Chin Peng - the secret weapon
When NST carried the solemn thought of Roger Tan “Tell your dad ‘I love you’ now before it’s too late for that” I could not yet fathom the contents.
“Since he came over here in 1947, he only went back to China once in 1983. That trip meant a lot to him because he had always wanted to make this ‘pilgrimage’ to fulfill his wish and duty by paying his belated respects to his departed parents”.
Watching drama serials ‘the little nyonya’ had somehow helped me understand some of the customs and traditions of the Chinese.
Inevitably, it also made me understand why Chin Peng had desperately wanted to pay respects to his late parents, just as what Tan Sue Yong, the missing father of Roger Tan did in 1983.
What are hard for me to digest are the contradicting statements by no less than the Deputy President of UMNO.
“Chin Peng won’t be forgiven for waging war against Malaya and then Malaysia. As of now, there is no forgiveness for you (tiada maaf bagimu).” So steadfast was his conviction that no one would ever imagine the same person would, a few days later, contradict himself by calling on us to “appreciate the spirit of ‘qurban’ or sacrifice”.
But then, what can we expect from politicians?
I thought the phrase of “white men speak with forked tongue” made famous in early cowboy Hollywood movies is only relevant to white Americans. It never crossed my mind that the phrase, immortalized by the Red Indians, still holds good. The only difference between then and now is that the white man’s skin has turned darker.
Contradicting oneself in virtually the same breadth made the task of separating the ‘white men who spoke with forked tongue’ from that of egocentric politicians a difficult proposition. And it is even harder to separate the two from the politician who wants us to look at ‘qurban’ far beyond the slaughtering of animals.
How to define ‘qurban’ or sacrifice in a wider perspective?
Since it was the DPM who urged us to appreciate the spirit of sacrifice, it is only proper that he shows us the way. If he is tongue-tied or still muddled in thought, then allow the scholars to dissect without fear or favour. If they are given the freedom to preach without fear of reprisals, I am sure they will be able to crack open the hard shell that encapsulate the soul of those who steadfastly oppose the return of this old man. After all, true Muslims should not harbour grudges and should be willing to forgive the enemy.
Is Chin Peng still the enemy?
Once a peace agreement is signed, animosity should cease immediately. If not, the Hatyai Peace Accord is no different from the 1993 agreement signed by Yitzhak Rabin and Yasser Arafat which, in the first place, the Israelis had no intention to honour. Do we want our beloved country to pride itself with honour or carry endlessly the stigma of untrustworthiness similar to that of Israel? The answer is in the hands of the politicians.
In less than a fortnight, Muslims all over the world will be celebrating the ‘hijrah’, another important day in the Muslim calendar. And we can again expect another round of call, and this time will be about ‘appreciating the spirit of Hijrah” or ‘migration’. Our leaders will urge the Muslims to migrate from one state of mind to another or in short a paradigm shift.
As I am writing this, I can hear over Astro the voice of our most prominent motivator urging listeners to be gracious and forgiving. I believe his prompting is from the heart. Somehow, I wonder what will be his reactions if confronted with the dilemma of Chin Peng.
Does he possess the courage to say without reservations that the scope for forgiveness cover every human being irrespective of race, religion or their past or will he simply open the safety latch and transform himself into another echo machine miming the words of our politicians, “We must take into considerations the feelings of ex-servicemen and their families who have lost their loved ones in the course of duty”?
Undoubtedly, all Malaysians appreciate the contributions of our fighting men but then are we not all contributing in one way or the other. After all, soldiering as well as other professions have their own benefits and hazards.
Injuries and deaths are everyday happenings. The number of Malaysians injured, maimed and killed from motorcycle and car accidents far exceed the number of injured, maimed or killed during the insurgencies. When it involve bike and car accidents, why the readiness to accept them as fate? Why not drag the victims to prearranged press conference and demand the authority to ban Japanese motorcycles and cars from Malaysian roads?
Why specifically mention the Japanese?
It has been well documented how they treated the vanquished when they invaded Malaya. As if shooting and mutilating a brave soldier who refused to surrender wasn’t sufficiently inhuman, the Japanese hanged the corpse of Lt Adnan upside down on a tree in Bukit Chandu, Singapore. Most of us have heard the forced march and the Thailand-Burma railway line, but not many had witnessed the Japanese lust for women. Only a handful saw a young Chinese woman in my village raped repeatedly by the Japanese while the husband was forced to witness the humiliations at gun point. Yet we readily accept the Japanese with open arms.
Do we accept all that tragedy as fate?
