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Monday, August 16, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Thousands 'stateless' in M'sia still British: Hindraf - Malaysiakini
Human rights movement Hindraf has discovered, after extensive legal research in London, that several thousand so-called stateless people in Malaysia are in fact still British subjects.
According to Hindraf, the 'stateless' therefore entitled to British citizenship and nationality “if denied citizenship and nationality in Malaysia despite the independence agreements”.
This claim by Hindraf is based on declassified colonial and British government documents extensively available at the National Archives of the United Kingdom in London. It has been estimated by Hindraf that among ethnic Indians alone in Peninsular Malaysia, there are 150,000 British subjects.
“We have since engaged a Queen's Counsel (QC) to write a full professional paper on the subject for formal submission to British Immigration,” said Hindraf chair P Waythamoorthy (right) in an interview with Malaysiakini yesterday by telephone from London. “We want feedback from British Immigration.”
Waythamoorthy, allegedly forced into exile in the United Kingdom, was following up on the day-long 1st National Hindraf Makkal Sakthi Convention in Kuala Lumpur last Sunday.
He reiterated that the movement will deal only with British Immigration at this stage and sees no need to involve the UK government prematurely.
The Malaysian lawyer expects British Immigration to take up the matter with the UK government through the home secretary. In turn, the UK government can be expected to liaise with the Malaysian government on the matter.
“The people who are actually stateless in Malaysia today are those nationals mainly from Indonesia and the Philippines who entered the country after independence with valid travel papers,” explained Waythamoorthy.
“They may no longer be citizens of their home countries after overstaying 10 years or more in Malaysia with expired travel documents.”
The Hindraf chair explained that people in Malaysia who are still British subjects are those who were in British Malaya at the stroke of midnight on Aug 30, 1957 and, again at the stroke of midnight on Sept 15, 1963 in British North Borneo (Sabah) and British Sarawak.
These people were subsequently denied Malayan and/or Malaysian citizenship. The term British subject also covers the descendants of these people.
Grant them Malaysian citizenship
The issue in the case of Peninsular Malaysia, Hindraf's main interest, is the denial of Malaysian citizenship to thousands of people and their descendants.
“The Malaysian government, like the Malayan government, has denied citizenship to thousands of British subjects in Malaysia by systematically violating the Merdeka (independence) agreements and international treaties with the British,” charged Waythamoorthy.
“They did this through various acts of administration and bogged down the whole process in mindless red tape.”
In short, since the Malayan and Malaysian governments refused to move British subjects to a new status as citizens of the country, their original legal status remains intact. They are not in a legal twilight zone, continued Waythamoorthy.
“Their legal status is clear and must be recognised accordingly by the United Kingdom.”
Waythamoorthy clarified that Hindraf's main objective is not to get British citizenship and nationality for British subjects still in Malaysia. Instead, it wants Malaysian citizenship and nationality for them to bring closure to a chapter from the country's colonial past.
“However, if the Malaysian government refuses to move on the question of citizenship and nationality for the British subjects in the country, we have no alternative but claim these rights in the United Kingdom,” warns Waythamoorthy.
“We have the constitutions of Malaysia, the United Kingdom, the independence agreements, international law and the United Nations on our side.”
It is for the UK government, said Waythamoorthy, to argue with the Malaysian government that the latter has broken international treaties and violated the Merdeka agreements and take up the matter further, if necessary, at the United Nations and the International Court of Justice.
According to Hindraf, the 'stateless' therefore entitled to British citizenship and nationality “if denied citizenship and nationality in Malaysia despite the independence agreements”.
This claim by Hindraf is based on declassified colonial and British government documents extensively available at the National Archives of the United Kingdom in London. It has been estimated by Hindraf that among ethnic Indians alone in Peninsular Malaysia, there are 150,000 British subjects.
“We have since engaged a Queen's Counsel (QC) to write a full professional paper on the subject for formal submission to British Immigration,” said Hindraf chair P Waythamoorthy (right) in an interview with Malaysiakini yesterday by telephone from London. “We want feedback from British Immigration.” Waythamoorthy, allegedly forced into exile in the United Kingdom, was following up on the day-long 1st National Hindraf Makkal Sakthi Convention in Kuala Lumpur last Sunday.
