Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has done well to call on all Malaysians to "Do all you can to bring cheer to the less fortunate" in society during this period of Raya when the values of egalitarianism and social justice of Islam are most emphasised.

It follows that the call also applies to those who are 'less fortunate' in being unable to share in this feeling of goodwill and well-being because they are prevented from doing so. In certain situations, this is unavoidable as in the case of prisoners serving jail sentences, but unfortunately there are other situations where people are patiently and anxiously awaiting permission to share in the 'good cheer'.

In all humility, I wish to draw attention to the case of Chin Peng who is anxiously awaiting approval to return to his home and pay respects at the graves of his parents. He is now 83 years old and has been waiting for the past two years for his appeal even to be heard.

In this connection, I should like to refer to the fact that Chin Peng sent me a congratulatory message through his lawyers on my recent book 'The Finest Hour: Malaysian-MCP Peace Accord in Perspective'. Dr Mahathir Mohamad as well as Zaid Ibrahim wrote forewords and it follows that Chin Peng also endorsed their contributions.

This is particularly significant because Mahathir made reference to some "Malay nationalists, the Malay left, and Islamic political parties in the anti-colonial resistance movements were unanimous that despite the negative impact, the non-Malays should find a place in independent Malaysia".

Zaid for his part emphasised that he was unaware (as most Malays also were unaware) that Malay and Chinese left-wing parties had worked closely together to call a successful protest 'Hartal' through the Malay states and including Singapore against the Constitution prepared by the British and the Alliance political party. The left parties instead submitted a comprehensive Peoples' Consultative Constitution that was not taken up by the British.

It seems to me that it would be a great pity should Chin Peng pass on while he is still waiting in hope to fulfil his cherished family duties and responsibilities. As mentioned earlier he is already 83 years old and I understand that his health has recently been failing.

Perhaps on a totally different perspective on the eve of general elections, I believe all Malaysians would want to put aside feelings of animosity and to do all they can to bring cheer to all Malaysians.