An exprience shared by a HINDRAF supporter (blog writers)

taken from http://www.roses4pm.blogspot.com/

JD says: This morning at 8.00pm B.Mahendran (Bolehland), Raaja (Raajarox) and I left my house and headed towards the DBKL building at Jalan Raja Laut to meet up with Seelan (Singapore) for the Campaign of Roses gathering.The roses were to be handed by children to the Prime Minister at the Parliament House. However this was not possible as the police had cordoned off the entire area. It was decided that the handing over of roses would be done at the Suhakam office which is near the DBKL building.

As the crowd began to gather, even though they were well behaved and civilized the police open fire with numerous rounds of tear gas and dye laced water on everyone. It was a good think that the leaders were able to anticipate that the police were going to react and asked that the children be quickly taken away from the area.Seelan was sprayed and had to change his shirt as it was soiled by the dye, his hands too were all green from it. We then proceeded to the Majid Jamek LRT area as we received SMS that the group was gathering at Dataran Merdeka.As the Dataran Merdeka area was blocked by FRU we had to make do of being around the LRT area. I saw the FRU and plain clothed police behaving very aggressively and abusively toward any Malaysian Indian standing around the area.

They were targeting individuals for arrest and had arrested a number of them. I personally saw two policemen push a man who was in an orange ‘MAKKAL SAKTI’ t-shirt on to the road and handcuffing him when he wasn’t even resisting. They treated him worst then an animal, at that point I thought to myself as Malaysian Indians this is the kind of respect we have in this country that we call home. In their eyes we are equal or worst then animals.At that moment, a plain clothed policeman was shouting to disperse and moving fast towards me. I immediately asked Raaja to move forward and turned around to get Mahendran to follow us. It was not to be as I saw two policemen grab Mahendran and dragged him away from us.Raaja and I stayed in contact with Mahendran thru SMS and learned that he was being taken to PULAPOL(Police Training Centre). I immediately contacted lawyer Mohan who told me that legal counsels are being sent to PULAPOL to see to the legal needs of those arrested.

Knowing that was all we could do for Mahendran for the time being, Raaja and I made our way to Court Pillayar Temple in the Pudu Raya area as we heard that the crowd was gathering there. When we arrived there, the crowd of around 1000 was shouting “Hindraf Valga” “Makkal Sakti Valga” when two trucks of FRU personnel arrived at the scene.

There was a stand off between the crowd and the police for around an hour where a few Hindraf leaders gave some speech on the current situation and requested that we continue the struggle and not give it up for any reason until our demands are met. Everyone was asked to disperse in an orderly fashion to which everyone complied.I seriously feel that the government is being intolerant and extremely harsh by using unnecessary force from the police when we can clearly see that the Malaysian Indians were totally non violent in requesting for our rights. Would it hurt to talk to us nicely and hear our grouses?

We were loyal to the BN government for years, is this how we are repaid for our loyalty? The BN government failed to realize that as a race the Malaysian Indians are the most loyal to them without asking for much in return.

As Raaja and I were leaving the area, I met Carol who has been a reader of my blog and who has kept me informed of various Hindraf activities. She was with her mother and I was so proud to see their commitment towards the Malaysian Indian cause. She introduced me to her brother who told me that they would be going to the Lock up Kuala Lumpur (former Pudu Jail) to protest the arrest of some group leaders. It is Malaysian Indians like these that give us hope for a brighter future.

When we arrived the Lock Up Kuala Lumpur area we found it totally secured by FRU personnel and it was then that I was informed by Carol that it would be better for us to move to PULAPOL to give support to all those who were arrested. We informed Seelan to meet us there and took a cab to PULAPOL.We checked with Mahendran and he informed us that he is being made to wait for statements to be taken and it would take sometime and we assured him that we and many others are waiting outside.I noticed buses loaded with Malaysian Indian passengers being driven into PULAPOL compound to have their particulars and statements recorded as to why they are in Kuala Lumpur. What kind of nonsense is this in a supposedly democratic country like Malaysia?

This is a blatant disregard of Human Rights and it is a shame that Malaysia is a country in the United Nations that endorsed The Human Rights Charter.

While waiting for Mahendran to be released we walked over to the Medan Selera opposite PULAPOL for a drink and were informed the Jayathas was just arrested there as he sat down for a drink. We then joined a number of Malaysian Indians who were there to give support.I was very pleased to have met these people who showed that all of us feel discriminated in our own country and that we are not treated fairly even though we have contributed so much in building this nation. Everyone I spoke to said they are standing up today so that our coming generations can have a better future. This is the true problem that the BN government should address instead of trying to squash the uprising as illegal and criminal.I felt very emotional to know and see that we Malaysian Indians are more so united and we have ever been before and sincerely one can feel the difference walking anywhere these days.Malaysian Indians acknowledge each other better and are much more willing to lend a helping hand to each other. The spirit of solidarity has begun. We achieved this without any government program or MIC propaganda, this came from our hearts and souls.

