Zam Says MCA Has Accepted His Explanation Over Communist Memorials. Is This True?

If it's true then I must say that it was merely a storm in a teacup which some groups tried to take advantage of. It could also mean that Zam's accusations are absolutely valid and the MCA recognizes that. Lets read Lord Zam's statement first....

.....Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin said Wednesday the MCA has accepted his explanation over the issue of memorials for communists found at several Chinese cemeteries, and he considered the matter resolved amicably.

He said he cleared the matter with MCA Vice-President Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek at a meeting today and did not dispute it if there had been members of the Malayan People's Anti-Japanese Army (MPAJA) who felt they were not communists. "I explained the matter to Dr Chua and he accepted the explanation. As such, we should end the issue," he told reporters when met after his ministry's post-Cabinet meeting, here. "As for me, only those who feel they are communists would be offended by what I had said," he said.

Several Chinese newspapers had highlighted the matter following Zainuddin's remarks that he was displeased that some insensitive people were erecting memorials for communists as this showed disrespect to those who had fought the communists.

Zainuddin, who is also the Member of Parliament for Merbok, had alleged during a speech at a Merbok Puteri Umno function last week that such memorials had been found at private Chinese cemeteries in Sarawak and in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan.

According to him, memorials should only be erected for those who had fought for the country's independence or against the communists, irrespective of which group or movement they belonged to. "We should not pay tribute to one movement or group that involved only a particular race but individuals or larger organisations that had played instrumental roles for the benefit of all the races in the country," he said.

According to him, among those who qualified for such recognition were Tan Sri Dr Too Chee Chew, who masterminded the psychological warfare against the communists, and former Perak Chief Police Officer Tan Sri Koo Chong Kong, who was gunned down in the line of duty.

****** I'm afraid this again is one of those issues where there will be no solution and the matter has to subside over time until it is raised again in the future. If at all the MCA or Dr Chua in his personal capacity 'accepted' Zam's explanations it is probably with this in mind. It is pointless to kick up a big fuss over his statement. Sometimes it's better to ignore provocative speeches and unsolicited opinions and continue with the unenviable task of nation building than attempting to score petty political points.
Image - shaun.numb