2,000 protest against calls to allow Chin Peng to come back

(The Star) KOTA BARU: About 2,000 people held a peaceful demonstration to protest against suggestions that former Malayan Communist Party (MCP) secretary-general Chin Peng be allowed to return to Malaysia.

They were members of the Kelantan People’s Action Council (MTRK) and People’s Champion and Service Centre (PKMR).

The hour-long demonstration here yesterday was led by MTRK president and Pasir Mas MP Datuk Ibrahim Ali.

Ibrahim also hit out at the PAS-led Kelantan government for “not doing enough” to uplift the economic status of the people despite ruling the state for more than 20 years.

“I do not see any foreign direct investments coming to Kelantan. The only trade mission abroad was to China and the only thing that came out of it was Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat holding a ceramah in a mosque there,” he told reporters.

Yesterday’s gathering was also meant to provide an indication for Ibrahim to decide whether he would remain an Independent or join another political party.

The outcome showed that 910 people voted for Ibrahim to decide himself; 150 wanted him to remain Independent, 240 votes urged him to return to Umno while 97 voted for him to join PAS and 10 wanted him to set up a new party.

Ibrahim said he was in no hurry to decide.