Tuesday, February 9, 2010

'Once bitten' Hindraf shies away from Pakatan - Malaysiakini

Hindraf brothers P Waythamoorthy and Uthayakumar have categorically ruled out another polls pact with Pakatan Rakyat, with their previous support for the opposition alliance being seen as “a flash in the pan”.

waytha moorthy“Any debate on Hindraf backing Pakatan at the polls is like flogging a dead horse. The question does not arise at all,” Waythamoorthy said by phone from London.

He added that the two brothers are willing to work with anyone “short of the devil”, on the agenda for change and reform.

“This must not be seen as a polls pact. No one is going to ride to victory any more at the polls on the backs of Indian Malaysians.”

He was giving his take on a report that Pakatan can win back its lost Indian votes by teaming up with the now-outlawed Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).

It was the Indian vote in 67 key parliamentary seats that gave Pakatan the winning edge in five states and Kuala Lumpur, in the 2008 general election.

hindraf british petition rally 251107The votes were marshalled by Hindraf after the Nov 25, 2007 street demonstration in Kuala Lumpur and the more peaceful 'rose rally' in Putrajaya on Feb 16, 2008.

Waythamoorthy further claimed that Pakatan is doing nothing in the states that it governs to end the continued marginalisation of the Indian community from the mainstream.

This is the main reason why a future election pact is not on the table.

“Indian legislators in the opposition have been forbidden from raising issues of the community in any forum, public or private” he alleged.

Complaints against Pakatan

Waythamoorthy said his brother is in agreement with him that they need to keep a good distance from Pakatan, explaining this was on a 'once bitten, twice shy' basis.

NONEUthayakumar (left) is pro-tem head of the Human Rights Party - described as Hindraf's political wing - while Waythamoorthy leads Hindraf Makkal Sakthi, the new face of Hindraf.

Waythamoorthy trotted out a litany of complaints against Pakatan, in particular, several of its leaders.

De facto PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim is said to have misled the Indian community on the post of deputy menteri besar in Selangor, among other matters.

Both Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and his deputy P Ramasamy are seen as having turned against the community since the last general election.