Small or not, Interlok errors should be corrected

'Muhyiddin claims that they were minor. Who should know better how to spell words on Indian ceremonial matters - non-Indians or Indians?'

DPM: Interlok walkout due to misunderstanding

Kit P: When authorities say a problem such as the Interlok issue is to be handled by an 'independent panel', there is a reasonable expectation that the panel will be allowed to do its job without undue interference, and its recommendations will be accepted even if Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin may not really agree with it.

Otherwise don't call it an independent panel - that amounts to a public relations fraud or a whitewash.

Wira: I remember the 'Malay' entry in Encyclopaedia Britannica drew frenzied protests from the community because they were stereotyped as lazy. I don't understand why a novel published locally which insulted the sensitivity of the Indians be allowed to be used in our schools. Have our educators lost their common sense?

Jimmy Ng: Muhyiddin claims that they were minor issues? Who does he think he is to decide whether they were minor? Why not leave it to the committee to iron out and decide whether they were minor or not?

Who should know better how to spell correctly words on Indian ceremonial matters - non-Indians or Indians? My bet is that he is putting political considerations first and foremost above other things.

Gerard Samuel Vijayan: The solution is very simple - withdraw 'Interlok' and replace it with another text by some other Malay writer. Why can't it be done?

What is wrong with amending minor words and phrases since the entire book is under review? If there are spelling mistakes, grammatical and contextual errors, shouldn't these be corrected? Or is the review only confined to the word 'pariah'?

'Interlok' is not a suitable book to be made compulsory reading in schools. It contains many factual and cultural errors, racial profiling and stereotypes, and derogatory terms to refer to Indians and Chinese and even the Malays. So why keep such a controversial and divisive book as a compulsory text?

Teacher: I agree. It is a good novel but it is not suitable for schools. Will the teacher who has to teach it be able to handle it with all the negative publicity it has received? Students will tease each other and this will not create unity in class. It may be a cause for a fight outside the class.

Please withdraw the book. Don't create more problems for teachers.

53 Hindraf M.S. prosecuted: Urgent appeal for contributions for bail!

To date RM 111,000 bail has been imposed on 53 Hindraf Makkal Sakthi supporters at the Kuala Lumpur, Selayang, Ipoh and Seremban magistrates court todate (14/3/11), and we have received RM 18,870 in contributions from the grateful concerned public. We need to cover the expected shortfall of approximately RM 200,000!

Contributions for bail can be made to:
Trustees: Certified Public Accountants, Chartered Accountants.
Pathmarajah & Co
Maybank Account No: 514075011112

