Sir Harold MacMichael, former High Commissioner for Palestine and now the King's special representative, arrives in Malaya before constitutional talks.

At Port Swettenham MacMichael steps off a launch to a jetty accompanied by naval officers. He is greeted by Lieutenant-General Sir Miles Dempsey, General Officer Commanding Malaya and commander of 14th Army, and Lieutenant-General Ouvry Roberts, commander of XXXIV Indian Corps. MacMichael walks along a covered walkway. A guard of honour salutes. MacMichael takes the salute and inspects the guard. He goes to get into his car but pauses to speak to an unnamed naval officer. He gets into the car. At the HQ of the British Military Administration a guard of honour salutes. MacMichael inspects the guard which includes Indian troops of XXXIV Corps, gunners of the Royal Artillery, men of the RAF Regiment and guerillas of the Malayan People's Anti-Japanese Army. MacMichael chatting with a group of officers. A sign reads 'HQ British Military Administration Malay Peninsula'. Wide shot shows the sign and the HQ building.

Notes

After the war the British planned to create a Malayan Union from the Straits Settlements, the Federated Malay States and the Unfederated Malay States. This meant a reexamination of the country's constitution with a great impact on the status and privileges of the ruling Sultans. MacMichael was therefore in a position to play 'kingmaker', and the reforms introduced led to a backlash among the Malay population. A united country eventually emerged as the Federation of Malaya in January 1948.