He reiterated that the movement will deal only with British Immigration at this stage and sees no need to involve the UK government prematurely.
The Malaysian lawyer expects British Immigration to take up the matter with the UK government through the home secretary. In turn, the UK government can be expected to liaise with the Malaysian government on the matter.
“The people who are actually stateless in Malaysia today are those nationals mainly from Indonesia and the Philippines who entered the country after independence with valid travel papers,” explained Waythamoorthy.
“They may no longer be citizens of their home countries after overstaying 10 years or more in Malaysia with expired travel documents.”
The Hindraf chair explained that people in Malaysia who are still British subjects are those who were in British Malaya at the stroke of midnight on Aug 30, 1957 and, again at the stroke of midnight on Sept 15, 1963 in British North Borneo (Sabah) and British Sarawak.
These people were subsequently denied Malayan and/or Malaysian citizenship. The term British subject also covers the descendants of these people.
Grant them Malaysian citizenship
The issue in the case of Peninsular Malaysia, Hindraf's main interest, is the denial of Malaysian citizenship to thousands of people and their descendants.
“The Malaysian government, like the Malayan government, has denied citizenship to thousands of British subjects in Malaysia by systematically violating the Merdeka (independence) agreements and international treaties with the British,” charged Waythamoorthy.
“They did this through various acts of administration and bogged down the whole process in mindless red tape.”
In short, since the Malayan and Malaysian governments refused to move British subjects to a new status as citizens of the country, their original legal status remains intact. They are not in a legal twilight zone, continued Waythamoorthy.“Their legal status is clear and must be recognised accordingly by the United Kingdom.”
Waythamoorthy clarified that Hindraf's main objective is not to get British citizenship and nationality for British subjects still in Malaysia. Instead, it wants Malaysian citizenship and nationality for them to bring closure to a chapter from the country's colonial past.
“However, if the Malaysian government refuses to move on the question of citizenship and nationality for the British subjects in the country, we have no alternative but claim these rights in the United Kingdom,” warns Waythamoorthy.
“We have the constitutions of Malaysia, the United Kingdom, the independence agreements, international law and the United Nations on our side.”
It is for the UK government, said Waythamoorthy, to argue with the Malaysian government that the latter has broken international treaties and violated the Merdeka agreements and take up the matter further, if necessary, at the United Nations and the International Court of Justice.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
HRP aims to become 'third platform' for Indians
(Malaysiakini) In the next general election, the Human Rights Party Malaysia (HRP) is aiming to become the third political platform to uplift the socio-economic status of the Indian community in the country.
The party is planning to go for 15 out of the total of 222 parliamentary seats in the nation and 38 out of the total of 576 state seats in the country.
Party pro-tem secretary-general P Uthayakumar (left) said. "I dreamt of the magical number '1538' while I was in detention under ISA in the Kamunting Detention Camp in Taiping and we hope to realise this dream in the coming general election. This will give us the political power to voice out the concerns of the Indian community both in the state assemblies and in Parliament."
The Indian community had first put their faith in the Umno-BN government but he was disappointed to note that it had denied the Indian community their basic rights to a better socio-economic environment for the past 53 years.
The party is planning to go for 15 out of the total of 222 parliamentary seats in the nation and 38 out of the total of 576 state seats in the country.
Party pro-tem secretary-general P Uthayakumar (left) said. "I dreamt of the magical number '1538' while I was in detention under ISA in the Kamunting Detention Camp in Taiping and we hope to realise this dream in the coming general election. This will give us the political power to voice out the concerns of the Indian community both in the state assemblies and in Parliament."The Indian community had first put their faith in the Umno-BN government but he was disappointed to note that it had denied the Indian community their basic rights to a better socio-economic environment for the past 53 years.
Second platform
"Then the community opted for the Pakatan Rakyat as a second platform during the last general election, hoping for a change in the political climate of the country.
