In what could well be his final public speech, former Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) secretary-general Chin Peng made a plea to all parties to let go of old animosities.

hatyai peace treaty 20th anniversary 301109 chinpeng own one minute silence Speaking at a commemorative event last night in Hatyai, southern Thailand, he referred to the peace accord signed 20 years ago and subsequent refusals by the Malaysian government to let him return for at least a visit.

The event was held at the Lee Garden Hotel, where the treaty was signed on Dec 2, 1989 between the Malaysian government and CPM representatives to bring a bloody period of communist insurrection to an end.

Under the Hatyai Peace Accord, CPM leaders and members were allowed to return to Malaysia permanently or on a social visit pass. Chin Peng ( right ), though, has been barred and now lives in southern Thailand.

"At the time, the peace talks were held in a spirit of understanding and forgiveness. Now Malaysia refuses to let me return home.

"This has tarnished the Peace Accord that is widely recognised. We should really leave the past in the past," he said.

Speaking in Malay, Chin Peng maintained that the CPM had played a crucial part in freeing Malaya from Japanese and British control, thereby helping it to achieve independence in August 1957.

"Tunku Abdul Rahman himself admitted during the 1955 Baling talks that CPM had directly helped to bring about independence."

hatyai peace treaty 20th anniversary 301109 01 Chin Peng, now 85, pointed out that he is "just a man reaching the end of life" and wants to return to Sitiawan, Perak, where he had lived, to pay his respects at the graves of his grandfather and parents.

He conceded that the armed conflict had caused terror among civilians in Malaysia and Thailand, but that the CPM too had sustained "heavy casualties".

Saying that the price of conflict is always high and painful, he observed a minute's silence for those who died. Those attending the event - mainly former CPM members - joined him in the tribute.

‘Forced to choose'

Chin Peng said he remains committed to the ideals of socialism, in that "we must fight for those oppressed".

"We fought against foreigners and exploitation, against brutality and injustice. We defeated British colonisers and Japanese invaders.

NONE "Yet our participation in democratic politics was hampered by banishment, arrest and torture. We were forced to make a choice, either to ignore the cry of the people or take up arms to fight."

Today, his wish is to build a society that is equal and has respect for all.

"If anyone participates in making the world a better place for all, then his or her life has been lived in worthy fashion. They won't have regrets on their deathbed."

Hinting that this could be his last speech, Chin Peng urged his audience not to be sad, saying that the younger generation will continue to strive for the same ideals.

"For all those dreaming of a better society, there will emerge a leader who can change the world," he added.

The Malaysian government did not send any representative to the event, despite being invited to attend.

hatyai peace treaty 20th anniversary 301109 chin peng with yao and amir muhammad However, Thai military representatives and the deputy home minister were present.

Malaysian guests included former Special Branch vice-director You Kong Yew ( centre in photo ), former CPM president Abdullah CD, former Gerakan leader Toh Kin Woon, and film director Amir Muhammad ( right in photo ).

You told the media that he agrees with Chin Peng's remarks about the need to let go of the past, but would not comment on whether the ban on his return to Malaysia is a violation of the peace accord.

Ex-police chief backs Chin Peng's right to return