Chin Peng - FORGIVE AND FORGET
Right - SC of 2nd paltoon and good friend of uncle Hamdan. Center - eldest daughter of Naib Hassan. Left - the scribe
Sometime in August 1945, a village head in a remote settlement outside the sleepy town of Air Hitam was ‘persuaded’ to attend a meeting with PKM personnel in an unknown location. That was the last time he was seen by his family.
Earlier in the week, he was advised by the Chinese villagers to leave the village, albeit temporarily because there were rumours that the communists were after him. Being a ‘Banjarese’ who migrated to Malaya in the early thirties, and having fought the Dutch colonialists in Kalimantan, Indonesia, he was adamant to stand his ground and overcome adversities, come what may. Little did he know that there were Malays and Banjarese in the communist camp.
Many ‘Banjarese’ of yesteryears were well known for their bravery as well as in depth spiritual knowledge and fighting skill. The exploits of ‘panglima’ Salih and Ijam in Muar/Batu Pahat and HJ Bakri and his men in Sungai Manik are testimonies of their saga.
Without the help of the Malays/Banjarese, the communists would not have been able to inflict injuries much less the premature demise of this village head.
That village head is naib Hassan bin Abu Bakar, the scribe’s grandfather.
Nyior Estate, 1950 or thereabout. A full platoon of special constable personnel was ambushed and virtually wiped out by the communists. Another platoon that came to the aid of their comrades hours later saw dead bodies, most of them with ‘complimentary’ stab wounds. According to the sole survivor who outfoxed the communists by feigning death, the injured were kicked and stepped on mercilessly for any sign of life upon which, the living wounded would be dispatched to the Creator with their bayonets.
A week or so before the encounter, a group of terrorists headed by a well known ‘one eyed’ communist leader in the area, a Malay nicknamed ‘Man Cilak’ surprised a platoon of special constables who were resting in a rubber plantation. The manner in which Man Cilak and his men appeared and disappeared in a blink of an eye behind ‘a’ tree were the talking point for years to come. Such were the prowess of Malay communist leaders then.
And fortunately (or otherwise) for that platoon, Man Cilak did not just spare them the ignominy of being caught with their pants down but also advised them to be vigilant in future only to return, days later, and witnessed the brutal massacre the communists inflicted on their comrades.
In 1953, the lone survivor from that encounter in Nyior Estate came to visit his friend who by then had opted to start life anew in the village.
That man who lost his right leg on that fateful day was uncle Hamdan and the person he visited was his good friend in the second platoon. And his good friend is the scribe’s father.
And Chin Peng is regarded as the person responsible for the unnecessary loss of lives and limbs including that of naib Hassan and uncle Hamdan.
Why Chin Peng? And Chin Peng alone!
Could the communists have found the formula to neutralise the ’spiritual prowess’ and invincibility of naib Hassan? Could Chin Peng be as ’brave and powerful’ without the collaborations of the Malays?
An honest answer will be a big NO.
Why then only Chin Peng is prohibited from returning to his birth place while the ’collaborators’ were treated differently?
Is the scribe less of a patriot for questioning the wisdom of fellow Malaysians?
During the height of the Indonesian Confrontations, and with respectable Senior Cambridge and Federation of Malaya certificates, the scribe decided to answer the call of duty by joining the armed forces. Offers to pursue teaching profession and desk jobs in the civil service were put aside for the sake of the country.
Is that not patriotic?
And how many of those ‘very patriotic’ Malaysians dare risk life and limbs serving the front line in defense of their beloved country?
And why should fellow Malaysians practice ‘forgive and forget’?
As obedient servants of God, Muslims are guided by the teachings of Quran and practice the sunnah or preaching of Prophet Mohammad. And the majority of those who strongly opposed the return of Chin Peng are Muslims.
Have we not heard how Prophet Mohamad forgave his enemy Abu Sufian and many others, and Saidina Ali who forgave the enemy whom he was about to kill? Those are just a couple of the countless examples of forgiving the enemy.
As Muslims, we ask for forgiveness from God and hope to be forgiven. But why the reluctance when it is our turn to forgive others?
