Chin Peng’s ashes entry to be probed

THE government is investigating how a group of people managed to bring in the ashes of former Communist Party of Malaya leader Chin Peng without any prior approval.

Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (pic) said the government has never allowed Chin Peng’s ashes to be brought back to Malaysia.

He said based on the guidelines on bringing back and taking out the ashes of someone, a family member or anyone must inform the Customs Department.

“The question is whether the party concerned had informed anyone about the matter or if they had smuggled the ashes into the country.

“What is certain is that we were not aware at all (that Chin Peng’s ashes were brought back to Malaysia).

“We only came to know about it after the family or friend made a statement, ” he said in Bangkok where he is attending the 13th Asean Ministers Meeting on Cross-Border Crime and related meetings.

Muhyiddin said the government did not want the issue to crop up again and spark anger, especially among the families of victims of communist violence, either directly through Chin Peng or the movement during the Emergency period.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, meanwhile, said the government has not received any application to bring the ashes back.

“I received a message from Mindef (Defence Ministry) that no application has been made, ” she said after opening the Smart Technology for Smart City Summit 2019 in Shah Alam.

She said several factors must be taken into consideration in regards to the matter including the sensitivity and the sacrifices of those involved and affected by the communist insurgency.

Bukit Aman CID chief Comm Datuk Huzir Mohamed said the police were looking into a few leads on how the ashes were brought in.

“We are now reconfirming information on how and when the ashes were brought in as well as their entry point, ” he said.

Comm Huzir said police received several reports on the matter, adding that many people were unhappy that Chin Peng’s ashes were brought back.