Thanks to a "lurker" for this. The obituary's sub-title says it all:
Chin Peng, who has died aged about 88, was decorated for his bravery fighting alongside British forces in the Second World War then afterwards took up arms against them in the Malayan Emergency.
Link:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obit...Chin-Peng.html

There is no single thread on Malaya, although many references - many I expect a result of John Nagl's book.