DAP calls for inquiry into the 1985 “Memali killings”

(The Rocket) – DAP has urged the government to launch a Royal Commission of Inquiry on the Memali killings, following the recent revelation of Dr Mahathir being in Malaysia as the events of clashes between the police, and Ibrahim Libya and his supporters unfolded on 19 November 1985.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Musa Hitam had revealed at a public discussion organised by Kelantan State Government held in Kota Bahru on 27 March 2014 that Mahathir was in Kuala Lumpur when the bloodshed had taken place.

In his response, Mahathir said he could not remember if he was in the country during the Memali incident and that he would have to check into his records to verify if Musa’s claim was true.

This prompted Gelang Patah MP Lim Kit Siang to ask, “Was the Mahathir in fact master-minding the Memali attacks and even overruled Musa’s earlier directive to the police not to use force when arresting Ibrahim Libya and to withdraw should they encounter resistance?

“Clearly, a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the 29-year Memali incident is warranted by the fact that the protagonists like Mahathir and Musa Hitam are still alive and can testify on the tragedy which cost the lives of 18 people (including four policemen),” he added.

Lim Kit Siang had also said that the terms of reference of the Independent Commission of Inquiry into the Kampong Memali Incident should include an inquiry whether there was no other way for the police to handle the situation without provoking loss of life; the causes as to why children and women could be worked into a frenzy in support of Ibrahim Libya, as well as whether UMNO’s discriminatory policies against PAS supporters could have been an contributing factor.

The Gelang Patah MP called for an independent and unbiased report on the course of events on 19 November 1985 and to make recommendations as to the lessons to be learnt to prevent recurrence of the Kampong Memali Tragedy.

“With the revelation of the 29-year secret that Mahathir was in Malaysia during the Memali Incident, an independent commission of inquiry into all aspects of the tragedy has become most imperative,” he said.