What's the issue with return of Chin Peng's ashes, ex-IGP asks

A former top cop has defended the return of the ashes of the deceased Chin Peng, saying there is no issue as the Malayan Communist Party (MCP) that the man once led is no longer a threat.

Abdul Rahim Noor (above) told Malaysiakini that MCP's struggle had been over since the party signed the Hatyai Peace Accord with the government in December 1989, ending its 21 years of armed struggle.

"The peace agreement itself showed that the country wanted to let bygones be bygones and move forward after peace was achieved.

"And since the treaty was signed, there was no sign of any attempt by the communist members to revive their struggle or set up a new communist party.

"Unless you can show proof that there is such attempt, to me, the world has already rejected communism," Rahim said when contacted yesterday evening.

He said this in response to news of Chin Peng's ashes being returned to Malaysia by a group in September, which sparked outcry by certain quarters who criticised the action.

Chin Peng, whose real name is Ong Boon Hua, was the secretary-general of MCP until it laid down its arms in 1989. He died in Thailand in 2013.

Rahim, who was directly involved in the peace accord then, as the chief of the police Special Branch, said the terms of the peace treaty also allowed all MCP leaders to return to Malaysia, including Chin Peng.

However, he said, it was the decision of Chin Peng and several other senior MCP leaders not to return.

"According to the agreement, one of its terms provided for all MCP members to return home, with the condition that they cannot revive their struggle here.

"So, if Chin Peng was allowed to come back, what is it with all these noises saying that his ashes should not be allowed here?

"All Malaysians should look at this issue based on the existence of the Hatyai Peace Accord signed with MCP in 1989.

"I think this should not be made an issue."

Rahim also took a potshot at those who created a hoo-ha over the return of Chin Peng's ashes.

He said they were either ignorant of the peace accord or are being racist, or that they purposely declined to accept the fact that the communist ideology was no longer accepted. - Mkini