Chin Peng no worse than Malayan soldiers, claims ex-comrade

Chin Peng has been accused of being cruel and ruthless by the Malaysian government, but his actions were no worse than that of the Malayan soldiers, said a former Communist Party of Malaya member.

Chang Yuan, 72, who is also the spokesman for Chin Peng's family, said the Malayan soldiers were equally cruel and ruthless during the decades-long conflict until the peace accord was signed in 1989.

"The Malayan forces bombed various communist strongholds during the insurgency. The bodies of communists who died during the bombings were displayed in public for all to see," he recalled when met in Bangkok today.

"Both sides were at war at the time, it was a case of survival," Chang said, adding that while Chin Peng was ruthless with his enemies, he was warm and friendly to his comrades.

Chang insisted that Chin Peng's last wish to be buried in his hometown in Sitiawan, Perak, should be realised as it was his right to be buried in his homeland.

"Who is Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to talk about whether Chin Peng should be allowed to return or not? Where was he during the war against the Japanese, and later, the British?"

He also dismissed reports of attempts to smuggle Chin Peng's remains into Malaysia, describing his former comrade as a "great individual" who deserved more respect.

"Why should we resort to smuggling Chin Peng's ashes back into Malaysia and burying him quietly without any fanfare? Is that what he deserves?" he said.

Chang was born in Sungai Siput, Perak, in 1941. He lost his father at a very young age to the Japanese forces occupying Malaya during that period of the second world war.

"My elder brother was a member of the CPM and leading a guerrilla resistance against the Japanese. This was the reason the Japanese took my father away."

"My father was never seen again and even till today, we do not know where his body was buried," Chang said with a tinge of sadness.

In 1969, Chang went to China as he had heard of education opportunities there. He said he first met Chin Peng while they were both in Hunan.

"A radio station called 'Suara Revolusi Malaya' had been set up and the CPM was looking for fresh blood. I signed up and was made a supervisor in the station."

Chang stayed in the same hostel as Chin Peng, and described him as a man who stuck to his principles and was unyielding.

"He commanded everyone's respect with his passion, determination and principles. As we were an underground movement, secrecy was of the utmost importance."

"But he was also warm and friendly to all his colleagues and comrades. He never lost his temper with us nor did he bully anyone."

Chang met his future wife while working at the radio station and the couple tied the knot soon after. He said the radio station broadcast in four languages, Tamil, English, Chinese and Malay.

In 1981, Chang was sent to southern Thailand to set up a new radio station called "Suara Demokrasi Malaysia" as "Suara Revolusi Malaya" had been ordered to cease broadcasting.

As with the previous radio station, Chang was appointed a supervisor in "Suara Demokrasi Malaysia" to get it up and running.

After the 1989 peace accord was signed, Chang did not apply to return to Malaysia as he was worried his daughter, who was born in China, would not be given Malaysian citizenship.

Chang, his wife and daughter have spent the past 30 years residing in Bangkok. He has, however, taken his family back to Sungai Siput several times.

"Every New Year and Chinese New Year, about 200-300 of us would gather for a reunion meal to reminisce about old times. Next year won't be the same," Chang reflected. - September 22, 2013.