SULTAN of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah reminded the people not to be confused by the historical facts in regard to the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM), which could lead them to glorify its leaders.
Sultan Sharafuddin said while some quarters argued that the struggle championed by CPM was to fight colonisers, the ideology embraced by the group had deviated from the concept
of forming an independent nation, based on the principles of democratic constitutional monarchy.
“Historical facts related to the ideology embraced by CPM must be understood by the present generation, so that they would not be misled on the actual struggle of the party.
“Through historical fact, we can appreciate the sacrifice of the police or members of the armed forces when they defended the country against CPM in the 1940s and 1970s,” he said.
Sultan Sharafuddin said this during an investiture in conjunction with his 74th birthday celebration at Istana Alam Shah here yesterday.
In attendance were his consort, Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, and Raja Muda of Selangor Tengku Amir Shah.
The sultan said apart from security forces, many Malays, Chinese, Indians and people from other races were killed by communists.
The people, said the sultan, were living in fear during the communist insurgency.
“Villages and police stations were attacked with people, as well as policemen killed and tortured by CPM,” he said.
Sultan Sharafuddin reiterated the importance of understanding historical facts related to the formation of the country for the betterment of the nation.
“I am sure many among the rakyat still remember the dark episode in which the country descended into racial riots in the initial stage of the country’s independence.
“At the time, people were living in misery and the situation was chaotic. The economy was affected by the racial unrest,” he said.
He said that dark episode of the nation’s history must be treated as a lesson so that it would not be repeated.
“In addition, we must be careful when voicing our opinions. Be cautious in voicing our opinions without disputing what has been enshrined in the federal constitution,” he said.
Sultan Sharafuddin’s reminder came on the heels of recent incidents which were seen as glorifying CPM leaders, including Chin Peng, who was the secretary-general of the party.
This is not the first time the sultan spoke against supporters of CPM leaders. During his visit to the KD Sri Semporna navy based in Semporna, Sabah, six years ago, the sultan reminded the people that CPM leaders were described as enemy of the state, as the party was bent on turning the country into a communist state.
News broke out last month that Chin Peng’s ashes had been brought into the country on Sept 16.
The committee, which brought his ashes back, had scattered them in two locations in Perak. It was reported that a memorial attended by about 150 people was held in Ipoh.
On Dec 1, a news portal had reported that about 300 people attended a gathering that allegedly involved former CPM members in Kajang.
The meeting was believed to be held to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Hatyai Peace Accord, signed between the government and CPM on Dec 2, 1989.