2CID 169146218.