Whatever the answer and interpretations, I am convinced that those who believe in God also believe that all happenings on earth are predetermined by the Creator.
What happened many years ago has been predetermined and decreed upon this country. It could well be a disguised blessing that made us what we are today.
In the spirit of ‘qurban’ and ‘hijrah’, let us smother the flame of hatred, and from its ashes we sow the seeds of love and harvest the fruits of compassion. Let that old man return to pay his belated respects to his departed parents. The euphoria or dysphoria surrounding his return will fade and disappear in a matter of days.
But the tranquility and inner-peace for the forgiving heart will last a lifetime.
No matter what the immediate decision will be, Chin Peng will most likely feature as the last pawn that could well save or checkmate the king in the intriguing game of political chess. Alternatively, he could be the secret weapon to be unleashed by the power that be, where and when necessary.
Read between the lines the statement “As of now, there is no forgiveness”… As of now could also be interpreted that Chin Peng’s return is imminent.
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December 5th, 2009 at 9:36 am
Like most things in politics, it is not the rationale or even well argued cases that will sway a politician. It is public opinion. And public opinion in the minds of politicians is determined by how these politicians collect and evaluate information. UMNO politicians tended to be lazy in this department and so they relied on information from their subordinates who are nothing more than information-transmitter. There is really no deep thinking about information received nor is there any real analysis and verification from INDEPENDENT sources. The end result like in so many kings and kingdom of old much of the decision making process was tainted,influenced and shaped by eunuchs who were out to serve their own personal agenda.
Who is really running the government ? Clever eunuchs that seem to surround politicians. If the politician is good, decent and wise he would know to surround himself with like-minded people. But this would be few and far between.
December 5th, 2009 at 10:43 am
Chin Peng should SUE Malaysia by taking his case to the International Court of Justice at the Hague.
It is unfortunate that a person in the 2nd most powerful position in our country thinks like a country bumpkin!
Considering all factors, looking at the facts objectively, asking for alternative arguments are all non- existent.
React first ad then look for straws to support your stand. Imagine how is he going to Davos?
December 5th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
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December 5th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Hijrah to them means migrating from poor to wealthy politician.
Qurban means sacrificing honour for posotions and sacrificing state land for hidden bank accounts.
That is the new definition for hijrah and qurban
December 5th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
The writer is talking ‘cock’. Don’t compare human carelessness in people driving Japanese cars causing death to deliberately waging war of insurgency committing murder or rape. Japan wage an open war to conquer other countries for expansion of its empire similar to Hitler invasion of Europe. The writer forgot that many German leaders were tried and convicted for war crimes just like many Japanese leaders were hanged for their war crime too. In fact Chin Peng should be tried just like the Japanese and Germans. Dont forget that open declared war against another country is different from on waging war against its own people and legally constituted Govt. of Malaya/Malaysia. That is why I said the writer is talking’shit’ and through his ass-hole.
December 5th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
“AS OF NOW CAN ALSO BE INTERPRETED THAT CHIN PENG’S RETURN IS IMMINENT”
Somehow BN has to let Chin Peng in to stay relevant to the wishes of non Malay voters. MCA and MIC leaders are back-stabbing one another for position. Shall I say they are ‘qurban’ing their own kind. The grassroots are confused and have no alternative but to ‘hijrah’ to the Pakatan Rakyat. By then, it’s too late to save BN. Padan muka.
December 5th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
Serpico,
I am not siding the writer but I believe you are confused or you do not understand the message this writer is imparting. I think he does not write too complicated a language that makes it hard for you to understand. Take a deep breadth and read again.
To my understanding the writer is talking about FATE. Why the readiness of mortals like us to accept one as fate and the other as ‘whatever term you want to use’.
I do not know if our religion taught us two seperate versions for fate.
I agree with the writer. Why is it when a person got injured, maimed or killed in road accidents, we call it fate and when the same mishaps occured in battle, we do not accept it as fate.
As of trying Chin Peng, why don’t you take him to court?
I am sure the high court will say “since the peace agreement was signed, and there is no relevant clause to implicate him, therefore the matter is closed”
But then you can appeal to the court of appeal and have it overturned. YOU GET WHAT I MEAN?
As a general knowledge to enlarge your goose brain…Chin Peng and the government of Malaysia negotiated the terms of agreement. THE CPM DID NOT SURRENDER. Germany and Japan lost the war and have no alternative but to surrender. As the vanquished, they are subjected to international criminal court and their leaders were tried in what is now known as the Nuremberg and Tokyo tibunals.
Think of it, who is actually talking shits thru his mouth and breathe thru his arse hole?