B31, 3rd Floor, Podium, Plaza Pekeliling,
Jalan Tun Razak.
50400 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: Sudha 40427042/Vijay 013-3407197/Dr.Paraman-0192358284
email: pathma@siddha.com.my
We, FRIENDS OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS, are appalled by this act of targeting key leaders and their well wishers in the hope that this democratic movement could be clamped forever. We feel sorry for those persons who were detained and some who suffered injuries. We also understand this is an act to prevent Hindraf/HRP leaders from contesting in the next elections, in the vain hope that should they contest the charge will be activated a la Tian Chua and force a by-election.
A group of friends and well wishers have stepped forward as Friends of Human Rights Defenders, to raise funds and post bail and related expenses for those 100 odd persons who have been prosecuted or expected to be charged.
The money collected will be placed in a bank account operated by independent accountants as ‘clients account’ and will be disbursed solely for bail, legal fees and allowances for those prosecuted for those who stand up for human rights.
We shall administer these funds in the most professional manner, account for the funds disbursed and make it public by placing the details of collections in the Human Rights party website  http://www.hrp-my.org/.
We urge all Malaysians, including Chinese and Malays to show their support and contribute as approximately is require for bail, for legal fees and allowances for those prosecuted for standing up. For human rights concerns all, not just the Indians. Fighting for human rights is fighting for all. In first world civil societies, the majority bends backwards to stand up and protect the minorities. That would be the definition of a civil society!
Thanking you.
Friends of Hindraf Makkal Sakthi and Human Rights Party
MEDIA STATEMENT 28th January 2010 HINDRAF DISCLOSES ITS ACCOUNTS TO PUBLIC
Amidst the various unfounded and malicious allegations, HINDRAF is publishing its accounts to the public for their scrutiny.
Hindraf was formed in December 2005 and it only came to limelight in August 2007 after I had filed a class action against the UK Government on Malaysia’s 50th Anniversary independence celebration on August 30th 2007 in pursuit of the systematic marginalized state of the Malaysian Indians.
The accounts prepared by an independent Public Accounting firm regulated in Malaysia for the funds that were collected is attached herewith The full accounts are also available at our website at www.hindraf.org , www.makkal.org , www.humanrightspartymalaysia.com and www.hindraf4you.blogspot.com.
A brief run down on the accounts are as follows -
a) Total funds received from Hindraf Enterprise and subsequently placed in the care of trusted individuals is RM 119,814.20
b) A further sum of RM110, 000.00 was cash collected through personal donations, which was initially placed in the hands of Paparaidu a/l Veeraman has been placed in interest bearing clients account of Messrs Kumar Hashimah & Co.
c) A sum of RM35,000.00 was banked into my credit card account by ASP Vasanthakumar whilst I was away from the country on 8th December 2007which is now placed in the hands of the accountancy firm.
d) Total fines paid for Hindraf supporters charged in court and for their travelling allowances, accommodation etc., is RM 111,706.60
e) A sum of RM 50,000.00 that was collected from members of the public to bail P.Uthayakumar was handed over to Ganapathi Rao a/l Veeraman, one of the ISA detainees who had nominated his brother Paparaidu a/l Veeraman to stand as bailor and deposit the said RM50,000.00 in court under the name of Paparaidu a/l Veeraman. Paparaidu and/or Ganapathi Rao had refused to return to HINDRAF the said bail sum of RM50, 000.00 vide his lawyer’s letter dated 14.12.2009.
f) The total amount collected by Hindraf from the account of Hindraf Enterprise is reflected in our accounts. This is only the sum that we are aware of the portion of the money that came into our possession to our trusted HINDRAF allies by the transfers made by ASP Vasanthakumar.
g) The total amount collected for and on behalf of Hindraf by Hindraf Enterprise has to be made public and accounted for by ASP Vasanthakumar. We are only accounting for that portion of the money that came into our possession by the transfers made by ASP Vasanthakumar.
h) The funds collected were for the purpose of dealing with the costs of the cases arising from the various arrests of HINDRAF activists. The funds were specifically never collected for the purpose of the civil suit filed in the British Court as some have alleged.
In summary therefore, the total amount that we have to account for is RM451,617.51. The expenses we have incurred so far is RM163,278.05. The balance is RM 288,339.46 which includes RM 82,182.28 nationwide fund raising dinners organised in 2008 to collect for Hindraf activities less RM61,090.00 receivables i.e. the sum of 227,249.46 is entrusted with the Public Accountant as of 31st December 2009.
I now wish to comment on the collected funds and on the various allegations on the misappropriation of the funds.
From the summary of the accounts above, one can see that none of the money received from the public by Hindraf has been used to finance any purpose other than what it had been collected for, least of all my stay here in the UK. These accounts show the lie, mala fide and mischief in their allegations.
When ASP Vasanthakumar first came to our attention about 3 months before the ISA detentions on 13th Dec 2007, he claimed he was a Bank Officer. We allowed him to handle all the Hindraf funds. He had sole responsibility for the funds before the detention. He collected the funds into HINDRAF Enterprise, a stationary business he registered in his personal name and made himself a Director.
Based on the sums received from ASP Vasantha Kumar and that he was in control of , it creates an irrationality amongst HINDRAF supporters as to why ASP Vasanthakumar would lodge a police report against Uthayakumar on 7th January 2008 ie 3 weeks after his “ISA arrest” claiming that Uthayakumar and his family members had collected large sums of money which may total RM700,000.
The same ASP Vasanthakumar and his cohorts have over the last 6 months continuously defamed me although he was responsible for collected funds which he alleges totals up to RM700,000.00 and this sum was further inflated to Millions by Ganapathi Rao. At the material time I was not in the country nor had any access to the alleged funds as the signatory for the HINDRAF ENTERPRISE account is solely within the control of ASP Vasantha Kumar.
In the first week of January 2008 i.e. 3 weeks after the arrest of the Hindraf lawyers, I had issued media statements urging the public not to donate any money to any middlemen and to channel the funds directly to the affected families and my statements were carried by all the major mainstream Tamil papers and Malaysiakini. It was also posted in the official blog of Hindraf and many other independent Blogs.
As such, it defies logic and rationality as to why I am now subjected to continuous serious allegations of funds collection and misappropriation other than to seed unwarranted suspicion and doubts by ASP Vasantha Kumar as part of the government’s “operasi padam HINDRAF” conducted by the Police Special branch to permanently erase Hindraf and its struggle from the minds of the people and to cause confusion and mistrust.
HINDRAF is a movement of conscience and humanity to uplift the systematically marginalized Malaysian community in Malaysia. It only seeks to show up the truth and the reality that is faced by the deprived lot daily.
It is unfortunate that certain DAP leaders have fallen prey to the Special Branch ploy and had repeated the malicious allegations in their pursuit to defend their own political agenda based on hearsay and for their political benefits as opposed to the voice and need of the marginalized community.
HINDRAF’s enemy is the oppressive system led by UMNO. UMNO for its part seeks to permanently erase HINDRAF from the annals of Malaysia, using these and various other treacherous tactics. No matter how hard they try, we will try harder. Truth and justice is on our side. We are well equipped morally for this struggle.
Hindraf well-wishers must be prepared for the truth as the truth always prevails as we continue to be defiant for a humane and moral cause.
Thank you.
P. Waytha Moorthy.
Chairman
HINDRAF
 

