We go back to 1933, when the British formed the Malay Regiment – not as recognition of local strength, but as an experiment. Could Malay men, seen as unfit for modern warfare, serve the empire as soldiers? If you know your history, you’ll know they did. In 1942, they held the line at Pasir Panjang, in one of the final stands before Singapore fell. Among them was Lieutenant Adnan Saidi, who fought to the death and became one of Malaysia’s most enduring war heroes. For this, we speak to writer Stuart Lloyd, whose new book The Malay Experiment brings this overlooked chapter of military history back into focus.

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