The communist struggle was “even more cruel” than the British colonial period because the British had at least allowed people to practise religion, claimed an academic yesterday.

National Council of Professors’ (MPN) History, Heritage, and Socio-Culture Cluster deputy chief Yahaya Ibrahim argued that the ideology is an affront to the religion and culture of a Muslim society, as well as efforts to preserve the monarchy.

Therefore, he said there should be no recognition given to the recently deceased Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) secretary-general Chin Peng, whom he said has nothing to do with Malaya’s independence struggle.

However, CPM members are known to be practising religion themselves, contrary to the popular belief that they are against religion.

Yahaya, who is also the Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin vice-chancellor, was responding to claims that CPM should be recognised for contributing to the nation’s independence, according to a Berita Harian report today.

He added that Chin Peng had brought much suffering to the local populace of the time.

MPN Politics, Security and International Affairs Cluster deputy chief Jayum Jawan told Berita Harian that the only recognition that should be given to Chin Peng is that of a communist terrorist trying to topple a legitimate government.

“Recognition as an independence fighter is too high a place, do we want to put him at the same level as Tunku Abdul Rahman?

“Let him go with his history and let’s not even consider bringing back his remains,” he said.

 

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