Group idolising Chin Peng still exists - Ahmad Shabery

Communication and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek today said that although Chin Peng is dead, the communist ideology he fought for is still alive.

In fact, the group who 'idolised' Chin Peng still exists in Malaysia, the minister said.

"While we are celebrating the success of the late Tunku Abdul Rahman in leading the formation of Malaysia, we must remember this (Chin Peng) is the person who opposed every cause fought by the late Tunku.

"The sufferings of the people during the communist insurgency is a trauma they will never forget," Ahmad Shabery said in a statement Monday.

Chin Peng was reported to have died at a hospital in Bangkok at 6.20am today due to old age, a month before his 89th birthday. He was born on Oct 21, 1924.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, in his reaction, said that the government would not consider any request from Chin Peng's family to bring back the remains of the former Communist Party of Malaya leader back to Malaysia for burial.

Najib said the communist guerillas led by Chin Peng had killed thousands of people during the Emergency era, especially members of the security forces, and left thousands others with permanent scars and disabilities.