KUALA LUMPUR: US-based The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) has condemned the Penang High Court decision to deny 28 year old Siti Hasnah Banggarma the right to change her religion back…
KUALA LUMPUR: US-based The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) has condemned the Penang High Court decision to deny 28 year old Siti Hasnah Banggarma the right to change her religion back to Hinduism.
After a long, drawn out court battle, Banggarma was left with little hope as Justice Mohammed Yacoob Sam referred the case contesting her conversion to the Syariah Court.
Banggarma, born a Hindu, claimed that state authorities forcibly converted her to Islam at the age of seven while she was under the care of a government-run orphanage.
She later married a Hindu in a traditional Hindu ceremony, but could not officially register her marriage nor could she list her Hindu husband as the father of their children on birth certificates.
Malaysian law requires any non-Muslim marrying a Muslim to convert to Islam before a marriage is legally recognized.
“The right to religious freedom has continued to erode in Malaysia, and minorities continue to suffer,” said Professor Ramesh Rao, HAF’s Human Rights Coordinator.
“This case, which was covered in HAF’s 2009 human rights report, is yet another of example of officially sanctioned religious discrimination and coercion."
Although Malaysia is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country, minorities, particularly ethnic Indians and Hindus, have continued to face serious discrimination over the years.
HAF’s annual Hindu human rights report, 'Hindus in South Asia and the Diaspora: A Survey of Human Rights 2009', documented the discrimination, intimidation and persecution faced by Malaysia’s minority Hindu population.
The Foundation has also supported the work of Hindraf, a human rights organization that monitors, documents and publicly highlights human rights abuses faced by the country’s minority Hindu population.
“We hope that Banggarma will eventually be permitted to return to the faith of her birth,” added Rao.
“HAF will continue to monitor this case along with the litany of human rights abuses in Malaysia.“
The Hindu American Foundation is a non-profit, non-partisan organization promoting the Hindu and American ideals of understanding, tolerance and pluralism.
(Refer Free Malaysia Today 8/8/10)
KUALA LUMPUR: Human Rights Party (HRP) leader P Uthayakumar today launched a scathing attack on Umno, calling it the “real enemy” of the Indian community…
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(Refer Free Malaysia Today 8/8/10)
KUALA LUMPUR: Human Rights Party (HRP) leader P Uthayakumar today launched a scathing attack on Umno, calling it the “real enemy” of the Indian community in Malaysia.
The Hindraf leader and former Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee also accused Umno of splitting the Indians, and destroying their heritage.
Addressing some 300 delegates at HRP’s first national convention here, the party pro-tem secretary-general also blamed Umno for attempting to create fissures in Hindraf.
“When I was arrested under the ISA in 2007, a police officer with the rank of DSP told me that he will destroy Hindraf in three months.
“They even launched a covert operation called “Ops Padam Hindraf” then. However, we are still here today,” he said to a rousing applause.
Without mincing his words, the outspoken lawyer also accused Umno of “ethnic cleansing” through the destruction of the Indian community’s heritage structures and depriving Indian students of scholarships.
“They destroy our temples, cemeteries and schools. They deny scholarships for our children although they have excellent results. If this is not ethnic cleansing, what else am I to call it?” he asked.
Uthayakumar then ridiculed the Umno-led Barisan Nasional government, saying that it used 11 political parties to destroy Hindraf but still failed.
“They needed the help of 11 political parties to defeat us but we are still here. Do not believe their propaganda claiming Hindraf is split now,” he said.
Uthayakumar said the Indians here were only demanding their basic rights guaranteed under the federal constitution. “They always quote Article 153 of the constitution whenever they think we question Malay rights. However, the second part of the article emphasises on the protection of the legitimate interests of the non-bumiputeras which is conveniently forgotten by the ruling party,” he said. Pakatan slammed as well
Meanwhile, the HRP leader also took a swipe at Pakatan Rakyat for allegedly ignoring the Indians because it wanted to be “politically correct”.
“Indian lawmakers from Pakatan are scared to highlight Indian woes in order not to offend the Malays too much. They fear they might lose Malay votes in the next election.