As human beings, it is never easy to erase the pain from memory but it does not take super human effort to forgive. After all, Islam as well as other religion and teachings encourage the faithful to be forgiving.
So fellow Malaysians, why not give a thought?
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October 18th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Those who oppose the return of Chin Peng are hypocrites who hide behind their religion or race, and do not practice what they preach. Practice double standard, one for others and one for themself
October 18th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Many a soul are ignorant and fill oneself with unknown Hatred at heart.
May the masters of all religions pray for their fellow followers to be compassionate and kind loving.
October 18th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
alaaa bukan diri sendiri yang jadi mangsa boleh la cakap. cuba adik beradik kita ke.. bapak kita ke, mak kita ke yang jadi mangsa kekejaman komunis, hapah pun tidak…. cakap boleh laaa…
October 18th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
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October 18th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
Well said ! UMNO scumbags prohibited Chin Peng a return to his homeland but champion the death of an international terrorist named Noordin Mat Top .. Chau cib@i !!!!!
October 18th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Why the hypocritical lot not even consider Chin Peng’s last wish - because they are self-centred and think they are super human beings who has forgotten about forgiving and forgetting. When they commit sins, they seek forgiveness at the appropriate times of the year (you know when) and they expect to be forgiven, but when this helpless Chin Peng only asked for his last wish to be buried in his motherland, these devils are as evil as the mother of all evils just to prove that they are greater than the Almighty. To hell with these hypocrites. I respect the above author / editor for his down-to earth edition and wish for a favourable response from the authorities.
October 18th, 2009 at 11:25 pm
Chin Peng’s ideological masters was communist China. How could Najib Razak go to China and kow-tow to its leaders who ARE COMMUNISTS and yet at home he, Najib is afraid of Chin Peng. Is that why he refused to honour the Peace Accord Malaysia signed with Chin Peng and the Communist Party Of Malaya? But Chin Peng’s combrades at arms Abdullah CD, Rashid Mydin and a hosts of others had been welcomed home. What is the logic here? Where is the justice for Chin Peng? Secondly, the Japanese Imperial Army during the second world war tortured and executed far more Malayans than Chin Peng and his communist combrades killed. And yet Malaysia looked east and bought Japan. Our national car Proton is powered by Japanese engines etc, etc. What is the logic here? Where is the justice for Chin Peng according to the various religions we Malaysians profess? I am not a lover of communists but is an old man who wish to die in peace. And I wish others to die in peace also when thier time is called by Allah, our God. So I say, let Chin Peng come home. Let us live to forgive.
October 18th, 2009 at 11:34 pm
Yes, absolutely,
Forgive and forget. Yes, its not easy but if you are true to your belief that God has forgiven you. Then cant you return you gratitute by forgiving others also . Are you greater than Allah? If Allah can forgive why cant you forgive? Is not Allah angry, hurt by you sinner? Yet He choose to forgive - because ……………. He loves you. Would you be bitter and hate Allah when He allows your love one to die? Would you hate Him and not allow Him to enter your house/ (heart)? Think about it.
October 18th, 2009 at 11:47 pm
It all boil down to one point - Chin Peng is Chinese.
I just want to know how they were willing to brought Samsiah back from Peking. Please answer sincerely because all Malaysians have a right to know.
October 19th, 2009 at 7:11 am
“As Muslims, we ask for forgiveness from God and hope to be forgiven. But why the reluctance when it is our turn to forgive others!”
Soalan kepada ‘Gwa bukan Lu’…
Berapa kali sehari seorang hamba Allah menyebut “Astaghfirullahil’azim” yang bermaksud “ampunkanlah aku wahai Allah yang maha besar/mulia” dan kita diajar bahawa Allah itu maha pengampun dan akan memberi keampunan walau sebesar mana sekalipun dosa kita.
Tidak pernahkah terbaca bagaimana para anbia memaafkan orang-orang yang pernah dan selalu menganiayai mereka?
