Peaceful Protest in London by Hindraf - 1st Feb 2008

Silent Protest in London for HINDRAF 5 on Feb 1st Photos send by: John Silva from London
Crowd of more than 1000 Malaysian Indians protested in front 10 Downing Street, London today with police permit and later at 2pm, a group of 5 representatives which included Mr Wathya Moorthy were allowed audience with the Prime Minister H.E. Mr Gordan Brown's representative to present a Petition requesting the British Government, who were responsible for bringing the Indians to work in the rubber plantation and to seek their assistance to ensure that the Malaysian government does not continue to discriminate and marginalise the Indian community any further.
Later at 3pm, the same crowd gathered at the Indian High Commissioner office in London and 5 representatives including Wathya Moorthy were give audience by the Indian High Commissioner to United Kingdom, who was glad to receive the said Petition.

Waythamoothy were given live interview by AlJezerra TV which were air at 5.30 am(Msia time).

Edited by Kannan R

Solidarity Picket in Dublin with Human Rights Activists in Malaysia 28/01/2008

Solidarity Picket in Dublin with Human Rights Activists in Malaysia 28/01/2008
Malaysia has seen a clamp down on Human Rights. Some of those who dared to challenge have been arrested and face serious charges.A solidarity Picket took place today at the Malaysian Embassy at Shelbourne House today.A brief photo report from a solidarity picket which took place today at the Malaysian Embassy at Shelbourne House, Shelbourne Road in the heart of Ballsbridge.Both the Irish and Malaysian States showed up and expressed an interest in the issue.

Malaysian Embassy staff have a quick look

Candle and special Prayers in Taiping GH yesterday (27th Jan 08)

Hi all,
Vanakam,
There were almost 1000 ppl visited Hindraf heroes, Mr . Uthaya and Mr Mano M whom were admitted in Taiping GH yesterday.
The turn out was high as it was Sunday and many from all over the country from came to see the glimpse of their heroes and to show their well wish to them.
I spoke to few of them whom gathered at 4C ward lobby, all of them greet to each other by saying Vanakam, Vaalge Makkal Sakthi regardless of gender and age.
This new phenomena and its a prove of unity awareness among the Msian Indian after the 25/11 Hindraf awakening.
They even brought in their family including children as far as from JB to visit their heroes.
A man by the name of Siva from JB says he is with his family as he looks this a family struggle and it is for the betterment of his kids. He wants them to know who is Uthaya and why he is in the hospital.
The unity spirit was high and I believe it was the big step winning for HINDRAF cause.
Ppl were streaming waiting for their turn to go and see him from the outside of glass door. There are almost 4 Kamunting detention staffs at each room.
The visitors are allow to see him from outside and wave hand with smile which Uthaya repeatly waving one and with the support of another hand as he is still on drips.

We came with an idea and I rush to nearest shop to some manila card and marker, later I communicate to him thru these manila card writing.
We wrote some supporting word and thank him for the entire guide he had lead. Wish him fast recovery and many more.
He was really impressed and happy that he able to get the message across.
His smiles are signs of his courage.

Later abt 7.30 pm were did the candle vigil which been held daily since last Friday nite.
Yesterday there were abt 80 children and they lead the vigil with more than 200 others for more than 1 hours at the car park beside the ward.
Both Uthaya and Mano could see the vigil from their room and slowly waving hand to support the vigil down there.
A police patrol car did came half way of the vigil and was just watching us from far. Nothing done.

The crowds disperse peacefully and with a small prayer for their heroes.
Today is the last day of the hunger strike and we hope all will be ok for all of them.
For those whom are nearby pls do come to the Hospital today evening to show our support.
Vaalge Hindraf.
Vaalge Makkal Sakthi,

