HIndraf Makkal Shakti

Saturday, September 26, 2009

If first you don’t succeed, whore yourself to the UMNO fatcats

By Haris Ibrahim,

27th September, last year, some of us gathered at Dataran Merdeka to light a candle and wish RPK, who was then being detained under the ISA, ‘Happy Birthday’. You can read about that HERE.

Later, some of us moved on to join the Hindraf folk who were also holding an anti-ISA candle light vigil that culminated in a gathering at the Sri Ganesha temple in Jalan Pudu.

A huge crowd had built up at the temple but one man, all fire and brimstone, had my attention.

Former Hindraf national co-coordinator R.S. Thanenthiran is the man circled in yellow

I could not understand most of what Thanenthiran said, but he certainly roused the crowd to constantly break into a chorus of ‘Makkal Sakti’ and ‘Mansuhkan ISA’.

Just eleven days before this vigil, Thanenthiran was quoted by Malaysiakini as saying that Hindraf ‘backed Anwar Ibrahim to become the country’s sixth prime minister for it believes that the opposition leader is the only person capable of putting the country back on the right track’.

Thanenthiran was quoted as saying :

“Anwar has assured that he will ensure a free and fair country based on equality, justice and democracy for all, something that Barisan Nasional has not given to Malaysians in its unbroken 51-year rule. He is now the best bet to instill some order to our political uncertainty. Hindraf wants him to become prime minister and safeguard the Indian community from marginalisation”.

Well, Thanenthiran appears to have vindicated the adage we hear again and again that there are no permanent friends or enemies in politics.

And the perception amongst many that to get anywhere in the world of politics, one has to whore one’s own soul.

Thanenthiran in his dapper suit, a far cry from his street activism days. Photo courtesy of Malaysianinsider

In May, this year, Thanenthiran and his merry men moved to register a new political party. The stated objective of the new party, as reported by Malaysiakini, to spearhead “a political struggle for the betterment of the Malaysian Indian community”.

At that time, sources close to Thanenthiran indicated that this new party would not incline to either BN or Pakatan but would steer its own course.

However, the speed with which the new party, Parti Makkal Sakti Malaysia, secured registration by the Registrar of Societies was, for many, telling.

Malaysianinsider reported yesterday that Najib has been invited to and has agreed to be the guest of honour at the official launch of this new party this coming October 10th.

According to this report, Thanenthiran made many curious statements.

Whilst insisting that the invite to Najib should not be seen as detracting from the independence of this new party he nonetheless candidly shared that “We are working together with him as partners… we walk together for the benefit of the Indian community”.

This ‘working together’, as Thanenthiran disclosed, includes actively campaigning for the Barisan Nasional in the forthcoming Bagan Pinang by-election.

Why this about-turn?

Thanenthiran explains.

“It is true the BN did not do much for us in the past 52 years but the Pakatan Rakyat has done even less for us in the past two years. BN under Datuk Seri (Najib) is beginning to do for the Indians in major areas and we welcome it. We want to work with him to get a fair share of the nation’s resources”.

Getting a fair share of the nation’s resources is all well and good, but for whom?

The marginalised Indians?

Isn’t that what MIC and Samy Vellu have been saying all these years?

So is Thanenthiran and his new party, as Malaysianinsider suggests, merely filling in the seeming vacuum in BN’s divide and rule scheme brought about by MIC’s increasing irrelevance and inability to reform?

Three days before that vigil last September, Malaysiakini reported that Thanenthiran had challenged Samy to seek the forgiveness of Malaysia Indians.

“Samy Vellu should kneel and beg for (forgiveness) for his wrongdoings (against) the community if he is sincere and honest about seeking freedom for our leaders”.

Samy did better than that.

On 1st April this year, Samy visited a recuperating Thanenthiran in hospital. Thanenthiran was recovering from a heart attack and, quite possibly, the disappointment of being overlooked by PKR as the candidate for the Bukit Selambau by election. Malaysiakini has a report of this HERE.

Was this the turning point for Thanenthiran?

Some two weeks after this visit, Waythamoorthy purged the Hindraf leadership by suspending several who reckoned themselves as the top guns, including Thanenthiran.

Had Waytha got wind of some wheeling and dealing by those within the ranks of Hindraf to further their own agenda?

In a Malaysiakini report dated 21st May, this year, Thanenthiran, speaking on the formation of this new party, admitted to having led a delegation to meet PM Najib a month before.

This would place that meeting with Najib some three weeks after that visit by Samy at the hospital.

Political deals, it would seem, were being made at lightning speed.

And lo and behold, what emerges today is a re-branded and re-cast Thanenthiran, now perfectly kosher for Najib and UMNO.

And the police.

In June, Malaysiakini reported that Thanenthiran said that his new party would not follow in the footsteps of Hindraf in going to the streets to pressure the government to look into the needs of the marginalised Indians in Malaysia.

In rationalising this change of strategy, Thanenthiran, in my view, let the cat out of the bag.

“Going to streets may make one popular, but it will not necessarily resolve the problems at hand”, is what he is reported to have said.

And that, it would seem, was what his street activism was all about.

Profile building.

The question that must now be asked, is whether the Malaysian Indian community will submit itself to another 52 years of marginalisation by being taken in by this poliitical whoring?

Bagan Pinang may provide an early answer come 11th October.

Friday, September 25, 2009

HINDRAF - Parti Makkal Sakti Malaysia is not HINDRAF

There seems to be convoluted agenda to draw simiarility on Parti
Makkal Sakti Malaysia (PMSM) to HINDRAF.

PMSM is headed by one Thanethiran, formerly a coordinator for the
HINDRAF movement briefly during the height when HINDRAF leaders were
in ISA and in exile. There is a clear distinction between the
objectives of both organization as one is political and the other a
NGO.

PMSM of course being a political party has chosen itself to align to
BN for their speedy registration as a political party but HINDRAF
remains an "illegal" non partisan NGO with its sole objective to voice
the truth and question any political power whether it is BN or PR for
the voiceless and defenceless society.

In the forefront, HINDRAF addressed the issue of the Malaysian Indian
marginalized state of affair and will continue to champion the same
cause, but eventually it will transpire for the community as what it
seeks is just and fair under the current scenario.