“They also go around claiming they have given land titles to our temples and schools but when we checked, it is nothing but hogwash,” he said.
Uthayakumar also pledged that HRP would not become a tool of political coalitions, saying that it would only stand for the people.
In a related development, HRP delegates passed a resolution that the movement would be known as Hindraf Makkal Sakthi from today.
Hindraf was banned by the government after it was accused of engaging in activities which posed a threat to public order.
Several other resolutions were passed, including to adopt Hindraf’s controversial 18-point demand without any alteration.
The party also urged the government to provide full aid to all Tamil schools nationwide and scholarships for deserving students.
“We also call on the government to issue MyKad and birth certificates to all Indians who do not have the documents under a special programme.
“The government must make things easy for them by just requesting for a police report. The documents must be handed to them within three months from the day of application.”
The party also agreed to accept all decisions made by its national coordination team and Hindraf chairman and Uthayakumar’s brother, Waytha Moorthy, who is in London on self imposed exile.
“We also agree that Waytha should continue to promote our struggle at the international arena and lead the movement until our demands are met,” said its national adviser N Ganasen.
As a Muslim organisation, we appeal to the judge to reverse his decision.
" ... Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error ..." [2:256]
This is Islam's unambiguous affirmation of freedom of faith, which also applies to changing of faith.
The Qur'an illuminates before the humanity the two highways [90:10], one of which leads to salvation. Islam is an invitation to the highway toward salvation, but it is based on freedom of choice.
The verdict amounts to forcing Ms Banggarma to believe what she does not believe, that is not Islamic in any sense.
The original intention of such ruling was to prevent treason against the state for switching loyalties to harm the state, sort of double agent.
Banggarma is no harm to the state, her belief in Hinduism must be honoured.
The writer represents the Texas-based World Muslim Congress.
HINDRAF 1st National Convention 8/8/2010
(Closed Door)
We are working to telecast Live Proceedings tomorrow beginning from 9.00am onwards in our website.
BUKIT JALIL: The 41 families, whose houses are on the brink of being devoured by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) bulldozers, have turned to Prime Minister…
BUKIT JALIL: The 41 families, whose houses are on the brink of being devoured by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) bulldozers, have turned to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak for help.
This morning, the residents submitted a memorandum to Najib's office in Putrajaya, requesting for more time to decide on a new offer made by DBKL.
After living and working in the Bukit Jalil estate for decades, the residents felt that DBKL's three-day grace period to them to make such an important decision was simply unfair.
“We live in a democratic country. Malaysia is not a communist state,” stressed K Balakrishnan, a member of the estate action force committee.
"They gave us only three days to decide. Many of the people here are uneducated. How do you expect them to make a decision within three days?” he asked.
The memorandum was also sent to Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim, Federal Territories and Urban Well-being Minister Raja Nong Chik Zainal Abidin and Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam.
Yesterday, DBKL had offered the residents a RM80,000 flat unit each for RM35,000. The residents were given until midnight tomorrow to decide.
After their eviction deadline expired on Tuesday, the residents vowed to put up a fight even if it meant facing the wrath of the police's anti-riot personnel.
They also believed that there is more than what meets the eye behind the claim that the land, which was allegedly sold to a former minister, would be converted into a cemetery.
'A ploy to break us up'
Meanwhile, Balakrishnan said the residents had little faith in DBKL, and the new offer was also enveloped in uncertainty, with regards to obtaining bank loans to purchase the flat units.
Echoing his views, another resident said there were several former estate workers who took up a similar offer from DBKL in the past but could not secure banks loans.
"Yes, we can take up the offer but will the banks give us the housing loans. What's the point in taking up the offer but not being able to get the loans. DBKL must address this issue,” he said.
The resident, who declined to be named, also accused DBKL of using underhand tactics to get them to vacate their houses.
According to him, former estate workers, who took such offers, were being used to convince them to take up the new offer.
"Yesterday, I received a note from a former resident who said that if I agreed to move, DBKL will give me an additional RM10,000.