We remain there talking to people who came and went until Mahendran was released at 5.45pm. Everyone had a long and tiring day and had to part in our separate ways. I said my goodbyes to Mahendran, Raaja, Seelan and his friend before making my way home.Even though it was a harrowing day and I was really tired it felt good to know that by standing up today maybe one day my child and her child will benefit from all this.

To all the new friends that I met and for all the conversations and ideas that we shared I thank you for having the mind set that we can all make a change for the better if we are united in our stand.To my new brothers and sister Kartik,Suresh,Mohan,Kannan,Raja Bt.Caves,Sakthi,Ashok and Carol a big thank you from me to all of you for having the courage to stand up and make your voices heard. I hope to see all of you again real soon.

Until then Valga Makkal Sakti!

More comments from other blogs on Roses to PM Campaign

February 16, 2008 at 10:49 pm · Filed under Hindraf, Unnecsessary fear
Surprises, surprises and surprises. What a tragedy. A Prime Minister wailing that Hindraf is extremist. Before going further, MIC and its President Samy Vellu, submitted 7 proposals to the Government to improve the lot of the Indians. They were not termed as extremists. Perhaps Hindraf has 18 points, more in number and more complete proposals, if they had reduced it to less than 18 can they be referred to as another extension of MIC.
How can a small group disrupt the elections, is there some special indication that they were going to it. We have had many rallies in Kuala Lumpur, from November last. The latest one was by Bersih, and were they too, planning to disrupt elections. Frankly speaking, none of the rallies have raised fear in the people, contrary the Police have instilled fear in the people, that causes them to shiver in their pants, realising any group gathering can bring on chemical lazed water and tear gas. What a friend tells me any Police in vehicles rushing through the roads causes panic and discomfort to the people in Kuala Lumpur. Who created this.
You wail the democratic process, has been jeopardised, did the group that gathered had no democracy to speak of, they were just trying to give flowers to indicate their innocence in gathering and also to send the message please release the 5 Hindraf chaps in Kamunting. You could have received the flowers and said thank you for their gestures and thereafter decide on the ISA victims. This you did not do.
Disorders or orders the people will come out to vote, the general consensus being the ruling government must have their tails clipped. There is no way you can bring to the attention of problems to the Government unless you rally and gain attention. If the many letters by Hindraf were attended to, suitable replies given and action taken, do you think the people are stupid to rally and get arrested.
How many fights were recorded in the number of rallies held. The only sad point was people lazed with chemical water, tear gassed and dragged away by force by the Police. Did any thought was given to this.
Rallies are resorted to when the Government does not listen. Why must Bersih disturb the Agong if their grouses were attended to. Why must Hindraf gather a group if their grouses were the least, listened to and action/or no action was taken. Our Malaysian culture is slowing changing, Government does not listen, and the other alternative way is to gather and draw attention. By doing so, the Government gets rattled and action is taken. Remember Thaipusam holiday, will it come about without the Hindraf rally.
One relevant point, today was not election day, and whatever action taken by the group will not affect the polls on March 8.
This is just my preamble. R Thanenthiran has explained other things well I believe.

Voice from other media about Roses to PM campaign

What other Media are Saying on Roses Campaign???
Mon, 18/02/2008 - 09:47 — ds.gophekar.raaj
source by MakalVoice.com

Police sprayed water and fired tear gas after the crowd ignored warnings to disperse. At least 20 people, including a Hindraf leader S Manikavasagam, were detained on Saturday, said a police official, who declined to be named citing protocol. - by Sify News

With the Malaysian government concerned about street protests in the run-up to early general elections on March 8, around 100 policemen, including riot police with helmets and shields, turned out to disperse a gathering of about 300 men, women and children. - by Reuters

A heavy police presence kept them in the city centre - preventing their planned march to parliament to give the flowers to the Prime Minister, Abdullah Badawi. - by BBC

Barricades were set up along main roads leading to Parliament but more than 200 people managed to gather nearby Saturday shouting "Long Live Hindraf" and "We want our rights." - by CNN

About 130 people, including one on the police wanted list, were arrested but most of them were released after their particulars were taken down. Only nine, including two women, all aged between 35 and 40, were remanded for repeatedly defying police instructions to disperse. by NST

Since Friday about 60 people, including two leaders of Hindraf who organised the protest, have been detained in a police crackdown, said N Surendran, a lawyer and Hindraf member. - by Al Jazeera

"It is an embarrassing attack on the Indian community and on people who just wanted to hand over flowers to the prime minister," said R. Thanenthiran, one of the rally organisers. - by ChannelNewsAsia

It was the first public gathering by the Hindu Rights Action Force since police used tear gas and water cannon to crush a Nov. 25 demonstration by at least 20,000 ethnic Indians in Kuala Lumpur. - by MSNBC

source by MakalVoice.com

PM labelled Hindraf as "extremist" !!

