CO129-591-12 Military Administration- Civil affairs- directives to force commander and senior officials 24-2-1945 - 13-9-1945 — Page 143

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DIRECTIVE ON CIVIL AFFAIRS FOR MALAYA TO THE

SUPREME ALLIED COMMANDER, SOUTH EAST ASIA

COMMAND

1. Upon the liberation of Malaya or within such territories thereof

or adjacent thereto as are under the control of your forces you will

proclaim martial law and set up a military administration for the

government of the civil population of the territory. To this end

you will assume for yourself by Proclamation such powers as are

necessary for the administration of the liberated territories, and

will also arrange for the delegation of such powers to the military

Commander delegated by you, as General Officer Commanding, Military

Force, Malaya. You will likewise suspend the powers and jurisdiction

of all existing courts and tribunals and in their place set up

military courts which will derive their authority from your proclamation and (pending the reinstatement of indigenous courts)

deal with all offences committed by the civil population.

courts under the immediate authority of a C.C.A.0. will administer the indigenous law modified or supplemented by proclamation as may

be necessary for the security of the liberating forces and the

maintenance of order.

Such

He

2. In order to enable you (or the Military Commander designated by you for the purpose) to carry on the Military Administration, a Chief Civil Affairs Officer, Malaya (C.C.A.0.(M)) has been appointed. will on your behalf and subject to your general directions (or those of the Military Commander) administer the civil population of the

liberated territories in his own name. For all purposes in connection

with military administration, the Military Commander referred to above will be formally designated, "General Officer Commanding, Military

Forces, Malaya". He will at no time assume the title of Military

Governor.

3.

The C.C.A.0. (M) will be provided with a staff of Military Officers

augmented, as may be necessary, by civilians and subordinate military and civil staffs. In so far as is possible, personnel for this staff

will be made available by the Colonial Office from officials of the

former Government of Malaya, who know the country, the language and

the people.

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