Mkini - Hindraf Anti-ISA vigil turns into peace march

Mkini - Hindraf Anti-ISA vigil turns into peace march
Andrew Ong and Rahmah Ghazali Sep 27, 08 8:05pm

About 2,000 people staged a peaceful march through the busy streets of Kuala Lumpur tonight calling for the abolishment of Internal Security Act and freeing detainees under the Act .

Initially, two separate groups - Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) and coalition of NGOs led by the Writer Alliance For Media Independence (Wami) - had initially planned to hold a candlelight vigil at Dataran Merdeka at about 7.30pm. When they came across a police cordon at Dataran Merdeka, the Hindraf-led group numbering about 500 decided to march to the temple opposite the Puduraya bus terminal about 1km away.

The crowd marched unhindered towards their destinations and gradually the crowd swelled to about 2,000 people from all walks of life, with many carrying candles. The other group, which was in a procession holding Chinese lanterns, eventually joined up with the Hindraf group. The police were caught off-guard by the huge turnout. Many media personnel had also remarked that the large crowd was unanticipated as past vigils had been small in number.

‘Tonight, we are the judges’

Shouts of “Mansuhkan ISA (Abolish the ISA)”, “Bebaskan Raja Petra (Free Raja Petra)” and “Hindraf Valga (Long live Hindraf)” were chanted by the marchers. Eventually, the crowd gathered at the temple compound where several individuals addressed the crowd with highly charged speeches.

Hindraf national coordinator R Thanenthiran said that government should heed the protesters' demands to free ISA detainees. “The Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar should listen to us. He alone cannot decide what is best for the country. Tonight, we the people, are the judges,” he said. Later, Teluk Intan MP M Manogaran told the crowd that a large gathering is being planned to commemorate the first anniversary of the ISA arrest of five Hindraf leaders currently held in the Kamunting Detention Camp. “We will keep holding gatherings until all ISA detainees are released,” he said.

Festive atmosphere

Meanwhile, the crowd was peaceful throughout and a festive atmosphere permeates in the air. Several supporters of detained blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin were also at hand to sing ‘Happy Birthday Raja Petra’ as today was his birthday. By 9pm, protest leaders dispersed the crowd. There were no reports of untoward incidents.

Hindraf national coordinator Thanenthiran later told reporters that the march tonight was proof that Malaysians can gather peacefully in order to express themselves. “If the police follows the law, we can do the same,” he said. In a statement immediately after the crowd dispersal, Hindraf leader-in-exile P Waytha Moorthy thanked the police for allowing the march to proceed. “The government should now accept that Malaysians have sent a loud and clear message that the use of the ISA cannot be tolerated,” he said.

Meanwhile, two visually blind participants told Malaysiakini at the scene why they took part in the march.Ramli Abu Bakar, 51, said he has been supporting the anti-ISA movement ever since it was established because “the country has achieved independence and the act is nothing but a mediaeval law”.“We have been independent for 51 years and why would we need such a legislation now?” asked Ramli.Ramli's friend, Kamal Abu Bakar, 48, echoed his views, saying that the government is “stupid for not abolishing ISA as it is no longer relevant”.There were also supporters of Raja Petra who were in high spirits in showing their support to their idol on his birthday. For Sampa Lee, 60, he said releasing Raja Petra and other detainees would be the best birthday gift the government could ever give to them.“It would be the best present for Raja Petra and all Malaysians as we are all against the draconian law,” said Sampa.

VIDEOS
Anti-ISA vigil turns into peace march l 7 min

Incident-free Hindraf vigil l 18 min

Anti-ISA lantern walk attracts youth l 8 min

PS from WMP - Uthaya fasts in solidarity with other muslim detainees in KEMTA for Abolishment ISA

HINDRAF
HINDU RIGHTS ACTION FORCE
No. 135-3-A, Jalan Toman 7,
Kemayan Square,
70200 Seremban, Negeri Sembilan
Malaysia. Tel: +606-7672995/6
Fax: +6-06-7672997 Email waytha@hotmail.com


Media Statement

Re: Hindraf Detainee , P. Uthayakumar fasts in Solidarity with Jemaah Islamiah and Darul Islamiah Detainees for abolishment of ISA During Month of Ramadan.

