Dear HINDRAF UK Supporters,
Many of you may by now be aware of the plight of our sisters and brothers in the Kg. Buah Pala saga which face the danger of demolition by the capitalist developers supported by the Penang State Government led by the DAP.
The Brown Family as a trust land handed this heritage village of 200 years to the villagers’ descendents. Somehow the land was mysteriously under dubious circumstances sold to a Government Co-operative Society by the previous BN Government. However the actual land transfer took place after the DAP Government came into power. The DAP Government proceeded to transfer the said land to the new owners despite the objection of the villagers and a senior lawyer and is now working hand in glove with the developers to evict the lawful villagers. Prior to the last elections the DAP had promised the villagers they would hand the land back to them should they come into power. More than 300 villagers face demolition come 3rd August 2009.
LET US UNITE IN SOLIDARITY AND SHOW OUR SUPPORT FOR THE VILLAGERS.
WE WILL ORGANISE A PICKET TO SEND A CLEAR MESSAGE FOR THE PROTECTION OF OUR FELLOW INDIANS AND OUR LAST REMAINING HERITAGE VILLAGE IN MALAYSIA.
DATE : 1st AUGUST 2009 (SATURDAY)
TIME : 10.30 AM
VENUE: MALAYSIA TOURIST OFFICE
TRAFALGAR SQUARE
A resident of the village will be present to represent the villagers.
Please pass this message to your friends.
For enquiries contact Iswaran 07946107872
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
High Chaparral: RM3.2 Million To Be Deposited With MIC Lawyers
KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 (Bernama) -- The MIC will deposit the RM3.2 million premium for the return of the affected land in Kampung Buah Pala in Penang Pinang with the party's lawyers, MIC president Datuk Seri S.Samy Vellu said Tuesday.
He said that when the Penang government was ready to hand over the land to the Kampung Buah Pala villagers, the the party's lawyers would make the payment to the state government.
"I have instructed MIC's lawyers to write to the state government and Chief Minister (Lim Guan Eng) to get the land matter cleared. The lawyers will transmit the money when the land is approved," he said in a statement here.
Samy Vellu said that in any land deal, the money would only be paid after the land had been transacted or the documents for the transaction were ready.
"Here, we have a chief minister telling us to pay first and then let's talk," he said, adding that the MIC would keep its word and urged Lim to do the same.
Samy Vellu said he was very surprised over Lim's statement that the MIC was "bluffing" when it said that it would pay the RM3.2 million premium.
"I respect him as a young dynamic person. It is unfortunate that he can say anything that suits his purpose for the moment and be willy nilly when the table turns.
"We have to see what Lim had to say about Bukit Cina in Melaka and compare with what he is doing with Kampung Buah Pala," he added.
The DAP, of which Lim is the secretary-general, had resolved the Bukit Cina issue in 1984 and Lim was quoted as saying that it showed the DAP's priority in preserving important culture and heritage over development projects for the sake of private gain.
Samy Vellu said the MIC also wanted to save Kampung Buah Pala to preserve the Indian culture and heritage.
He urged the state government not to take the people for a ride as the land was transferred during Lim's time as chief minister and not by the previous state government.
HINDRAF will join hands with GMI for the Abolish ISA protest on 1.8.09
HINDRAF has been campaigning for the abolishment of ISA since the incarceration of the HINDRAF 5 – prisoners of conscience for 514 days.
Since the day one we are against this arbitrary Draconian Act that gives the Minister unfettered power under disguise against basic humanity that is protected by our constitution. HINDRAF had initiated countless demonstration and had faced unfair and unjust treatment from the police and government in pursuing the truth. We had carried out prayers, candle vigils, car convoy, hunger strike, handing over of memorandums and endless street demonstration urging the government to abolish ISA. Many of HINDRAF supporters also got arrested in the past for this good cause for all Malaysians.
HINDRAF will once again go to the field to support GMI, NGO’s and Pakatan Rakyat who will join hand in submitting an Abolish ISA memorandum to the palace on 1st Aug 2009 at 1.00pm.
Although the HINDRAF 5 had been released we are very much committed to this cause as a NGO who fights for the human rights issue. HINDRAF urge all its supporters to join in this peaceful protest to mark their dissatisfaction on this Draconian Law which disregard human rights.
We also urge that the government not to play a lip service for political purpose to the awakened public on repeated media releases that they will amend or abolish the ISA. If PM Dato Seri Najib is serious in looking into the welfare of Malaysians and enhance the One Malaysian concept inconsideration of the people’s plight, then he should just do it.
Abolishment of ISA is not a racial issue, but one that serves all Malaysians for the betterment of the nation with a just and fair cause without jeopardizing the human value and rights that is entrenched in the Federal constitution.