Abdullah lashes out at 'extremist' Hindraf
Feb 16, 08 9:44pm

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today labelled the Hindu Rights Action Force as an extremist group which aimed to disrupt the general election.According to a Bernama report today, Abdullah said that Hindraf’s illegal assembly in Kuala Lumpur this morning was an attempt to raise fear in the people and disrupt the polls which would be held on March 8."People who disrupt the elections do not respect the democratic process. When there is disorder, the people do not come out to vote for fear of getting caught in fights," he said after attending a function in Yan, Kedah.
This morning the police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse about 300 Hindraf supporters who had gathered along Jalan Raja Laut to hand in roses to Abdullah.Calling it the rose protest, Hindraf had wanted to give the flower to the premier, asking him, among others, to release the five Hindraf leaders presently held under the Internal Security Act.
The police arrested about 200 people, of which all but nine were released later in the day. The nine are held overnight on a one-day remand for failing to disperse despite repeated request by the police.Commenting on the gathering, which had been declared illegal by the police yesterday, Abdullah said the action of the Hindraf supporters was not a culture of Malaysians who loved peace.He added that the people would definitely not agree with such action aimed at creating chaos in the country.He also did not rule out the possibility of the Hindraf supporters resorting to blockade roads to prevent people from going to the polls.
Use of children condemned
On the use of children in the illegal assembly, the prime minister said it was most regrettable as the children's safety was put at risk."We regret that they (Hindraf supporters) use children to bring pressure to bear on their demands. This is not the way. The action endangers the children," he said.He also said that the authorities would not hesitate to use provisions of the legislation on child protection on those using children at such assemblies.

Meanwhile Hindraf’s national coordinator R Thanenthiran said that he was disappointed with the police action as well as with Abdullah.A highly-charged Thanenthiran told reporters that Abdullah should not be claiming to be representing the needs and welfare of all races in this country."We wanted to have 200 children to peacefully give Abdullah flowers but we were tear-gassed and water-cannoned by police," he said.Thanenthiran also said organisers decided it was unsafe for the children to take part in the protest and they were bused away from the scene.

http://www.malaysiakini.tv/video/15467.html

Comments from blog,
I wonder how he could relate the peace rose rally as extremist and disturbing the coming soon election process. For his information, since he keep forgetting that we had 2 personal invitations to join the rose campaign, this peace rose campaign were planne weeks ahead before the polls date were decided !!
People and children whom came with a stake of rose are extremist ??
Than what shall we call the police whom were brutal to women and men gathered to show LOVE to PM ?
Dear PM, please do what have you been claiming as PM for all race. Please listen to the 70% poor, depressed, oppressed and systematically marginalized Malaysian Indian cry for justice and love.
HINDRAF is an ahimsa movemant and it always bid to these practice.
Please stop labelling HINDRAF as extremist as even the previous label as terrorist also were not proved and you had let all the govt mights against HINDRAF.
Thanks

Ex DPM,Anwar criticises govt over peace rose rally crackdown

Anwar criticises gov't over rally crackdown
AFP Feb 17, 08 3:20pm

Former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim today criticised the authorities for using water cannon and teargas against ethnic Indians protesting against alleged discrimination.
Saturday's rally was the latest in a series of street demonstrations that have rocked this multicultural nation as political parties manoeuvre to win the hearts and minds of voters ahead of general election on March 8.
More than 300 people defied a police ban, gathering in downtown Kuala Lumpur to present roses to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and protest against alleged discrimination before police fired tear gas and water cannon to break up the rally.
"This is clearly a police state," Anwar told AFP.
"I mean a group marching peacefully to present flowers to the prime minister, what kind of treatment did the government give to these people?" he asked.
"It was very high-handed," said the de facto opposition leader.
Police detained 160 people in scuffles during the rally and later outside a Hindu temple nearby, the capital's police chief Muhammad Sabtu Osman told the official Bernama news agency.
Protester abused
Most have since been released but lawyers claimed a female protester - one of nine who are being held till Monday - was abused in custody.
"While being detained, she said she was beaten up by the police," lawyer Gobind Singh, who is representing the nine, told AFP.
"Although she was in pain, she did not receive any medical treatment," he added.
"These are not hardened criminals, they are normal people and should not have to face such violence at the hands of the police while in detention," said Singh, who is contesting as an opposition candidate in the upcoming polls.
The protest comes after the detention of five leaders of the Indian rights group Hindraf who enraged the government in November by leading a rally protesting at alleged discrimination against Indians.
The protest highlighted the grievances of Malaysia's Indians - descendents of labourers brought over by British colonial rulers in the 1800s - who say they are marginalised in terms of education, wealth and opportunities.
Ethnic Indians make up seven percent of Malaysia's 27 million population with Malay Muslims forming 60 percent and ethnic Chinese 26 percent.