This is the fourth week in the Islamic holy month of Ramadan that Hindraf legal adviser P. Uthayakumar who is currently in detention without trial in an open court of law and held at the Kemunting Taiping, Kemta Prison is fasting in solidarity with fellow Jemaah Islamiah (JI) and Darul Islamiah (DI) detainees for the abolishment of the draconian Internal Security Act (ISA). P. Uthayakumar hopes Prime Minister Badawi would urgently release all ISA detainees especially for the Jemaah Islamiah detainees, some of whom have been detained for seven years now on the occasion of this Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

At Kemta Prison there has been zero racial or inter religious conflicts of any kind among the Chinese, Indian and Malay Muslims. Hindu P. Uthayakumar and two other Chinese Buddhists who are fasting on the occasion of the Ramadan month are invited to join the Malay Muslims detainees during the breaking of the fast. This unity coexistence and racial and religious harmony is because of the equality before the law (Article 8 of the Federal Constitution) and there are no special privileges for any detainee irrespective of race and religion and no detainee asserts supremacy or the social contract.

In fact the 49 UMNO controlled BBC members who were sent to Taiwan for a working visit should instead have come and stayed in Kemta Prison to learn appreciate and implement true multi-racialism and multi-religionism in the works. But UMNO and the Prison authorities have denied Uthayakumar and the other two Chinese detainees who were fasting the right to buy special food and cakes which has been accorded to the Muslims detainees. They are trying to break solidarity between the Muslims and the non- Muslim detainees.

In fact many JI and DI members support Hindraf’s 18 point demands to Prime Minister Badawi dated 12/08/2007 and struggle for equality and equal opportunities especially for Indians who have for the last 51 years been excluded from the mainstream development. One JI member specifically said that while the government gave him and his siblings’ scholarships to study overseas and who are now all professionals in the business and corporate sector and graduates, and his Indian neighbours in Kluang, Johor are in the same position their parents and grand parents had been living. In fact this JI member in welcoming P. Uthayakumar on their first encounter with Uthayakumar in the first week in Kemta Prison was “I have been here for seven years and didn’t give up. Keep up the struggle”. This golden word has helped and has and will keep up Hindraf’s struggle for as long as it takes.

P.Waythamoorthy

Chairman

Hindraf

PS from WMP - Ampang Sri Maha Mariamman Temple Demolition- Dr Xavier, stop the same BN tune !

HINDRAF
135-3-A Jalan Toman 7
Kemayan Square 70200
Seremban.

PRESS STATEMENT – 27 Sept 2008

RE: DEMOLITION OF SRI MAHA KALIAMMAN TEMPLE AMPANG DR XAVIER JAYAKUMAR OF PAKATAN EXCO LOST THE PLOT ON TEMPLE “NOT REGISTERED ACCORDING TO THEIR FORMAT”.
PAKATAN GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT FOLLOW THEIR PREDECESSORS
ATTITUDE OF MISLEADING THE PEOPLE ON “REGISTER” ISSUE.
IS PAKATAN GOVERNMENT WILLING TO LODGE POLICE REPORTS ON AMPANG JAYA MUNICIPAL COUNCIL??

HINDRAF is shocked with the statement made by Dr.Xavier Jayakumar which appears to echo that of the usual excuses given by BN and UMNO leaders that Temples are demolished because they are not “registered”.
We maintain our stand that there are no provisions currently under the Law to register the existence of a Temple and that this and all temples exist legally under Article 11 of the Federal Constitution. The issue of legality of a Temple does not exist at all and it is a duty of the Government to provide land and funds for places of worships belonging to any and all religious groups. The statement by Dr. Jayakumar that the Sri Maha Kaliamman Temple is not registered with the Selangor State Council and that it did not fulfil the “format” of registration is a joke and makes a mockery of the basic right to worship of every citizen. It appears the Pakatan Government is singing the same tune of the previous Barisan Government in misleading the community to believe that the temple committee was at fault for not registering the temple.
We challenge Dr Jayakumar and his Pakatan Government to produce the necessary provisions of the state Law that stipulated the necessity of the so-called “format”. To add insult to injury he had the audacity to say this is not a Temple but a shrine. Is he trying to indicate that it was okay to demolish a shrine? How less is a shrine than a temple?? The problem with these politicians is they do not give a dam about the feelings of
Hindus and the need to provide and gazette places of worships belonging to Hindus.
HINDRAF have specifically written to the 5 Pakatan led Governments to gazette all temples (which is directly under their purview) but till date they have not taken any positive steps to do the same and keep misleading the people in the same way BN did.

