Let the bitter winds pass through...
Found this article published recently in The Sun very interesting. I am indeed very lucky of never having the opportunity to experience this early dark chapter of political confrontation and civil war in the early statehood of Malaysia. As I mentioned in my previous blog entry “Lest we forget and never forgive”, it is about time now, we all closed rank and move forward.
In any confrontations, there are casualties and deaths on both sides. Let's us learn from the lesson of this divisive confrontations, Let's now us forgive and forget, let us move together in unison to bring greater progress to the nation.
In reading some published articles in the local newspapers and the Internet regarding the political ideological confrontations, I believe Chin Peng was a misguided Patriot who do love Malaysia with his communist ideology. The British lead a multi nations armies including Australia, Gurkha, etc to help us to forced out the communists..... but I am also involuntarily draw to the parallel comparison between the US lead invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq. A sad chapter of humanity and let's pray that the goods shall triumphed over evils.
At one point or another, we must be sensible enough to acknowledge that, having different ideologies does not made a person less patriotic. Similarly, being more outspoken against the government does not mean the person love the country less. Being a fence sitter and harbouring misplaced angers, intolerances, and disrespect for other people way of life in the name of patriotism does not make a person more patriotic either....
What is past is past, no amount of logical or illogical arguments is going to turn back the clock. But what we can do now is to hold true to our religious upbringings and our respect for humanity – STOP spreading hatreds, stop influencing, and stop forcing upon others to carry the burdens of our own hatreds ! Sow the courage now to forgive each other of our past deeds. Show some respect to our religions and upbringings, let us all accept the diversities in thoughts, religions, way of life, and cultures and live together as a united nation to bring peace and progress for all future generations.
Negaraku, tanah tumpah nya darah ku, rakyat hidup, bersatu dan maju.......
WWII veteran to the defence
THOSE WHO DID NOT LIVE THROUGH NIGHTMARE OF THE WAR ARE NOT IN POSITION TO CALL FOR BAN ON THE LAST COMMUNIST, SAYS CAPT (RETIRED) LAWRENCE CHEW
by Giam Say Khoon
The Sun
KUALA LUMPUR: A World War II veteran who first fought alongside the communists during the Japanese occupation, and then against them after Japan was defeated, says the ban on The Last Communist (Lelaki Komunis Terakhir) should be lifted.
"The government should let the people judge the film for themselves," retired Captain Lawrence Chew (pix), 82, said.
He said those who did not live through the nightmare of World War II are also not in a position to call for a ban on the Amir Muhammad documentary which traces the towns in which exiled Communist Party of Malaya leader Chin Peng lived.
Chew, who served the British Army from 1941 when he was just 17 to 1950, said many comments about the documentary made by those who were not even born during the time of the war were baseless.
Although the Censorship Board approved Amir's semi-musical documentary for viewing by all ages with no cuts, the Home Ministry banned the movie on May 5 citing sensitivities at a time when Umno was celebrating its 60th anniversary.
Amir has charged in his blog that the ban was the result of a campaign by Malay daily Berita Harian, which carried criticisms of the movie by people who had not watched it.
Chew said that during their occupation of Malaya, the Japanese killed many, especially the Chinese because of the long war between Japan and China.
"Chin Peng gathered people and led them into the jungle for survival. He later taught and trained the British forces to fight the Japanese in the jungle.
"I would say he was a freedom fighter who believed in his own ideology," Chew told theSun at his home in Selayang.
He added that during the Emergency between 1948 and 1960, Chin Peng fought against the British who had re-colonised Malaya after the Japanese withdrew, and not against the people.
According to him, Chin Peng worked closely with the British to liberate Malaya from the Japanese before the falling out between the communists and the British.
"I believe something went wrong between him and the British, which led to the communist insurgency, as the two parties must have made agreements that were not realised after the liberation (from Japan)." From friends, the communists became foes, Chew said. "We had no choice left as it was either kill or be killed." He remembers that the communists were experienced jungle fighters and the British army was no match for them.
Chew said it was ironic that while the world has forgiven the Germans for waging World War II, Chin Peng, who is no longer a threat to the country, is not allowed to come back to visit his family.
Believed to be living in Thailand, Chin Peng, 82, whose real name is Ong Boon Hua, last year filed a court application on behalf of himself and other former CPM members seeking, among others, a declaration that they be entitled to enter and reside in Malaysia.
"The government should let the people judge the film for themselves," retired Captain Lawrence Chew (pix), 82, said.
He said those who did not live through the nightmare of World War II are also not in a position to call for a ban on the Amir Muhammad documentary which traces the towns in which exiled Communist Party of Malaya leader Chin Peng lived.
Chew, who served the British Army from 1941 when he was just 17 to 1950, said many comments about the documentary made by those who were not even born during the time of the war were baseless.
Although the Censorship Board approved Amir's semi-musical documentary for viewing by all ages with no cuts, the Home Ministry banned the movie on May 5 citing sensitivities at a time when Umno was celebrating its 60th anniversary.
Amir has charged in his blog that the ban was the result of a campaign by Malay daily Berita Harian, which carried criticisms of the movie by people who had not watched it.
Chew said that during their occupation of Malaya, the Japanese killed many, especially the Chinese because of the long war between Japan and China.
"Chin Peng gathered people and led them into the jungle for survival. He later taught and trained the British forces to fight the Japanese in the jungle.
"I would say he was a freedom fighter who believed in his own ideology," Chew told theSun at his home in Selayang.
He added that during the Emergency between 1948 and 1960, Chin Peng fought against the British who had re-colonised Malaya after the Japanese withdrew, and not against the people.
According to him, Chin Peng worked closely with the British to liberate Malaya from the Japanese before the falling out between the communists and the British.
"I believe something went wrong between him and the British, which led to the communist insurgency, as the two parties must have made agreements that were not realised after the liberation (from Japan)." From friends, the communists became foes, Chew said. "We had no choice left as it was either kill or be killed." He remembers that the communists were experienced jungle fighters and the British army was no match for them.
Chew said it was ironic that while the world has forgiven the Germans for waging World War II, Chin Peng, who is no longer a threat to the country, is not allowed to come back to visit his family.
Believed to be living in Thailand, Chin Peng, 82, whose real name is Ong Boon Hua, last year filed a court application on behalf of himself and other former CPM members seeking, among others, a declaration that they be entitled to enter and reside in Malaysia.
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