"They (Pakatan) sailed through the elections by taking four states by politicising our 'Makkal Sakthi' theme and benefiting from our labour and even imprisonment," said the former ISA detainee.
According to him, Pakatan did not measure up to the Indian community's expectations in solving their economic woes and improving their standard of living.
Pakatan Indian politicians who were elected in constituencies with a large Indian presence failed to highlight the plight of the community both in the state assemblies and in Parliament he charged.
Uthayakumar claimed they were not action-oriented but only gave media statements and lip service and did not bother to go the ground to solve the woes of the marginalised community.
"These elected representatives only played second fiddle to their masters and did not want to offend the Chinese and Malay voters by aggressively campaigning for the rights of their community," he alleged.
So, HRP has decided to go on the warpath against Pakatan and BN by forming the third platform and this move may put the spanner in the works of Pakatan's ambition to take over Putrajaya in the next general election.
'BN and Pakatan have forgotten the Indians'
He accused both BN and Pakatan of harping on Malay and Chinese issues and problems but conveniently forgetting the Indian community.
When asked about allegations that he was attacking Pakatan publicly with the aim of getting his party registered by the Registrar of Societies (ROS), an angry Uthyakumar said, "Our enemy is Umno-BN who had taken away our rights as citizens of this country."
As the ROS has not approved the application to register HRP, the party will field its candidates as independents under the banner heading of Uthayakumar.
When asked if HRP would work with Pakatan in the coming general election, he said it was possible but with the condition that Pakatan must surrender some of its state and parliamentary seats for HRP.
"We are not going to give a blank cheque to Pakatan but expect seats in return," said Uthayakumar.
At the moment, Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) wants DAP to cede the Jelapang state seat to it or else their candidate will stand as an independent.
Uthayakumar said HRP will also take the same stand if its demand for some of the state and parliamentary seats from Pakatan is unsuccessful.
When told that HRP is seen by some as a racist party, Uthayakumar said the it was formed to help the marginalised Indian community uplift their socio-economic status in the country.
But he quickly added that the spin-off from helping the Indian community would help make all Malaysians equal partners in the economic cake.
Targetting Buntong and Ipoh Barat seats
HRP has started their preparation for the next general election by targeting the Buntong state seat, which has the highest proportion of Indian voters in the country at 46 percent, and next the parliamentary seat of Ipoh Barat which has 22 percent Indian voters.
The party leader hopes to increase the number of Indian voters in Buntong from 46 percent to 54 percent to make possible a win for HRP.
Then it will go into constituencies with a large Indian presence and increase the Indian voter populations to ensure that they win their seats.
HRP is now highlighting several social problems in the Indian community, including conversion cases involving Indian women, Malaysian born Indians being denied birth certificates and identity cards and the increase in Indian youths turning to crime.
The party also wants Tamil schools, Hindu temples and Hindu cemeteries to be given permanent state land titles and gazetted accordingly.
"They (Pakatan) sailed through the elections by taking four states by politicising our 'Makkal Sakthi' theme and benefiting from our labour and even imprisonment," said the former ISA detainee.
According to him, Pakatan did not measure up to the Indian community's expectations in solving their economic woes and improving their standard of living.
Pakatan Indian politicians who were elected in constituencies with a large Indian presence failed to highlight the plight of the community both in the state assemblies and in Parliament he charged.Uthayakumar claimed they were not action-oriented but only gave media statements and lip service and did not bother to go the ground to solve the woes of the marginalised community.
"These elected representatives only played second fiddle to their masters and did not want to offend the Chinese and Malay voters by aggressively campaigning for the rights of their community," he alleged.
So, HRP has decided to go on the warpath against Pakatan and BN by forming the third platform and this move may put the spanner in the works of Pakatan's ambition to take over Putrajaya in the next general election.
'BN and Pakatan have forgotten the Indians'
He accused both BN and Pakatan of harping on Malay and Chinese issues and problems but conveniently forgetting the Indian community.
When asked about allegations that he was attacking Pakatan publicly with the aim of getting his party registered by the Registrar of Societies (ROS), an angry Uthyakumar said, "Our enemy is Umno-BN who had taken away our rights as citizens of this country."As the ROS has not approved the application to register HRP, the party will field its candidates as independents under the banner heading of Uthayakumar.