“If this is true, they should make the offer public and let us decide. Make the offer to all of us, not only to a selected few. This is just a ploy to break us up," he said.
While the residents denied squatting on the land, DBKL, however, claimed that only 12 of the 41 families were former estate workers, while the rest were squatters.
KUALA LUMPUR: A 14-year-old boy has claimed that he was repeatedly slapped, kicked, and handcuffed till his wrist was badly injured by a police constable when he was arrested for no apparent reason.
The boy further alleged that during detention on Tuesday night, he was threatened and forced to sign a document to "confess" to his crime-- sexually assaulting a young girl.
Recounting his traumatic experience, M Mugelen said he was taking a swim with his friends at a pool at the Pantai Hill Park condominium at about 7pm with four other friends when police approached them.
"Four policemen came up to us and one of them asked us 'who disturbed the girl?' and we answered we did not," he said.
"I did not even know the girl, who is about eight or nine years old. Why didn't they question a group of Malays who were also nearby?" said Mugelen, adding that he suspected the girl's family had lodged a false report to stop him and his friends from swimming at the area.
Mugelen said he was subsequently slapped three times on the left cheek and all five of them, aged between 14 and 17, were brought to the Pantai police station and later the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters.
One of Mugelen's friends, 17-year-old P Thanasegar, alleged that when he was brought there he was handcuffed to a motorcycle and not given any helmet. He was also allegedly kicked in the stomach.
"At the station, my friends were released but I was left alone at about 10pm. A constable, Yani, with the police number 140179 then asked me what was I doing at the pool. When I answered nothing, he slapped and kicked me. He also tightened my cuffs until I was in so much pain," said Mugelen. Doctors later told him that his wrists were dislocated.
"I cried the whole time and I thought about Kugan, and I became so afraid that I would die like him. The same policeman then told me this was 'a little bit pain only, wait till you enter prison'," said Mugelen. (A Kugan, a suspect in the thefts of luxury cars, was found dead while in police custody last year.)
'Investigate the constable'
Mugelen said he was later brought to another room where he was asked to sign a document he believed was a confession.
"I was so scared that I just signed it. They told me if I did not sign I will go to jail," said Mugelen, who stopped schooling since he was 11 as he did not possess a birth certificate then.
Mugelen was relased at 2am the next day after a RM5,000 police bail was paid by his family, but not before he was again kicked by another unknown policeman.
Human Rights Party Selangor Youth chief S Thiagarajan, who highlighted the boys' plight, said the party is urging police to investigate the constable for the alleged attacks on the boys.
"Under the Children and Young Persons Act 1947, this officer should be charged and sentenced to two years for cruelty to the boy. Also, it is wrong under Article 5 of the Federal Constitution to arrest someone without telling them what is his offence," said Thiagarajan, who asked if police were practicising racial discrimination with the boys' arrest.
Brickfields district police chief ACP Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid said both reports were received but investigations into the alleged abuse have been passed over to Kuala Lumpur police headquarters.
When contacted, Kuala Lumpur deputy police CID chief ACP Khairi Ahrasa said the boy is being investigated for alleged molest.
"We will not cover up; investigations are still ongoing," he said.
Kuala Lumpur 4/0/08/2010. Since 6.30 this morning HRP and Hindraf supporters started gathering at the Ladang Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur to put up a peaceful resistance to stop the “ethnic cleansing” of the Bukit Jalil estate workers homes, their Hindu temples, Hindu crematary and their Tamil school build by the British colonialist over 200 years ago. And now after 53 years of independence the same is now to be “ethinically cleansed” by the neo coloialist, racial and religious supremacist and extremist UMNO.
P. Uthayakumar, S. Thiagarajan and S. Tinakaran arrived at about 8.30 a.m and were warmly greeted by the ex-plantation workers of Bukit Jalil estate Music was played with the trademark Hindraf song Tholvi Nilai yena nivaithal. About 30 Hindraf and HRP supporters in their traditional orange shirts and the residents of Ladang Bukit Jalil sang along with full of emotions.
