'Chin Peng can't be likened to Bong'
Published on: Friday, December 04, 2009 |
Rahman who was responsible for ending the communist threat in Sarawak in 1973 after 11 years through a peace agreement, said this was because history had shown that Chin Peng had no interest to discard his communist ideology for the sake of peace.
Rahman also said that Chin Peng could not be compared to Bong Kee Chok, leader of the Pasukan Rakyat Kalimantan Utara (Paraku), the armed wing of the North Kalimantan Communist Party, with whom he signed the Sri Aman Agreement on Aug 21, 1973 to end the communist threat in the state.
He said Bong's armed group had posed a major threat in Sarawak at the time, but he was later allowed to return to society after he showed commitment and sincerity to end his armed struggle, unlike Chin Peng.
"Bong responded very quickly to our call for him and his gang to return to society. During his time in the jungle, he didn't do much harm compared to Chin Peng. Therefore, we allowed him to return to society.
"Bong and Chin Peng's approaches were very different. Bong's background and character were also different from Chin Peng's.
We cannot liken one to the other," he said to reporters after the launching of Sarakita Sdn Bhd, here.
Rahman was asked to comment on former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's statement that any decision to allow Chin Peng to return to Malaysia should consider the voice of the majority.
"In my speech at the 10th anniversary celebration of the formation of Malaysia, I said that the communist insurgents in the jungles of Sarawak were given the chance to return to society. I said, 'let us build Sarawak together rather than fight in the jungle.
"A few days later, I received a letter from Bong through his brother. He asked to see me in Simanggang (now known as Sri Aman).- Bernama
Source:
Daily Express
P/s: What is the reason for us to accept back Chin Peng??? Share
