PEOPLE REJECT CHIN PENG'S RETURN

YAN (Malaysia), June 15 (Bernama) -- A study carried out by the Malaysian
Information Department reveals that the people do not want the government to
allow former Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) leader Chin Peng to return to the
country.

Information Department Director-General Abdullah Morad said the result
of a survey carried out on 10,000 respondents of various ethnic groups showed
that 80 per cent did not want Chin Peng to be allowed to return or to be granted
citizenship.

He said the survey was carried out nationwide following a suggestion from
certain quarters that Chin Peng should be allowed to return on humanitarian
ground.

"The survey revealed that the people of all ethnic groups could not accept
Chin Peng because of the atrocities committed by him during the emergency period
and after the country attained independence," he told reporters here Monday.

He said the statement by People's Justice Party (Parti Keadilan Rakyat -
PKR) advisor Anwar Ibrahim that Chin Peng should be allowed to return, because
of the permission granted by the government to several members of the CPM
members to return home previously, would only create confusion.

"There can be chaos in the country and the people can become confused if the
issue on Chin Peng continues to be played up by opposition leaders to gain
sympathy although the people have rejected Chin Peng's intention to return," he
said.

He said the people of all races who loved the country should respect the
Rukun Negara and the government's decision not to allow Chin Peng to return.

-- BERNAMA