Captain Bala of Bukit Jalil estate then started with the anti UMNO slogans and “Satu Malaysia Dua Sistem” chanting. A group of Bukit Jalil residents then started chanting Hindraf and which was responded with Valga which still remains magical and sent vibrations till to day since the 25th November 2007 Hindraf Rally. Also heard were slogans of “Polis Kejam” DBKL kejam, “Jangan nyaya masyarakat India, satu Malaysia and the response “dua sistem”, “UMNO” and the response “dua system”.
Addressing the media P. Uthayakumar said that the strangers to the 200 year old Bukit Jalil estate ie DBKL formed only some 30 years ago and the Federal Territories Ministry are now declaring these native Indian ex rubber tappers of Bukit Jalil estate as squatters. UMNO’s DBKL “tuans” are now abusing the law by using the Emergency Ordinance to forcibly “ethnically cleanse” the Bukit Jalil estate workers homes, their Hindu temple, Hindu cemetary and Tamil school. UMNO has refused to get a Court Order and are now abusing their powers by using the Emergency Ordinance.
The Bukit Jalil residents were repeatedly invited to discuss the settlement away from the Hindraf & HRP gathering but they had refused. Typical UMNO divide and rule strategy!
Finally about 10.00 a.m one UMNO “tuan” Mohamed Amiruddin, Deputy Director of Operations and read “ethnic cleansing” of UMNO’s DBKL (black and white). This UMNO “tuan” used a loud hailer and announced that all the said residents would be isuued letters of offer to purchase the nearby low cost flats to which the crowd started chanting that they wanted surat hitam putih. This Director went away promising to come back and that the “ethnic cleansing” would be deferred for three days.
Another UMNO temporary solution for Bukit Jalil estate workers homes, their Hindu temple, Hinkdu ceremtary and Tamil school.
After a few hours UMNO’s DBKL come back and handed them an offer letter given to them earlier much to the disappointment of the residents.
HRP’s W. Sambulingam then organised a meeting with the residents at Bukit Jalil at 7.00 p.m today to plan thier next plan of action to also secure land for Hindu temple, cemetary and Tamil school.
Another “Multi-racial” PSM party leaders were seen negotiating with the said DBKL “tuan” and then briefed the gathering about the meeting. But these “comrades” as usual had refused to even ask about the fate of the Hindu temple, Hindu cemetary and the Tamil school. Maybe, because their “Socialist principles” says so or more likely that they may lose Malay voters if they are seen to be also championing justice for the Hindu temples, Hindu cemetery and Tamil schools.
When a member of the gathering had asked this PSM leader about the Hindu temple, Hindu cemetary and the Tamil school he merely had kosong replied “later”.
Two MIC Youth mandores were also seen among the gathering. But they had refused to sing along the Hindraf Tholvi song as there may not be Tholvi in their mandore roles as they are making some peanuts money in the name and by shortchanging the Indian community.
Karunai Nithi @ Compensative Justice.
BUKIT JALIL: The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has deferred the demolition of houses in Ladang Bukit Jalil today, offering the 41 families involved a flat each for RM35,000.
The former estate workers have been given till Friday to decide, after which their present houses would be bulldozed.
A standoff was expected this morning after residents defied DBKL's order to vacate their houses.
However, DBKL gave the former estate workers an offer letter each to purchase units at a nearby flat for RM35,000, originally priced at RM80,000.
There was a commotion when a DBKL officer went up to the residents to talk to them, many of whom had camped there since last night.
“We only want to talk to a superior officer, not his henchmen,” K Balakrishnan, the estate's action force committee member, told the DBKL officer.
The officer, known only as Fairus, explained that DBKL had no plans to demolish their houses today and he was only there to negotiate.
He then left and returned a few minutes later with DBKL's deputy director-general Mohamad Amin Nordin.
However, Amin was heckled with chants like “Umno: 2Malaysia, Jangan Hina Masyarakat India and Selamatkan Ladang Bukit Jalil.”
'Many are illiterate'
Meanwhile, Balakrishnan told FMT that the time-frame given was not sufficient.