Kannan Ramasamy

A Letter From Well Wisher

My husband, kids and I were at the Subramaniam Temple, Port Kelang for Thaipusam (23.01.2008). As in previous years, we would have gone to Batu Caves, except this time around we decided to support the protest against The Batu Caves Temple Management by not patronizing their organization. The celebrations that was the grandest to date at Port Kelang deserves a whole piece of its’ own. What was really an incredible experience for my family and I, was something else that was happening at the temple grounds. To the right of the temple proper was a podium with banners of pictures of the HINDRAF leaders who were in ISA detention. The banners proclaimed in English “HINDRAF Peaceful Assembly Struggle” and “Release Our Leaders”. Having seen quite a number of youths and elderly people with an orange T-Shirt and scarf emblazoned with ‘Makkal Shakti (People’s Power) on them at the celebrations. I assumed the podium was a place about the ongoing protests of the Indian community in the country. Some were sleeping and others seated. Those seated were quite. They were neatly dressed but looked drained. But what was going on was something more significant, emotionally powerful and almost groundbreaking in Malaysian history. Some In front of the group were a few young men in the orange “Makkal Shakti’ T-shirts selling car stickers and being spokespeople for what was going on. I could see everywhere the youths with Makkal Sakthi T-Shirts are serving foods, provide drinks, cleaning temple compound, controlling traffics and etc… Looking at these people I felt a sudden sense of wanting to do something but not knowing exactly what. As we stood there near the podium we could hear people offering donations. These were politely refused by the young men. They said that they were protesting and praying and not for money. Wow! What a wonderful team with marvelous co-ordination and dedication. It was from these men that we found out that the people on the podium were on a hunger strike. From the 20th of January 2008 which was 3 days ago. They would fast until the 25th. Some of them it seams had to take some water occasionally. Two of them had been admitted to hospital. We were informed that there was a doctor on standby to monitor the situation. We (my husband and I) froze completely when we were told that the fast was a peaceful protest against the detention of the HINDRAF leaders under ISA. I started crying first. I told my husband that suddenly I felt so helpless. It didn’t take my husband’s eyes long to fill up with tears. My mind was filled with questions of who were these people who decided to leave their families and sacrifice their health to stage this fast. They looked like people that I see everyday. But they were special. These were people who had made a physical, mental and emotional commitment to a cause that me and my circle of friends just talk about. My colleagues and friends, we talk a great deal. We talk and discuss about the nuances and undercurrents of Malaysian politics and about the motivations of HINDRAF. My husband and I realized that we would be going back to our home after a couple of hours. We would be going home to a good hot meal and shower and probably catch a nap before the evening was up. But the people at the podium would still be there: hungry and thirsty and worn out. For a cause. As we introduced our son and daughter to one of the protesters, he hugged them and simply said “Hey, it’s for you and your future we are doing this for.” As we left, we thanked the protesters for what they were doing with a “Makkal Sakthi Spirit“.

Uthayakumar Photo at Taiping Hospital

"PHOTO OF UTHAYAKUMAR IN HOSPITAL BEING HANDCUFFED TO BED AND SUPPORTERS OF HINDRAF HOLDING VIGIL OUTSIDE OF HOSPITAL AND PRAYING IN NEARBY TEMPLE"

Picture of Candle Light Vigil By Hindraf Supporters at Penang Thaipoosam 2008

Dear Sir,

My Family members and me keeping the spirit high by listening to our Hon.P.Uthayakumar speech by viewing the CD of 18th Nov Speech at Butterworth. We are preparing to go for the Campaign of Red Yellow Flower to present the Flowers to Malaysian Prime Minister. We will continue our Struggle.I have include the Picture of Candle Light Vigil by Supporters at Thaipoosam. The crowd estimate about 1000 to 1500 people who carried candle light. Happy with the Support when i saw it live. VAALGE HINDRAF
Take Care your Health Sir. I really Missed all our 5 Heros who currently held under ISA.

From
Vemal
Kepala Batas.

Public holiday won't solve Indian woes

Indians must not be hood-winked by gimmicks

It must have been a great scene – 15,000 Indians from all over the country packing the Cheras badminton stadium in Kuala Lumpur and greeting Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi with a thunderous standing ovation and bursting into applause at his declaration that Thaipusam a public holiday for the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.It must have been indeed a great morale booster for the prime minister and more so for MIC president,Datuk Seri Samy Velu,whose credibility has been seriously undermined since the Hindaf rally last November.

Prime Minister aknowledging to applause(Malaysiakini)
We are told that busloads of people were ferried to the stadium, entertained by singers and provided food and drinks. I wonder how many of them would have really turned out for ‘An evening with the prime minister’ if they were subjected to the same conditions as the Hindraf protesters on Nevember 25 – no police permits, own transport, police intimidation, tear gas, water canons, arrests and imprisonment?

Large crowd in Cheras Badminton Stadium(Malaysiakini)By granting a public holiday the government and Samy Velu hope the problems of the Indian community will be overcome, at least for another five years. Is the Indian community so naïve as to believe this simplistic solution to their problems? If that was so then the Hindraf leaders must be stupid for having resorted to their actions, branded as terrorists and jailed under ISA.