The apartheid concept that is practiced against the Malaysian Indians
need to be confronted and dealt with as this society has regressed to
an underclassed society due to the practice and policies of the UMNO
led government. HINDRAF does not need to be a bedfellow with either BN
or PR to achieve this but be truthful to its cause.

The public need to understand as an NGO, our battle is with the
policies and status quo that is implemented either by the BN or PR.
The divergence of race, religion and creed is always used and
manipulated by politicians to create the animosity within the public.
That has been the standard operation either whether it is BN or PR.
They never seem to learn or they just underestimate the capacity of a
Malaysian for all the fictitious political will.

What HINDRAF seeks is the truth, reality and awareness should emerge
in our conscience individually irrespective of the origin and an
opportunity for all in the socio-economic development for all
Malaysian in a fairly and just manner.

Many political parties come by, but the objectives ends up being self
serving for individual battle and glory but never for the goodwill of
the public. HINDRAF believes that only when we individually in a non
partisan way can revolt through our awareness for our surrounding for
the truth and betterman of the society, will we be able to get rid of
the unbalanced and prejudical operations of system through fear and
favor against our own Malaysians.

HINDRAF and PMSM are world apart in their objective and only time will tell.

Certain quarters are deliberately linking HINDRAF with Parti Makkal sakthi with the view to confuse
our supporters into believing that HINDRAF is now a toool of BN. No doubt that Parti Makkal Sakthi
is currently led by our former National Coordinator but I have no part with this political party and
will never allign myself with BN which is led by UMNO, the main force behind the oppression
suppression and marginalisation of Malaysian Indians.
HINDRAF’S affliance is for the society’s need to understand and comprehend the
truth to create an objective society for the goodwill of the society
in whole in an unbiased stand.

Thank you.

P. Waytha Moorthy

Hindraf – Chairman

Najib finds new Indian allies, bypasses the MIC

Former Hindraf national co-coordinator Thanenthiran is president of Makkal Sakti. — File pic

By Baradan Kuppusamy- The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 — The invitation card is glossy, in gold colour and of superior quality, in keeping with the VIP who is guest of honour at the Oct 10 launch of the new kid on the block — the Parti Makkal Sakti Malaysia.

The VIP will be Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who appears to be signalling that he is not going to solely depend on Barisan Nasional (BN) stalwart parties like the MIC and MCA to reach out to the non-Malay communities.

He will launch the new Indian-based party formed by former leaders of Hindraf at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park in Serdang next month in a strategy which bears similarities to his father Tun Razak Hussein's move in the 1970s to welcome more political parties into the establishment fold.

For this reason, it is significant that Najib is launching the party which received recognition from the Registrar of Societies in a “matter of weeks” on May 11.

His presence indicates that in the changed political landscape after March 8, 2008 which saw BN allies like the MIC, MCA, Gerakan and PPP fall like tenpins, Umno is finding and creating new allies.

Leaders of the new party have already pledged to campaign for BN in the upcoming Bagan Pinang by-election.

With MIC's and even the PPP's failure to reform and reinvent under Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu and Datuk M. Kayveas, Umno may well be searching for new partners. The Makkal Sakti party could well play such a role.

A lot is riding on the party formed by former Hindraf national co-coordinator R.S. Thanenthiran, 47, who is president.

The party has yet to make an impact but Thanenthiran said it has been working quietly to recruit over 50,000 members, getting the divisions established and setting up best practices.

“We made an impact at Kampung Buah Pala trying to save it from demolition. The Indian community knows about it,” he said.

He says Najib’s presence is an honour but claims that the party is independent and only wishes to serve the people.

“The Prime Minister is launching our party and we are honoured but it does not mean we have lost our independence,” Thanenthiran told The Malaysian Insider.

“We are working together with him as partners… we walk together for the benefit of the Indian community,” he said.

“It is true the BN did not do much for us in the past 52 years but the Pakatan Rakyat has done even less for us in the past two years,” he said.

“BN under Datuk Seri (Najib) is beginning to do for the Indians in major areas and we welcome it. We want to work with him to get a fair share of the nation's resources,” he said, giving reasons why Najib was invited to launch the party and open the annual general meeting.

“We invited Selangor Chief Minister (Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim) to open a culture night the same day but he declined,” Thanenthiran. “We tried… you can’t blame us.”

Najib’s decision to launch the Makkal Sakti party is a milestone in Indian politics in Malaysia.

It not only suggests the increasing irrelevance of the MIC, but also sidelines the many Indian-based NGOs that claim to be offshoots of the Hindraf movement, including the yet-to-be registered Human Rights Party headed by lawyer and Hindraf founder P. Uthayakumar.

Having the ear of the Prime Minister is a major boon for the Makkal Sakti Party which has asked Najib to act on three main areas of concern for the Indians.

These are turning all 543 Tamil schools into fully-aided schools, 10 per cent Indian recruitment in the civil service and at all levels and socio-economic help to uplift the Indian urban poor.

Thanenthiran said Najib told them to give him two years to act on these issues. “You all watch what I do,” Najib told them, according to Thanenthiran.

The MIC for them is already irrelevant.

“We won’t be here if the MIC had delivered,” said A. Waythamoorthy, the former Perak Hindraf co-ordinator who is deputy president.

“If they had delivered there would not have been a Makkal Sakti movement in the first place, no 2008 tsunami and we won’t form a new party,” he said.

The party would also actively campaign for the Barisan Nasional in the Oct 11 Bagan Pinang by-election because leaders feel it is a BN-ruled state and another PR or independent win would not make any difference for the Indians.

“In Bagan Pinang we want to show we can bring Indian voters for the Barisan… it is an acid test for us,” Thanenthiran said.

Najib finds new Indian allies, bypasses the MIC

by cryingvoices

Dear Mr.Thanenthiran, I have nothing against you or your new party which was registered within weeks.. maybe the fasters in the Malaysia Book of Records!, I would like to just comment on some of the facts, because my hands are itchy now, What did u said about Kg.Buah Pala? I was there and i saw and monitor you from the time you came there, the last minute dramas. Any reasonable person would have NOT done what you, Waythamoorty(perak) and Pitchay did on that day! I really cannot understand what you did and why you signed the most unreasonable agreement on earth! after negotiating with the bailiff!

