Zam, come visit ‘communist monument’
Malaysiakini.com
Dec 19, 2006

Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin has been invited to visit a war monument in a private cemetary in Nilai, which he alleged was a memorial for Malaysia’s communists.

Organising committee chairperson of the monument Quek Jin Teck said the move was to allow Zainuddin dispel any misconception that the monument being for the outlawed communist movement.

Quek said the monument, written in five languages, was to commemorate heroes who fought against the Japanese invasion between 1941 and 1945.

“There was no mention whatsoever on any memorial service to communist. We will do our very best to brief and explain to the minister so that any misunderstanding can be clarified and cleared,” said Quek in a statement yesterday.

Misunderstanding

Quek adds that several MCA politicians, such as Deputy Education Minister Hon Choon Kim, Deputy Tourism Minister Donald Lim, Deputy Domestic Affairs Minister Tan Chai Hoe, who attended a prior memorial service for fallen heroes against the Japanese invasion, did not express reservations.

“We humbly urge the minister to refrain from treating those who fought against the Japanese aggression and invasion during the Second World War as communist blatantly,” added Quek.

Last Saturday, Zainuddin told Bernama that two such memorials exist in Sarawak and Nilai, Selangor.

He said erecting such memorials were insensitive and disrespectful as many Malaysians were killed during the communist insurgency.

“The people must remember that at one time, they were the nation's number one enemy,” said Zainuddin.

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