'Wrong to question those who fought communists'

By Rozanna Latif, NST

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said questioning the sacrifices of police officers who fought against the communists is "an unforgivable sin" akin to an act of treason.

He said the police officers who had given their lives to fight the communist threat had ensured that the country did not suffer the same fate as nations like Cambodia, which fell under a totalitarian communist regime.

"Here, the communists were eventually forced to admit that they had lost the battle for the people's hearts and minds, partly as a result of the sacrifices made by heroic police officers. To deny these officers' heroism is an inexcusable betrayal and a sin that cannot be forgiven," said Najib at a gathering with retired and former police officers at the Putra World Trade Centre here yesterday.

He said investigations had revealed that Muhammad Ahmad Indera (Mat Indera), who led the attack on a police station in Bukit Kepong in 1950, was a communist. In a recording of an interview with police officers, Mat Indera admitted to being a member of the Malayan Communist Party.

"There is a book titled Dialogues with Chin Peng in which (MCP leader) Chin Peng himself claimed that Mat Indera was a member," said Najib, adding that plans were under way to enact a memorial in Bukit Kepong to commemorate the incident.

Later, Najib said the evidence might be made public. "We have to take a stand against people who say such heartbreaking things about those who had sacrificed so much for our country's peace."

Present at the gathering of more than 6,000 retired and former police officers and their families were Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop and former IGP Tun Hanif Omar.