HINDRAF is taken aback with the statement that the MPAJ had ordered the demolition of the Temple without knowledge or directive of the state Government. If the statement of Dr.Xavier is true he should take the most responsible step by lodging police report and insist the police initiate criminal proceedings against MPAJ for their
Criminal act under the penal Code for defiling a place of worship.
The statement by Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin justifying the demolition of the temple on grounds of misunderstanding between MPAJ and temple management on renovation works and documentation is another mockery. Is it consistent with good Governance to demolish a place of worship should there be a “misunderstanding”. Would anyone in MPAJ dare demolish a mosque?
HINDRAF hereby calls on the Selangor Government to stop playing politics and mislead the people and immediately gazette all places of worships and provide land and funding for the purposes of erection of places of worships belonging to Hindus and non-Muslims.

P.Waytha Moorthy
Chairman
HINDRAF

Terima Kasih kepada semua anak bangsa Malaysia

Terima Kasih kepada semua anak bangsa Malaysia

27hb Sept 2008 sudah pasti akan menjadi kebangaan bagi setiap individu yang telah berani keluar berarak bersama ribuan yang lain dengan satu tujuan dan satu matlamat dengan membuktikan pada mata dunia bahawa anak bangsa Malaysia yang terdiri daripada pelbagai kaum, kepercayaan agama, peringkat usia dan kefahaman politik yang berbeza dapat berkumpul dan menuntut keadilan terhadap akta kezaliman ISA.

Saya sebagai salah seorang anak bangsa Malaysia yang berdiri teguh di samping perjuangan Hindraf Makkal Sakthi ingin merakamkan ribuan terima kasih dann pujian kepada semua yang telah turut sama menjayakan perarakan aman "Hindraf Anti-ISA CandleLight Vigil".

Sesuatu yang luar biasa terjadi pada perarakan hari ini di mana pihak polis bertindak secara adil dengan menjaga kelancaran trafik dan keselamatan peserta. Tiada sekatan jalan raya, tiada paksaan bersurai, tiada water canon, tiada bom pemedih mata, tiada keganasan mahupun kelakuan keterlaluan dan tiada tangkapan mahupun insiden yang tidak diingini dilaporkan berlaku sepanjang 2 jam tersebut.

Terima kasih kami ucapkan kepada pihak polis yang berlalu adil dan aman dengan menjaga keselamatan dan kelancaran perarakan kami sepanjang tempoh tersebut. Terima kasih yang teramat tinggi juga kepada semua pihak media massa terutamanya yang beroparasi secara online iaitu MalaysiaKini dan TheMalaysianInsider kerana sentiasa memberi ruang kepada kami untuk meluahkan isi hati dan seterusnya mementaskan ianya kepada mata dunia secara adil dan seadanya.Terima kasih juga atas tenaga dan suara laungan anak bangsa Malaysia yang tidak lemah semangat.

Sejauh lebih kurang 1km, daripada Dataran Merdeka sehingga ke Hentian Pudu Raya, laungan bertenaga "Hindraf Vaalga", "Bebaskan RPK", "Mansuhkan ISA" lantang kedengaran daripada para peserta dari berbilang kaum dan peringkat usia. Mungkin bagi mata pelancong asing ianya umpama perayaan yang tidak tertulis dalam kelender tahunan namun yang pasti mereka akan faham segalanya apabila membaca akhbar di pagi nanti.

Semoga masej, usaha dan perjuangan kita pada malam tadi akan menyedarkan mereka-mereka yang sengaja tidak mahu sedar selama ini. Jom bersama-sama kita berdoa agar kesedaran hadir di dalam hati mereka untuk tidak terus menzalimi anak kelahiran MANUSIA dengan ISA.

MANSUHKAN ISA.

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Report of Hindraf Candle Vigil on 27 Sept at Dat Merdeka

Attached are some of the photos taken in various location of the event.

The Hindraf Makkal Sakthi Candle Vigil on27 Sept 2008 at Dataran Merdeka was a good success with more than 10,000 people have gathered to support Anti ISA.