Rose Campaign - Global Peace Campaign supporting Msian Indians

from Malaysiakini.com

Rose violence: Global demo against M'sia
Feb 17, 08 1:37pm

Indians across the world demonstrated outside the offices of Malaysian embassies and high commissions on Saturday to condemn the government and police, hours after tear gas and water cannons were fired in Kuala Lumpur at people bringing flowers to persuade Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi to release five Hindraf leaders from detention.The demonstrations – which took place almost simultaneously in New York, Los Angeles, London, Belgium, Northern Island, Indonesia, New Zealand, New Delhi and Mumbai – were believed to be the first internationally-coordinated action in support of the Indian cause in Malaysia.Although there were no more than a few dozen people protesting in each of the cities, their action underlined the growing disgust among Indians all over the world at Abdullah and his police force, said organisers who e-mailed Malaysiakini with details and pictures of the demonstrations.

Videos were also posted on YouTube.

"Which sicko of a prime minister would allow his police to fire tear gas and chemical-laced water at people trying to bring him flowers?" asked Anantha Paskaran, one of those who led the demonstration outside the Malaysian Consulate General's office in New York."We talk about the Soviet Union, Chechnya and Burma when it comes to human rights violations," said Anantha. "What about this so-called moderate Muslim country Malaysia? It has a police force than can rival the Gestapo and KGB".

On Saturday, Malaysian police used teargas and water cannons to disperse about 300 Hindu Rights Action Force supporters who had gathered along Jalan Raja Laut to hand Abdullah hundreds of roses.Calling it a "rose protest", Hindraf had said it wanted to give the flowers to the premier, asking him, among others, to release the five Hindraf leaders held under the Internal Security Act.

The plan was initially to get a group of children to hand over the roses to Abdullah at Parliament. That, however, fell through when police blockaded roads leading to Parliament, forcing the supporters to group at Jalan Raja Laut instead.The police eventually arrested about 200 people and released all but nine whom they said defied repeated orders to disperse.Abdullah, in an immediate reaction, labelled Hindraf as group of "extremists" out to disrupt general elections scheduled on March 8.

Anantha said it was "most laughable" for the premier to link the incident with the upcoming polls in Malaysia."In what way can the Indians in Malaysia disrupt the electoral process that's underway? They are minorities, marginalised in every sense of the word, and don't even have enough resource to fend for themselves, let alone disrupt a national election," he said.

The 51-year-old former Malaysian-turned-US citizen who runs a financial consultancy in Queens, New York, also appeared to pre-empt any possible remark by Abdullah that Indians outside of Malaysia had no business with what was happening in the country."For the prime minister's information, I still have family members in Malaysia and they are paying income taxes too, so I have every right to speak on their behalf," Anantha said.

He said the weather in New York was below 32 degrees Farenheit (0 degrees Celcius) on Saturday and those who turned up outside the Consulate General's office in Manhattan, including women and children, braved icy winds for nearly 2 hours. "We were freezing on the outside but we were burning on the inside at what's happening to our fellow Indians in Malaysia," Anantha said.

Pictures received by Malaysiakini showed demonstrators carrying placards such as "Malaysia, Provide Equal Opportunity and Equal Treatment for All" and "All Malaysians, Act Now or Lose Your Freedom, Your Rights and Your Identity Forever."In New York, demonstrators even brought a mock coffin for MIC President S Samy Vellu, who has been fiercely criticised for failing the Indian community. A sign above the coffin read: "Samy Vellu – Traitor of Indian Malaysians, R.I.P. (Rest In Peace)." (photo above)

In another interesting picture, five people also wore cut-out pictures of the faces of the five detained Hindraf leaders, holding up their wrists in a symbolic sign of incarceration.A big shamAnd not all those who participated in the foreign demonstrations were Indians of Malaysian origin.

Fiona Lee (photo), an ethnic Chinese from Malaysia, said in comments to Malaysiakini that she decided to join the protest in New York "because these are issues affecting all Malaysians.""To me, the marginalisation of the Indian community is very real," said the 25-year-old, who has lived in the United States for seven years now and is pursuing a doctorate in English at the City University of New York. "I grew up in Cheras and I belonged to a church group that used to visit Indian slums where the children had little access to education, food and even clothing," Lee said. "To say they are being equally treated is the biggest sham.

"There were no officials from the Malaysian Consulate General's office in New York to receive ay memorandums from the protesters. However several officials were seen snapping photographs of the protesting crowd.

