“The return of the former terrorist will only bring dissatisfaction, especially to the security force and the families of those who had died during the Emergency from 1948 to 1981,” said Najib in the televised press conference at his office.
The Malayan Emergency was Britain’s term for the bloody and expensive 12-year war against the communists. Britain granted Malaysia independence 1957, but a protracted communist insurgency resumed in 1967 and lasted another two decades.
On May 25, Information, Communications, Culture and Arts Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, slammed political leaders and others who were trying to raise positive sentiments for Chin Peng and communism.
“Chin Peng and his communist troops, who had killed thousands of people in the past, certainly do not deserve any consideration from us,” said Rais, highlighting that over 50,000 soldiers died fighting the communists.
The Minister also strongly criticized several websites and blogs that expressed sympathy for Chin Peng, and idealised the Communist Party and communism.
Rais said he’d raise the topic in cabinet and promised to take action against blogs that promoted communism. He reminded Malaysians that it would be a disaster if communism returned to their country.
The Minister’s comments have started a heated debate on some of Malaysia’s top blogs and news sites.
The issue of Chin Peng’s return came into the spotlight when the Supreme Court of Malaysia upheld a lower court decision on April 30 refusing the repatriation of the 84-year-old former guerrilla. Chin fled to China in 1960. He lived for some three decades before moving to southern Thailand where he resides now.
Chairman of the Penang branch of the People’s Movement Party, Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan, has argued that Chin no longer poses a security threat to the country and should be allowed to return home. Citizens International, a Malaysian non-governmental organization, has also requested that the government allow Chin to return.