Earlier the police gave verbal warning to a small crowd of supporters gathered near the Bar Council near Dataran Merdeka at 6.45pm and again final warning to dispease at 7.15pm when we started the candle vigil. A negotiation took place and finally we moved the crowd to take a detour via the shortcut to Jln TunPerak.

Along the way more supporters from various group largely from Hindraf joins in and all lead to Dataran Merdeka entry thru Jalan Tun Perak. YB Mano, Lawyer Suren, RS Thanethiran and some key coordinators had negotiated and got approval to do vigil there till 8.00 pm.

Here more people gathered to join and bypassers honk to support the vigil.

By 8.00 pm the crowd grew to thousands. The whole crowd then moved to nearby temple, Sri Kotaimalai Pillayar temple near Puduraya. One side of JTP (Jln Tun Perak) were closed and police help to divert the traffic to other roads to exit KL. The crowd slowly march peacefully to the temple as the police allow the peace march.

The anti ISA mantra of "Mansuhkan ISA", "Kuburkan ISA", Bebaskan Tahanan ISA", "Bebaskan RPK" and of course "Hindraf Vaalge", "Makkal Sakti Vaalge", "Waythamoorthy Vaalge" and "Uthayakumar Vaalge" were chant loadly by supporters along the walk to the temple.

They also carried various sizes and type of banners refecting message the demands to Abolish ISA ,Release All ISA Detainees, Long Live Hindraf Leaders as they march. It was a fantastic moment in Malaysian history as all races joins in a walk of justice. Some of the muslim friends whom joined told me that they just finished the fast breaking and said that they completed the fasting as a devoted Muslim and dont want to miss this vigil as loving Malaysian standing for justice.

Never small was the strong support for RPK (Raja Petra), many of them were wearing TShirt with RPK picture demanding release of RPK. Many passby people whom were caught in surprise were with happy smiling faces and cheering us with support. Some even asked for candles to walk along. Most of them treasured this special moments in their handphone by taking pictures.

The crowd finally reached Puduraya at 9.00pm and they placed the candles outside the temple.

There 500 ghee lamp were ordered by the organising team earlier and many prayed the Lord Ganesha for His blessing and light up the ghee lamp.

Some of political leaders have also joined in the march. Among them were YB Manogaran, MP Teluk Intan whom also Legal Advisor of Hindraf, YB Tian Chua of PKR and YB Zuraida of Ampang.

The crowd were packed along the Jln Mahkamah and all continue to chant Abolish ISA and Vaalge Hindraf till 9.30pm. Various media from local and overseas covered the event and some interviewed the supporters as well. I was told by other reporters that there were 2 blind supporters whom took part in the vigil against ISA. I was touched for the high spirit held by these supporters whom able to "see" the unjustice in Malaysian law whereas the authority and leaders are still being "mute" and "dumb" on this draconian law.

Later at 9.30 pm, Mr RS Thanethiran, Hindraf National Lead Coordinator then gave a thanking speech to all. In his enegryful speech, he stressed that today had marked another history in Malaysia were all races walk in peace for justice. He also said that the people were the judges and they have said in a peacful manner today that Malaysian of all races are against draconian ISA. Home Minister Syed Albar should listen to the voice of the nation and should stop making his own decision.

Later he stressed that today the Malaysians and Hindraf proved to the government that we are peace loving people as the police obeyed the law as per Article 10 to allow the expression of view and gather in peace which transform to a peaceful gathering and march by all Malaysians without any unwanted incidents. He thanked the police for the support and hope this liberal approach would continue.

On the upcoming events, he said Hindraf invites all democratic peace loving Malaysian to join Hindraf to the PM open house for Hari Raya in PWTC on the 1st day of raya at 11am. Let us shake hand with him and seek for immediate release of all ISA detainees and bring the nation to a full democratic nation of just to all.

The crowd later disprease in peace at 9.45pm.

Thanks to all HINDRAF Makkal Sakthi supporters and other NGO as well opposition leaders for the support shown.

Special thanks to the PDRM for allowing us to practice the law and help in control the traffics.

Vaalge Hindraf Makkal Sakthi.

