Source of remains must be confirmed, says Mat Sabu

DEFENCE Minister Mohamad Sabu (pic) says the authority will carry out an investigation to ascertain whether it was really Chin Peng’s ashes that were brought back.

“Investigate first whether they are really his ashes, when and how they were brought back.

“All of these fall under the purview of the Home Ministry, ” he said when winding up Budget 2020 for his ministry at the committee stage yesterday.

Tan Sri Noh Omar (BN-Tanjung Karang) interjected by asking whether Mohamad personally agreed for the ashes to be brought back to the country.

Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau) also asked the minister to make a stand on the matter and dared him to state it in the Dewan Rakyat.

“This is about the dignity of the Armed Forces, ” he said.

Mohamad said he would only make a statement after the Home Ministry has completed its investigation into the issue.

“When the report on the issue came out, I immediately contacted Tan Sri Rahim Noor (former Inspector-General of Police) who was involved in the peace treaty on Dec 2,1979.

“Rahim has his own views and I will also make it public when I make my statement later. There are differing views on this issue, ” he said.