The document supposed to be signed by all the villagers but non of them signed it, remember? Only you, Waythamoorty(Perak) and Pitchay signed it, as a witness. Why? Because the villagers realised that you are doing it without realising the consequences and risks! You just want to gain a name in the issue and postpone the Demolition and claiming you stopped the demolition for the day! Where were you on the 13th Aug 2009 Demolition attempt? You did not even turn up! You said from the beginning that Najib is dealing with you regarding this matter and you will make sure that you can solve the problem in Buah Pala! But what has happened now? You have signed an unreasonable document stated that the villagers agreed to give way and to cooperate with the Developer to demolish the Village on the 1st Sept 2009, you and your allies are the culprit that signed the letter! when the villager realised something is wrong in the letter signed by you! Non of the Villager signed the letter except you and your team! without even thinking about the future of the village and the villagers! So, please do not mention anything about Kg.Buah Pala in your speech and statements! You created more damages to the Villagers than saving them! Don't use them as a bait! They are the victims of all the Political Vultures in Malaysia, Including you!

Rwindraj@cryingvoices.webs.com

http://cryingvoices.webs.com/apps/blog/

Thursday, September 24, 2009

HINDRAF challenges LGE for a televised lived debate on Kg Buah Pala issue.

HINDRAF believes that the opposition party that it had supported during the GE12 had not lived up to the expectation of the public at least in the Kg Buah Pala Issue.

HINDRAF is not looking for a political solution but a people’s solution to live in harmony without the spin and propaganda that have outlived our community for fear and favor.

LGE has his state machineries, media and the political power at his disposal whereas HINDRAF has only its conscience and truth on its side for the people.

UMNO led government produces a lot of rhetoric, diagnoses, denunciation of injustice and proposals to address it. That has been the nation for the last 52 years as the public continued to suffer and deteriorate even further. HINDRAF took a stand in GE 12 to mobilize its grassroot supporters to support the opposition to seek a change and the change appeared in the five states that the opposition won for a people’s cause.

Now with the Kg Buah Pala issue, there seems too be many mismatches in the the CAT principal that the opposition had spoken about. Rather than taking on the past government that we all know who have been misleading the community, we call upon LGE government to address us in an open forum to revive the democracy between the administration and the people.

Collapse or survival of an administration or a society is on the truth in their action rather than placating for a political survival that means nothing for an ordinary man on the street for his or her survival in an unjust system that had prevailed.

HINDRAF is for the people for what is truthful and just and the failure of the very opposition that we had supported to disregard us in engaging in a dialogue, discussion on their competency, accountability and transparency to safeguard public interest will only reflect another Trojan Horse in the guise of UMNO against public benefit.

The altered landscape that HINDRAF brought against the might of UMNO is not about politics but the public and the well being of the community for what is truthful and just. If the opposition, the so called flag bearer of the community is unable to comprehend this and continues to spin and simulate UMNO’s position, then it is nothing but a change of guard without any actual benefit for the public and community that we live in.

If LGE government is all about CAT, then enlighten us and the the public with us on a televised live debate based on facts, evidence and truth on what really transpired in Kg Buah Pala issue.

As far HINDRAF is concerned, Kg Buah Pala is far from being a closed chapter until and when the actual truth is transmitted to the public. The public shall be the judge, not media, hypothesis that serves a political intention will as oppose to the public need.

Whether LGE has run a spin or not is no the issue, but this would be a excellent opportunity for the public to gauge only if he is ready to face up to it. Running against the obstinate UMNO led government is pretty futile as we know how it is going to against brickwall that bounces itself.

Here HINDRAF, being an NGO offers an opportunity to LGE to show that that the opposition really is set out to address the community issues under the change that the community seeked.

It is a clarion call for LGE, nothing more nothing less for CAT to survive for the communities will as oppose to political will.

Thank you.

R.Shan

Hindraf

International Coordinator (New York)

Lim Guan Eng Transffered Buah Pala Land on 27 March 2009

Referring to the Press Statement Issued by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng in Georgetown on 23.9.2009.

The Rakyat (People) has chosen Pakatan Rakyat to take over the administration of the 5 states in the hope that they will solve all the pending issues and mess created by the Barisan Nasional Government since the era of my grandfather. I will not defend the Barisan Nasional Government for any of their act and political crimes, since they are the main culprit on many pending issues in the state taken over by the Pakatan Rakyat Government. We consider Pakatan Rakyat as our Hero who came to save the people that are discriminated for a long long time. They came, they promised and we cast the vote on their field and then the whole and old games started. Why in the first place we voted for Pakatan Rakyat? We want to see changes, we want our rights to be respected, we want to clear the mess created by the Barisan Nasional Government, and we want them to correct the pattern drawn wrongly by the BN government, we want to erase the act of Corruption and delete the Cronies Chapters!. Am I right here?

Ok, now we see the way Kg.Buah Pala issue has been handled by Lim Guan Eng and his Mandores, Ramasamy and RSN Rayer@Liar!, I am well verse with the chronology and manipulation in the case of Buah Pala, from the stripping by the Gerakan Government to the Raping moments of Lim Guan Eng and his sex partners(Ramasamy,Rayer,Nusmetro and Koperasi), from the time the Land was marked for development to the processes involved on the ground and underground. Let’s not waste our time looking at the processes, you can check on my blog on the processes, discrimination, brutality, injustices etc. (www.cryingvoices.webs.com). Now, the historical Kg.Buah Pala, the Indian Heritage Village is a History and today, there is only one house standing not fully but after being molested! And left remained there for few more days for the owner’s source of income and pride, cattle and goats!

Lim Guan Eng's statement :

"Why Has Gerakan’s Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan or BN Not Repented By Apologising For His Part And BN’s Role In Selling Out The Kampung Buah Pala Residents Of Their Land At Such Cheap Rates Without Consulting Them?"

He knew very well that the Land has been sold so cheap, RM10 per sq feet (market price is more than RM50 per sq ft), and he knows there is something is not right in this dealing.

