Cops probing how Chin Peng’s ashes brought into Malaysia

Chin Peng, whose real name was Ong Boon Hua, died at the age of 89 and was Communist Party of Malaya secretary-general.

KUALA LUMPUR: Police are investigating reports that the ashes of former Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) leader Chin Peng were brought back to Malaysia and scattered in Perak.

Criminal Investigation Department director Huzir Mohamed said the probe was being conducted under Section 504 of the Penal Code for intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace, under which offenders can be jailed for two years or fined, or both.

He added that investigations will also come under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and Section 505(b) of the Penal Code which makes it a crime to cause fear and alarm among the public.

“This matter can cause an inharmonious environment, that’s why we are investigating. We’re probing how it could have come in. What ways did they use to bring (Chin Peng’s ashes) in,” he said at a press conference at Bukit Aman here today.

Malaysiakini reported yesterday that Chin Peng, who died in 2013, had “returned home” on Sept 16 this year with his ashes brought back from Thailand and scattered at sea as well as on a hillside near Chemor, Perak.

The committee handling the ashes said a memorial ceremony, attended by over 150 people, was also held.

Huzir added that his team at Bukit Aman was cooperating with Perak police to identify the date and methods used to bring the ashes into the state.

“We already know who brought it in because the media article already stated it. We will confirm the date it was brought in with Perak police later,” he said.

Chin Peng, whose real name was Ong Boon Hua, died at the age of 89 and was CPM secretary-general. - FMT