Yesterday I attended the wake for the late Chin Peng, one time secretary general of the defunct Communist Party of Malaya (CPM). He died earlier this week, at the age of 88. To me, his death represents the death of a part of Malaysian history, which never got a chance to be discussed and debated adequately.
I felt it was my duty to attend not because I believe in the communist ideology, but because I believe the negative consequences of distorting and erasing history will be the weapon that kills us as a nation. Never having to face the fears openly will only come back to bite us.
Some point to the fact that security forces and civilians were killed during the communist insurgency. Others hypothesise what the country could have become had the CPM come into power. On the latter, why bother? The what ifs and could haves are of no use when we can't face the reality.
The loss of lives was not exclusive during the colonial-led battle against the communists, in which an emergency period was declared between 1948 and 1960. Thousands were killed during the Japanese Occupation between 1942 and 1945. Dr. Kua Kia Soong touches on this in his commentary piece here and I won't get into detail. Court cases have been filed against the Japanese by families of those victimised during WWII. No one in the Malaysian political scene gives two hoots about that. And for years, diplomatic and business ties with Japan, and former colonial power, Britain - showing that we have the capacity to forgive, forget and move on.
So, what is this hang up with Chin Peng and the CPM? The Malay ministers and NGOs keep raising the issue of how the return of Chin Peng, and his ashes in his death, would stir the emotions and unhappiness of those who suffered in the hands of the communists. I would even argue that its the ruling government that is to blame for not allowing an honest open dialogue and reconciliation, and left the victims of all conflicts to nurse the wounds themselves. And this is because the politics of the country belongs to the elites, they do not care about the poor, many of whom gave their lives in the independence struggle.
I believe in the role played by the CPM against the Japanese, and they were prepared to be brought into the mainstream of politics during the struggle with the returning British colonialists. He and the CPM have a rightful place in the history books, written accurately of course. Whether or not he is a hero is besides the point. Well, the British Crown did recognise Chin Peng's role and awarded him an honour at the end of the second world war.
There is nothing else but political expediency by the UMNO-led politicians in continuing to demonise Chin Peng, even at his death. It is a reflection of how insecure they are, or have been, of their own role in nation building. Dr. Kua rightfully asks - who among the leaders of BN today stood the ground and for the colonialists? No one worthy of the title.
We should really let him rest in peace. But I am glad in a way that ghosts of the past are so successful in haunting UMNO and its followers. So, they will never get out of their shell, when everyone else is and has been, moving ahead.
-- ends----
Other reports on Chin Peng's death:
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/chin-peng-contributed-to-merdeka-argues-dap-parliamentarian
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2013/09/22/Chin-Peng-Family-Denies-Malaysia-Day.aspx
I felt it was my duty to attend not because I believe in the communist ideology, but because I believe the negative consequences of distorting and erasing history will be the weapon that kills us as a nation. Never having to face the fears openly will only come back to bite us.
Some point to the fact that security forces and civilians were killed during the communist insurgency. Others hypothesise what the country could have become had the CPM come into power. On the latter, why bother? The what ifs and could haves are of no use when we can't face the reality.
The loss of lives was not exclusive during the colonial-led battle against the communists, in which an emergency period was declared between 1948 and 1960. Thousands were killed during the Japanese Occupation between 1942 and 1945. Dr. Kua Kia Soong touches on this in his commentary piece here and I won't get into detail. Court cases have been filed against the Japanese by families of those victimised during WWII. No one in the Malaysian political scene gives two hoots about that. And for years, diplomatic and business ties with Japan, and former colonial power, Britain - showing that we have the capacity to forgive, forget and move on.
So, what is this hang up with Chin Peng and the CPM? The Malay ministers and NGOs keep raising the issue of how the return of Chin Peng, and his ashes in his death, would stir the emotions and unhappiness of those who suffered in the hands of the communists. I would even argue that its the ruling government that is to blame for not allowing an honest open dialogue and reconciliation, and left the victims of all conflicts to nurse the wounds themselves. And this is because the politics of the country belongs to the elites, they do not care about the poor, many of whom gave their lives in the independence struggle.
I believe in the role played by the CPM against the Japanese, and they were prepared to be brought into the mainstream of politics during the struggle with the returning British colonialists. He and the CPM have a rightful place in the history books, written accurately of course. Whether or not he is a hero is besides the point. Well, the British Crown did recognise Chin Peng's role and awarded him an honour at the end of the second world war.
There is nothing else but political expediency by the UMNO-led politicians in continuing to demonise Chin Peng, even at his death. It is a reflection of how insecure they are, or have been, of their own role in nation building. Dr. Kua rightfully asks - who among the leaders of BN today stood the ground and for the colonialists? No one worthy of the title.
We should really let him rest in peace. But I am glad in a way that ghosts of the past are so successful in haunting UMNO and its followers. So, they will never get out of their shell, when everyone else is and has been, moving ahead.
-- ends----
Other reports on Chin Peng's death:
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/chin-peng-contributed-to-merdeka-argues-dap-parliamentarian
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2013/09/22/Chin-Peng-Family-Denies-Malaysia-Day.aspx
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