A news report by Utusan Malaysia today speculated that the actual date of former Communist Part of Malaya (CPM) secretary-general Chin Peng's death was manipulated to coincide with Malaysia Day.

In a report datelined Kuala Lumpur and quoting an anonymous source, the report said that Chin Peng was believed to have died on the afternoon of Sept 15, while Thai news reports said he died on 6.20am the next day.

The source reportedly told the daily that this was planned by unspecified groups to draw a link between Chin Peng and nationalism. The report gave no clues as to the source's background or affiliation.

A three-day wake for Chin Peng is currently ongoing in Bangkok. He will be cremated tomorrow.

Chin Peng's death was given heavy newspaper coverage on Tuesday, particularly by the Chinese newspapers, which relegated news about the Malaysia Day parade to later pages.

The same Utusan report also claimed that Chin Peng left a will at the wake which urged youths to "struggle for idealism".

"What was left by Chin Peng is very dangerous because it may bring more (security) threats to the country, especially among the youths, even though (Chin Peng's) struggle was cruel and inhumane," said the source.