Lim Guan Eng's statement :

The PR state government worked hard to compel the developer to offer a double-storey terrace house with 99 years lease to the residents worth RM 600,000. This successful compensation by the PR state government to gain recognition for Kampung Buah Pala residents to remain as legal rightful landowners and not as illegal squatters to be given a RM 75,000 flat unit which is widely recognised as the best in Malaysian history.

Double storey house worth RM600,000 ?? Oiii Lim Guan Eng Lu Gila Kah?? I was there in Kg.Buah Pala for about a month, and there is not a single 'legal' document or agreement from the state government or Koperasi the Land Owner, addressed to the villagers stated about the RM600,000 double storey house! I can challenge anyone to prove this! There is only one illegal, incomplete, and injustice offer letter which has not been stamped and no proper signature and trap conditions from Nusmetro Ventures, stated that they will build a double storey house for the villagers in exchange with ; 1. All the pending cases in the Court to be withdrawn, and they have no rights to file any case against the developer or any one involved in the development of the Kg.Buah Pala land.

2. No time limit stated, when the house will be ready? God Knows! What Material used? Papan? Plywood? Palm leaves? God Knows...

3. In any case the development at the Land, Halt, Stopped or Freezed.. this agreement will be void or cancelled. Or Invalid.

4. The house will be built in the land determined by the developer! Where? God Knows..

5. Size of the house to be built? 1400sq ft, 600 sq ft lower floor, 600sq ft upper. 200sq ft outside space. hmm.. good deal? Current approx size of each house in the village now : 13,000 sq ft.

6. Read more on the Nusmetro Agreement on cryingvoices.

Lim Guan Eng agreed and stated that the Villagers are not squatters! But have you guys seen the way villagers were treated during demolition? Where was Lim Guan Eng when the Developer's man harassed the villagers? watch video and photos at http://thecryingvoices.blogspot.com.

Lim Guan Eng's statement

Once the decision of the BN state EXCO has been conveyed by approval letters for land alienation and development orders sent out to Koperasi and the developer, the state government is legally bound. There is nothing the new PR government can do as it is bound by the decisions approved by BN. This was also affirmed by the Federal Court decision. The order for eviction and demolition was issued to the developer and not initiated by the state government.

There is nothing the new PR Government can do as it is bound by the decisions approved by BN???

Then why are you talking about ISA? It is also a legal term and stated in the Federal Constitution and decided by the BN Government! If you can’t change the decision and rules set by the BN Government, then what the hell are you here for and why the hell did we chose you to sit in the Administration? To get your allowance and stay in your private residency peacefully with all the luxuries and claims?

If you are telling that we are bound with and affirmed by the Federal Court Decision and we wash our hands, then Did your Pakatan Government Boss Anwar Ibrahim a real sodomiser? Coz court decision has been made. and you went to ISA for instigating Racial Sensitivities, you are real culprit? I am talking from your point of view. This shows that you are a leader that respects the courts decision, aren’t you? Good then Perak State Government belongs to BN, why are you appealing again and again? court decision has been made! You said that Order for Eviction and Demolition was Issued to the developer? DEMOLITION?? The Developer only has the right for the vacant Land! and no demolition orders from the court have been acquired! This is a lame statement by you Lim Guan Eng.

Lim Guan Eng's statement

In contrast, the new PR state government had never issued a single letters of eviction to the residents of Kampung Buah Pala. Similarly until now BN or Datuk Dr Teng can not show proof that I had promised that I would return the land back to the Kampung Buah Pala residents during the general elections as I did not even campaign there.

This is the real classic case of “the thief shouting thief”. Hello Mr.Chief Minister, wake up la! In a school, when a teacher tells the class that it is holiday tomorrow that means it is the instruction from the higher authority, can be from the Headmaster or higher authorities! You are the headmaster and your teachers has promised to return back the land of the Villagers as soon as they win the election and they repeat the promises even after they won the election! Worse was, they promised for an appeal to the State Government to give allocation to the village for the Yearly Ponggal Festival! Facts and Evidences? RSN Rayer Adun Seri Delima and DCM 2 Ramasamy, watch their promises at http://thecryingvoices.blogspot.com. You want to hear shocking news? Your Higher Authority Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim has made a promise right in the centre of the village before the election, want prove? Ask The-Star or ask Muhyiddin Yasin and I will reveal my copy at the right time. Suggestion and Ideas from an election candidate or an elected representative could be a painting on an Ice Cube and will or will not be referred in the Parliament or State Assembly, but promises and assurance made by an Elected member of the State Assembly or the Member Of Parliament will be taken as the voice of the Assembly or the Parliament! The Chief of a state is responsible for the promises made by his executives! Lim Guan Eng did not campaign in Kg.Buah Pala and did not even make a single effort to visit the villagers when they were suffering and longing for the support from the Chief of the State! "Heritage? Bullshit! The place is just covered with Cow sheds and Cow Dungs!" .. remember these words? Pemimpin berjiwa rakyat? Delivering an outstanding speech is not the only criteria of a leader? he must do what he promised on the stage and take full responsibility of the errors made by his crew, just like the captain on a ship! and not passing the fireball to others to avoid burn and pain!

Lim Guan Eng's statement

If BN And Gerakan Are So “Innocent” Of Their Guilt In Robbing Kampung Buah Pala Residents Of Their Land, Why Is It That Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon Dare Not Take Up His Own Challenge Of An Open Public Debate With Me On National Television?

Why must Koh Tsu Koon waste his time debating this issue and what is the point and outcome? he is not in the state of making any differences, he is not in any position in the state government and he can’t reverse the decision or the development, You can! but you are trying to hit around the bush, and not trying to solve the matter! You are saying about helping the villagers and you are their best friend and you are negotiating with the villager and met them 5times for a solution, What solution have you suggested to them on every meeting? Saving the village? No! You were negotiating to the villagers on behalf of Nusmetro and trying to make the Villagers accept to the amount and compensation thrown to them. Prove to the public and release the discussion minutes to the press that you have helped the villagers to solve the problem in Buah Pala! You have only helped the developer to negotiate and persuade the Villagers to move out the Village on behalf of Nusmetro Ventures!

