YOURSAY ‘Osama did not sign any peace agreement with the US but Chin Peng did with the Malaysian government. That is the difference, my dear minister.'

In ashes row, Nazri likens Chin Peng to Osama

your say Anonymous #039163649: Dear Culture and Tourism Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz. Your comparison is flawed on two counts:

1) Slain Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden never defended the United States of America against any invaders. Former Communist Party of Malaya leader Chin Peng fought the Japanese invasion of Malaya and the British gave him a medal for it. Later, Chin Peng fought the British to get them to give Malaya independence and he hastened the granting of independence.

2) Osama had no role in American independence of 1774. Besides that, the US did not sign any peace treaty with Osama and then also Osama was not born in the US and was, therefore, not a citizen. So the comparison is weak and untenable.

ZhuGeLiang: I can understand the reason if communism is still a threat to our country. It no longer is and will never be. It is history in Malaysia. Even in hardcore communist countries like Russia and China, it is changing. What of the similarities between Chin Peng and Osama? The only one I can think of is that both fought for a cause they believed in.

In the eyes of most Muslims, Osama is a martyr. In the eyes of most Malaysians, Chin Peng was just a defeated old man who wanted to come home and die. Osama was a threat and had always been a threat to the US until he was assassinated. Chin Peng was never a threat as he had already surrendered. Not to mention the agreement the government signed.

Malaya: Nazri, US threw Osama's remains into the sea because Osama is not a US citizen and Saudi Arabia is dumb not to request for either the body or ashes. Besides, Osama did not sign any peace agreement with the US but Chin Peng did with the Malaysian government.

That is the difference, my dear minister. Wise up and honour Malaysia's past agreements signed. Now why is the body of slain terror mastermind Noordin Mohammed Top allowed back into Malaysia for burial? Why the double standard?

Satay satay: Was Osama bin Laden born in the US that he should claim a right to be buried there? In the first place, did his family want Osama to be buried in the US? All land belongs to God, and it is not for Nazri to deny Chin Peng his deathbed wish to be buried here in Malaysia.

Why did you all sign the peace treaty with him and then cheat him? God will never forgive you of your cheating and wicked acts, Nazri and the rest in power today.

Louis: Osama was still active directing the fight against the US, while Chin Peng was living a peaceful life in Thailand and did not give trouble anymore. Secondly, Osama did not make known that he wished to be buried in Saudi Arabia, while Chin Peng fought hard to be buried next to his parents.

Nazri, the true reason that Chin Peng is denied burial in Sitiawan, Perak, is the colour of his skin. Nothing more than that. Don't take us for fools.

Paul Warren: It is stupid mentality and ridiculous leadership at full display here. It is so obvious the leadership cannot see and understand the people of Malaysia today. Is anyone really enamoured of Chin Peng or his exploits?

Of course familial interests would want to carry through their responsibilities according to custom. Let them. One thing will be clear, no one else is bothered. Now Chin Peng becomes part of history that matters.

Anonymous$&@?: It's not about Chin Peng. It's about the trust we have in the Umno government. If a treaty is not honoured, how will others see Malaysia? That a treaty signed by the government cannot be honoured by the same people who sign it? No wonder we are losing investors to other countries. Bottom line, we cannot trust Umno.

Wira: Nazri, if freedom fighters are terrorists, then General George Washington, the first US president, is also one because he led the Americans to fight against the British, including the slaying of 'American' soldiers under the employment of King George III.

James Dean: Our government is turning Chin Peng into hero with their refusal to allow his body to be returned to Sitiawan. Worse still, it shows our government cannot even honour an agreement.

Tehachapi: These BN leaders are quick to judge and condemn, but too arrogant to forgive and too ignorant to acknowledge mistakes. Why so eager to display your power while in political office?

Leave some room for compassion and empathy. Without humility, or concern for the feelings of others, one will never mature and grow into true leaders.

Please don't be careless with your words on the dead because they can hurt the feelings of Chin Peng's family, irk his comrades and irritate other Malaysians and the world at large without gaining you anything in return.

Why the need to be so judgemental? Why not let history be the judge for Chin Peng. After all, you too are only a mortal and will also face death one day. If we want to become a developed nation, we have to behave and communicate in a more civilised manner.

Nostra: There is a difference between repentant and non-repentant.

1Malaysia2Bangsa: What an idiotic explanation by a nincompoop Umno minister. The US did not sign a peace agreement with Osama. Only in Bolehland an agreement need not be honoured. The former Special Branch deputy director Yuen Yuet Leng talked more sense. He got two bullets in his body and yet he forgave Chin Peng and even called him a friend - this is true Christian love.

However, Umnoputras are milking the issue for the party elections - it is pure politics - gutter politics. Malaysia can lick the boots of Chinese communist leader Mao Zedong and the Japanese who all murdered more people and yet a freedom fighter against the Japanese and British cannot die and be buried in Malaysia. For good measure, the British awarded Chin Peng the Order of the British Empire - how about it?

Son of PJ:

Nazri, why are you talking about someone's body... to me, you are a no-body.

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