A decision to allow the former Communist Party of Malaya secretary-general Chin Peng to return to Malaysia needs to take into account public opinion, said former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

mahathir pc on bar council 191208 02He said he will agree with what is decided by the people.

"I have to take into account the people's feeling, if they agree there's no problem. But if people do not like it, what to do," he said when met by reporters while visiting the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2009 at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC) in Langkawi today.

Asked to comment on a statement by former inspector-general of police Rahim Noor in Malaysiakini that Chin Peng had the right to return to Malaysia at least on a social visit under the Haadyai Peace Accord, Mahathir was non-committal.

Need to clarify peace deal

He said the peace agreement, which was signed when he was prime minister, needed to be clarified to the people.

chin peng interview 021209 03"Needs to be clarified to people first, say there was an agreement," he said.

The issue surrounding Chin Peng arose after he voiced his desire to return to the country to visit his family in Sitiawan, Perak, but this was vehemently opposed by former servicemen who were confronted the cruelty of the communists.

The government had already state its stand not to allow the former communist leader to return.

- Bernama