Don't put communist leaders on a pedestal, says S'gor ruler

Selangor's Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has urged the people of the state not to put communists leaders on a pedestal.

The ruler said while some argue the Communist Party of Malaysia (CPM) fought against colonisers, the CPM did not fight for democracy.

"The struggle of the CPM, while said to also be against colonisers, but their ideology was not based on the concept of forming an independent Malaysia based on a democratic constitutional monarchy.

"The fact about the CPM's ideological struggle is a historical fact that the current generation must thoroughly understand so we are not led astray by confusing facts about their struggle," Sultan Sharafuddin said at the Istana Alam Shah in Klang today.

He said this in his royal address in conjunction with his official birthday.

"I hope none of my subjects are still confused by true historical facts regarding the CPM struggle to the point of putting their leaders on a pedestal," he added.

Sultan Sharafuddin said many members of the security forces died fighting for the country against the communists, as did many Malays, Chinese, Indians and others due to communist attacks.

The people at the time, he said, lived in constant fear because of such attacks by the CPM.

The sultan's remarks come after controversy surrounding the return of former CPM leader Chin Peng's ashes to Malaysia.

News of the ashes being smuggled in came ahead of the 30th anniversary of the Hat Yai Peace Accord, which was signed in 1989.

Events commemorating the accord, in Kajang and in Hat Yai, have courted controversy and are being investigated by police.