Aggressive UMNO racism – the new emerging reality

Quote from Malaysiakini of 17th March 2011, ”Denying that he had rejected the 100 amendments to the novel suggested by the committee, Muhyiddin claimed that he had in fact called for a review of the amendments as he believed that they were "minute" issues which ran away from the "isu pokok (main concern)".

Muhyiddin is proving to be a clown the way he is dealing with the Interlok novel issue He sets up an independent panel to review and suggest changes to the Interlok novel. Then he just about overrules all their suggestion. This results in a disgusted walkout by the Indian panel members. Then he denies rejecting the 100 suggested amendments saying what he looking for was more substantial than the nitpicking the panel had done.

Is he not a clown. That substantial thing he is looking for is a withdrawal the book altogether from the curriculum – is right there in front of his eyes. A child could come up with that. He chooses to nit pick instead and thenturns around and accuses the review panel of nitpicking. He is a natural joker isn’t he. A clown. That is how he so easily appears to us.

The whole UMNO government is proving to be a failure over and over again over all the contentious issues they have to deal with in running the country. One of the manifestation of this failure is the increasing polarization among the people in the country. The elite within UMNO in their selfish desire to keep a tight handle on the controls of the resources of the country need the Malay Muslim vote. They play up issues like Interlok, saying the minorities are being unreasonable and demanding in spite of the good nature of the Tuans. The book authored by a National Laureate and celebrated Malay writer can do no wrong. It is the minorities who are becoming demanding encouraged by the fact that the Malay people are split. So, the argument goes. The only way we can keep the minorities in their place is for the Malays to unite. This logic repeated over and over again by Perkasa outside and by the various internal propaganda organs inside UMNO is enough to make the ordinary average Malay citizen become a victim to this lie. The elite within UMNO are enjoying the security of the false race consciousness among the Malay people, oblivious or careless about the net effect on the nation as a whole.

This path only takes them further down, as the Malay citizens who buy this lie will then extend the race logic in their little realms all over the country as you see increasingly happening now . As time passes , the trajectory for racism in the country moves further and further upwards. What has been subtly happening for 54 years now bursts out into the open and operates openly, no need for the subtlety of the past. It becomes aggressive racism. This is a new reality emerging in the country.

Can you see it?

