Kuala Lumpur: The Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans Association (PVATM) and Retired Senior Police Officers Association of Malaysia, (Respa) have condemned the action of a group that brought the ashes of the former Malayan Communist party leader back to the country.
The ashes were brought from Thailand to Perak on Sept 16 in secret, and a memorial service that was reportedly attended by 150 people was held on the same day.
The ashes were then scattered at sea near Lumut and the Titiwangsa Range.
The act is deemed insulting to the nation and its fight against communism.
PVATM president Datuk Sharuddin Omar said there was no need to bring back Chin Peng’s ashes as the former communist leader had chosen to live in Thailand and become a Thai national.
He said the group which arranged for the return of the ashes had hurt the feelings of Malaysians, especially members of the security forces.
“The question now is how the ashes could have been allowed into this country when the government policy clearly forbids it.
“Moreover, the peace treaty between PKM and the government in 1989 stated that Chin Peng had agreed to stay in Thailand, where he died six years ago,” he said.
Sharuddin said the action had blatantly defied the government’s stand on the matter, apart from being an attempt to honour Chin Peng as PKM leader.
Meanwhile, Respa president Tan Sri Ismail Che Rus said action should betaken against the responsible party.
“If it really happened, it should be investigated thoroughly as it had gone against the decision made by the government.
“Action should be taken not only against those who brought in the ashes, but also the responsible parties that allowed it to happen despite the decision that government had made on the matter,” he said.
A news portal had reported that Chin Peng’s ashes were brought into the country on Sept 16. Ching Peng, whose real name was Ong Boon Hua, died in a hospital in Bangkok at the age of 90.