Although Chin Peng desires nothing but to return home, the 85-year-old former Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) leader is however not prepared to apologise for what he did, contrary to a newspaper report last week.

"I have no other wish apart from returning to my country," he said.

The government is adamant on not allowing Chin Peng, who resides in Thailand, to set foot on Malaysian soil, citing the atrocities committed by the armed insurgents.

Speaking to the media in Hatyai, Chin Peng, whose real name is Ong Boon Hua, said he wants to visit the graves of his parents and pay his respects as well as to meet his family members again.

Chin Peng is in the southern Thai city to attend the 20th anniversary celebration of the Hatyai Peace Accord, which ended the armed revolt of CPM...