A Penang-based organisation today urged the federal government to allow former communist leader Chin Peng to return home in view of his contributions to the nation and advanced age of 85.

Citizens International chairperson SM Mohamed Idris said that although one may disagree and criticise Chin Peng and other communist leaders for continuing their armed struggle after Malayan independence, one cannot negate the enormous contribution made by these people towards ending colonial rule.

"They have indeed restored the nation's self-respect and dignity as a free and independent people," he said.

sm mohamed idris He said undisputed historical facts would prove that the liberation movement headed by Chin Peng, Rashid Mydin, Abdullah CD, Shamsiah Fakeh and others waged a struggle that contributed to the country's independence.

He said their contributions were acknowledged by even the country's first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman, who in his memoirs - ‘Lest We Forget' - wrote: "Just as Indonesia was fighting a bloody battle, so were the communists of Malaya too fought for independence."

Mohamed added that former deputy premier Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman stated in a speech that the struggle was not only carried out by Umno, MCA and MIC leaders, but also by those in the left wing movement.

Mohamed pointedly noted that Malaysian neighbours - Thailand and Indonesia, have adopted conciliatory policy towards their communists, once regarded as their enemies.

In Thailand, former Thai Communist Party guerrilla fighter Prommin Lertsuridej became a founder member of Thai Rak Thai party and deputy premier in charge of economic affairs in former premier Thaksin Shinawatra's government.

In Indonesia, the court reinstated the right of former Indonesia Communists Party members to run in legislative elections.

Government must honour treaty

Being signatory to the treaty with Malayan Communist Party on Dec 12, 1989, the Malaysian government, Mohamed said, must honour it by allowing MCP members of Malaysian origins to return home.

"Since the MCP and its armed units have been disbanded under the supervision of our armed forces, it is legally and morally binding upon the government to perform its treaty obligations.

"The government has allowed Abdullah, Shamsiah and Musa back home alongside others.

"It's only fair and just to allow Chin Peng to return," he said in a statement today.

chin peng and malaysia independence and merdeka "Through his life-long struggle against imperialism, colonialism and oppression, Chin Peng had brought honour and dignity to our nation and people.

"I appeal to the prime minister to allow Chin Peng to return to his homeland to spend his remaining years of his remarkable life," said Mohamed.

Chin Peng, who was born in Sitiawan, Perak, has brothers and sisters, and close relatives who are still staying in the state and all over Malaysia.

He is regarded by historians as a Malaysian patriot who fought British colonialists and sacrificed everything to free the country from foreign rule.

He was also part of the resistance group against the Japanese occupation of Malaya during the World War II. He is currently living in exile in Bangkok.

He failed in his last bid to live in Malaysia after the Federal Court on April 30 upheld two lower courts' decisions compelling him to produce his identification documents before he is allowed to enter the country.