The Hindu- News on Roses to PM in M'sia

Hindraf protest thwarted
P. S. Suryanarayana

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia on Saturday quelled a protest “walk” organised by the Hindu Rights Action Force at a number of places here.

In a dramatic show of force, the police fired teargas and targeted water cannon at several hundred ethnic Indians, who assembled for a “roses campaign” demanding justice while offering flowers as a gesture to the authorities.

Following an overnight ban on this “campaign,” Hindraf abandoned its original plan of staging a short “walk” towards the Parliament House, with children in the vanguard and carrying roses for Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi.

Vwaishhnnavi, five-year-old daughter of the self-exiled Hindraf chairman P. Waytha Moorthy, was designated to lead the “walk” and greet the Prime Minister. Under guidance, she had earlier written a letter requesting him to accept such an offer.

In the final act on this day of “state power,” Hindraf followers raised an hour-long chorus of slogans about “people power” at a Vinayaka temple in the heart of the city, even as a lone woman walked up to a riot-control officer there and handed him a yellow rose. Another police officer was seen declining a similar offer even as Hindraf supporters began cheering her. The standoff near the shrine passed off without the police using water cannon that was on stand-by.


Hindraf urges ethnic Indians to vote against Badawi’s political grouping
P. S. Suryanarayana

Police cite “security concerns” for banning protest rally

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Coordinator of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), Thanenthiran Ramankutty, on Saturday asked the ethnic Indians in Malaysia to vote against the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, that had “failed” and “insulted” them.
A mid-term general election is due on March 8; and Saturday’s police-aborted campaign was a sequel to Hindraf’s mass protest rally here last November against a half-century of “marginalisation” of the people of Indian origin since independence.

Mr. Thanenthiran, who made a surprise appearance at a temple in the heart of the city where the ethnic Indians had gathered for a protest, later told The Hindu that he was now “on the run” under police surveillance.
He said almost all of Hindraf’s provincial coordinators and national leader such as Manickavasagam and Jayathas were among 300 activists and supporters arrested on Saturday.
Five top Hindraf leaders are already under detention without trial under the Internal Security Act.

The Malaysian police on Friday banned the “roses campaign” by describing as “a security concern” Hindraf’s original plan to deploy nearly 200 children as the star contingent of a “walk” to Parliament House in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.
These children, it was said, were being put in harm’s way in a game of testing the political will of the authorities to maintain law and order.
Another reason cited was Malaysia’s political “norm” of not allowing street protest of any kind, be it by the majority Malay-Muslims or ethnic Chinese or the people of Indian origin.

It was also stated that Hindraf, being a non-registered organisation, was not entitled to any permission for public events, more so of the protest kind.
The police-aborted “walk” to the Parliament House was planned to “test” Mr. Badawi’s attitude towards his ethnic Indian compatriots, according to Hindraf sources.

Yellow roses were selected by Hindraf to be presented to the authorities to convey its demand for a “fair deal” for the ethnic Indians. Red roses signified the colour of choice for “goodwill” towards the Prime Minister, and these were to have been carried by the children. Following the ban, Hindraf, according to its events coordinator Kannan Ramasamy decided against deploying children.

The first scene of street-side political action on Saturday was near the Parliament House. Hindraf said police chased away nearly 200 adult protesters who attempted to break the series of barricades along the routes to Parliament House.
Hindraf supporters raised aloft posters demanding the abolition of the Internal Security Act and the release of the group’s top leaders — P. Uthayakumar, V. Ganapati Rao, M. Manoharan, R. Kengadharan, and T. Vasanthakumar.
“People power [Makkal Sakthi]” slogans and chants in celebration of Hindraf rent the air throughout the standoff.

Roses To PM in M'sia - BBC Report

Malaysian police break up protest

The protesters carried roses to symbolise peaceful demands
Protest scenes Malaysian security forces have used tear gas and water cannon to break up a protest by ethnic Indians in the capital, Kuala Lumpur.

More than 20 people taking part in the banned march were detained by police.
The demonstration was organised by the Hindu Rights Action Force, which is demanding the release from jail of five of its leaders.

Activists say policies granting economic advantages to the ethnic Malay majority discriminate against Indians.
The Malaysia government has rejected claims of unequal treatment.

Detention without trial
Some 2000 protesters defied a ban on public gatherings, and carried roses to symbolise what they said was a peaceful demand for justice.
A heavy police presence kept them in the city centre - preventing their planned march to parliament to give the flowers to the Prime Minister, Abdullah Badawi.
The protest was meant to be led by a group of about 200 children. There were no reports of any children being injured.
Police used water canons thought to be laced with chemicals and tear gas to disperse the crowd.