“Many of the people here are illiterate. How do you expect them to sign on something blindly. They need more time to consider this new offer.
“Another issue is how are they going to get bank loans. Some will not fulfil the requirements needed to be eligible for the housing loan. How is DBKL going to solve that problem?” he added.
Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) secretary-general S Arutchelvan, who was also present, questioned DBKL's move to use the Emergency Ordinance to vacate the residents, when the ordinance is only used to evict squatters.
“These people are estate workers staying at a former estate housing scheme. DBKL should not group them under the squatter category. They should not have used the ordinance,” he said.
This view was shared by Ibrahim Mohamed, a former Bukit Jalil estate worker, who said that DBKL had no right to call them squatters as they were living on estate land.
“My father worked in this estate many years ago. I was born here 47 years ago and I even studied in the Tamil school here. Who is DBKL to call us squatters? ” he said.
'Swear in a mosque'
Ibrahim said initially when negotiating terms with DBKL on the eviction, the latter had only offered a compensation of RM6,000 without even hearing any details from them.
“They have been promising things for the past three years and that's the only thing they know, making empty promises,” he added.
He lambasted Amin for saying that the land would be cleared to build a new cemetery.
“Even those living do not have a place to stay but now they are offering this place for the dead,” he said, adding that estate existed even before DBKL came into existence.
“During general elections, even the Election Commission used the Tamil school here as a polling booth. So how come a government agency is using a squatter premise as a polling area?” he asked.
He then challenged the DBKL deputy director to swear in a mosque that they would actually build a cemetery there.
“I am a Muslim and so is he. I dare him to swear in a mosque,” he said, adding that there was more than what meets the eye.
Meanwhile, a source revealed that the residents planned to stay put, even after the deadline, until a decision was made on the new offer.
“This is an important decision. There are so many aspects that should be taken into account before we make a decision. Until then we are staying put. We are not moving.
“Even if they come back on Friday, we will still be here. They need to clarify all the questions we have. Until then, this standoff will continue,” he said.
In a related development, DBKL revealed that only 12 out of the 41 families were former estate workers and the rest were squatters.
No.6, Jalan Abdullah, Off Jalan Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur. Tel : 03-2282 5241 Fax : 03-2282 5241 Fax: 03-2282 5245 Website: www.humanrightspartymalaysia.comE-mail: info@humanrightspartymalaysia.com Your Reference : In Reply : Date : 3rd August 2010
YAB. Dato Seri Najib Razak
Prime Minister of Malaysia,
Blok Utama Bangunan Perdana Putra,
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan, Fax: 03-88883444
62502 Putrajaya E-Mail: najib@pmo.gov.my
Y. B. Senator Dato Raja Nong Chik bin
Dato Raja Zainal Abidin
Minister of Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing,
Aras 4, Blok B2,
Menara PJH, Presint 2,
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan, Fax:03-88891411
62100 Putrajaya. Email: datoraja@kwp.gov.my
Y. Bhg Dato Ahmad Faud bin Ismail
Mayor of Kuala Lumpur
Tingkat 27, Menara DBKL
Jalan Raja Laut Fax : 03-26919664
50350 Kuala Lumpur Email : datukbandar@dbkl.gov.my
YAB Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim Menteri Besar Selangor,
Pejabat Menteri Besar Selangor,
Tingkat 21, Bangunan Sultan Salahuddin, Abdul Aziz Shah,
Fax : 03-5519 0032 40503 Shah Alam, Selangor. E-Mail : khalid@selangor.gov.my
YAB,Y.B/YBhg, SOS Cabinet Order to stop DBKL Demolishment Order dated 20/7/2010 demolishing the last in K.L Bukit Jalil Indian plantation community homes their hindu temple, Tamil school and hindu cemetary.
We refer to the above matter and to the unlawful demolishment order by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall dated 8/6/2010.
The plantation workers of the Bukit Jalil estate and their ancestors have worked, lived and died in this estate since 200 years ago when neither the Kuala Lumpur City Hall nor Malaysia was in existence.