Interlok: Time to make a stand

Why are all the villains and nasty characters in Interlok Chinese and Indians?

As the drama over the Interlok textbook issue continues to unfold, it is important for Malaysians to understand the context and the stakes involved, and to make a stand.

There are some defenders of the book who have argued that withdrawing or even just editing it will rob Malaysian writers of their artistic freedom and integrity. To these people, I would like to say “hello, where have you been” – Interlok has already been edited twice, in 2005 for Edisi Pelajar and in 2010 for Edisi Murid.

Its literary integrity was already compromised by the shedding of some 85 pages even before this latest controversy.

In fact, copyright for the edition distributed free to schools no longer belongs even to Abdullah Hussain but to Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.

Hence Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s statement that his ministry “will ensure that any amendments made will not affect the storyline of the novel and the noble message that the author wants to convey” is nothing short of whitewash.

According to reports, Muhyiddin is not permitting anything beyond deletion of the word ‘pariah’.

This concession is like slicing off one tentacle from a hundred-headed hydra – a totally pointless exercise.

Make no mistake; Interlok is a work that must not be permitted into the nation’s class rooms as a compulsory literature text. Anything less is a vital failure to grasp the gravity of the threat it poses.

The quarrel is not merely with vocabulary or spelling (for example, of ‘tali’ vs ‘thali’) but the overall suitability of the novel with its overt and covert racial messages as a school text.

Starting ‘em young and younger

Concern by many Malaysians that Interlok has been intentionally selected by the authorities to fulfill the Umno/Biro Tata Negara objective of indoctrinating young minds with a warped worldview and national view is hardly misplaced.

Before these concerns are dismissed as imaginary or overwrought, let us not forget that education has long been and continues to be the most politicized sector of the country.

Far from being neutral institutions, many of our public sector colleges and universities consciously and consistently promote a narrow nationalism.

It is in the educational sector where proponents of the Ketuanan Melayu dogma have sought to impose their will and polarize our communities.

Their missionary zeal focuses on use of race-based criteria at all levels and in all aspects. It is no surprise therefore that the propagation of the ideology of super-ordination and subordination has now been extended to the schools, and to the curriculum and text books.

As has been pointed out by those who have analysed the Interlok content, why are all the villains and nasty characters Chinese and Indians?

One of the key plots turns on the rapacious Chinese merchant swindling the easily duped Malay of his inheritance.

Touted as a ‘historical novel’, Interlok is constructing a version of BTN history and racial stereotypes to influence young minds.

Drawing line in the sand

Its government-mandated and authorities-supported dissemination and circulation appears to further a carefully thought-out agenda to fan racial animosity.

Because Interlok is the first round battle (in tandem with the History curriculum revamp), it is important for conscientious objectors to send a strong signal to the Education Minister and his bureaucratic and academic cronies that Malaysians will not be cowed into acquiescence.

We must exercise our right to openly discuss, criticize and protest on this crucial matter.

To remain mute will only embolden the apologist wolves wrapped in their sheep clothing of educational good intention and defence of literary freedom.

Lim Teck Ghee is the director of Centre for Policy Initiatives

Photos : HRP VP K. Tamil Selvam’s house burnt down by Police Special Branch under Ops Padam Hindraf.

 

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12

Remove Interlok, remove Muhyiddin

In a collective stand, Pakatan MPs call for the revocation of the controversial book and for Najib to replace his deputy in the deliberation process.

KUALA LUMPUR: Pakatan Rakyat MPs today made a collective stand, calling for the immediate withdrawal of the Interlok novel.

They also wanted Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to be removed from the deliberation process based on the three Indian representatives quitting the independent panel, tasked with amending the book.

“Muhyiddin should be taken out and (Prime Minister) Najib (Tun Razak) should replace him,” DAP MP Charles Santiago told reporters in Parliament.

PKR MP Johari Abdul urged the government to take heed of the people’s voice. “If the people say it is sensitive, accept it lah.”

Johari also took a swipe at the government’s decision to edit the book after a firestorm of protest, especially from the Indian community.