The group behind the demonstration has become increasingly effective at rattling the government, says the BBC's Robin Brant in Kuala Lumpur.
It was behind a large demonstration on the streets of the capital last November which saw 10,000 people gather.

That rally exposed increasing unhappiness among some of Malaysia's minority Indians who feel they have fallen behind after decades of government policy which gives preferential treatment to the majority Malays, our correspondent says.

Five rights activists were arrested at that rally - the biggest protest involving ethnic Indians in more than a decade.
They are being held under a rarely used security law that allows indefinite detention without trial.

Roses to Msian PM - Police react brutally against peaceful gathering

from Malaysiakini.com

200 nabbed at rose protest
Syed Jaymal Zahiid Feb 16, 08 11:33am

Police fired teargas and chemical-laced water cannons in a bid to disperse some 300 Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) supporters gathered for a peaceful rose handing-over ceremony at Jalan Raja Laut early this morning.

The Hindraf event was initially scheduled to be held at Parliament gates where 200 children were to hand over roses as a peaceful gesture requesting that Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to heed the group’s 18-point demands.

News that roads leading to Parliament were closed to prevent the group from going there then led them to change the venue to Jalan Raja Laut in the city centre.
According to Hindraf acting leader S Thanenthiran who was present at the gathering, about 200 people have been arrested including Hindraf’s rose campaign coordinator S Manickavasagam and popular blogger B Mahendran.

Women and children were among those detained.
Witnesses also claimed that police had aggressively manhandled a women with her child when they wanted to arrest her.

"The woman was crying aloud because the police forced her to leave her child when she was arrested," said Mahendran who later informed Malaysiakini of the woman’s condition through his mobile phone.

Detained at roadblocks
Thanenthiran added that almost two thirds of them were detained prior to the gathering at roadblocks set up along the routes leading to the city. They are being held at the Police Training Centre (Pulapol) in Jalan Semarak, Kuala Lumpur.

There were heavy police and riot squads presence in Jalan Raja Laut. Four water cannon trucks were stationed along the route leading to Parliament.
It is learnt that the police have been stationed at key areas pertaining to the gathering since last night. Roadblocks were also set up at various key routes leading into the city.
"The police outnumbered the crowd in three folds. I saw several of them firing teargas canisters to the peaceful crowd. Why is there a need to fire that many teargas canisters when one is strong enough (to disperse the crowd)," said a tourist who happened to be in the area.

After the teargas and water cannons were fired, the crowd were chased by some 40 plainclothes policemen. They then retreated into the Masjid India area.
The dispersed crowd then walked in small separate groups towards the Court Malai Pillayar Temple in Jalan Pudu where another stand- off occurred between Hindraf supporters and the police.

At this point, ten people were arrested while seeking shelter in the temple. Three more were later nabbed while making their way to the KL Remand Centre in Jalan Hang Tuah to show support to some Hindraf members who were detained last night.

By this time, the crowd had dispersed and small groups made their way to Pulapol to show support to those detained. According to A Sivanesan who is the group’s legal adviser, lawyers have been sent to Pulapol to ensure that detainees get proper legal help.

Mahendran, who was arrested near the Masjid Jamek area, had managed to contact Malaysiakini through his mobile phone and said that the "police are taking people in batches for questioning"

Police reaction unnecessary
Self-exiled Hindraf chairperson P Waythamoorthy in a statement issued immediately after learning of the arrests said he was extremely disturbed by the manner in which the police handled the matter.

"Peaceful struggle, gesture of Love and cry for justice of the poor and underclass Indian society has been met with violence and brutality by the state sanctioned by Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. The attack on peaceful poor and underclass people who came with roses is appalling,

"I invite all peace loving people throughout the world to condemn this brutal attack on innocent citizens who were exercising their rights under Article 10 of the Malaysian Federal Constitution and Article 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights," he said.

Police have declared today’s event illegal as no permit was given to the group.

Watch video here.

Roses to PM - Police Crackdown Started

Hi all,

HINDRAF Spiritual Leader, Mr Ramaji was arrested just now around 12.45 am.

More police crackdown is expected before or during the Roses to PM campaign.

Thanks

Rose to PM Campaign Guideline and FQA

Above the image given by one of our supporter for arial view.

The Rose to PM Campaign in Malaysia is still on schedule.

Venue : Parliament House, Kuala Lumpur.

Date : 16th FEB 2008 (Saturday)

Time : 10.00 - 12.00 pm

There are many FQA for this campaign. Here are some of the answers and guideline for the campaign.

1. Q : Where is the location and what time ?

A : No change, Parliament House, KL at 10.00 am to 12.00 pm

2. Q : What need to be brought ?

A : Just a stake of rose either red or yellow. We are peace loving community (ahimsa) and rose is a symbol of peace.

2a. Q : Why roses ?