Kita bukan anbia, tapi para nabi juga maanusia biasa seperti kita. Tidak pernahkah terfikir untuk mencontohi mereka kalau pun tidak dari segi amalan, sekurang-kurangnya dari segi pekerti.
Kenapa tidak dimengerti sabda Rasulullah “Dalam jasad maanusia ada seketul darah (hati). Kalau bersih ketulan itu maka bersihlah jiwa yang punya jasad”
Kalau bersih hati tuan, Insyaallah akan tenanglah jiwa. Setiap kali kita membaca fatihah kita menyebut “siratallazi naan ‘am ta ‘alaihim” yang bermaksud “Jalan lurus yang Engkau telah beri nikmat kepada mereka sebelum kami”. Dan NIKMAT yang dimaksudkan disini bukan nikmat jasmaniah tapi rohaniah.
Tidakkah tuan teringin memiliki jiwa yang kudus?
Kalau jawapannya ia, sediakanlah sedikit ruang di dalam hati khusus untuk memaafkan kesilapan orang lain.
Insyaallah, kenikmatan mutlak akan tuan miliki sepanjang hayat.
October 19th, 2009 at 8:10 am
They dont agreed with CP return bcos he is Chinese and not muslim too. U C Nordin Mat Top, he got heores welcome home for burial. So many ppl attended the funeral rites. If Mat Top wasnt a muslim,u c laa..what will happen. They will never agree with anything………Japanese killed/rapes a lot of our peoples during ww2 and yet we are asked to look East policy. Because we they have the technoplogy and we cant live witout them. Look if the Jap is like Somalia, they will definetly critise. As for China they are going to biggest economic nation and we have to buddy them despite that they supported the cpm. If not you c laa…….
October 19th, 2009 at 8:43 am
“…earlier in the week he was advised by the Chinese villagers to leave the village albeit temporarily because there were rumours the communists were after him…
“…little did he know that there were Malays and Banjarese in the comunist camp…”
What does that imply?
It simply mean that there are good and bad Chinese and so are the Malays.
In fact the communists could not have been as feared without the spiritual prowess of the Malays such as Mat Indera and Man Cilak in Johore who could “appear and disappear in a blink of an eye”.
So why the discriminations?
Doubt if Islam and the prophet Muhammad ever taught the Muslims/Malays to treat other races and religion differently.
What a shame.
October 19th, 2009 at 9:29 am
There is more to gain in forgiving and allowing Chin Peng to return than too continue showing how powerful you are and can be in continuing to deny Chin Peng’s request to return. Chin Peng, upon his return, will very soon come to realise that his life time commitment to his cause was a total waste as no one really appreciates any of his efforts. If at all, only his fight against the Japanese might be commended, if at all.
No one will ever know the extent of the support for Chin Peng until he is allowed in. Not allowing him in will only ensure whatever myth surrounding him will perpetuate beyond his life time. He is an old man now and I cannot imagine him being able to summon a meeting of two people let alone a hundred. He will be lucky if his own relatives give him the acknowledgment and regard an old man usually would deserve. Honestly I cannot imagine why he would want to return. And I cannot imagine what good it does anyone refusing him entry into Malaysia. There is more to gain from letting him in for the rest of the country really when we turn our backs after we have let him have his wish. After all i don’t think anyone will be bothered or interested to know anything about him after the initial flurry of activities upon his return. And I cannot imagine that will go beyond 3 days anyway.
October 19th, 2009 at 10:31 am
You hit the right note, Paul.
I hope those walking the corridors of power and those who vehemently oppose the return of this man grasp the gist of your comment.
I could not have agreed more that the euphoria surrounding his return will fade after 3 days or so.
And by allowing him in, a small part of the legacy of Najib’s 1 Malaysia concept will be etched in our memory. Otherwise, Najib will be just another PM whose priority was to create catchy slogans.
Remember Bersih, Cekap dan Amanah
Remember Cemerlang, Gemilang, Terbilang
Remember 1 Malaysia, people first performance now.
Wishful thinking.
October 19th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
The issue is simple. The Malaysian Government signed a Peace Agreement. They now refuse to honor it, stating that subject did not revert within the period of time. But a careful read of the dox shows different.