The problems of the Indians are more complex and deep rooted to be solved by declaring Thaipusam a holiday. Their pathetic state of the Indians is due to the accumulated effects of their marginalization in the government and private sectors for over 50 years. They have been systematically denied their dues in the pretext of restructuring society.

In fact the PM says he had to make it a holiday more because of the massive traffic that occurs on Thaipusam day in the Federal capital, rather than giving in to the demands of the Indian community.Furthemore he dare not even declare it a national holiday as requested by the MIC and the Indians community for more than 10 years. Most Malaysians believe it is more of a political gimmick coming at a time of general elections.

What the Indian community needs now is not another public holiday; many young Indians have more than they need, as they are unemployed. What they need is fair opportunities for education, training, jobs and business. They need fair opportunities in the civil service, police and armed forces. Selection for recruitment into these institutions and admissions to public universities must be based strictly on merits. They want freedom to practice their culture and religion without official impediment.

In short they want to be treated with respect and dignity as equal citizens in the country they helped to develop.Is this too much to ask from the government they helped to elect and stood by for 50 years?

Dr.Chris Anthony

Thousands at MIC's 'evening with PM'

RK Anand Malaysiakini Jan 20, 08 9:59pm

Thousands of Indian Malaysians packed the Cheras badminton stadium in Kuala Lumpur in a show of support for Barisan Nasional (BN) and MIC this evening.Since afternoon, busloads of people were ferried to the stadium amidst heavy police presence for the event themed ‘An evening with the prime minister’.

The crowd, which numbered around 15,000, were kept entertained by singers belting out inspirational Tamil songs from the yesteryears.Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who was greeted by a thunderous standing ovation when he appeared, announced in his speech later that a public holiday will be declared for the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya for the Thaipusam festival.

“If there is no public holiday, the whole of Kuala Lumpur will be jammed up. So might as well give a public holiday,” said the premier, whose announcement was met with a roar of approval.

At present Thaipusam is a public holiday in Negri Sembilan, Perak, Penang, Johor and Selangor.Abdullah, who was accompanied by his wife Jeanne, said this was the biggest MIC gathering he has attended.“I am overwhelmed by the Indian community’s support for BN,” said the premier, who also praised MIC president and Works Minister S Samy Vellu.“I want to tell you the truth, Samy Vellu has been fighting for you in the cabinet,” he said.

Describing MIC as an “old friend”, Abdullah said BN will help the party if it is plagued by problems.Apart from this, the prime minister also announced that he will set up a “high-powered committee” to tackle hardcore poverty among all races.
Abdullah said the government aims to eradicate hardcore poverty by 2010 and vowed that no race will be left behind.“We will fight for all races. That’s my promise to you. I don’t want our children to lose out on education because of poverty,” he stressed to another round of thunderous applause.‘Stay united’

In his speech earlier, Samy Vellu said the Indian community has always been a strong supporter of BN. “Only MIC can, only BN can represent the Indians in this country. Nobody else can,” said the veteran politician.The MIC president also cautioned the Indian community not to fall prey to certain quarters who wanted to sow seeds of disunity.

“These quarters claim that the government has not done anything for the Indians over the past 50 years. They aim to break the community’s trust and support for BN.“But I am convinced that the community will not be easily swayed,” said Samy Vellu, who also enthralled the crowd by belting out a Tamil song on the importance of unity.

Admitting that there are problems in relation to the community, especially in the public delivery system, Samy Vellu said MIC has asked the premier to form a special mechanism, not only to monitor, but also ensure that the Indian community benefits from the opportunities provided by the government.

“MIC is confident that our prime minister will ensure that in the next 30 months before the Ninth Malaysia Plan ends, the government machinery will resolve the problems faced by the community,” he added.
Samy Vellu also praised Abdullah as a leader who feels for all races and creeds. “His ears are always open to hear and solve the people’s woes. He is our leader, he is the leader of all Malaysians.”For the critics and detractors, the MIC president had this to say: “We only attack from the front, we do not attack from the back. We only speak the truth.”

He also stressed that the party’s election machinery is prepared to face the general election which is expected to be called soon.MIC has pushed itself into overdrive by organising numerous events following the mass street rally organised by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) on Nov 25.
Since then, the party has come under intense criticism for allegedly failing to uplift the Indian community and protecting its rights.Hindraf has also accused the government of marginalising Indians in the country and subjecting them to persecution, charges which have been vehemently denied.