Report from,

Kannan Ramasamy

Hindraf National Event Coordinator

Also visit http://www.hindraf.ning.com/ for more Candle Vigil Pictures

and click the link for clips at

1. "Walk towards Dataran" "http://www.youtube.com/v/klWDPV4yyNU">

2. "Dataran Light up with Candle Vigil", "http://www.youtube.com/v/wpOS5sYpaWI"

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Letter to all Malaysians - Are you prepared to be part of the neo passive democratisation "Revolution"

ARE YOU PREPARED TO BE PART OF THE NEO PASSIVE DEMOCRATISATION "REVOLUTION" ?

HINDRAF invites all Malaysians irrespective of race, creed, religion or political milieu to join us in this neo passive Democratisation "Revolution" to overhaul the entire democratic process, which is being "raped" and rampaged by the UMNO controlled Government.

For 51 years through their political domination, UMNO has seen the Federal constitution discriminatorily amended and blatantly violated and diminished the constitution to suit their own political survival. The true spirit of the original constitution has been totally diluted whereby it is now only a superficial resemblance of the original document.

ISA has been a "hammer and sickle" used by the neo colonialist UMNO to stifle and silence legitimate democratic voice.

MALAYSIA is in dire need of a complete overhaul by its rakyat for its society – a neo passive democratisation "Revolution". Let us show the authoritarian state that the rejuvenated vigour in the Malaysia public has awaken and demand what rightfully belongs to us, MALAYSIA in its true form as resembled in the original constitution.

HINDRAF invites all democracy loving citizens- come join us to inaugurate this Democratisation "Revolution" process by visiting the PM on the ;
1st day of Hari Raya, 11 am onwards at his open house in PWTC, Kuala Lumpur and thereafter
2nd day of Hari Raya, at his open house in Kepala Batas, Pulau Pinang for the northern region.

Hari Raya open house is the only day the commoners- where the peasant, fishermen, labourers, technicians, engineers, doctors, lawyers would be able face him and look into his eyes on a one to one basis.

Let us all look into his eyes and make the demand to free Malaysia from the clutches of UMNO authoritarian rule. Let us look into his eyes and demand that he repeal ISA. Let us look into his eyes and demand the immediate release of all ISA prisoners. Let us look into his eyes and demand that he governs with humanity and public interest at heart.

This HARI RAYA open house is not a day to beg but DEMAND what justly belongs to all-democracy loving Malaysians.

Let us look into his eyes and make a forceful HARI RAYA wish- a wish to transform this beloved country into a truly democratic society equal, just and fair to all.

Let the NEO PASSIVE DEMOCRATISATION "REVOLUTION" begin.

Waytha Moorthy
Chairman – HINDRAF


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Upcoming events in late Sept and Early Oct 2008

Hi all,

There are few events in the last week of Sept and early Oct as below.


1. HINDRAF Makkal Sakthi Special Prayers
Date : 26 Sept 2008 ( Friday)
Venue : Sri Muniswarar Temple, Bandar Baru Ampang, Selangor
Contact : Mr Pobalan - 017-6155981

2. Candle Vigil to release Hindraf 5, RPK and all ISA Detainees.
Date : 27 Sept 2008 ( Saturday)
Venue : Dataran Merdeka, KL
Contact : Mr Pobalan 0176155981 / Kannan 012 269 0024

3. Hari Raya open House at Seri Perdana
Date : 1 Oct 2008 ( Wed ) - TBD
Venue : Seri Perdana, Putrajaya
Date : 2 Oct 2008 ( Thursday ) - TBD
Venue : PM House, Kepala Batas, Penang.
Obejective : To seek PM to practice the real purpose of Hari Raya concept of "MAAF ZAHIR BATIN" and release all ISA detainees.

4. PAURNAMI POOJAI FOR THE BETTERMENT OF MALAYSIAN INDIANS AND RELEASE OF ALL HINDRAF LEADERS.
Date : 14 Oct 2008 (Tuesday)
Venue : Subramaniyar Kuil , Kerling, Selangor
Contact : 019 263 6357 Mr. Suppiah


Let us all join in unity and make the event success.
Vaalge Hindraf Makkal Sakthi

27 Sept, 7pm - Candle Vigil to release Hindraf 5 and all other detainee of ISA

Hi all Malaysians,

Hindraf Makkal Sakthi calls upon all Malaysians to stand in unity in peace thru Candle Vigil to seek the immediate release of Hindraf 5 leaders, RPK and all other detainees of ISA.