December 5th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
What d heck ! Still harping on the bloody old-man CP ? Can’t you fellows let him die in peace in a foreign land of his own choice he made after 02 Dec 89 Agreement by not wanting to come home? After 18 years later, suddenly he realised he made a mistake and WANT TO BE BURIED NEXT TO HIS MOTHER AND FATHER’S GRAVE. Brothers and sisters don’t be con by this old fox. He is using this excuse for sympathy support. Nothing else. You know what? This OLD FART is coming back for his share of his family property and you fools are shedding crocodile tears for him. Ha..Ha..Ha…You all have been taken for a ride by this old fox.Sudah beberapa tahun sudah tinggal luar negeri mengapa sekarang nak balik. U bukan warga Malaya atau Malaysia. PODOH!!
December 5th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
Dear readers,
When I wrote the article “Chin Peng Forgive and Forget”, I thought that would be the first and the last. If not for the contradicting statements by our leaders, I would have put the subject to rest. Somehow, the human in me just could not accept the flip-flops of those people entrusted to lead.
Someone posted a question somewhere “why the double standard”. My reply was picked up by the blog operator.
Please feel free to read and understand and hopefully, the ember of hatred and distrust will eventually disappear.
Why the double standard?
Politics and political mileage.
Last Hari Raya, I discreetly asked my aunty (youngest daughter of Naib Hasan, the village head mentioned in the article ‘Chin Peng - forgive and forget) who is now in her 80s…
“Do you have any objections if Chin Peng is allowed to return?”
She was 18 years old when her father was taken away by the communist.
“Kalau dia nak balik, biarlah. Kita nak tegah buat apa. Kan bumi ni Allah punya, kita cuma tumpang singgah sekejap…” was her reply in Banjarese.
“you mean you can forgive him?” I asked.
“Siapa kita untuk tidak memaafkan. Kalau kita maafkan orang lain, kita kan dapat pahala. Nak simpan dendam pun buat apa. Kita hukum dia pun bukan arwah atuk kau boleh hidup balik…”
Even my late mother had the same opinion.
Malays, Chinese and the few Indians in our village live in harmony. I remember those days, on every Chinese New Year, Hong Thye, who own a few pieces of land in our village used to drive his Morris Minor about 3 miles from his home to deliver a carton of soft drinks and oranges to our family, year in year out.
You see, these simple minded village people who have no real political inclinations and have no ambitions to prosper beyond their means treat each other well.
They don’t undrestand what is double standard. To them, all human beings are equal irrespective of race and religion.
But when politics become a tool to enrich onself, (and not to unite the races) then ‘race issues’ will be the main weapon to garner support…
And hence the different treatment to differnet people.
AND IF YOU HAVE THE TIME, READ MY ARTICLE “MENANG SORAK KAMPUNG TERGADAI” WHICH IS ABOUT THE VILLAGE PIONEERED BY NAIB HASAN, MY GRANDFATHER. THE NAMES MENTIONED ARE REAL. SOME HAVE PASSED AWAY AND MANY ARE STILL ALIVE. AND THAT PAK AMRI IS MY STEP GRANDFATHER, WAK KIDIN, HONG THYE (YOUNGER BROTHER OF AH CHONG) AND AH KIT HAVE ALL PASSED AWAY.
December 6th, 2009 at 2:14 am
guys it is never about struggle,patriotism,chin peng etc etc but rather about what can they harp and hype around and within this chin peng guy to get a poltical mileage so that they can continue clinging to power!u are precisely damn right….that that muhyidin chap will himself declare chin peng be allowed to return in the spirit of 1malaysia….when…once the GE13 around the corner!!!….and to me mr chin peng is and was never an issue but the real issue for us malaysians is to get the present corrupt establishment out if ever we want to dream a better and brighter malaysia…and mr chin peng u shall be back sooner than u thought!!!
December 6th, 2009 at 7:27 am
Soul survivor,
You are absoulutely right. You have simplified what the writer wrote and hit it right on the button.
Some people talk about putting Chin Peng on war crime trial without even knowing what it mean. I think if he had read the comment by ZORROUNMASKED, he would have looked himself in the mirror and ask “how ignorant I am?” and if he had understood fully what the writer wrote, he would put his neck in the noose himself near that Japanese cemetry behind his house.
December 7th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
The anti-chin peng sentiments were played up by the racists-antichinese group.
December 9th, 2009 at 9:17 am
Dear Utuh Paloi, you have put a lot of effort to write an excellent article.!
In Malaysia Bolehland, our leaders probably do things selectively and for consistency this word probably do not exist or in the vocabularly !! Cakap tak serupa bikin!