A : The red roses is symbol of love and compassion whereas the yellow roses are symbol of justice. We are going to our PM these roses conjuction with Valentines Day, seeking the love and compassion from PM towards Malaysian Indians as we Malaysian too. While the yellow roses are symbol for our cry of justice, we seek immediate release of HINDRAF 5 leaders and reconsider this rightful struggle.

3. Q : Parliament dissolved on 13th Feb, so how ?

A : We are going to Parliament as it a symbol of justice where lawmaking process happens.

It is a just a venue for us to see our PM to give him thousands of flowers seeking love and justice.

4. Q : Who is PM after the Parliament dissolved, will the PM come ?

A : There will be a caretaker government that been setup after the Parliament dissolved as per our law until the new mandate government is formed.

Historically the current PM will be the acting PM for this government, so he has all the responsibility as PM including hearing the people's cry.

Little girl Vwaishnavi (Waytha's daughter) have sent a personal invitation to PM 3 weeks ago to attend this Roses to PM campaign.

This followed by another group of concerned senior citizen whom support little girl. They also have met the PM personal officers on 11th Feb 2008 and hand over a letter requesting PM to reconsider and request him humbly to come for this function

So far no reply from Malaysian PM.

In the invitation, the request were made for PM or his reps to come and receive these flowers.

It is also stated that the PM have all the flexibility to chose the venue if he cant make it to the Parliament, the little girl is ready to come elsewhere.

5. Q : How many people are expected to join ?

A : We are expecting about 200 kids and 10,000 Malaysian would join this peaceful campaign.

6. Q : How is the crowd control management would be ?

A : There will be at least 400 crowd control marshall placed along the road and guide the crowd.

7. Q : How long is this campaign ?

A : Max 2 hours, ( 10.00 - 12.00 pm). Once the flowers are submitted, the crowd will dispease peaceful.

8. Q : How would the police response be ?

A : We believe the police will allow us to gather peacefully as there would be no other things carried except a stake of rose. The little kids symbolizing the future generation will be carrying roses and would be in the frontline together will their parents. We request with humble that our police will be more ethical towards us.

Thanks. Hope to see all near the Parliament House this Saturday morning.

International Rose Campaign for HINDRAF on 16th Feb 2008

Kuala Lumpur
Venue : Parliament House Kuala LumpurAddress: Jalan Parlimen, 50680, Kuala Lumpur
Time : 10.00 am -12.00pm

London
Venue: High Commission of Malaysia, LondonAddress: Malaysian High Commission 45-46 Belgrave Square London
Time: 10am

Los Angeles
Venue: In front of Consulate General of Malaysia, Los AngelesAddress: 550 South Hope Street, Suite 400, Los Angeles, CA 90071)
Time: 10am - 2pm

New York
Venue : Malaysian Consulate General of New York -313 East,43rd Street, NY,
Nearest Subway – Grand Central, New York
Time : 11.00am – 1.00pm
Contact Ravi Shan at MalaysianinNewYork@gmail.com or 1(917) 443 1250

New Delhi
Venue : In Front Of Malaysian Embassy50-M, Satya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi
Time : 11.00 am

Belgium
Address : 414A, Avenue de Tervuren1150 Brussels, Belgium
Time : 11.00 am

Northern Ireland
Address : Level 3A - 5A Shelbourne House Shelbourne Road,Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
Time : 11.00 am

Indonesia
Venue : Jalan H.R. Rasuna Said,Kav. X/6, No.1-3 Kuningan,Jakarta Selatan 12950
Time : 11.00 am

Mumbai,
Venue : India4-B, 4th Floor, Notan Plaza,Turner Road, Bandra (West),Mumbai 400050.
Time : 11,00 am

New Zealand
Venue : HIGH COMMISSION OF MALAYSIA IN WELLINGTON
Address : No. 10 Washington Avenue Brooklyn, P.O. Box 9422,ellington, New Zealand
Time : 11.00 am

Australia
Venue : Chancery: 7 Perth Avenue Yarralumla ACT 2600
Time : 11.00am

and many more countries whom the locals and Malaysian Indians are going to sent the roses to the Malaysian PM thru Malaysian Embassy.
This is indeed one voice of the world to support the Malaysian Indians struggle for right and seeking PM to hear the cry of justice.
Pls do join them on this day globally to show our unity again and seeking the love and juctice from the PM of Malaysia.