How will anyone trust to do business in Malaysia? Where agreements are put aside? Already agreements to do biz in M’sia are conditional that any legal dispute be handled out of Singapore or under English law.
Go on, act as the “Tuan’s”. Sooner or later, we will be like Zimbabwe, TDM’s best friend in Africa. Even Mandela is not viewed as worthy as Robert Mugabe. Soon M’sia and Zimbabwe agreements will be viewed as on PAR with each other, no better than toilet paper or paper to line one’s birdcage.
October 19th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
If Chin Peng could not get back to Semnanjung Malaysia, he should consider coming to Sarawak. His counterpart during the comunist insurgency in Sarawak, Bong Kee Chok, was not only granted permanent residence in Sarawak after Operation Sri Aman, he was given a State award for his “effort”.
October 21st, 2009 at 11:16 am
Not to worry…Ajib will be the hero for granting Chin Peng to return to the country. And for that all those stupid Chinese, specially from MCA and Gerakan will sing praise of Ajib.
Meanwhile PAS will put on a strong objection and this will make them look bad in the eyes of the MCA/Gearakan Chinese.
Another Political ploy of UMNO/BN to deceive the people in order to stay in power for personal gains.
October 21st, 2009 at 11:23 am
What is the fuss. One day when the time comes for the nexdt GE our PM will take advantage of the situation and grant Chin Peng to return. All those stupid Chinese, especially from MCA and Gerakan will praise of Najib. Meanwhile PAS will put on s strong objection and this will make them looks bad in the eyes of the Chinese.
This is the political ploy of UMNO/BN trying to regain the support from the Chinese to stay in power.
October 23rd, 2009 at 7:28 pm
i agreed with the last part “As Muslims, we ask for forgiveness from God and hope to be forgiven. But why the reluctance when it is our turn to forgive others!” ……but for me, I guess chinpeng should have been executed for his war crime by the international law committee…..same like NAZI,Serbs leaders,and polpot(i guess)…we dont do that to him(indirectly) coz of Baling agreement but why must we give him the opportunity to come back here…….we are not trying to deny his rightful citizenship but we must not put aside the rights of those who fought and died against him and the ideology that will come with him(directly or indirectly) that will inflicted our society and generations……so what about their rights…do we forgoe those ppl just for the sake of a war criminal(fact)….fine example;is it just and fair to be giving food to others(when we can only give 1 bread) instead of our own family …….same goes with the problem….we only have 1 best possible solution….so why must we favor chinpeng…just a food of thought and my humble opinion….:-)
October 23rd, 2009 at 7:34 pm
chin peng… a true terrorist leader. able to influenced org malaya ngn komunisme. org melayu suka ngikut tanpa usul periksa. janji dpt hidup senang.
nordin mat top - just another idiot.
December 5th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
No need to debate on Chin Peng’s return. Allow him to come come back, put him on ,war crime trial, convict and just him hang him upside down at the ‘jambu’ tree at back of my house which is next to Japanese cemetery. It would make transportation of his body cheaper and easier. Problem solve!! No need to talk about religion and God…so on and so forth.
July 18th, 2010 at 7:29 am
Nordin Mat Top: namanya pandai tapi bengong…..
Kerana aksi terrornya, rakyat Malaysia dihina oleh orang seberang walaupun serumpun, dihina seperti bangsa pariah…..padahal sekiranya umat Indonesia dan Malaysia bersatu, maka mereka boleh menggegar dunia….tapi apakan daya..Malingsia, Malon dsb dicapnya kepda dahi kita…
Bapa kepada atuk perempuan (atuk mak) kawan, hilang pada era 13 hari komunis berkuasa, kali terakhir dilihat dibalai polis BP dengan diapit oleh ’sepet’ dalam beca, selepas itu hilang tanpa kesan sehingga kini, dan meninggalkan 2 orang anak (atuk mak dan adik tirinya) dalam keadaan yatim sehingga berkahwin dalam usia 16 tahun pada 1953…..