The book, penned by national laureate Abdullah Hussain, courted controversy when it was introduced as a component for the Malay literature subject for Form Five students this year.

“This is the work of a national laureate, how are you going to edit the gist of the work (without violating the author’s right)?” asked the PKR MP.

DAP’s Teluk Intan MP M Manogaran said the matter must be resolved quickly as the students would sit for their SPM examination in November.

He urged the government to apologise and immediately retract the book from the syllabus.

The press conference was also attended by MP Dzulkefly Ahmad (PAS-Kuala Selangor), M Kulasegaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat) and R Sivarasa (PKR-Subang).

The three panellists had walked out complaining that 100 suggested amendments were shot down, but Muhyiddin, who is also education minister, said this was because it concerned “minute” details.

'Interlok' panel 'withdrawal' now in question

The withdrawal of three members from the government-established panel to review the Interlok novel yesterday is now in question.

According to the panel chief, Prof Shamsul Amri Baharuddin, the panel had already completed its duties on March 4.

“Based on the terms of reference for the independent panel, the panel completed its duties after agreeing to submit its proposals to the (education) minister,” said Shamsul Amri in a text message to Malaysiakini.

The proposals were submitted to Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on March 8, said Shamsul Amri, who is also a Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) lecturer.

Shamsul Amri also clarified that he did not attend the panel's meeting with Muhyiddin in Parliament house yesterday as he is currently overseas.

During the meeting, three representatives of the Indian community withdrew from the eight-member panel.

They claim that the panel had reneged on their earlier consensus to make about 100 amendments to the novel, which is used in secondary school as a Malay literature text.

Critics claim that the novel had portrayed the Indian community in negative light. Some amendments were also proposed concerning the portrayal of the Malay and Chinese communities.

Shamsul Amri refused to comment on the consensus that was arrived at by the panel, but instead said that a copy of the proposals can be obtained from those who had withdrawn from the panel.

“Every panel member has a copy,” he said.

Deadlock over Interlok continues

'It is a shame that such a simple problem involving the 'Interlok' issue has been allowed by the authority to drag on for so long.'

Indian members quit 'Interlok' review panel

Gerard Samuel Vijayan: Why are the government and the Umno lackeys on the panel so stubborn and obstinate about this book? Can't they find any other Malay literature textbook that is not controversial, is unifying in its content and promotes national unity, tolerance and acceptance in its context?

Why stick to a book that consists of stereotypes, racial profiling and derogatory terms? Is the Indian unhappiness with this book seen as a provocation to the Malay hegemony that is so prevalent in our system today?

If the book is nothing but a literary work then is it acceptable to use a text that refers to Malays as generally lazy and stupid with a penchant for rape, incest and drug addiction all under the guise of literary freedom and social context?

The government is being very stupid. Increasingly, it is becoming clear that Malays can use all sorts of racist, derogatory and offensive words and gestures towards the non-Malays and get away with it with the tacit support of the Umno regime, but this is destructive.

Anonymous_4076: Where does this leave those of us who oppose the use of such a book? If we are opposed to the use of inappropriate books in schools, are we prepared to be involved to make a change even if through passive means?

Are we as a society - setting aside our political or racial backgrounds - prepared to mobilise ourselves to make a difference? Are we ready to think of the 'Interlok' matter as being a colossal mistake by the government, rather than dismissing the issue as being merely offensive to one racial group?

If we agree the decision of the government is wrong, the time has come for us to stand together and tell the government with one loud voice that it has to change its decision or face the wrath of the people.

Louis: Why is 'Interlok' so important to the nation? Does it contain some secret formulae which will help our students to be future rocket scientists and potential Nobel prize winners?

This problem can only be solved by none other than the education minister himself, Muhyiddin Yassin. Just direct that the book be replaced by a more acceptable text and all is solved.

It looks like some unforseen forces are dictating terms and conditions for him to follow. It is ashamed that such a simple problem has been allowed by the authority to drag on for so long.

Muthuran: DPM Muhyiddin Yassin should have left it entirely to the independent panel on the 'Interlok' to decide. Why set up the panel in the first place if the DPM wants to override it after the panel members have made a decision? The Indian trio were right to pull out from the panel.

