Pakatan has mixed views on May 13 probe

PAS backs Suaram adviser Kua Kia Soong's proposal for a truth commission, but PKR and DAP say Malaysians must move on.

PETALING JAYA: Suaram adviser Kua Kia Soong’s call for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate the May 13 incident has drawn mixed reactions from Pakatan Rakyat leaders.

While PAS backs the call for a public inquiry, PKR and DAP say Malaysians must move on from one of the darkest episodes of Malaysian history.

PAS vice president Salahuddin Ayub said he was in support of Kua’s call, saying that a public inquiry would stop irresponsible quarters from raising the spectre of May 13 for selfish political agenda.

“The young generation needs to know what happened on that day,” said Salahuddin.

However, the PAS leader said it was more important for Barisan Nasional, particularly Umno, to stop playing the May 13 card in an attempt to scare voters into voting BN back to power.

PKR vice president Nurul Izzah Anwar said she was not keen on the formation of the commission saying it was time for Malaysians to let go of the 1969 tragedy.

“Members of my generation don’t recall anything of the incident,” she said.

She said it was more important for the government to draw up policies to promote national integration and back these up with concrete action.

She also expressed fear that some quarters might use the issue to further the agenda of racial politics.

DAP youth chief Anthony Loke said much due diligence would be required in the setting up of the proposed commission and the public must have confidence that it would serve its purpose well.

He agreed with Nurul Izzah that young Malaysians had moved forward from the 1969 tragedy.

On Monday, Kua had urged the government to set up the commission in order to bring justice to those who had lost their loved ones in the riots.

His call came after Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin urged the young generation to unite in order avoid a repeat of the May 13 incident.