No official investigation into ‘Malayan Emergency’ massacre, High Court rules

CAMPAIGNERS calling for an official investigation into the “massacre” of 24 Malaysian rubber plantation workers by British troops more than 60 years ago lost their High Court case today.

Relatives of victims challenged a Government decision not to hold an inquiry into the shootings at Batang Kali, Malaya, in December 1948.

Judges ruled against them following a hearing in London in May.

British troops were conducting operations against communist insurgents during the “Malayan Emergency” when the plantation workers were killed, judges heard.

Relatives described the killings as a “a blot on British colonisation and decolonisation” and said there was enough evidence to justify an independent inquiry.

They asked judges to overturn the Government’s refusal to hold a formal investigation.

Foreign Secretary William Hague and Defence Secretary Philip Hammond opposed the relatives’ application, arguing that the decision not to hold any form of inquiry was reached lawfully.