Phoenix Star 88: I urge Indian members of the panel not to be too picky or oversensitive. The main issue had always been the 'pariah' word and they have agreed to do away with it. Making 100 changes to a book is quite impractical. The characters in Interlok should be judged as individuals rather than representations of their race.

Indian students should also avoid pulling stunts like returning the book to their principals. A principal cannot change a textbook even if he/she wanted to. Remember, failing BM means failing the entire SPM.

Rosmin Shahril: All the Indian panellists who withdrew have my highest respect. Thank you sirs for being principled. These Umno leaders are certainly playing politics and have their own agendas and are not there to solve the problem but to break the very fabric of our society. Just vote them out in the next GE. Wasalam

JBGUY: My respect is for the three Indians who stood their ground. Will the MIC, PPP, Gerakan, IPF and Makkal Sakti Party Indians have the same courage and walk out of the BN coalition if this issue is not resolved to the satisfaction of the Indian community?

For far too long, the Indians have put up with all the oppressive and discriminatory practices of the Umno-led government, it has come to this point, where the Indians must regain their lost pride and status. Enough is enough, stop grovelling and walk with your heads held up.

Bluemountains: The Indians, in particular HRP (Human Rights Party), should learn from the Christians on the Bible issue. The Christians have shown what people power can do and have successfully forced them to raise the white flag.

The Indians should do likewise by waking up the Indian community through group briefings and not by protesting at a rally and unnecessarily subjecting themselves to police arrest. The entire spectrum of the Indian society needs to be adequately informed before they cast their vote at the 13th GE.

Changeagent: This whole episode has played right into the hands of Umno. The next election is all a numbers game, and Umno have already done their sums. They know that even by not giving in to the demands of the Indian community, BN can still continue to count on their support at the ballot box.

At the same time, they can also expect an increase in support from the extreme Malays, ie. those who empathise and identify with Perkasa's mission. The end game is that they will win just enough votes to form government again.

Joker: Indians are BN's fixed deposits. Felda too. Sabah and Sarawak are major long-term fixed deposits. Both states rank among the poorest in Malaysia despite rich in natural resources. Felda was incorporated and settlers now are struggling on top of being cheated by Felda.

Indians are the poorest among the three main races in Malaysia and are disproportionately represented in the prison system. Anyone still wants to be BN's fixed deposit?

Indian members quit 'Interlok' review panel

(Malaysiakini) The controversy over the 'Interlok' rose several notches today when the eight-member independent panel to review and amend the novel saw all its ethnic Indian members pull out this afternoon.

Following a meeting held at Parliament building with Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today, all three ethnic Indian panellists declared they were withdrawing from the government-created body.

According to writer Uthaya Shankar SB (right), the decision was taken after it became apparent that the other members of the panel had changed their minds and rejected one-by-one the 100 modifications that had been recommended to render the book appropriate for consumption by Form 5 students.

“We feel we were betrayed,” Uthaya Shankar told Malaysiakini. 

He claims that earlier, all eight panellists had reached a consensus over the matter.

Besides Uthaya, two others who withdrew from the panel are Global Aminuddin Baki Universiti education centre director Prof NS Rajendran and former education ministry officer G Krishnabahawan. 

Earlier today, all eight panel members led by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) ethnic studies institute director Shamsul Amri Baharuddin met Muhyiddin at Parliament to discuss the results of their studies.

'DPM disagreed'

According to Uthaya, everyone at the meeting had unanimously agreed that the word “pariah”, which denotes a lower caste in Tamil society, be removed from the novel. 

However, Muhyiddin was not agreeable about 100 other amendments and requested that it be reduced. 

“Muhyiddin then left the meeting. We continued discussing about the novel for three hours. But all the original amendments were rejected,” said Uthaya in a very dissatisfied tone. 

Among others, Uthaya and two others had wanted a correction to the word “tali (string)” used in the book to described the ceremonial gold necklace used in weddings. The correct word should be “thali”.

