QUOTE(Crystallised Dream @ Aug 2 2007, 02:23 PM)

I asked my Comm./Moral Studies lecturer about this once. He proceeded to tell me the story of a former Japanese soldier.
His friend had invited a Japanese friend to visit Malaysia, more specifically the city of Kuching (where I stay). This Japanese friend did not come alone - in fact, she brought along her grandfather. Her grandfather happened to be a former Japanese soldier that came to Kuching during the Japanese Occupation. During his stay in Kuching, he went around looking for families of those he killed during his service here and made an official apology. Turned out this old man had suffered heavy guilt over what he had done to his victims, and his past actions haunted his conscience.
Thing is, when you approach old age, worldly wealth, fame and whatever become of lesser and lesser importance to you. You seek only to let bygones be bygones and return to where you came from. This could probably be the case with Chin Peng. Besides, why didn't he go to some communist country like China or something where his communist ideologies could be fulfilled?
However, the problem is no matter what Chin Peng's reasons may be, there is a fear in Malaysia that his homecoming might cause some Communist revival or something. But then at times I wonder whether there is anything to fear at all. If the government is fully confident about its foundations in the country, I don't think there's much need to worry about Communism. Besides, with people so bent on free speech, free expression and things, Communism might not be much of an appeal to them. Of course it's not good to be too confident, but it's not good to be too paranoid either.
Though personally I feel that the government wouldn't allow Chin Peng in any time soon. They wouldn't even think about the whole issue as long as Chin Peng doesn't do another widely-broadcast appeal.
Wow... what did the victims' family do when the old japanese soldier came knocking on their door to apollogise ??? I wonder if they got pissed ....
So maybe if this Chiin Peng made an official apology that he is sorry for being a communist, i am sure the malaysians will take him back. malaysians are a forgiving nation.. i believe. Look at Anwar, he's back in the limelight now..