Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today expressed concern over attempts by some people to twist historical facts to discredit leaders who have struggled for the nation's independence.  

"There is a trend to discredit the leaders who have strived for the nation's independence.

"I fear that what (PAS deputy president) Mohamed Sabu (allegedly) said is a part of this attempt to discredit past leaders, perhaps because they are linked to Umno," he said when met at the Aidilfitri open house of the prime minister and cabinet ministers at Seri Perdana.

It was reported that Mohamad Sabu, at a ceramah (talk) in Tasek Gelugor, Penang, on Aug 21 allegedly claimed that the communist terrorists who attacked and killed the policemen in Bukit Kepong were the real heroes.

He had also allegedly said that Tunku Abdul Rahman and Onn Jaafar were not qualified to be regarded as independence fighters because they were officers of the British at that time.

Hisham:

Mahathir said the government should explain to the people the struggle of past leaders, and there was no reason for anyone to claim that the communists had fought for independence.  

"It was not the communists who struggled for independence. The freedom fighters were Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Abdul Razak and others who really struggled to free us from the clutches of the colonialists.  

"Today, we live in peace due to their struggle. No one should discredit the past leaders because they fought for our freedom," he said.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said the attempt to twist historical facts was shallow politics or politics of provocation.

"He (Mohamed Sabu) referred to my grandfather (Onn Jaafar). This is politics of provocation. If ordinary people can get angry, what about Datuk Onn's grandchildren and the family of Tunku Abdul Rahman?" he said.

- Bernama