The recently published memoirs of Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) chairperson Abdullah CD and central committee member Rashid Maidin throw new light on the real history of the struggle for Merdeka (independence) in Malaya.

Both debunk the myth that the armed struggles against the Japanese during World War II and British re-colonisation were inspired by the Soviets or Chinese, or even a one-man show by CPM secretary-general Chin Peng.