Wed, Aug 20, 2008
AFP
KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIAN activists are seeking an apology from
Britain for the 1948 massacre of 24 unarmed villagers by British
troops during the start of a crackdown against a rising communist
insurgency.
The killings, known here as the 'Batang Kali massacre,' occurred
in central Selangor state on Dec 12, 1948 when 14 members of the
Scots Guards killed unarmed Chinese villagers and torched their
village.
Cabinet minister Ong Tee Keat, who was present at the signing on
Wednesday of a petition calling for an official apology and
compensation, said the history of the guerrilla war between
colonial British forces and the Communist-led Malayan National
Liberation Army should be accurately portrayed.
'This event has been glossed over by the colonial government
administration. This has been kept under the rug for so long,' Mr
Ong told AFP.
'What these people are seeking really is historical redress as
those that were killed have for long been described as bandits and
Communist sympathisers,' he added.
Quek Ngee Meng, head of the Campaign Condemning the Batang Kali
Massacre said the group wanted Britain to apologise and hold a
public inquiry into the killings.
'Let us show our evidence and if we have proven our case then
meet our demands. If the outcome favours the British government,
then we will stop this protest,' he said.
In March, the group had demanded 80 million pounds (S$210
million) from London as compensation for the incident but has yet
to receive a response.
Mr Quek said an earlier British inquiry in 1970 had been halted
in order to protect the reputation of the military.
Mr Ong, who is vice president of the Malaysian Chinese
Association, a key party in the ruling coalition, said the matter
should be discussed by both countries.
'I have raised this with our foreign ministry and they will have
to decide if it can be pursued further (on a government level with
Britain).'
http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Malaysia/Story/A1Story20080820-83360.html
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The Scots Guards probable could not stand these
chappies who were probably spitting and squatting
everywhere........
Up till the 21st Century, they still squat and squat.....and
spit
No wonder they are called "squatters"....