But today the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and the Malaysian Government’s Minister of the Federal Territories and Community Wellbeing, which is very remotely practicing community wellbeing in this case but both of which has unilaterally and unlawfully declared these fourty-one (41) remaining poor Indian plantation workers as “squatters” and therefore their homes, hindu temple, Tamil school and hindu cemetery are to be systematically demolished. (“ethnically cleansed”) beginning 3/8/2010 onwards vide the DBKL notice dated 20/7/2010.
Some 442,000 poor Malay muslims have been granted land in ten acre land ownership schemes in Felda, Felcra, Risda, Fama, Mardi, Agropolitan etc (See BH 25/2/2010 at page 4).
On the same note we are sure at least some good deed besides wiping out this last ethnic minority Indian plantation community their hindu temple, hindu cemetery and Tamil school in Kuala Lumpur and to be summarily executed with impunity especially in the Malay-sian Prime Minister’s One Malay-sia.
We hereby urge your goodselves to especially at tomorrow’s Cabinet Meeting (4/8/10) Order DBKL stop their intended demolishment on 4/8/10 and thereafter resolve this matter amicably as they have nowhere else to go and would be forced to rebuild their homes in situ if indeed their homes are forcibly demolished tomorrow, after they having peacefully resisting the demolishment of their said homes on 4/8/2010.
We also urge Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, the Member for Parliament of Bandar Tun Razak which also includes this Bukit Jalil estate to :-
1) move an emergency motion in Parliament tomorrow to stop this unlawful intended demolishment on 4/8/10.
2) Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim in your goodselves capacity also as the Menteri Besar of Selangor with 100% powers of all land in Selangor to grant these plantation workers an alternative settlement in Selangor which Selangor border is merely a stones throw away from this Bukit Jalil estate where their homes, hindu temple, hindu cemetery and Tamil school could be relocated in what is to be the more pro people Selangor state federal government and alternative and/or federal government in waiting.
The people of this Bukit Jalil estate have their case as per their statement dated 1/8/10 titled “The nightmare and mental torture forced by the authority”, their letters to the Federal Territories and Wellbeing Minister dated 24/6/2010 and 23/7/2010, DBKL Demolishment Notice dated 20/7/10 and their demands titled “Houses Compensation, outstanding salaries and outstanding EPF claims from the Authority”. (Copies enclosed herewith for your goodselves easy reference).
We seek your goodselves kind indulgence in this matter.
Kindly revert to us accordingly.
Thank You.
Yours Faithfully,
_______________
P.Uthayakumar
(Secretary General) pro-tem
CC:-
En. Rolan bin Hj. Abd. Rahman
Pengarah
(Jabatan Keselamatan & Pengutakuasaan)
Jalan Tun Razak Fax : 03-40218260
50400 Kuala Lumpur E-Mail : jkp@dbkl.gov.my
SHAH ALAM: Selangor state exco Dr Halimah Ali said that state government allocations to help raise Tamil school education will no more be managed by Xavier Jeyakumar but herself.
She said this after a meeting with parents of Tamil school students who were unhappy that the state government allocated RM1.6m to three NGOs to run the Tamil School Programmes.
The meeting was also attended by the three NGOs, Jeyakumar, the exco in charge of Indian affairs, Kelana Jaya MP Low Goh Burne and Kapar MP S Manickavasagam.
Halimah explained that Jeyakumar was given the mandate to manage the allocation because he had volunteered to do so although she was the exco in charge of education.
Whenever the allocation issue was raised at state exco meetings, Halimah said Jeyakumar said there were no complaints from the parents and or the NGOs.
"I'm here to tell you that I had never met with you, the Tamil school parents before," Halimah told the parents. "This is my first time and the time has come now for me to take charge."
She said that will raise this matter at the next state exco meeting and then call for another meeting with the Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) chairmen.
Scuffle between rival factions
Halimah, the state exco for education, said if Tamil schools faced problems in getting access to the allocation, they can apply to the state government online.
She said the government has yet to decide if the RM1.6m allocation for the Tamil School Programmes will continue to be channeled to the three NGOs.