The event will be held as below :-

Date / Time : 27th Sept 2008 ( Saturday ) at 7.00 pm

Venue : Dataran Merdeka, KL

Let us show our solidarity and unity in demanding the repeal of draconian ISA.
Pls bring along a candle and the Hindraf small flag (if have).
Any queries pls do email admin.hindraf@gmail.com or call 012 636 2287

Say NO to ISA !!

Mkini - Comments on Samy Vellu on Release Hindraf 5

On MIC says it again: Release the Hindraf 5

JK: Samy, we know you have been trying hard to get the Hindraf 5 out. But we also know that you kept silent when the order for their detention under the ISA was given out. All this would not have happened if you had done your job.
Seeing DAP leaders going all out to secure the release of Teresa Kok would have struck a chord with you. Are you now feeling guilty for not doing all you could to secure the release of the Hindraf 5?
You can’t run away from the fact that the majority of Indians in the country have not had a fair chance in life, all because of your weak leadership.
There is no use shouting yourself hoarse now. No one is listening to you. If they didn’t listen when u had a position in cabinet, do you think they will listen now that you have no position and was rejected by voters?
You have missed the boat Samy, it's too late.

Rocky: Really Samy you need to face reality. The government will not do what you say or ask of them, more so after you failed to deliver the Indian vote during the last general election. You claim that Indians are returning to MIC. Really? Just look at the Permatang Pauh by-election, who did the Indians vote for? I don’t think it was BN.
It is really time for you to make way for another leader and even then the Indians may not come back to MIC. In your mind, you are the only leader who can lead and make the changes which you have not been able to do for the last 20 odd years.
Releasing the Hindarf 5 will also not win MIC any support because the Indians have woken up. They know that they are better of not having an Indian party representing them. As you can see, there are more Indian MPs after March 8 and this is possible thanks to multiracial parties like PKR and DAP.
What has MIC done for the Indians? Nothing! You have failed as a leader. MIC doesn't need rebranding, it needs an overhaul. So please leave the Hindraf 5 alone because you were nowhere when they needed help, in fact you were against them. You say MIC cares, but the question is for whom?

GV: Samy Vellu was recently quoted as saying,"Hundreds throng MIC offices daily". What does he mean by hundreds? 100, 200 or 900? As an ex-minister, he should be able to provide facts and figures.
He also said many want to return to the party. How many exactly?
Only MIC can help the Indians? Of course, because only MIC is being given the funds by the government. So, obviously the Indians will go to MIC hoping to get some help. But how many people actually end up getting the help? One out of 100? 5 out of 100?
He also admitted to not using the Internet and electronic media to reach out to the Indian community. Since when do we depend on these two methods to reach out? Doing the right things for the Indian community is itself reaching out to the community. Why was it not done prior to the March 2008 elections?
Finally, MIC does not need re-branding. MIC is not a brand to be sold. It is a representation of the Indian community in this country. It needs to re-engineer itself and become part of society, instead of being an organisation which strives to manage the Indian community.
It is time the MIC leadership takes accountability of their failure and stop acting as though the community has understood them wrongly. It is not the Indian community that failed MIC in the recent election, it is MIC that has failed the Indians. MIC leadership must understand one thing: the Indians are out of the estates.

source :http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/90210

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Here’s a very good excerpt adopted from Tzarina’s blog:
Now why is the Hindraf 5 so different? THEY WERE THERE when the poor were being trodden upon (estate workers). THEY WERE THERE when the basic rights to have a place of worship was being demolished (temples). And THEY WERE THERE when the marginalized were being chopped up (Kg. Medan). Just because they were fighting for the rights of Indians doesn’t mean that they deserve any less empathy, or which Malay or Chinese leaders are brave enough to stand for the rights of the marginalized Indians? Heck, which other Indian leader(s) had such a bold and fearless stand against those who oppress?
Don’t complain when the downtrodden had enough and tried to present their plight to the nation through a rally. And if these guys HAD NOT BEEN HERE, the rally would have happened anyway, perhaps in a more aggressive manner, maybe next year, or 5 years from now. The Indian community is an explosive keg of dynamite, brewing for decades. Indians need a unifying factor that will keep them in check, which I believe these guys genuinely are. They need a voice to channel their woes, which the government had effectively silenced. Let the HINDRAF leadership fight for the marginalized with posters of Gandhi and bouquets of roses.
The HINDRAF leaders are not terrorists. They are HUMAN RIGHT ACTIVISTS. Recognize them as they are, and not as the bogeymen of the government.