When asked if HRP would work with Pakatan in the coming general election, he said it was possible but with the condition that Pakatan must surrender some of its state and parliamentary seats for HRP.
"We are not going to give a blank cheque to Pakatan but expect seats in return," said Uthayakumar.
At the moment, Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) wants DAP to cede the Jelapang state seat to it or else their candidate will stand as an independent.
Uthayakumar said HRP will also take the same stand if its demand for some of the state and parliamentary seats from Pakatan is unsuccessful.
When told that HRP is seen by some as a racist party, Uthayakumar said the it was formed to help the marginalised Indian community uplift their socio-economic status in the country.
But he quickly added that the spin-off from helping the Indian community would help make all Malaysians equal partners in the economic cake.
Targetting Buntong and Ipoh Barat seats
HRP has started their preparation for the next general election by targeting the Buntong state seat, which has the highest proportion of Indian voters in the country at 46 percent, and next the parliamentary seat of Ipoh Barat which has 22 percent Indian voters.
The party leader hopes to increase the number of Indian voters in Buntong from 46 percent to 54 percent to make possible a win for HRP.
Then it will go into constituencies with a large Indian presence and increase the Indian voter populations to ensure that they win their seats.HRP is now highlighting several social problems in the Indian community, including conversion cases involving Indian women, Malaysian born Indians being denied birth certificates and identity cards and the increase in Indian youths turning to crime.
The party also wants Tamil schools, Hindu temples and Hindu cemeteries to be given permanent state land titles and gazetted accordingly.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Signature campaign to highlight conversion cases
(Malaysiakini) The Human Rights Party Malaysia (HRP) is going on an ambitious plan to get 100,000 signatures nationwide to highlight the plight of seven women involved in conversion cases and submit memorandums later to the Agong and the Sultans of Perak and Johor.
Perak HRP state chief P Ramesh, 39, told Malaysiakini today that the two-day signature campaign was launched by party pro-tem secretary general P Uthayakumar (left) at the Expo Hindraf/HRP near Kuil Sri Nagannal in Ipoh yesterday.
The signature campaign is also in conjunction with the celebration of the Adipuram Hindu festival at the temple today.
According to Ramesh, who is also the national Hindraf secretary, this signature strategy by HRP will be carried out nationwide at all Hindu temples and Hindu functions organised by the party.
The affected women are five from Perak - M Indira Gandhi,35, S Banggarma, 28, two sisters Laila, 25, and Habeeba Sulaiman Mohd, 23, and Siti Mariam Abidin, 47; one each from Malacca - Rani @ Jamillah Abdul Kadir, 46, and Johor - Regina Mohd Zaini, 32.
These seven women were supposed to be present at a HRP media conference organised by Uthayakumar near this Hindu temple today to highlight their plight.
However, only Indira, Banggarma and Rani turned up, while the others had prior commitments.
Abandoned family
According to Parit Buntar HRP district chief M Sivakumar, 38, the sisters' Hindu mother R Inthirani, 44, had married their father Sulaiman Mohd, 46, a bus driver. He later abandoned the family.
Both the sisters have married Hindus and the elder sister Laila has married K Kalimuthu and has four children aged seven, six, four and two.
Laila has managed to register the births of the first three children as Hindus but the Parit Buntar registration department in Parit Buntar has allegedly refused to register the birth of the last child.
According to Sivakumar (right), the registration department has allegedly set conditions for registering Nitishwaran - either Laila converts herself into a Hindu or convert all the members of her family into Islam.
Sivakumar claims that both the sisters Laila and Habeeba and their mother had all the while remained as Hindus and did not practice the religion of Islam, although their father had given them Muslim names. Both the sisters now want a change from Muslim to Hindu names.
In the case of Siti Mariam, her Muslim mother, Ramlah Man, had married a Hindu who converted to Islam as Abidin Abdullah.
According to Sivakumar, after giving birth to Siti, Ramlah left the family and went away and Abidin married a Hindu woman and both he and his daughter reverted to Hinduism.