"We will discuss this at our next exco meeting," she said.
A slight scuffle broke out during the meeting last Saturday when rival factions traded barbs and criticised each other.
It started when MP Low asked representatives from the three NGOs the reason for not acknowledging the contributions of Pakatan Rakyat leaders in their souvenir programmes.
Educational Welfare and Research Foundation (EWRF) special adviser S Pasupathi, who attempted to answer the question, was interupted by Low.
Fracas brought under control
The situation become chaotic and supporters of the both sides began shouting and heckling at each other.
When Jeyakumar tried to intervene, he was told off by several angry parents. S Kumaravel, the Midlands Tamil School PTA chairman came to Jeyakumar's rescue and in the process pushed Low who was standing near the edge of stage.
S Murali, the president of Tamil Schools' Parent's Association of Selangor (TSPAS), then lunged at Kumaravel who had to fend off a group of PKR members who joined in the fracas.
The situation was brought under control by a group of parents. Low, Manickavasagam and Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad were not happy with situation.
Order reigned when Halimah asked Jeyakumar and the three NGOs representatives to leave the hall with their supporters.
Almost every parent at the meeting urged the state government to freeze the RM1.6m annual allocation which is channelled to the three NGOs.
The state government allocates RM4m for Tamil schools annually. RM2.4m is given directly to Tamil schools while the remaining RM1.6m is given to the three NGOs to run the Tamil School Programmes.
Besides the Educational Welfare and Research Foundation (EWRF), the other two NGOs are the Tamil Foundation (TF) and Child Information Learning Development Centre (CHILD).
The issue of the RM1.6 m allocation came to a boil when Murali, the TSPAS chairman, accused the the three NGOs of mismanaging the funds.
Jeyakumar could not be contacted for comment. His aide said he will respond later.
FREEDOM OF RELIGION MEANS ANY RELIGION
Rani born to a Muslim mother but since a sixteenth day old baby was adopted and brought up as a Hindu by a Hindu family. Rani practices Hinduism and wants to live and die as a Hindu . But the UMNO Jabatan Agama Islam stormed into her house and her husband Muniandy that very same night was forcibly circumcised. Muniandy was earlier threatened with a six year jail sentence if he did not convert to Islam. Now after thirty years later Rani’s daughter Vijiyaletchumi and Sasikala ( who is now 6 months pregnant ) are now suffering the very same predicament her mother Rani faced some thirty years ago because their identity cards carries a Muslim name although she practices Hinduism and has never practiced Islam.
Despite going up and down to the Islamic Religious Affairs Department on 30 occasions and over especially the last 18 years, the UMNO led racist and religious supremacist Malay-sian Government bullies, threatened and instills fear in them .
But the insult and stress is so severe on this family that Ganesan has even contemplated committing suicide.
Article 11 of the Malaysian Federal Constitution guarantees freedom of religion. Freedom of religion means any religion
We like to quote Prophet Muhammad’s hadis “ To you your religion and to me my religion “ .
The Human Rights Party has today officially written a letter to Malay-sian Prime Minister Najib Razak , Home Minister, Minister In charge of Islam, Chief Secretary to the government, Secretary General to the Home Minister for justice to be done to this poor and politically powerless Hindu family and that their religious status be reverted or changed to Hinduism .
And all this publicity was revealed today 31/7/2010 at a Press Conference at the Human Rights Party, Headquarters in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur.
P.Latha
The rally's estimated to be 100 000 people gathered outside the Petronas Twin Towers at midnight, early Sunday morning.At least 240 people were detained, but half of them were later released. One day before the rally, police arrested three HINDRAF lawyers, P. Uthayakumar, P. Waytha Moorthy and V. Ganabatirau for sedition charges. Uthayakumar and Ganabatirau posted bail of 800 Malaysian ringgits each, but Waytha Moorthy refused bail as a sign of protest.
![IMG_2019_thumb[3]](http://www.hrp-my.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/IMG_20195.jpg "IMG_2019_thumb[3]")
