Kuala Lampur, Feb. 15 -- How many of the 600,000 persons transported out of rural Malaya under the Briggs Plan were terrified? Gathered unceremoniously and asked to pack their belongings before being huddled into the back of military trucks for destinations unknown, the worst thoughts must have run through their minds.

It was the 1950s, after all.

Their survival of the Japanese Occupation from the 40s was largely aided by being away from towns and now another situation emerges for them to survive.

The odd photo of dwellers shuffled into vehicles in my old history textbook only accompanied the thanks to Lieutenant-General Sir Harold Briggs, Director of Operations, the father of our new villages, for his brilliant stratagem.

It spoke no...