KUALA LUMPUR: If a Royal Commission of Inquiry on the 1985 Memali incident is set up, it should only be done after the 14th General Election (GE14), former deputy prime minister said today.
This, Tun Musa Hitam said, is to avoid the issue from being politically abused.
He said postponing the formation of the RCI would deter certain parties from playing up the issue for their own political benefit in order to reel in more votes.
"...It is wiser and will serve its (RCI) purpose better to form and have the proceedings until after the GE14.
"There is also a need to choose an appropriate time to form (the RCI) and hold the proceedings to ensure that the establishment will serve its purpose rather than fulfilling short-term political agenda of certain quarters.
"To me, there is nothing wrong with the formation so long as it is done with the right intention which is to seek the truth and justice without prejudice and that everything is done in accordance with the Constitution and the nation's law."
Musa said there should not be any issues in postponing the RCI since the tragedy had occurred 32 years ago, and no action had been taken apart from the White Paper presented and debated in Parliament.
He added that there was no rationale in rushing for the RCI and the postponement would actually placed it in good light as it does not bow down to pressure of GE14.
"I believe those who are sincere and want to know the background of the Memali tragedy will agree to have it formed after the election."
