12月12日请愿行动-到英国最高专员署呈交备忘录

12月12日是峇冬加里屠杀案60年忌日。《追讨英军屠杀工委会》联同华团代表、朝野政党代表及殉难者家属，一起到英国最高专员署呈交请愿书以及自8月开始所收集全国社团签名盖章的支持书。原本的流程是在马华大厦门口集合，再一起步行到英国最高专员署进行追悼仪式和呈交备忘录。
当时在马华大厦驻守的警察超过20人，而英国最高专员署前还有联邦储备队。由于警方要求十分严格，每次只允许不超过5个人一起走，并且每组的距离也必须相当远，结果严重拖延了集合时间。因此，原本计划集合所有人才进行仪式的安排被逼临阵改变，而必须先进行仪式，部分参与者才陆续抵达。
在和其他四名代表进入最高专员署呈交备忘录后，就移步到大同皇朝餐馆进行记者招待会及移交备忘录给政党的仪式。
以下为我在仪式上的讲词：
1. We have today, on the 60th Anniversary of the Batang Kali Massacre, submitted a memorandum to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. This Memorandum was received by the British High Commissioner.
2. In the Memorandum, the Action Committee Condemning the Batang Kali Massacre urges Her Majesty to assert her vast influence on the UK Government to act honourably. We are demanding a thorough and independent investigation via a public inquiry on the Batang Kali Massacre be conducted as a matter of the utmost urgency.

3. We have compelling evidence to prove that the British army committed a brutal massacre of 24 unarmed civilians at Batang Kali on 11 and 12 December 1948. This evidence includes but not limited to the eye-witnesses statements and the confession of soldiers involved under oath. However, we know that the United Kingdom’s official records state that these 24 unarmed civilian were trying to escape whilst under the soldiers’ custody. These civilians were later alleged as “bandits” and “terrorists”. We strongly and firmly deny the UK Government’s official account.

4. The UK Government’s official conclusion was reached with an absolutely incomplete investigation. There is no statement taken from the Malaysian eye-witnesses and their relatives; nor is there any process of exhumation and forensic examination. As such, while the non-UK official communities are clearly aware of the stubborn fact that the Batang Kali Massacre has indeed taken place, we opine that the most convenience forum to find out the historical truth is to go through a public inquiry under the UK Inquiries Act, 2005.

5. The proposed public inquiry must be empowered to make recommendations to expeditiously address the consequences of the Massacre such as meeting the demands of the surviving families, namely an official apology, financial compensation and construction of a memorial for the victims. This public inquiry ought to be led by senior judge of UK or European Union.

6. Thus far, our experience in dealing with the UK Government often met with silence and passive reply. We must continue to assert influence and pressure from various angles on the UK Government for purpose of addressing this historical wrong.

7. We are lobbying the Malaysian Members of Parliament and Political Parties. They have their network and connection with their counterparts within the Commonwealth countries, in particular the UK MP and Political Parties. We hope to woo the hearts and sympathy of the politicians because it is an integral part of our struggle to rectify the continuing injustice.

8. We must have the continuous and unreserved support from the local and international NGOs, which form the core of a civic society. In any civic society, there is an absolute prohibition of torture and the right not to be arbitrarily deprived of life. The Batang Kali Massacre is a clear violation of this right. We must express our sincere gratitude toward 553 Malaysian NGOs and Societies which have endorsed their full support on the cause of seeking redress for the massacre victims.

9. We need local and international media to help in our struggle. Our voice is lesser in power if compared to the mighty State. The investigative coverage given by the media will create appropriate public pressure on the UK Government to accede to our request.

10. Last but not the least, we must thank the surviving families and their relatives, for their patient for the past 60 years. They have told me that they are prepared to forgive the inhumane act of the soldiers, but they will not forget the brutal killings of their love ones. They are determined to seek a full explanation of the reasons for what occurred along with a meaningful apology and redress for the surviving family members. The Action Committee Condemning the Batang Kali Massacre and its committee members as well as volunteers are with you.

Thank you.