PS from WMP - END THE UMNO FIEFDOM

22nd Sept 2008
RE: END THE UMNO FIEFDOM
COALITION PARTIES SHOULD SEEK SPIRITUAL AND MORAL TRUTH FOR MALAYSIANS
HINDRAF welcomes the calls made by various political parties to abolish the ISA including those from the ruling coalition Barisan Nasional.

Various component parties within the coalition have been making repetitive calls to the UMNO controlled Government to implement corrective methods for the Malaysian society to regain its confidence of the electorate in the aftermath of the March 8th General Elections.

These calls seem to fall in deaf ears as it appears the arrogance and culture of fiefdom rule of UMNO have settled well within their blood streams that UMNO finds it difficult to give up its "Master and Slave" policies to cling on to the "powers" of being the Master for all races.

HINDRAF wishes to remind all component parties that their duty and loyalty is first and foremost to the rakyat whom they serve and not UMNO as their Master.
From the time Malaysia achieved independence UMNO has played the role of "Master" over all other coalition parties though legally all coalition parties have equal status to play a part for the enhancement of the rakyat.
UMNO dictates and rules only for the benefit of the chosen few in UMNO and all component partners are compelled to be subservient to its bullying tactics and authority.

With the current awakening of the Malaysian society, it is high time coalition members free themselves from the clutch and claw of UMNO SUPREMACY RULE for Malaysia belongs to all Malaysians and not UMNO alone.

The majority of the coalition partners have expressed clear and strong views against the use of ISA to quell legitimate voice of democracy but the fascist and bullying UMNO doesn't seem to give a second thought about other coalition partners' views as they expect them to be as submissive as ever.

HINDRAF calls upon all coalition partners to immediately leave the obsolete coalition of BN so that the draconian law of ISA and all other repressive laws, which have oppressed and suppressed and punished innocent democracy loving citizens, would come to an end.
This act by the coalition would be their greatest dharma ie spiritual and moral truth, they could render to the Malaysian society for the sins of being part of the fascist regime all along and end the fiefdom of UMNO.

P.Waytha Moorthy
Chairman
HINDRAF.

Candle Vigil to release Hindraf 5 and all other detainee of ISA

My dear brothers and sisters....Vanakam

It's time now for us to get united again !!

This time to free our Hindraf heroes , blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin and the rest who were denied their rights to defend themselves and detained without trial under the draconian Internal Security Act (ISA).

Leaving no options ,upon failing numerous “proper channels” to highlight the necessity of the ruling government to seriously consider an 18 demand remedy, the oppressed and suppressed Indian Malaysians under the leadership of Mr.P.Waythamoorthy and the Hindraf Heroes who currently detained under ISA , took the struggle to the streets in an Ahimsa manner.

On 25th November 2007, Hundreds of thousands of Indian Malaysians for the first time in the history of independent Malaysia , demanded for their denied fundamental socio economic rights as citizens of this country. And for that our Hindraf heroes are suffering and forgoing their freedom, family and rights!!

Ever since they were detained under ISA, various legal approaches has failed to free them. So much is our Malaysian judiciary capability and capacity.

Realizing the fact that these Hindraf heroes are spending their life behind barbed wires and iron bars for a simple reason of demanding Indian Malaysians constitutional rights, it is indeed now every Indian Malaysians responsibility to fight for their freedom.

Therefore My dear brothers and sisters, I plead every responsible Indian Malaysian to once again stand united beyond all our ideological, political, religious and socio economical differences.

In accordance to our Rukun Negara principles of being the citizens who ‘Believe In God’ and practicing ‘Loyalty To The King And Country’, who always believed in ‘Upholding The Constitution’ and respect the ‘Rule Of Law’ which eventually results in ‘Good Behavior and Morality’, Hindraf urge all Malaysians to gather in peace at Dataran Merdeka , Kuala Lumpur on 27th September 2008 at 7.00pm, for a candle vigil sending strong messages to the ruling Barisan Nasional government to immediately release unconditionally the Hindraf Heroes and also blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin and the rest who have been unlawfully detained under ISA .