Lim Guan Eng's statement

BN and Gerakan were wiped out in the 2008 general elections because of their refusal to honor their promises and failed governance that bred inefficiency, cronyism and corruption. This has proven costly to the people of Penang who face losses of hundreds of millions of ringgit in land scams and sweetheart contracts that benefit the few at the expense of Penangnites.

I hope Lim Guan Eng has to re-read his statement here, we can see clearly, everything that is stated above is happening in Penang today, especially in the case of Kg.Buah Pala!

Lim Guan Eng's statement

Even though the land was transferred by the present government on 27 March 2009, I was advised by the State Legal Advisor and also DAP National Chair and MP for Bukit Glugor Karpal Singh that the Pakatan Rakyat state government was powerless to legally stop this as this was a consequential administrative action following the approvals given by the previous BN administration. This is just like the Jelutong Expressway concession agreement. The state government is bound to allow land reclamation and issuance of land title based on the previous BN government approvals

"Even though the land was transferred by the present government on 27 March 2009" The defenders of Lim Guan Eng, please take note of this statement! Thank You! Don’t you ever repeat that the land was transferred by the BN or the Office staff without Lim Guan Eng's knowledge and etc.

If on every instances, a contract or projects or a guideline that has been drawn by the previous government and you as the Chief Minister and the future Federal Government Ruling party cant make any differences or amendments or improvement or to take care of the welfare of the Citizens, Why the hell are we as voters work day and night and elect you to be our representative when there is going to be zero changes in the way Discrimination, Corruption, Development, Favoritisms are handled? Are you admitting that you can’t do much even if one day the Pakatan Government takes over the Federal Government? I think you are agreeing to my point here. Why Mr.Karpal Singh, the leading Guru of Law in Malaysia, did not open his mouth and give a clear statement on the Issue of Kg.Buah Pala until today? I guess he knows law better than anyone in the Nation and himself setback with the way Lim Guan Eng handles this issue and does not want to disappoint people like me who think he is the master of Law and he will not jeopardize his position by commenting on a case which is being handled unfairly by his party.

Lim Guan Eng's statement

The only solution to saving Kampung Buah Pala is to forcibly acquire the land. However this would cost the state more than RM 100 million.

Lim Guan Eng repeated this statement many times, but he never had explained why the State Government has to bear the cost of an Illegal Land transaction and transition with that Cost?

This project is a clear picture of an Illegal Land Transition from a Housing Trust to TOL status to a private development! It is Clearly Stated in the Grant of TOL that these land cannot be developed, mortgage, pawn, or transformed unless the with the State Governments Concern! Who is state government now? Gerakan or DAP? Koh Tsu Koon or Lim Guan Eng? then.. why do you need to spend RM100Million as the cost to stop a development project which is illegally transacted? You filed a case in MACC on this Land matter! Don’t you? So, you knew that this land cannot be developed under the state Government! Why? Why? Why? What’s your personal interest???

Lim Guan Eng Failed to explain :

In the statement by Lim Guan Eng, he spoke about many things but failed to prove more than what he has said.

-He did not mention anything about the expiry of the Terms and Contract between the State Government and the Developer.

-He failed to mentioned about the Visit by the Buah Pala Villagers on the 13 March 2008 in his office in Komtar and the remaining sum (RM2.2Mil) from the developer was collected on the next day after the visit, 14th March 2008, which directly mean that the contract is on and not expired and the developer is legally blessed and endorsed by the DAP Government to go ahead with the project.

-He also failed to explain why a project which cost RM157Mil has been given to a company which is ONLY RM125,000 paid up capital!

-He failed to explain the involvement and the interest of Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce in the project.

-He failed to explain and take responsibility on the promises made by his executives from his office and State Assembly!

-End-

Conscious and Unconscious

Rwindraj@Cryingvoices.webs.com

False Tamil Newspapers propaganda by PKR Selangor State government and DAP, PAS in other states

HUMAN RIGHTS PARTY (HRP)

NO.6, Jalan Abdullah, Off Jalan Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Tel: 03-2282 5241 Fax: 03-2282 5245 Website: www.humanrightspartymalaysia.com

23^rd September 2009

YAB Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim

Menteri Besar Selangor,

Pejabat Menteri Besar of Selangor,

Tingkat 21,

Bangunan Sultan Salahuddin,

Abdul Aziz Shah, Fax : 03-5519 0032

40503 Shah Alam, Selangor. E-Mail : khalid@selangor.gov.my

YAB Tan Sri,

Re: 1) 64 Hindu temples “supposedly” granted land titles (Makkal Osai 20/9/09 at page 5)

2) RM400,000.00 “supposedly” granted to Tamil Schools in Selangor (Makkal Osai

20/9/09)

3) 23,000 civil servants in Selangor (New Straits Times 22/9/09 at page 19) (But almost

zero Indians especially in the supervisory, managerial and top executive jobs. Zero

Indian Directors in all Selangor state GLCs’, Assistant District officers, District Officers

District and Municipal Council Presidents and Mayors. How then is PKR, DAP and PAS

any different from the UMNO / MIC / BN axis?

We refer to the above matter.

It has been brought to our attention by the people power Makkal Sakthi forces that the newsreport Makkal Osai on 20/9/09 at page 5 that 64 Hindus temples had been granted state government land in Selangor is not true. Kindly let us have the list of all the aforesaid temples and copies of the state government letters confirming the same, copies of their titles thereto and copies of their being gazetted accordingly.

In the very same aforesaid newsreport a sum of RM400,000.00 was “supposedly” granted to Tamil schools in Selangor which the people power Makkal Sakthi forces also inform us is not true. Kindly also let us have a list of all the said Tamil school recipients and the amount they had received and the dates they received the same accordingly.

