POLICE have identified nine associations believed to have been involved in organising the 30th anniversary of the Hatyai Peace Accord in Kajang on December 1, said Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Huzir Mohamed today.

He said police have also identified four individuals who gave speeches at the event – Sg Pelek assemblyman Ronnie Liu, Persatuan Persahabatan Abad ke-21 editor, Malayan Communist Party (CPM) representative and Persatuan Kawan Karib Sarawak spokesman.

CPM had laid down its arms in 1989.

“So far, statements from six witnesses have been recorded while others will be taken on their appointment dates.

“Police have received 72 reports pertaining to the case. The investigations are ongoing and action will be taken, including obtaining the views of historians,” he said in a statement.

Huzir said police will obtain reports from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Registrar of Societies (RoS) to assist in the investigations.

The investigation paper will then be referred to the Attorney-General’s Chambers with recommendations based on the findings of the investigation, he said.

“Investigations are carried out under Section 505 (C) of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.”

On December 1, a news portal reported about 300 people attended a gathering that allegedly involved former CPM members in Kajang.

The meeting is understood was to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Hatyai Peace Accord, signed between Malaysia and CPM on December 2, 1989.

Meanwhile, Huzir said police had recorded statements from 10 individuals regarding the case over the return of Chin Peng’s ashes.

“They include the complainants as well as Malaysiakini editor, journalists, individuals who brought in the ashes as well others involved in the event.

“Investigations are still under way and a number of actions will be taken including obtaining historical evidence.”

Huzir said reports from the MCMC, Immigration Department, RoS, Health Ministry and Royal Malaysian Customs Department will be obtained to assist in the investigation.

To date, he said, 11 police reports have been lodged pertaining to the case and the investigation papers would be referred to the Attorney-General’s Chambers along with some recommendations based on the findings of the investigation.

“The case is being investigated under Section 504 and 505 (C) of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.”

On Nov 26, the media had reported the ashes of Chin Peng, whose real name is Ong Boon Hua, were brought into the country on Sept 16 and scattered into the sea near Lumut and in jungles in  the Titiwangsa Range without any memorial or markers.

It was reported that Chin Peng’s ashes arrived in Ipoh, Perak on September 16 and a memorial service was attended by 150 individuals on the same day.

Chin Peng died in a hospital in Bangkok in 2013 at the age of 89.

The CPM had mounted an insurgency called the Malayan Emergency from 1948 to 1960  to turn Malaya into a communist state but lost the guerrilla war against the Malayan government which was assisted by Commonwealth armed forces. – Bernama, December 11, 2019.