“They (other panelist) said this is not sensitive. How would they know? We are Indians. We know what is sensitive and what is not,” said Uthaya, who is a celebrated Malay writer.

He refused to call his action and that of two others a form of protest and instead said that they did what was “appropriate”. 

“We were brought in to represent the Indian community. Without us, I don't know what will happen,” he said when asked if the panel was doomed to failure. 

The panel's meeting after Muhyiddin left was cut short after the trio withdrew.  

Indian elite plus Malays and Chinese will not stand up for Indian poor however deserving, however serious, their plight may be.

Just see the attention, care and concern Teoh Beng Hock and Aminulrasyid got as opposed to the hundreds of P. Gunasegarans’ who was killed at the Sentul Police lock up on the same day as Teoh Beng Hock. And the hundreds of unheard of Muniandys’, Kuppusamys’ and Ramasamys’.
(Note A. Kugan being the exception because of the up beat Hindraf struggle then with their lawyers still being imprisoned.
(see The Star 15/3/2011 at page N 24)
Karunai Nithi @ Compassionate Justice

All Malaysian born Indians are Bumiputeras. You don’t have to be Malay muslim to be a bumiputera as is claimed by the UMNO racist junta.

(see The Star 15/3/2011 at page N 31)’

HRP Vice President K. Tamil Selvam’s house burnt down in suspected police Ops Padam Hindraf at 5.00 a.m @ Kg Bengali, Rawang.

HRP Vice President K. Tamil Selvam’s house burnt down in suspected police Ops Padam Hindraf at 5.00 a.m @ Kg Bengali, Rawang.

Rumah Naib Pengerusi HRP dibakar semalam keluarga sempat keluar hanya dengan pakaian. Bantuan segera ke akaun isteri Tamil Selvam Sumadi a/p Raghavan Maybank No. 162012712528.

Rumah Naib Pengerusi HRP dibakar semalam keluarga sempat keluar hanya dengan pakaian. Bantuan segera ke akaun isteri Tamil Selvam Sumadi a/p Raghavan Maybank No. 162012712528.

‘We will not fall for Umno’s bait’

By S Jayathas

The single biggest strength Umno sees in Hindraf Makkal Sakti and the Human Rights Party today is their almost zero internal problem and that they are able to focus on the real culprit, the racist Umno.

It is the shrewd Umno top politicians and the Bukit Aman special branch agenda powered by multi-million ringgit, if not unlimited funding, to create the make belief situation of the non- existent or so-called “divided five Hindraf leaders.” This is to demoralise the Indian poor with the belief that when even these five Hindraf leaders are not united, how are they going to unite the 2.5 million Malaysian Indians.

From the very beginning, there has never been “five Hindraf leaders”. Why should this be so for Hindraf when all other NGOs, political parties and organisations have only one leader? Logic dictates that there should only be one captain to a ship. Why is Umno trying to impose five leaders on Hindraf? Isn’t is plain and obvious?

P Waytha Moorthy is the one and only Hindraf leader (chairman). His brother Uthayakumar has repeatedly denied, and so has M Manoharan, being a Hindraf leader. But Uthayakumar has publicly agreed to being one of the five Hindraf lawyers together with his long standing friend Manoharan even to this date. The other two newcomer Hindraf lawyers’ involvement with Hindraf was only for about three months prior to the Nov 25, 2007 rally. (See Uthayakumar’s book “25th November 2007” in www.humanrightspartymalaysia.com for the full chronology of their participation).

The fact remains that there have been five Hindraf lawyers, never five Hindraf leaders. The five Hindraf leaders propaganda is the top Umno and police special branch ploy and agenda to include one police plant, non-lawyer ASP Vasantha Kumar and also to project him as one of the top five (non-existent) Hindraf leaders for the “destroy Hindraf from within plan”, dubbed Ops Padam Hindraf.

This ASP was appointed a “Hindraf leader” by no less than the then inspector-general of police Musa Hassan on Dec 13, 2007 by merely being detained as one of the five “ISA detainees cum five Hindraf leaders”.

A Google search before this ASP’s supposed ISA detention reveals zero postings or involvement in any NGO, let alone any political party. Was he clutched from thin air?

