Can We forgive this Man?

The pre-Independence years was such a tumultuous time.

The good guys who fought the Japanese somehow became the bad guys because they continue to fight against British colonialism. They were called terrorists as they were on the other side. Even though they were inclined towards Communist China, its hard to pin them down to that ideology.

On the political front, even far sighted Onn Jaafar lost the proverbial crown to the Tunku and had to turn his liberal beliefs on its head by setting up the much failed Independence Malaya Party.

Ong Boon Hua, more commonly known as Chin Peng, was one of the three top freedom fighters of the MPAJA during the Japanese Occupation of Malaya. He is now old and weary and wants to come home to die in his hometown of Sitiawan, Perak.

He was a hero and his exploits against the Japanese are the stuff of legends. However, to many, he was an anti-hero and traitor. After the Insurgency, he was outlawed to somewhere in Thailand. He was also seen in Australia.

Chin Peng has fought all the levels and rungs in the Judiciary system in an attempt to come home to die in his home town. All his efforts have failed.

The current government in power intends to remain in a populist mode; and will not forgive this old man. As far as they are concerned, he is a traitor and is forever banned from coming home.

He celebrated his 85th birthday early this year. It was a surprise party hosted by friends, oddly at a Japanese restaurant.

The former secretary-general of the outlawed Communist Party of Malaya was actually born on the 21st day of the ninth lunar month in 1924, according to the Chinese calendar. By his family’s reckoning, the date is equivalent to Oct 19. So, the celebration is 4 days too soon.

Ong grew up in a large working-class family which did not believe in celebrating birthdays, let alone having cake. Surprisingly, Malaysia’s former Public Enemy No.1 has a sweet tooth.

He received a box of Godiva chocolates and was treated to a fruit meringue cake, which he heartily devoured.

Asked about the strange choice of restaurant, the anti-colonialist who also waged guerrilla attacks against the Japanese during World War Two, said: “This is not my first time eating Japanese food. I can eat both Asian and European.”

The way things are, the government will unlikely grant a reprieve for Chin Peng to come home alive. Perhaps, his remains may some day find its way home to Sitiawan.

How sad!