USE ISA AGAINST CHIN PENG'S SUPPORTERS - ASSOCIATION

KUALA LUMPUR, June 2 (Bernama) -- The Ex-Servicemen's Association has called
on the government to use the Internal Security Act (ISA) against anyone,
including politicians, who proposed or supported a move to allow former
communist leader Chin Peng to return to Malaysia.

Its president, Muhammad Abdul Ghani, also described such quarters as
communists for attempting to bring in the communist ideology into the country.

He hoped the government would take stern action against any politician or
those attemptiong to bring Chin Peng into the country.

"If possible, use the ISA. We do not want the communist ideology to grow in
Malaysia," he told a press conference here Monday.

He said in a peace treaty and the dissolution of the Communist Party of
Malaya in December 1989, the communist insurgents had agreed to stay in southern
Thailand.

"If they want to return to this country, they will have to comply to the
law and undergo a rehabilitation process.

"However, we, as ex-servicemen, will feel insulted if they were allowed to
return as Malaysian nationals," said Muhammad, who also urged the government to
review the pension paid to retired soldiers who sustained permanent disability
in the war against the communists.

Meanwhile, ex-serviceman Corporal Muhammad Sham Harun who lost his sight in
an operation against the communist insurgents in Perak in 1975, does not harbour
any love lost for the communists.

"If I ever see him (Chin Peng) again, I will dig his eyes out so he can
feel what I feel.

"There must be something that makes him want to come back, or even spread
the communist ideology. If he is allowed to return, then our sacrifices are
futile," the 55-year-old told a press conference.


Mohamad Sham retired from the army in 1994 and currently receives a RM429
monthly pension.

For Rosli Adnan who lost his legs during the war with the communists in
Grik, Perak, in 1978, Chin Peng's return would cause misery to many
ex-servicemen and their families.

"It's better he stays out of the country. His return will hurt our
feelings," said the 50-year-old who receives a monthly pension of RM274.

-- BERNAMA