KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 29, 2013): After a long 10-month wait, the British government has snubbed an offer by the families of the 24 victims of the Batang Kali Massacre in 1948 to settle their dispute out of court.

Action Committee Condemning the Batang Kali Massacre lawyer Quek Ngee Meng said the British Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministries last Thursday declined their proposal and instead will file a cross-appeal.

"The ministers are fully committed to pursue their cross-appeal that the Sultan of Selangor (in 1948) instead of the British Government should be held responsible for the massacre," Quek told the press today.

A patrol from the 2nd Battalion of the Scots Guard allegedly burnt down a village in Batang Kali and fatally shot 24 of the village men after losing two armed insurgents the unit was pursuing.

Quek said the families were outraged that the British ministers "slammed the door in their face" and today, launched a social media campaign to create more awareness about the incident.

Quek said they are also planning to build a memorial at the Ulu Yam Baru Kwang Dong Cemetery at Batang Kali, where the massacre victims are buried.

Estimated to cost RM1 million, the memorial garden will be entirely funded by donations.

Hulu Selangor MP P. Kamalanathan said it is regrettable that most direct immediate family members of the victims have already passed away without getting redress.

He pledged his full support to the memorial garden.