Siti has married a Hindu, S Palani Muthu, and has three children (two daughters and a son) - P Vanithan, 18, P Vanitha, 19, and Ariata, 17.
Both the two elder children have been registered as Hindus in their identity cards.
However, the problem arises with the third daughter whose birth certificate states no information on the father although the father was present, according to Sivakumar.
Ariata has been registered as a Muslim in her identity card and her father died on Jan 18, 2001 due to illness.
Now, Siti wants the registration authorities to recognise her and Ariata as Hindus.
Second wife
According to HRP national information officer and Hindraf information chief S Jayathas, Regina's father Mohd Zaini @ Krishnan who had earlier married a Malay woman, had taken her Hindu mother as a second wife and they have three children - two daughters and a son.
The elder daughter was able to change her status to Hindu but not Regina and her younger brother, who are still classified as Muslims.
The father died when Regina was four years old and her mother died about five years ago.
Regina had married a Hindu and her problem started when her son Thinas was born and she was unable to register his birth with the registration department.
Meanwhile, Jayathas said that Rani (right, with Indira) is the sixth child of her parents who had 10 children. When she was 16 days old, her parents due to financial difficulties, had given her away to their Hindu neighbour by the name of Kandasamy.
Her Muslim mother Aminnah Ahmadu had married her converted father Abdul Kadir @ Krishnan.
When Rani was 16, she married her Hindu husband who was later forced to convert to Islam as Mustapha @ M Muniandy and they have four children - two daughters and two sons.
Their eldest daughter (who is 27 years old now) is named Aishah bt Mustapha Muniandy in her birth certificate, but the parents managed to change her name to Vijaya Letchumy A/P M Muniandy in her identity card.
However, the other three children, Abdul (now 26), Hamzah, 24, and Citra Devi, 16, still carry their Muslim names in their identity cards.
According to Jayathas, Rani had made sworn declarations before a commissioner of oaths that she wanted Abdul to be known by his Hindu name of Ganesan and Hamzah as Nagendran, but the registration department has allegedly refused to make the changes.
Ruling can't be enforced
As for Indira, she has obtained an Ipoh High Court order on March 11 for the custody of her third child Prasana Diksa, but is unable to enforce the ruling on her converted husband Mohd Riduan Abdullah @ K Pathmanathan who is allegedly hiding in Kelantan with the child.
On July 31, Indira had lodged a police report against her husband for criminal intimidation for using abusive words against her during a phone conversion on July 29 and for refusing to surrender the child to her according to the court order of March 11.
An angry Uthayakumar in a media conference today said: "It has been five months since the High Court passed the order and the police are unable to execute the court's order."
"This is gross injustice and contempt of court and we want the police to carry out their duties without fear or favour in returning the child to the mother," he said.
He cited a case in which he was the lawyer for Malaysian fugitive Michael Soosai who is believed to be hiding in India.
He said, "The police were very efficient in tracing Michael's family who were hiding in Ipoh within three days. So the same efficiency should also apply in Indira's case," he reasoned.
Application turned down
As for the S Banggama conversion case, on Aug 4 the Penang High Court had turned down her application for a court order that would nullify her conversion to Islam when she was seven.
Judicial commissioner Yaacob Sam had found that Banggama (right) is a Muslim since her parents had converted to Islam in 1983 together with their children, and thus the civil court has no jurisdiction to hear matters concerning her conversion to Islam.
Banggarma's Muslim name is Siti Hasnah Vangarama Abdullah and she is living in Tanjong Piandang with her husband, S Scokalingam and their two children Kanagaraj, eight, and Hisyanthini, two.
Banggarma's contention is that she had always remained a Hindu and will die as a Hindu even after the High Court had ruled against her.
Perak HRP state chief P Ramesh, 39, told Malaysiakini today that the two-day signature campaign was launched by party pro-tem secretary general P Uthayakumar (left) at the Expo Hindraf/HRP near Kuil Sri Nagannal in Ipoh yesterday.The signature campaign is also in conjunction with the celebration of the Adipuram Hindu festival at the temple today.
