A Universiti Malaya professor has expressed concern over the publication of exiled former Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) leader Chin Peng's memoirs and asked if this was an attempt to rewrite history.

In his weekly column in Utusan Malaysia, Prof Firdaus Abdullah wondered if the book was a part of a strategy to offer the public alternative views on the struggle for independence.

Chin Peng, 79, had recently made an application to return to Malaysia to launch his book 'Alias Chin Peng - My Side of History' - and to visit his late parents' graves but this was rejected by the authorities.

The Perak-born former communist leader has been living in exile for more than 40 years and is currently living in Thailand.

"News reports on Chin Peng's application to return to Malaysia were published almost simultaneously with the publication of his memoirs," wrote the economics lecturer.

Political mileage

Firdaus said that there was a good market for the book in Malaysia and "a little controversy would help boost sales further".

However, he said while others might dismiss this as a commercial gimmick, he was concerned of the implications of such a move.

The economics lecturer also questioned the rationale behind DAP chairperson Lim Kit Siang's call on the government to issue a ministerial statement on the status of Chin Peng's application in Parliament.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (Keadilan) and various other quarters have also urged the government to allow Chin Peng to return

"Previously we saw certain quarters hoping to gain some commercial mileage by playing up the issue, I am beginning to see that politics has now come into play.

"Why must there be a ministerial statement? Is the matter relating to the former CPM leader so important that it has to become the priority for our government to attend to?" asked the lecturer.

Besides expressing sympathy for Chin Peng, Firdaus said Lim had also tried to link it to several other things such as the general election and the 30th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic ties.

Divided on issue

He said that the public must be reminded of the security aspect with regards to allowing the former Communist leader to come home.

The professor said the public, judging from their reaction especially on the Internet, appear to be divided over the issue.

Announcing that Chin Peng's application has been rejected, Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the former was still linked to a banned organisation 'with a history of perpetrating terrorism in this country'.

The CPM waged a guerrilla war against the British colonial and Malayan governments between 1948 and 1960.

The organisation laid down its arms after signing a peace accord in 1987.