HINDRAF is fully in support of the initiative taken by GMI and its partners and shall mobilize its supporters on August 1, 2009 for the abolishment of ISA once and for all.
HINDRAF National Coordinators
S.JAYATHAS
Detainee dead, family suspects foul play - Malaysiakini
A woman has disputed the official account of her brother's death, who died in police custody at the Sentul police station on July 16.
According to the police, R Gunasegaran, 31, had died from a drug abuse.
His sister, R Ganga Gowri, 32 (right), disagreed with this version in her police report today in which she alleged that he may have died after being assaulted.
This was claimed by three witnesses who were said to be detained in the same lockup with Gunasegaran, she stated in her police report.
In view of this, Ganga Gowri is urging the authorities to perform a thorough and transparent investigation into the allegations.
She is also demanding that hospital authorities release the autopsy report if there is one, and for the police to initiate an inquest.
She was speaking at a press conference, organised by lawyer Harris Ibrahim and attended by six other lawyers.
"These (witnesses) are very afraid. They do not wish the authorities breathing down on them and shall remain anonymous.
"Should there be a transparent inquest, I have been given assurances that these people will surface," said Ganga Gowri's counsel M Visvanathan.
Visvanathan, said the witnesses alleged that Gunasegaran died within two to three hours of his arrest at about 7.30pm.
He added that the witnesses said that Gunasegaran was kicked in the chest, hit with a hose and a piece of wood.
However, Ganga Gowri had not examined the body for wounds, which is still at the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital mortuary.
Body still not claimed
She will not claim the body until a post-mortem and toxicology report is released.
Visvanathan said that although the standard practice by the authorities is to release the reports after two months, this had to be changed.
"It is insane to have the family claim the body and perform funeral rites and then wait for the post-mortem report, say for instance if the body had evidence of an assault whilst in detention," added Harris.
Harris said the police should be fair and kind to the family of the deceased and allow them access to the reports in order for them to request for a second independent autopsy if necessary.
Bar Council Human Rights Committee chairperson Edmund Bon said there appears to be inconsistencies in the way the government deals with custodial deaths.
He said it was only with sufficient public pressure, where full blown investigations will be carried out, such as in the case of DAP political aide Teoh Beng Hock, who incidentally was found dead on the same day as Gunasegaran.
He urged the government to heed repeated request by NGOs and civil societies for the establishment of a Coroners Court as magistrates conducting inquest, were not sufficiently trained in this area.
According to the police, R Gunasegaran, 31, had died from a drug abuse.
 |
This was claimed by three witnesses who were said to be detained in the same lockup with Gunasegaran, she stated in her police report.
In view of this, Ganga Gowri is urging the authorities to perform a thorough and transparent investigation into the allegations.
She is also demanding that hospital authorities release the autopsy report if there is one, and for the police to initiate an inquest.
She was speaking at a press conference, organised by lawyer Harris Ibrahim and attended by six other lawyers.
"These (witnesses) are very afraid. They do not wish the authorities breathing down on them and shall remain anonymous.
"Should there be a transparent inquest, I have been given assurances that these people will surface," said Ganga Gowri's counsel M Visvanathan.
Visvanathan, said the witnesses alleged that Gunasegaran died within two to three hours of his arrest at about 7.30pm.
He added that the witnesses said that Gunasegaran was kicked in the chest, hit with a hose and a piece of wood.
However, Ganga Gowri had not examined the body for wounds, which is still at the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital mortuary.
Body still not claimed
She will not claim the body until a post-mortem and toxicology report is released.
Visvanathan said that although the standard practice by the authorities is to release the reports after two months, this had to be changed.
"It is insane to have the family claim the body and perform funeral rites and then wait for the post-mortem report, say for instance if the body had evidence of an assault whilst in detention," added Harris.
 |
Bar Council Human Rights Committee chairperson Edmund Bon said there appears to be inconsistencies in the way the government deals with custodial deaths.
He said it was only with sufficient public pressure, where full blown investigations will be carried out, such as in the case of DAP political aide Teoh Beng Hock, who incidentally was found dead on the same day as Gunasegaran.
He urged the government to heed repeated request by NGOs and civil societies for the establishment of a Coroners Court as magistrates conducting inquest, were not sufficiently trained in this area.
Police chief promises action
Meanwhile, KL police chief Muhammad Sabtu Osman said that the police will investigate the matter thoroughly to find the truth.
"We cannot let this matter just like that. We will investigate thoroughly," he told reporters.
He added the police will have a look at the report lodged by the family.
"We will take action against any person found to have been involved in the detainee's death, even if it involves my personnel," he added.
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