The government should at least admit that Chin Peng and his comrades fought for the nation's independence, says Said Zahari, who witnessed the Hatyai Accord in 1989.
PETALING JAYA: The author of ‘The Long Nightmare’, Said Zahari, who witnessed the Hatyai Accord in 1989, has insisted that the government should have recognised the efforts of the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) during the struggle against Japanese Imperialism and British Colonialism.
The Singaporean-born writer, popularly known as Pak Said, also echoed similar views with former Special Branch deputy director Yuen Yuet Leng by saying that Chin Peng and his comrades should have been given a chance to come back.
“I met Chin Peng for the first time in Bangkok when I attended Afro-Asia meeting and soon became good friends.
“He is a man who has played a vital role in the fight for independence. Yes, he is a communist, but CPM was not the only organisation or political party to resist the British occupation.
“There were many other individuals who fought together with CPM, including Malays. Just because they joined the CPM does that mean they were ideologically communist who rejected the notion of god?” asked Pak Said.
Pak Said also said Rashid Maidin performed his Haj so did the rest of his comrades who were active in the communist party.
He added that they were all radical nationalists who believed in the liberation of Malaya and opposed all sorts of occupation from foreign forces.
“My understanding is that they are not communist but more radical nationalist although they were under the communist party.
“The government should recognise their effort,” he said.
Pak Said’s interview with FMT took place just days before the death of Chin Peng in Bangkok on Monday.
I am not a leftist
For many years, Pak Said has been labelled a leftist as his views were often seen as anti-establishment.
His critical views towards Singapore policies frightened Lee Kuan Yew’s conservative government and as a result, he was ousted to a deserted island, Pulau Ubin.
Speaking to FMT at his home in Subang Jaya, Pak Said described that it was the perception of the masses that he was a left-leaning individual.
“I was critical towards Singapore policies and because of that I was imprisoned for 17 years without trial.
“Does that make me a leftist? I don’t know,”
“What is important in life is that we must have strong integrity. Without integrity you are nobody,” he said.
PETALING JAYA: The author of ‘The Long Nightmare’, Said Zahari, who witnessed the Hatyai Accord in 1989, has insisted that the government should have recognised the efforts of the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) during the struggle against Japanese Imperialism and British Colonialism.The Singaporean-born writer, popularly known as Pak Said, also echoed similar views with former Special Branch deputy director Yuen Yuet Leng by saying that Chin Peng and his comrades should have been given a chance to come back.
“I met Chin Peng for the first time in Bangkok when I attended Afro-Asia meeting and soon became good friends.
“He is a man who has played a vital role in the fight for independence. Yes, he is a communist, but CPM was not the only organisation or political party to resist the British occupation.
“There were many other individuals who fought together with CPM, including Malays. Just because they joined the CPM does that mean they were ideologically communist who rejected the notion of god?” asked Pak Said.
Pak Said also said Rashid Maidin performed his Haj so did the rest of his comrades who were active in the communist party.
He added that they were all radical nationalists who believed in the liberation of Malaya and opposed all sorts of occupation from foreign forces.
“My understanding is that they are not communist but more radical nationalist although they were under the communist party.
“The government should recognise their effort,” he said.
Pak Said’s interview with FMT took place just days before the death of Chin Peng in Bangkok on Monday.
I am not a leftist
For many years, Pak Said has been labelled a leftist as his views were often seen as anti-establishment.
His critical views towards Singapore policies frightened Lee Kuan Yew’s conservative government and as a result, he was ousted to a deserted island, Pulau Ubin.
Speaking to FMT at his home in Subang Jaya, Pak Said described that it was the perception of the masses that he was a left-leaning individual.
“I was critical towards Singapore policies and because of that I was imprisoned for 17 years without trial.
“Does that make me a leftist? I don’t know,”
“What is important in life is that we must have strong integrity. Without integrity you are nobody,” he said.
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