19
4.
180
Both while Malaya is a scene of actual operations and thereafter
as far as Malaya is a base for further operations, military
consideration will be paramount. The duties of the military administration (as distinct from those of C.C.A.0. (M) referred to
in para 5 below) will be twofold. FIRSTLY, in those territories which are the scene of active operations, C.C.A.0.(M) and the Civil Affairs
Officers under his direction, will administer the civil population in
such a way as to meet the requirements of local Military Commanders
and to further the general war effort. To this end, they will
restore law and order among the civil population, distribute
essential supplies and advise and act on behalf of the local Commanders in their dealings with the civil population. C.C.A.0.(M) will (as soon as military exigencies permit) take the
necessary steps to establish as far as possible the essential
framework of administration within the liberated territories as
territory is uncovered, and lay the foundations of stable future
government. In addition, the military administration will make
such territories as self-supporting as possible and will take such
steps as may be thought feasible to obtain those natural resources
of the country which are urgently required for the general war
effort, details of which will be communicated to you.
5.
SECONDLY
The liberation of Malaya necessitates the immediate resumption of H. M.G's responsibility to the peoples of Malaya for their
protection and good government. This will, in addition to those
measures indicated under para. 4 above, call for energetic
administrative action and involve a number of activities of
government which have no military significance and for which the
War Office has no responsibility to Parliament; these matters will
be the responsibility of the Colonial Office. It has been decided,
therefore, that C.C.A.0.(M) will have a dual responsibility which
he will discharge in accordance with the decisions and directions of His Majesty's Government as recorded in the memorandum on this subject which has been communicated to you separately.
6.
In furtherance of your function under para. 4, you will be responsible for demanding and distributing through the Military
/Administration,