Synopses & Reviews
The Senoi Praaq is a Malaysian special forces unit originally created in 1956 by the British colonial authorities to fight communism during the Malayan Emergency. The term Senoi Praaq, which roughly translates as war people, stems from the Semai language and is the basis of a colorful legend in Malaysia. The unit is largely comprised of non-Malay tribal peoples known collectively as the Orang Asli of Peninsular Malaysia. Jumper details Senoi Praaq inception as a private army and its subsequent development into an affiliate of the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP) in this fast paced and often graphic account of irregular warfare as it applies to counterinsurgency.
The unit began as a creature of British Military Intelligence and fought in the deep jungle as Special Air Service (SAS) protégés, eventually replacing the latter upon Malaysian independence from Great Britain. They then served as mercenaries employed by the United States Central Intelligence Agency in Vietnam and later fought on Borneo during Malaysia's own undeclared war with Indonesia. Today the unit remains under arms and heads up a large paramilitary apparatus maintained in conjunction with conventional military forces. Malaysia's capacity to project force throughout South East Asia should not be underestimated, Jumper warns. The Senoi Praaq is a unique fighting force upon which Malaysia may rely to preserve her sovereignty.
Review
Jumper has produced a well-researched book on the creation of the Senoi Praaq and its development up to the present day.Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society
Synopsis
The Senoi Praaq is a Malaysian special forces unit originally created in 1956 by the British colonial authorities to fight communism during the Malayan Emergency. The term "Senoi Praaq," which roughly translates as "war people," stems from the Semai language and is the basis of a colorful legend in Malaysia. The unit is largely comprised of non-Malay tribal peoples known collectively as the Orang Asli of Peninsular Malaysia. Jumper details Senoi Praaq inception as a private army and its subsequent development into an affiliate of the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP) in this fast paced and often graphic account of irregular warfare as it applies to counterinsurgency.
Synopsis
The story of the Senoi Praaq, a Malaysian special forces unit originally created in 1956 by British colonial authorities to fight communism during the Malayan Emergency.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 193-204) and index.
About the Author
ROY DAVIS LINVILLE JUMPER is a political scientist who is trained in the fields of Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Public Policy. He is the author of two previous books: Orang Asli Now (1999) and Power and Politics (1997).
Table of Contents
Glossary
Abbreviations
Maps
Introduction
The Political Background
The Emergency and the Turn of Events Leading to Formation of the Senoi Praaq
The Senoi Praaq Deploys
The Senoi Praaq Deploy in Vietnam
The Senoi Praaq Stands Down in Vietnam as the Indonesian Crisis Erupts
The Indonesian Confrontation on Borneo and its Spread to Penninsular Malaysia
Senoi Praaq Rehabilitation
Conclusion
Sources Consulted