About 30 protestors demanding a British inquiry into the Batang Kali massacre today greeted British premier David Cameron as he was entering Nottingham University, Semenyih where he had a speaking engagement.
The group represent five remaining survivors of the said massacre in 1948, who are demanding that Cameron voluntarily initiate investigations instead of waiting for the British government to be compelled to do so by means of a court order.
Action Committee Condemning the Batang Kali Massacre coordinator Quek Ngee Meng told reporters that his group had sought for a judicial review on the matter at the London High Court to compel the British government to hold the inquiry.
The matter would be heard on May 8 and 9.
“Whoever wins, the other party will appeal. This will take a long time, and our survivors cannot wait. Most of them are over 70 years old,” said Quek.
He also urged the British government to learn from an example set by the Netherlands in September last year, by apologising to the families of the 1947 Rawagede massacre in West Java.
The group represent five remaining survivors of the said massacre in 1948, who are demanding that Cameron voluntarily initiate investigations instead of waiting for the British government to be compelled to do so by means of a court order.Action Committee Condemning the Batang Kali Massacre coordinator Quek Ngee Meng told reporters that his group had sought for a judicial review on the matter at the London High Court to compel the British government to hold the inquiry.
The matter would be heard on May 8 and 9.
“Whoever wins, the other party will appeal. This will take a long time, and our survivors cannot wait. Most of them are over 70 years old,” said Quek.He also urged the British government to learn from an example set by the Netherlands in September last year, by apologising to the families of the 1947 Rawagede massacre in West Java.
Protest note received
In a protest document to the British prime minister, Quek priased this as “an important demonstration of what a former colonial power can and should do in response to a horrific incident of this kind, despite the passage of time.”
Quek, who is also the legal counsel for the group, said they originally wanted to meet Cameron during his visit in Malaysia, but was unable to arrange for the meeting through the British High Commission.
He said the Commission’s foreign policy counsellor Nikesh Mehta accepted the group’s memo outside the university’s gates instead and promised that it would be brought the attention of the prime minister’s office.
The Batang Kali massacre supposedly took place on Dec 12, 1948, where 14 members of the Scots Guards allegedly executed 24 unarmed villagers in Batang Kali, Selangor.
Colonial authorities at the time had claimed that the 24 were communists insurgents instead, trying to flee despite being told that doing so would result in them being shot.
Cameron was at Nottingham University to speak at a Global Movement of Moderates event alongside his Malaysian counterpart Najib Abdul Razak.
Quek, who is also the legal counsel for the group, said they originally wanted to meet Cameron during his visit in Malaysia, but was unable to arrange for the meeting through the British High Commission.
He said the Commission’s foreign policy counsellor Nikesh Mehta accepted the group’s memo outside the university’s gates instead and promised that it would be brought the attention of the prime minister’s office.
The Batang Kali massacre supposedly took place on Dec 12, 1948, where 14 members of the Scots Guards allegedly executed 24 unarmed villagers in Batang Kali, Selangor.
Colonial authorities at the time had claimed that the 24 were communists insurgents instead, trying to flee despite being told that doing so would result in them being shot.
Cameron was at Nottingham University to speak at a Global Movement of Moderates event alongside his Malaysian counterpart Najib Abdul Razak.
payback time from BIJAN??? after wat happen in UK?
ReplyDeleteThose cups can be put in the oven?