To avoid the likes of the barbaric cow head protest kindly use your almost absolute discretionary powers vested in the office of the Menteri Besar and acquire further to section 76 of National Land Code and grant land titles to all 97 Tamil Schools, all Hindu temples and all Hindu crematoriums in Selangor as has been done for all Suraus and Masjids in over the last 52 years. With this all the 97 Tamil schools would then qualify as fully aided government schools by the Federal Education Ministry with equal allocation and facilities like any other Malay school. Then we won’t get the case (as reported in the Tamil media last month) of the school roof being blown away but your goodselves “mandore” Exco member making his presence felt and procuring cheap publicity by instead “dishing” out stationary or Tamil schools poor and working class Parent Teacher Associations having to buy tables and chairs for Tamil schools, holding a picket to demand for a school canteen, demanding electricity supply, school field, the whole schools having to share one computer, Tamil schools pupils being forced to study at a JKR store (SRJK (T) Tepi Sungai, Klang) or forced to study in portacabins (Taiping) cow shead like Tamil school buildings falling apart because it is infested by white ants etc.

Kindly direct especially your Exco and the other “mandores” from making false and “kosong” media statements especially so in the Tamil dailies on these Selangor state government land and financial allocations as had been done for the last 50 years by the previous UMNO / BN and MIC axis Selangor state governments. Please take note that the Indians in the post 25^th November 2007 era have been enlightened and are now watching your goodselves closely with their eyes wide open.

The Star on 22/9/09 at page 20 also reports as there being 23,000 civil servants in Selangor. To the best of our knowledge there are almost zero Indians especially in the supervisory, managerial and top executive jobs in the Selangor civil service. And there are actually zero Indian Directors in any of the dozen or so state government linked companies, (GLCs’) assistant district officers, district officers and Municipal Council Presidents and Mayors. Kindly also let us have the list of the 23,000 civil servants in Selangor and confirming the total number of Indians therein under the Selangor special select committee for competency, accountability and transparency (Selcat) government.

This is also the same scenario in the PKR, DAP and PAS ruled Kedah, Penang (also earlier Perak) and Kelantan state governments. How then are the PKR, DAP, PAS / P.R state government any different from the previous UMNO / MIC / BN axis?

Kindly revert to us with your reply forthwith and in any event within two (2) weeks form the date hereof.

Thank you.

Your faithfully,

________________________

P.Uthayakumar

Secretary General (pro-tem).

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Hindraf’s interpretation of the Malaysian Political reality

I refer to Ken Gan’s article in the Malaysin Mirror reproduced in Malaysia today of the 22nd of Sept 2009 titled ‘The Indian dilemma and Hindraf’.

He adds nothing new to our understanding in Malaysian politics from his article. He just repeats what is already a common refrain from the DAP/PR viewpoint. "Hindraf did not cause the tsunami of the 12^th GE, Indians cannot get anywhere by engaging in monoethnic politics, the young PR state governments cannot do much, so it is unfair for Hindraf to bark up that tree, there are more Indian reps in the legislatures now than before, KBP fiasco was not a result of a Chinese government being unjust to the Indians, the key to solving the Indian problem is by need based affirmative action, not race based actions."

An episode like the destruction of Kampung Buah Pala really is revealing about the reality of Malaysian politics. It is so blatantly clear that the forces arraigned against the poor villagers are big money, the DAP/PR state government and the federal UMNO/BN government. So effectively, we have a nexus of Big Money and the State against the marginalized people –the weakest section of Malaysian society, the Indian poor. Numerically they are small, politically and economically they are weakest. The way the State and Big Money has come down on them in the last few days speaks for itself.

Ken Gan and the likes of him do not quite understand the true basis of the conflict in KBP. It is not about Chinese and Indians, it is not about which tree we should bark up. It is not that simple. It is really about the structure of power and the concentration of power in the power elite of this country and they way they operate – often with impunity . The power elite of our country are:

The UMNO Putras
The Chinese, Malay and Indian Big Money
Big Business Executives
Senior Civil Servants
The Royalty
The Foreign Corporations in the country

In order to understand better the way they operate let me illustrate with the following example. Enough has been written on Kampung Buah Pala, so let me take another developing situation in Penang.

The way the land issues are being dealt with in Penang is very telling about all of this. Decisions are being made craftily by the DAP/PR government in Penang that clearly favours the big moneyed developers . The latest issue is the corridor zoning issue in Tanjung Bungah in Penang. The residents of Tanjung Bungah say the State Draft Development Plan as it is written establishes the boundary of the primary corridor, which is the high density area, at a certain point before Tanjung Bungah. But the DAP/PR government now refers to the zoning map (another document, conveniently) which has extended the corridor boundary into Tanjung Bungah, which is contrary to the written document. They (DAP/PR Govt) say the Zoning map is the authoritative document not the State Draft Development Plan.

You can actually see who the DAP/PR represents in this ambiguous situation. The way they have interpreted and decided, the Developers gain and the people of Tanjung Bungah stand to lose. This decision favours Big Money. In the case of Tanjung Bungah the Penang State government cannot create the illusion of the Chinese government being wrongly accused on the basis of race. The DAP/PR government will continue to make decisions like this on land matters, because this is where they have unfettered powers and where you can see them clearest.

I give this case which is about to explode in Penang, shortly, to clarify this reality of our Malaysian Politics. The conflicts around the country today has much to do with way this Power elite operate. The instruments by which they operate are

Corrupting Money
Know-who Networks
Control Instruments such as:

i. Parliamentary/Legislature Majority

ii. The appointment of judges

iii. The ISA

iv. The Seditions Act

v. The Official Secrets Act

Synergistic use the different instruments of control
Media created Illusions

It is becoming clear that it does not matter whether it is BN or PR who hold the reins of power, ultimately it is the power elite in the background,that wields true power. BN/PR are illusions of a difference. There is very little difference, especially for the poor and the marginalized. Ultimately, politics is about how the resources of the country are divided up. So more to the poor and marginalized will mean less to the rich and powerful. So when the rich and the powerful control the resource decision making levers of the country, what you can expect is a continuation of the poverty creating and marginalization processes. That is what Hindraf is realizing now after 18 months of PR governments in the 4 states. This is the politico-economic basis of this change in Hindraf’s view.

Hindraf said, recognize the heritage value of the KBP village as a basis for retaining the village for the poor – this is a reasonable position to take given the history. But Big money does not care for all this., they just brush it aside with impunity, create an illusion of greedy villagers and a racist Hindraf in the media. This is not the work of the UMNO or BN but the work of DAP and PR. So what is the difference between them in fronting for the Power Elite? Not much. When the villagers argue on the basis of their equity in the land, the entire Power Elite operate to marginalize them as powerless squatters – the courts, the police, the federal and state government and the media. So when Hindraf stands up for the Indian villagers, they are standing up against this powerful nexus in the country.