Five Hindraf leaders have since been detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for allegedly being a threat to national security.Also present at today’s event were Women, Family and Community Development Minister Sharizat Abdul Jalil and Federal Territories Minister Zulhasnan Rafique.

MEGA PONGGAL FEAST

Pictures of Prayers Held in Kulim

PRAYERS NATIONWIDE

Kg Pandan Sri Ganesar Temple prayer‏.








Poojai was held in Kepong Mariamman Temple On The 14 Jan 2008, 7pm. Around 300 plp attended the poojai.

HIndraf Prayers

Dear my dear indians,

All this month makkal sakti agenda at North. plz update if i miss any other makkal sakti activites.

12-1-08 Saturday 6.30pm Sri Sakti Durga Amman Temple, Gurney Plaza, Kelawai Road, Penang Island.

18-1-08 Firday 5.00pm Pathal kaal - Makkal sakti Thaneer pathal beside WD (Komaq) Waterfall Penang.

20-1-08 Sunday 4.00pm ( time to be confirmed again) Taman bandar baru, sungai Lalang Sg. Petani Temple . - Mega Ponggal Vila Kedah. Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur. (nationwide together same time)

23-1-08 Wednesday the all day event Makkal Sakti Thaneer Pathal 8.00pm - Candle light walk ~ ISA.

Plz attend all this events and show united. we need more voluteer to help this all acitivites. Plz sms others and forwards.

Valga Tamilan. Valga Makkal sakti.

Arise, awake & not stop till the goal is reached! ,Vasantha Krishnan

India should impose economic sanctions on Malaysia: Ramagopalan

Chennai: Hindu Munnani Founder Ramagopalan has demanded that India should impose economic sanctions on the Malaysian Government which is devastating the rights of Malaysian Indians.

The statement released by him on this demand:

Attacks are ongoing on ethnic Hindus in Malaysia. False charges are being foisted by the Government of Malaysia to subdue the resolve of Malaysian Indians to defend their human rights.

The Hindu students are not allowed to pursue their studies in schools and colleges. They are being driven out of their jobs. Hindu houses and temples are being demolished.

Every human community has inherent rights to protest, in a democratic manner, for defending their human rights. Malaysian Government is disregarding this fundamental human right. Condemning this violation, Commonwealth should decide to debar the membership of Malaysia in the Commonwealth.

Until justice is rendered to Malaysian Hindus, Indian Government should ban imports of palm oil and other commodities from Malaysia. Malaysian Government should be compelled by India to protect the Hindus by slapping economic sanctions.

International Red & Yellow Roses Campaign"

Los Angeles California, Roses Rally (Red & Yellow Roses)

Date : February 16, 2008 (Saturday)

Time : 10 am - 2 pm

Venue : In Front of Consulate General of Malaysia Los Angeles (address: 550 South Hope Street, Suite 400, Los Angeles, CA 90071)

Red Roses would signify HINDRAF's Love and Peaceful Struggle whilst yellow roses would signify the Demand for Justice for the 5 HINDRAF leaders held under the draconian laws and for the rights of the minority Indian community who have been neglected

War of Roses

Dear HINDRAF Supporters,

You may all have heard about the “War of Roses” declared by HINDRAF yesterday. Now the Government would understand that I have not accepted defeat and HINDRAF’S struggle would continue.

We would continue to peacefully fight for the release our 5 Leaders and demand that the Government meet our 18 demands submitted to the Prime Minister in July 2007.

I promise you that 16^th Feb 2007 would be an eye opener to the Government that Indians will never give up their struggle. We have remained silent for far too long. The Government finds it difficult to digest the fact that Indians have found strength to voice out their grievances.

So please send the message to all your friends by whatever means possible. We do not have the support of the media so we have to be independent and find our own way to spread the news. SMS are powerful tool at this time and age.

If you have friends overseas I suggest you ask them to organize one at their respective embassies and consulate offices as well. Never mind if it falls on Saturday. They can write to the embassy/consulate office to accept on a Saturday. They will oblige. After all the Roses are meant for the PM How can they disrespect the PM?

Kindly also take note that as policewatchmalaysia website is not available currently you could log on to www.hindraf.co.uk to find out latest news on Malaysia.

Thank you.

Waytha Moorthy

Chairman

HINDRAF

waytha@hotmail.com

8.1.08

PRAYERS FOR HINDRAF 5 IN SUNWAY AND TANGKAK