According to Ramesh, who is also the national Hindraf secretary, this signature strategy by HRP will be carried out nationwide at all Hindu temples and Hindu functions organised by the party.
The affected women are five from Perak - M Indira Gandhi,35, S Banggarma, 28, two sisters Laila, 25, and Habeeba Sulaiman Mohd, 23, and Siti Mariam Abidin, 47; one each from Malacca - Rani @ Jamillah Abdul Kadir, 46, and Johor - Regina Mohd Zaini, 32.
These seven women were supposed to be present at a HRP media conference organised by Uthayakumar near this Hindu temple today to highlight their plight.
However, only Indira, Banggarma and Rani turned up, while the others had prior commitments.
Abandoned family
According to Parit Buntar HRP district chief M Sivakumar, 38, the sisters' Hindu mother R Inthirani, 44, had married their father Sulaiman Mohd, 46, a bus driver. He later abandoned the family.
Both the sisters have married Hindus and the elder sister Laila has married K Kalimuthu and has four children aged seven, six, four and two.
Laila has managed to register the births of the first three children as Hindus but the Parit Buntar registration department in Parit Buntar has allegedly refused to register the birth of the last child.According to Sivakumar (right), the registration department has allegedly set conditions for registering Nitishwaran - either Laila converts herself into a Hindu or convert all the members of her family into Islam.
Sivakumar claims that both the sisters Laila and Habeeba and their mother had all the while remained as Hindus and did not practice the religion of Islam, although their father had given them Muslim names. Both the sisters now want a change from Muslim to Hindu names.
In the case of Siti Mariam, her Muslim mother, Ramlah Man, had married a Hindu who converted to Islam as Abidin Abdullah.
According to Sivakumar, after giving birth to Siti, Ramlah left the family and went away and Abidin married a Hindu woman and both he and his daughter reverted to Hinduism.Siti has married a Hindu, S Palani Muthu, and has three children (two daughters and a son) - P Vanithan, 18, P Vanitha, 19, and Ariata, 17.
Both the two elder children have been registered as Hindus in their identity cards.
However, the problem arises with the third daughter whose birth certificate states no information on the father although the father was present, according to Sivakumar.
Ariata has been registered as a Muslim in her identity card and her father died on Jan 18, 2001 due to illness.
Now, Siti wants the registration authorities to recognise her and Ariata as Hindus.
Second wife
According to HRP national information officer and Hindraf information chief S Jayathas, Regina's father Mohd Zaini @ Krishnan who had earlier married a Malay woman, had taken her Hindu mother as a second wife and they have three children - two daughters and a son.
The elder daughter was able to change her status to Hindu but not Regina and her younger brother, who are still classified as Muslims.
The father died when Regina was four years old and her mother died about five years ago.
Regina had married a Hindu and her problem started when her son Thinas was born and she was unable to register his birth with the registration department.
Meanwhile, Jayathas said that Rani (right, with Indira) is the sixth child of her parents who had 10 children. When she was 16 days old, her parents due to financial difficulties, had given her away to their Hindu neighbour by the name of Kandasamy.Her Muslim mother Aminnah Ahmadu had married her converted father Abdul Kadir @ Krishnan.
When Rani was 16, she married her Hindu husband who was later forced to convert to Islam as Mustapha @ M Muniandy and they have four children - two daughters and two sons.
Their eldest daughter (who is 27 years old now) is named Aishah bt Mustapha Muniandy in her birth certificate, but the parents managed to change her name to Vijaya Letchumy A/P M Muniandy in her identity card.
However, the other three children, Abdul (now 26), Hamzah, 24, and Citra Devi, 16, still carry their Muslim names in their identity cards.
According to Jayathas, Rani had made sworn declarations before a commissioner of oaths that she wanted Abdul to be known by his Hindu name of Ganesan and Hamzah as Nagendran, but the registration department has allegedly refused to make the changes.
Ruling can't be enforced
As for Indira, she has obtained an Ipoh High Court order on March 11 for the custody of her third child Prasana Diksa, but is unable to enforce the ruling on her converted husband Mohd Riduan Abdullah @ K Pathmanathan who is allegedly hiding in Kelantan with the child.