In effect Hindraf is now fast evolving to represent the interest of the Indian working class. Though it originated as a Hindu Rights Group, today it is evolving into an organization that represents the Indian working class interest. Since both UMNO and the PR both are trampling upon working class interests with impunity, Hindraf finds itself diametrically opposed to both the coalitions. And it is not afraid to speak up, so speak up it does regardless of who is involved.

Some (like Ken Gan in their supreme wisdom) may and do say this is foolish. When both sides continue to hurt you, it will only be foolish to not speak up for what is happening now for the illusion of the carrot sometime out in a dubious future. One can only be spoilers if there is going to be substantive change. When there is not going to be change, where is the issue of being a spoiler.

Ken Gan’s superficial articulation of the situation I feel is a purposeful attempt to damage the Hindraf point of view which is too close to the truth for the comfort of the Power Elite. He tries to marginalize Hindraf – creates an illusion of disarray , promotes arguments such as why is Hindraf being racist - marginalization and poverty exists in all races, mono-ethnic politics is a thing of the past and so on. People like Ken Gan just become spokespersons for the continuing source of injustice in our country against all, Malays, Chinese and Indian.

But we must all work to demolish the illusion that he and the likes of him try to create , so we can all get the change we so sorely desire. True change, not what political parties promise.
Vive La Makkal.

Hindraf alleges Pakatan double standard in Tanjung Tokong - Malaysiakini

Hindraf (Hindu Rights Action Front) in New York has come forward over the Aidil Fitri festive cheer period to welcome Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's pledge on Tanjung Tokong in Penang which is being touted as having heritage village status.

But the opposition leader should also be taken to task for his "chameleon-like stance" on the tragedy which befell Kampung Buah Pala in recent days, says the human and equal rights movement which groups together 30 Indian-based NGOs in Malaysia.

NONE

Anwar has long been accused by the ruling Barisan Nasional, Umno in particular, of being a political chameleon.

"Why is that the state government suddenly seems to have power to resolve the issue of Tanjung Tokong but not Kampung Buah Pala?" asks Hindraf's International Coordinator, R Shan, in an exclusive email to Malaysiakini from the Big Apple.

"Anwar has been silent on the issue of Kampung Buah Pala. He failed to take a stand on behalf of the residents there."

Shan noted that Anwar had rightly stressed that land is a state matter and urged the residents and UDA (Urban Development Authority) to meet and discuss to settle amicably the issues of compensation, resettlement and preservation of the heritage value of Tanjung Tokong.

"In the case of Kampung Buah Pala, this approach was not taken and in fact brute force was employed," alleged Shan.

"The state government seemed to be powerless in the face of the developer, the police and the court. All it could do was to keep putting all the blame on the previous Gerakan-led state government while challenging the MIC."

Spin story goes out of control

"The Penang Deputy Chief Minister 2, P Ramasamy, even led a group to Kuala Lumpur to demonstrate in front of the MIC Headquarters just to side-track from the Kampung Buah Pala issue."

NONE

Hindraf pledged that it would hold a watching brief on Tanjung Tokong to see whether the residents there are bound by the dangerous precedent set by the Kampung Buah Pala fiasco.

And if not, it wants to know why double standards are being practiced?

However, it stressed at the same time that it did not want to see the people of Tanjung Tokong being taken for a ride by the state government as in the case of Kampung Buah Pala.

That Hindraf statement says that although the sale of the land in Kampung Buah Pala was initiated by the previous government in Penang, the Pakatan Rakyat government could have stopped the process at any time.

Instead, it continued to point fingers at the previous government at every step of the way as it spun the story out of control, Hindraf said.

Even the threat to cancel the approvals for the proposed condominium project did not materialise and in the end proved to be "a lot of hot air".

The movement also wants "the real history of Kampung Buah Pala", to be a matter of public record and "that there is a moral dimension to the sorry episode."

The fact remains, according to the movement, that the original British family which owned the land had decreed that it be held in trust by the government for its inhabitants and their descendents.

This, the government failed to do, and instead claimed it was state land and subsequently proceeded to sell it.

'Tantamount to theft'

In effect, it was tantamount to theft of the people's land, said Hindraf.

"The people fought bravely to save Kampung Buah Pala but their cause was hopeless after the state government declared that the condominium project could attract tourists," said Hindraf.

"How could an ugly project like a condominium attract tourists? As if tourists have never seen a condominium before and are coming all the way to Penang to gawk at the condominium on the Kampung Buah Pala land?"

NONE In view of Tanjung Tokong, the Hindraf chief in New York wants Anwar to explain himself once and for all on the matter of Kampung Buah Pala and does not consider it a closed chapter.

Secondly, he wants him to give a categorical assurance that the Indian community matters to the Pakatan Rakyat and not just their votes during election time.

And finally, Hindraf wants to know how Pakatan Rakyat will redeem itself in the eyes of the Indian voters with Kampung Buah Pala hanging over its head.

"Anwar should bear in mind that thousands of Indians and other Malaysians risked their lives and poured onto the streets of Kuala Lumpur in late 2007 to press for their just and legitimate aspirations," said Shan.

"We urged the Indian electorate and all Malaysians to support Pakatan Rakyat last year when the Opposition Alliance solemnly promised that it would struggle for all Malaysians."

Hindraf report on Buah Pala

It now looks like that Anwar and Pakatan merely rode into public office on the makkal sakthi (people power) wave unleashed by Hindraf, according to Shan, "and had no intentions to consider the legitimate aspirations of the Indian community or others except themselves".

NONE Hindraf, although never registered, was outlawed by the Malaysian government reportedly after a newspaper in Singapore claimed, without citing any evidence, that it had links with the banned Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam.

Four Hindraf lawyers and a co-coordinator were also held under the Internal Security Act, allegedly as a result of the Singapore report, and released recently after several years in detention without trial.

Hindraf is now based in London and also has offices in India, Australia and New York, among other places.

