Open Inquiry Into Kedah Estate Riots Likely - Chettur

 

Malayan Tribune - 20th March 1947

Author's Illustration on The Bukit Sembilan Estate Incident 3rd March 1947

Malayan Tribune - 20th March 1947 reported: 

1. Divergent economic and uneven condition of work offer potential breeding grounds for trouble on some of the riot stricken rubber estates in Kedah. The statement was made at a press conference by S.K Chettur, Representative of India Government to Malaya who had six-day visit to the affected area.

2. Chettur had just forwarded his report to the Government of India and expected further order within the next fort-night.

3. Chettur also had a preliminary talk with Sir Edward Gent on the possibilities of opening an enquiry to the circumstance leading to the disturbance on the estates concerning Bukit Sembilan, Harvard and Sungai Tok Pawang.   

4. Chettur refused to give any further comments on the root cause of the riot said the final flare-up on March 3rd in Bukit Sembilan Estate was the cumulation of series of incidents beginning from Feb 3rd when it was alleged a manager assaulted an Indian woman.

5. Chettur said during his visit the 66 labourers from Bukit Sembilan Estate had been convicted.  three women sentenced to one month rigorous imprisonment and the rest of the men were sentenced to 6 months imprisonment.

6. The women showed contused wounds and cuts which they received as the result of police beating,

7. Dr. Menon who examined these injured workers issued 22 certificates - 3 were serious injuries.

8. In Sungai Tok Pawang Estate, allegation a dresser stolen a quantity of rice from ration store. 

9. The authority alleged that the trouble started under the instruction of certain leaders. In Harvard estate the uniformed youth crop being drilled and they visited other estates to ferment trouble and intimidate labourers who drink toddy.

10. The PMFTU and Kedah FTU alleged that planters in Kedah disregard any attempt by union leaders to represent labour grievance and disability. 

11. Commenting on the police move to evacuate labourers from Bukit Sembilan Estate to a neighboring Indian-owned estate, Chettur said it was the wisest course left.

12. PMFTU had filed an appeal against the sentence of the 66 labourers form Bukit Sembilan and other 11 concerned in Bedong Incident.