The other three of the supposed “five Hindraf leaders” suffered a great deal during their ISA detention as they were caught off guard and never expected to be detained as they were never part of the day-to-day operations of Hindraf but merely invited as speakers by Uthayakumar and Waytha Moorthy at the various nationwide Hindraf public forums in the prelude to the rally.

Also they have never been involved in the policy making and decision making process in Hindraf. And after their release, they are back happily with their families and concentrating on their careers, never wanting to risk getting arrested again for the Hindraf cause. We respect their wish.

For people in the know, Uthayakumar, unlike all the other five Hindraf lawyers, including Waytha Moorthy, has been a human rights activist for about 20 years and his ISA arrest was his tenth arrest.

Waytha Moorthy has given up legal practice and is working full time on Hindraf from London. So has Uthayakumar who has also given up legal practice although he has a practicing certificate.

One of these non-existent five Hindraf leaders told us that he earns up to RM30,000 per month and that his law library alone is worth RM800,000 and has applied to migrate to Australia. Another has become the director of the lucrative Selangor sand mining company Semesta and another a state assemblyman. This accounts for the rest of the three non-existent “five Hindraf leaders”. We don’t blame them. In fact, it is their right not to want to risk another arrest.

If indeed there was this “five Hindraf leaders” as Umno and their Pakatan Rakyat Indian mandores keep repeating from time to time (especially in the Tamil media to confuse and divert the Indian poor) with the latest being now, immediately after the Feb 27 Hindraf rally when Hindraf’s ratings went up:-

1. Why has the “director” as one of the “Hindraf leaders” refused to return the RM50,000 bail money from the Hindraf public donations to our Chartered Accountants Pathmarajah & Co Maybank account No. 514075010438 especially so now that 53 Hindraf supporters have been prosecuted in court and are in dire need of bail money and money to pay their lawyers and fines? Wouldn’t it be something that comes naturally for a genuine Hindraf leader?

2. Why have these “five Hindraf leaders” refused to represent the 53 Hindraf supporters prosecuted in court? (except for Manoharan and Uthayakumar)

3. Why didn’t these “five Hindraf leaders” independently organise another Hindraf rally at KLCC in two weeks’ time (or ever do so) to protest against Umno’s atrocities and the non-fulfillment of Hindraf’s 18-point demand? This will be the most accurate litmus test as to whether one is a true Hindraf leader.

4. And organise nationwide forums on Umno’s non-fulfillment of the Hindraf-18 point demand.

5. Why have they abandoned the Hindraf 18-point demand?

6. Note that these “five Hindraf leaders” have refused to speak up against the very serious Umno racism and religious supremacy vis-a-vis the Hindraf 18-point demand.

But instead Umno and their top police special branch very desperately want the “five Hindraf leaders” up in one platform with the primary ulterior objective being that these five will end up quarrelling. They also use the Tamil media to yet again divert the people’s attention away from the real problems of the Indians.

As had been the case of S Samy Vellu and S Subramaniam fight in the last 30 years and many other Indian mandore fights such as those involving PPP’s M Kayveas and T Murugiah, Makkal Sakti’s R Thanenthiran versus Ipoh Vethamurthi, the real culprit, Umno, gets away scott-free.

While we acknowledge the media coverage in the three Tamil dailies on the Indian poor, we regret however that creating this Indian versus Indian fight under Umno’s instructions is the single biggest disfavour they are doing to the Indian poor. (See Malaysia Nanban 6/3/2011, page 3).

To us, we will not bite this Umno bait.

S Jayathas is the information chief for Hindraf Makkal Sakti and the Human Rights Party.

New Flash 9:30pm : Police Outside Hindraf & HRP National Advisor , Mr N Ganesan in Penang

Mr Ganasan was not in his house. A 111 PCP notice was served on his wife. On his return from Ipoh, the noticed required him to be present at local police station on 18-3-11 with regards to the Makkal Shakti forum at Farlim which was never allowed, the police who cordon off all the road to the hall and the hall itself.
Racist UMNO Police are still at Hindraf and HRP throat.