Its main work is to release the Malaysian Indian Human Rights Annual Report every year. Kampung Buah Pala is expected to feature prominently in this year's report.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Hindraf Press Statement about Anwar and Kg.Tanjung Tokong

The latest initiative taken by Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the De Facto Leader of the opposition in voicing his concern for Tanjung Tokong is definitely welcomed but HINDRAF is surprised and disappointed that he chose to observe silence in the Kg Buah Pala issue.

The rhetoric of every Malaysian is “Anak Saya” seems very shallow now when no voice was heard from him as the Leader of the opposition party in the Kg Buah Pala issue.

Dato Seri Anwar, stating that the land issue comes under the purview of the state authority have urged the authorities, UDA and residents> to discuss and address the issues of compensation, resettlement and preservation of the heritage value, but why did he stay silence on the Kg Buah Pala issue? Didn’t the state authority have the power then to preserve Kg Buah Pala or the Indians are so insignificant in the opposition’s Malaysian agenda?

The residents of Kg Buah Pala is as much as a citizen of Malaysia as anyone else and they had fought tooth and nail by themselves to preserve their land only to be manipulated by the obstinate approach and attitude taken by the opposition led government in Penang with their endless spin along with the Developer.

HINDRAF although had urged the Malaysian Indians to throw in their support for the opposition in hope of a change, it is now seems quite transparent that the Malaysian Indians have again been short changed with the double standard practiced by the opposition similar to what had been done to the Indians over the last 52 years by the facist BN led government.

On March 8, 2008, the public in unity had made the change to ensure that the opposition will step in and ensure that the public interest is taken care for rather than feeding its own political agenda and survival according to the segment of the society as what has been the ruling government’s modus operandi.

The path created by the opposition leader in having selective process in dealing with different segment of the society leaves the the masses of the Indian society in such a precarious position on whom to trust as in reality nothing have changed for them. The selective process exercised by the De Facto leader as seen in this case sets dangerous precedent for the actual objective of the opposition leader who has portrait himself to be working for all Malaysian irrespective of their origin.

Notwithstanding the biased approached taken by the opposition against the Malaysian Indians, HINDRAF is in full support of any pro-active action taken by the state authority to safeguard Kampung Tanjung Tokong for its historical value although it failed in Kg Buah Pala.

R.Shan
HINDRAF
International Coordinator
+16466378600

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Hindraf on Mahathir's 'sin' against Indians - Malaysiakini

Hindraf chairperson P Waythamoorthy said Umno and its former president Dr Mahathir Mohamad were pinning the blame on MIC president S Samy Vellu in order to 'cover up their own sins' with regards to the Indian community.

Commenting on the 'slipper garland' controversy, the Hindraf leader said he also understands why Mahathir was not interested in an apology from the MIC delegate who made the remark.

"Having observed Mahathir ever since I heard him speak at a student function in London in 1989, I know how the man thinks," Waythamoorthy told Malaysiakini.

"When Mahathir says he's not interested in something, I know he means it."

According to this school of thought, Mahathir did not do anything at all for the Indian community during his 22 years as prime minister. Hence, he does not expect Indians to be grateful to him.

"So, if any Indian insults him, he knows that he has to just grin and take it," said Waythamoorthy.

"In fact, he's probably surprised deep down that he has not been insulted at all so far and Samy (Vellu) instead gets all the blame, a situation he encourages."

'Covering up sins'

The Hindraf chief noted that Samy Vellu has come under all around fire including from Mahathir and Umno for not doing enough for the Indian community "but this is just to cover up their own sins."

"The fact remains that Samy Vellu is not the prime minister of Malaysia. If he were, we can blame him for not doing enough or anything for the Indian community," he said.

samy vellu and mahathir

"It is Mahathir who should be blamed. He's trying to shift the blame on to Samy Vellu. Mahathir failed to be the prime minister for all Malaysians. He was more interested in his own petty racist agenda."

So, it's not surprising that someone in MIC suggested a 'garland of slippers' for him, he added.

Waythamoorthy also called on the MIC president to stop parroting about Mahathir being a great leader, a great man, a great statesman and a builder of the nation, among others, "since he (Mahathir) didn't do anything at all for the Indian community and in fact set out to hurt them and others as well."

"After all the prime minister is supposed to be the leader for all Malaysians, under the Federal Constitution, not just for some Malaysians," he said.

On Umno's claims that the government had allocated considerable funds for the Indian community but Samy Vellu did not pass them on, Wayathamoorthy wanted the claims to be backed up by facts and figures and other relevant evidence.

The first of Mahathir's'sins' against the Indian community and Malaysians in general, stressed Waythamoorthy, was to distort and deviate from the New Economic Policy (NEP) and introduce racist elements which set the nation on a slippery slope and the Indians among the worst-hit victims.

As an example he cited the withdrawal of recognition for degrees from overseas medical institutions which had a large number of Indian Malaysian students.

He noted that the special privileges meant for the Malays, and by extension other natives, only covered four areas - intake into the civil service, intake into institutions of higher learning, government scholarships and opportunities in business.

"The special privileges were only meant to ensure that the Malays and other natives were not left out as the nation developed since there was this fear at independence," said Waythamoorthy. "It is not a carte blanc (blank cheque) to grab the whole pie in the four areas mentioned and other areas as well."

Mahathir will not apologise

In any case, Waythamoorthy doesn't expect Mahathir to apologise to the Indian community for past hurts and sleights "although time is running out for him."

mahathir at bum 2009 bloggers conference talking about sex and old age 290509 05 Similarly, he does not expect Mahathir to apologise to his former heir apparent, Anwar Ibrahim, for doing everything possible to destroy not only his political career but the man himself.

"Samy Vellu himself has labelled Mahathir as the destroyer of deputies," said Waythamoorthy.

The Hindraf leader said Mahathir is more concerned about Umno leaders insulting or humiliating him and getting away with it.

In short, that's why Mahathir is using the "garland of slippers" insult as an excuse to name all those who had insulted or humiliated him in the past and are still walking around scott-free.

His suggestion that he would not hesitate to drop them from the cabinet if he had his way, suggested Waythamoorthy, was a strong hint for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak "to do what is necessary to avenge his hurt pride".