On July 31, Indira had lodged a police report against her husband for criminal intimidation for using abusive words against her during a phone conversion on July 29 and for refusing to surrender the child to her according to the court order of March 11.
An angry Uthayakumar in a media conference today said: "It has been five months since the High Court passed the order and the police are unable to execute the court's order."
"This is gross injustice and contempt of court and we want the police to carry out their duties without fear or favour in returning the child to the mother," he said.
He cited a case in which he was the lawyer for Malaysian fugitive Michael Soosai who is believed to be hiding in India.
He said, "The police were very efficient in tracing Michael's family who were hiding in Ipoh within three days. So the same efficiency should also apply in Indira's case," he reasoned.
Application turned down
As for the S Banggama conversion case, on Aug 4 the Penang High Court had turned down her application for a court order that would nullify her conversion to Islam when she was seven.
Judicial commissioner Yaacob Sam had found that Banggama (right) is a Muslim since her parents had converted to Islam in 1983 together with their children, and thus the civil court has no jurisdiction to hear matters concerning her conversion to Islam.Banggarma's Muslim name is Siti Hasnah Vangarama Abdullah and she is living in Tanjong Piandang with her husband, S Scokalingam and their two children Kanagaraj, eight, and Hisyanthini, two.
Banggarma's contention is that she had always remained a Hindu and will die as a Hindu even after the High Court had ruled against her.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
'Racism in learning', Hindraf wants India's help
PETALING JAYA: The Hindu Rights Action Force, now known as Hindraf Makkal Sakthi, wants the Indian government to provide an educational lifeline for Malaysian Indian students.
Hindraf, which has constantly accused the Umno-led government of racism, believes that deserving Indian students here are being left in the lurch because of a discriminatory policy.
The movement, which was banned by the government, wants the Indian government to provide them with scholarships instead.
In view of this, Hindraf will submit a memorandum to the Indian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur regarding the matter.
“We want the Indian government to know that our children are denied Public Service Department scholarships and matriculation courses due to a race-based policy,” its national information coordinator S Jayathas told FMT.
“We want Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to provide full scholarships to bright Malaysian Indian children and provide places for them to study in India,” he added.
Jayathas said the memorandum will be submitted on Sunday, in conjuction with India's independence day, and the commission has been notified of this.
The gathering would take place at 2pm and more than 100 people are expected to attend.
Last Sunday, Hindraf leader P Uthayakumar accused Umno of perpetuating genocide on the Indian community here.
In a hard hitting speech at the movement's national convention, he claimed that the Malay party was attempting to destroy the community's herigate.
“They destroy our temples, cemeteries and schools. They deny scholarships for our children. If this is not ethnic cleansing, what else am I to call it?” he asked.
In November 2007, Uthayakumar and four others led a mammoth protest in Kuala Lumpur, which saw tens of thousands of Malaysian Indians taking to the streets.
The Hindraf rally was credited as being the political awakening of the community, which paved the way for the Indians to vote for the opposition in the 2008 general election.
Shortly after the protest, the five Hindraf leaders were detained under the Internal Security Act and were released in 2009.
“Ethnic cleansing” of Dinding Indian Association land
For 80 years, the Dindings Indian Association in Sitiawan, Perak, has been the steward of a two-hectare plot of land originally purchased with the contributions of rubber tappers.
Last week, the federal government issued notice that it will acquire the land to build a school – the formal hearing of acquisition is to be held on Aug 25 at the Manjung Land Office.
The Perak DAP has now pitched in with an accusation that there is an ulterior motive behind the move.
State deputy chi
ef M Kulasegaran said the site, located in the heart of town, is worth at least RM20 million now, and that it is the pride of the Indian Malaysian community which makes up 15 percent of the local population.
State deputy chi
ef M Kulasegaran said the site, located in the heart of town, is worth at least RM20 million now, and that it is the pride of the Indian Malaysian community which makes up 15 percent of the local population.“Is it true as speculated that part of the prime land will be given to cronies of the people in power for commercial development?” he asked.
