Malaysian Insider hails Chin Peng as 'warrior'

Chin Peng is a 'warrior' in the eyes of the Malaysian Insider. He is also a freedom fighter, according to an article written by Shazwan Mustafa Kamal.

The former leader of the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) is reported to be very ill. Ong Boon Hua a.k.a Chin Peng is critically ill and was admitted to a top Bangkok private hospital on Wednesday. He turns 87 on October 21 (here).

It is understood that family members and close friends, including those from Malaysia, have been asked to visit him.

Ong, whose communist-given name once earned him infamy as the country’s “Public Enemy No. 1”, first filed to sue the ruling BN government in 2005 for making him out to be a ruthless villain, but lost in the High Court here in September 2009.

The High Court dismissed Ong’s case on grounds he was a member of an illegal party and could not take it to court. It ruled the case was not a breach of contract, as argued, but a defamation suit and the federal government had done no wrong by remarking on a historical event.

"The Court of Appeal struck out the ageing warrior’s bid on July 27, 2010," according to the Malaysian Insider.

PAS deputy-president Mat Sabu had recently become a subject of criticism for picturing the communist insurgents who attacked the Bukit Kepong police station during the Emergency as heroes.

The police has taken statements from him last week and charged him for criminal defamation.