I refer to Dr Colin Abraham's review of Cheah Boon Kheng's article in the New Straits Times on Lai Tek, the superspy within the Malayan Communist Party.

Reading their researched findings, both Colin and Cheah are absolutely right in their claim that the course of history in Malaya could have significantly changed if certain events had materialised then, foremost among them the treacherous role of Lai Tek, and if the British had chosen to negotiate with Putera-AMCJA rather than the Alliance Party for political independence.

I think Chin Peng certainly rued the day with his intransigence at the Baling talks, and got skillfully out-maneuvered by the great Tunku Abdul Rahman.

As Malaysia proudly celebrates its 50th year of independence, amidst all the hullabaloo and brouhaha broadcast by the government, I feel, surely, the contribution of Chin Peng and his cohorts, though then viewed as negative, would have warranted a mention or two (write it any way one likes) by the organisers.

Sadly, this is not so. I guess this probably sums up either the continued political apathy of Malaysians or, maybe, the seemingly myopic-ness of the history writers and political leaders of our country

Like him or loathe him, Chin Peng is a part of Malaysian history.