He said the plot was bought “with the blood, sweat and tears of the first generation of Indian settlers” who had cleared the jungle for rubber planting.
“Indian rubber-tappers from the 35 estates in Sitiawan had contributed two Straits Settlement dollars each per month for 18 months to purchase this piece of land,” he said.
“The idea of purchasing the land at the time was to build a school for the children of rubber tappers to study English in the afternoon, after attending Tamil school in the morning.”
Part of the site is now occupied the SK Simpang Empat (formerly the Simpang Empat English School), the school field and the VR Menon science laboratory built in 1964.
“There is no logical reason or justification for the government to acquire this piece of land. We are adamant that it should at all times remain in the hands of the Indian community,” Kulasegaran said.
He said that a large number of people will gather at the Manjung Land Office on Aug 25 to object to the proposal.
Questions that arise
Kulasegaran, who is also Ipoh Barat MP, called on the Perak and federal governments to organise a roundtable conference to discuss the proposed acquisition and arrive at a win-win solution.
It is understood that both governments had carried out a feasability study a year ago, in preparation to acquire the site.
Kulas
egaran said the Perak government’s Indian Affairs adviser S Veerasingam (left) had reportedly said that “a settlement will be reached” after discussion with Mentri Besar Zamry Abd Kadir, who is currently abroad.
Kulas
egaran said the Perak government’s Indian Affairs adviser S Veerasingam (left) had reportedly said that “a settlement will be reached” after discussion with Mentri Besar Zamry Abd Kadir, who is currently abroad. He demanded answers from Veerasingam on these questions:
1. Was he aware of the feasibility study? Was the Perak government consulted before the decision on acquisition was made?
2. Why was there no prior consultation with the local Indian community?
3. Why did he say a settlement would be reached after the notice of acquisition was issued?
4. What are the details of the settlement formula?
Kulasegaran, who was born in Sitiawan, said the Indian community is angered because the move is “most insensitive, unfair and unjustifiable”.
2. Why was there no prior consultation with the local Indian community?
3. Why did he say a settlement would be reached after the notice of acquisition was issued?
4. What are the details of the settlement formula?
Kulasegaran, who was born in Sitiawan, said the Indian community is angered because the move is “most insensitive, unfair and unjustifiable”.
The community also cannot understand the need for this plot when there is vacant land in many other areas where a new school can be built, he added.
Children denied father’s name on birth certificates. UMNO’s religious extremism against Banggarama’s family.
(See newsreport in newKerala.com dated 25/11/10. See below Birth Certificate of banggarama born to Hindu parents.)
In the birth certificates of her son Kanaraj and daughter Hisyanthini the racist and religious extremist and supremacist UMNO civil servants even have refused to record the name of the children’s natural father Sockalingam a/l Suppiah as the father in the father’s column see father’s and his children’s Birth Certificates below. But in the children’s Birth Certificates practicing Hindu Banggaramma’s name has now been changed to a muslim name which she never knew about.
This is the simplest case of the big bully UMNO bullying this and thousands of other such poor and politically powerless Indian Hindus.
By this UMNO bullying, the Article 11 of the Federal Constitution which guarantees freedom of religion is meaningless and non-existent. UMNO is causing day to day mysery to thousands of these poor Indian Hindus’ lives.
Many families are even contemplating suicide because of the inequitable and blatantly dissertating the Federal Constitution by this 53 year old UMNO regime.
UMNO will not change. We have to change UMNO in the 2012/2013 general elections.
P. Uthayakumar
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Bukit Jalil estate: MIC Deputy Minister Mandore kosong wayang kulit after Hindraf & HRP stopped the ethnic cleansing.
(See MN 7/8/10 at page 10 and TN 7/8/10 at page 12)
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
US-based HAF calls Banggarma verdict 'religiously discriminatory'
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.
P.Uthayakumar’s speech at 1st Hindraf National Convention (8/8/10)
(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.
Banggarma's belief in Hinduism must be honoured
From Mike Mohamed Ghouse, via e-mail
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.
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.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
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