The government will decide on whether or not to set up a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) on the Memali incident after it has obtained public feedback, said Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

"We are waiting for the public's reaction, including those involved in the incident, before the government makes a final decision.

"We don't reject (having an RCI) but it must bring good for the people so that we know the facts and the truth," Najib said at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

Najib was speaking after chairing the Umno supreme council meeting at the Menara Dato Onn today.

The Memali incident on Nov 19, 1985, claimed 18 lives, including four police personnel as well as PAS leader Ibrahim Mahmood @ Ibrahim Libya.

The deaths occurred when a 576-member strong police force attempted to arrest Ibrahim at his home in Kampung Memali, Kedah.

Debate on the Memali tragedy was reignited 32 years later after Mahathir was asked about the incident during the Nothing to Hide 2 forum on Aug 13.

The forum turned violent and its organiser Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) accused political opponents of masterminding the fracas in an attempt to hurt Mahathir.

Last Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the government was prepared to hold an RCI into the Memali incident if there were requests for it.