Monday, August 31, 2009

Hindraf files report, urges cops to act fast - Malaysiakini

The Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) has filed a police report on the controversial 'cow head' protest and urged the police to act swiftly.

Hindraf coordinator K Selvam told Malaysiakini said he lodged the report at the Shah Alam district police headquarters. He was accompanied by another 16 leaders and supporters from the movement.

"We wonder as to why the police have yet to take any action against the protesters although they have promised to act swiftly. Until today, nothing has been done," he said.

According to Selvam, the act of marching with the cow's head could create racial tension. “They marched about 300 metres with the head....it was seditious and the police did not do anything (to stop them),” he said.

PM cannot be quiet

Last Friday, some 50 residents from Section 23 in Shah Alam staged the protest against the proposal to relocate a Hindu temple to their area.

Before dispersing, several protesters spat and stomped on the cow's head. The cow is considered sacred to Hindus.

The protest drew flak from various quarters, including politicians from Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat

Selvam said the movement will stage a candlelight vigil on Saturday at Dataran Merdeka if the police fail to act against the protesters.

"We are urging the police to take action and the government should do something about it.

"The prime minister (Najib Abdul Razak) cannot just sit quiet on this matter because he keeps promoting the concept of 1Malaysia and this is a multiracial country," he said.

Earlier today, Selangor police chief Khalid Abu Bakar told Malaysiakinit that a special team has been set up to probe the matter and they hope to wrap up investigations by Tuesday.

The case is being investigated under the Sedition Act.