Malaysia’s former communist party leader Chin Peng is reportedly in critical condition after being warded at a hospital in Thailand where he is based.

chin peng interview 021209 02 According to Chinese daily Sin Chew northern edition, Chin Peng was sent to a private hospital in  Bangkok two days ago.

According to the report, the doctor has asked for close members of Chin Peng's family to visit him as soon as possible, including those residing in Malaysia.

It is understood that Chin Peng has sought medical treatment frequently over the past two months.

Chin Peng will be 87 on Oct 21.

The former secretary-general of the Communist Party of Malaya, who hailed from Sitiawan, Perak, lost his legal bid to return to Malaysia three years ago after failing to prove his citizenship as he has lost his identification papers.

In 2003, he told his life story to author Ian Ward, and this was published as a book, ' My side of history '. 

Homecoming once foiled

On Nov 30, 2009 Chin Peng made one of his last public appearances when he attended the Hatyai Peace Accord's 20th anniversary commemorative event in Hatyai, Thailand.

hatyai peace treaty 20th anniversary 301109 chin peng meet supporters He told Malaysiakini at the time that his wish was to visit the graves of his parents and reunite with his family in Malaysia.

The notorious CPM leader, whose real name is Ong Boon Hua, said that he had attempted to take up the offer under the Hatyai Accord to return to the country within the one-year grace period, but claims that the Malaysian authorities had given him the run-around.

"They told me to meet (them) at the border, but after three hours of rushing between different locations, I didn't meet any official representative. Despite long waits, no official turned up,” he said.

He mused that had he returned, he would have played a bigger role in politics and may have even led the opposition.