Incase the Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has forgotten , it is my pleasure to remind him what he felt about ISA in 1988. He was quoted in Wikipedia :-

"If we want to save Malaysia and Umno, Dr Mahathir (then Prime Minister) must be removed. He uses draconian laws such as the Internal Security Act to silence his critics." The year before, he had also stated "Laws such as the Internal Security Act have no place in modern Malaysia . It is a draconian and barbaric law."

If it is so Mr. Prime Minister, why are you going against your own stand? This Holy Ramadhan month is the best time for you to seek forgiveness from the Almighty for your unintentional mistakes and release those innocent souls suffering for no reasons.

Lately the custodian of civil liberties and justice in Malaysia , the Bar Council, in their recent EGM unanimously stood united against the Internal Security Act and want the draconian legislation out of the way. The DAP , PKR, PAS , MIC , MCA , GERAKAN and even some rational UMNO leaders are urging the ruling Barisan Nasional government to immediately repeal the ISA.

With regards to such latest developments we seek the Bar council of Malaysia , the various political party leaders , elected MPs , ADUNs, NGOs and every concerned citizens of all races and status who sincerely believe for a judiciary reform with regards to ISA to come and support us at large.

All these recent developments reflects the feeling of those wish to uphold and respect the “Rule Of Law”. Therefore Mr.Prime Minister, please order the police to welcome and protect us allowing the Malaysians to practice Article 10 of the federal constitution which allows the citizens of Malaysia to gather peacefully. Chemical laced water , tear gasses and unnecessary arrest will only turn a peaceful gathering into an ugly situation which will definitely look bad in the eyes of local and international community.

My dear brothers and sisters , there is this beautiful Malay Pantun

Pisang Emas dibawa belayar

Masak sebiji di atas peti

Hutang emas boleh dibayar

Hutang budi dibawa mati
To free the Hindraf Heroes is exactly how each and every responsible Indian Malaysian, immaterial of their ideological, political, religious and socio economical differences should do in return to “bayar budi” the sacrifices they have done to us.

Therefore please mark your calendars to gather peacefully on 27th September 2008 in Dataran Merdeka , Kuala Lumpur at 7.00pm .

Once again failing this beautiful peaceful candle vigil is “NOT AN OPTION!!!”

Bring along candles , Hindraf flag and love . Be Ahimsa and please excuse any of our police brothers in the event they have to carry out their duty.

Vaazhge Hindraf !!!

Sambulingam Wisvalingam

National Hindraf Coordination team.

21st September 2008.

Hindraf Human Right defenders 2 months trail is another injustice

Hindraf: Two-month trial too taxing
Malayskini : Andrew Ong | Sep 20, 08 7:22pm


Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) has urged civil society and human rights groups to look into the court case where the movement’s supporters will be tried in a two-month continuous hearing.

The movement’s leader in exile P Waytha Moorthy told a press conference in Sentul, Kuala Lumpur via video conferencing, that the 27 individuals would lose their jobs during the two-month hearing.

“This is a great injustice to them. They are bound to lose their jobs, face severe financial crisis and their families would suffer,” said Waytha Moorthy who is in self-imposed exile in England.

The 27 are mostly odd-job workers and labourers who were among 54 individuals jointly charged for participating in an illegal assembly on Nov 11 last year in Kuala Lumpur.

The other half of the group have since pleaded guilty and were fined RM1,000 each for the offence.

Donations sought

Hindraf legal advisor N Surendran said that initially, the trial was supposed to last two weeks but was somehow extended to two full months.

Surendran said he has spoken to some of those who had pleaded guilty and claimed that many of them took the plea to avoid being absent from work and be subsequently axed.

“You can see here the enormity of the injustice. We have 27 people who have been forced to plead guilty because of a miscarriage of justice,” he said.

Surendran also urged the attorney-general and the government to drop charges against 27 individuals who he said were exercising their democratic right to assemble peacefully.

Earlier, Waytha Moorthy also announced that Hindraf had identified a nominee account that would be used for collecting donations from the public to help the 27 individuals who pleaded guilty and settle their fines.