Media Event - 14th Feb 2008 ( Inviting UNICEF)

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

MEDIA EVENT 14TH FEB 2008

RE: VWAISHHNNAVI WAYTHA MOORTHY SEEKS PROTECTION FROM HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS GENEVA FOR FEB 16TH ROSES PRESENTATION HANDING OF FORMAL REQUEST FOR PROTECTION UNDER INTERNATIONAL COVENANT

DATE : 14TH FEB 2008
TIME : 11.00 AM
VENUE : UNICEF
Wisma UN, Blok C, 2nd Floor
Komplek Pejabat Damansara
Jalan Dungun, Damansara Heights
50490 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Our Mr Manickam could be reached on 016 265 9511

Yours in Service
P.Waytha Moorthy
Chairman
currently in London

An Open letter from Waytha for 16th Feb 2008, Rose Campaign

AN OPEN LETTER TO HINDRAF SUPPORTERS & ALL MALAYSIANS

I invite you to join my only 5 year daughter on Feb 16th who would brave the might of Police with their tear gas and chemical laced water cannons to prevent her and thousands against reaching Parliament House to deliver their messages of Peace and Justice.

Many may wonder why Roses to a PM who doesn’t understand or pretend not to understand the plight of Malaysian Indians. Many emailed me seeking answers whether we have softened our demands.

No. Under no circumstances would we soften our demand and approach. We have remained silent for far too long and if we don’t insist on our demands now then we never would in the future.

Pre and post 25/11 has seen various baseless accusations against HINDRAF and its leaders. Prior to that hundreds of our letters, appeals, memorandums ect to the PM had gone to deaf ears. When we “moved” the Indian community, suddenly the Government woke up not knowing how to tackle the problem of the new “Peaceful Indian uprising” against their might. They had all the while taken the Indian community for granted. That the Indian community are a bunch that can be pleased with “sweeteners” especially during elections. They had taken for granted that there wouldn’t be credible and capable leaders who would genuinely fight for them and their cause. I can only thank the Indian community for having the confidence on HINDRAF.

The Government had to cover up their bungle for the mess they created on 25/11. Hence the accusations of racists, fundamentalists and terrorists. They wanted to create a situation where the Malays would hate HINDRAF and rally behind them. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was the Government’s strategy to use HINDRAF and 25/11 to unite the already divided Malay community between them, Keadilan and PAS so that the Malays would rally their support behind UMNO. Fear of HINDU fundamentalism was created amongst Malays. It is sad that after 50 years the Government and UMNO still relies on race politics for their survival.

So on Feb 16th we proceed with our Roses. Valentine is associated with the Western Christian culture but accepted universally as a day to express LOVE. It is a time when the whole world seeks for ROSES to reach out their loved ones and send messages of Love.

I don’t ask you to love the PM personally but I ask you to love the highest position entrusted upon him by the Yang Dipertuan Agong to lead the country. Most of us hated Mahathir for his 22 years “regime” but we hold no grudges against him today. Likewise would be no reason holding grudges against the PM.

Let us give him the RED & YELLOW ROSES to symbolize/ remind him and assert that we are a peace loving community who come to him in all sincerity with our 18 demands that were submitted in July 2007 (Red Roses) and that we demand Justice for the 5 detained leaders (Yellow Roses). There are many ways of expressing quest and thirst for our basic fundamental rights and ROSES are a special way to convey those messages from a community who have been oppressed suppressed and marginalized for 50 years.

The whole world saw what happened on 25/11. Let the world again see and appreciate the peaceful struggle of these permanently colonized community. Believe me many in the western country are waiting anxiously to observe the Governments’ reaction on 16/02.

I have known and read many regimes brought down by Power of Roses. But of course it was a failure at Tianaman Square China. I remember how the soldiers shot down innocent people with ROSES who championed and peacefully sought their rights. And so I can never promise you that all will be well on 16/02. Let us all Pray that our leaders would have the wisdom and courage to accept that after 50 years the Indian Community are prepared to “rise” for their rights because MALAYSIA HAS ALWAYS BEEN THEIR MOTHERLAND. By accepting those Roses the PM would prove to the entire country that he is a listening “father” of the nation.

I seek forgiveness of the Almighty for placing my only 5-year daughter on the forefront to face the possibility of the first round of tear gas and chemical laced water. Like any other child Vwaishhnnavi is a symbol of LOVE & AFFECTION. She is my only worldly treasure. I neither posses not property nor wealth. And I dedicate my only “treasure” for the cause of this suppressed community. I embrace the brave mother of this child for her determination, courage and commitment shown towards the struggle.

Vwaishhnnavi and many others of her age would brave the message of purity, truth, sincerity, and unselfishness for the sake of the future Indian generation.

May I invite all Malaysians irrespective of colour and creed to join us in this symbolic gesture to seek Justice for a marginalized community neglected, unattended forgotten for 50 years. Let us all declare Friday the 15th Feb a National Prayer Day for the Almighty to grand wisdom to leaders of our country to allow our future generation to express their message of Peace & Justice.

Let us all pray that the Prime Minister who claims that he has big ears to listen to grouses of all communities allow this child any many others including us to whisper the message of LOVE AND JUSTICE through the ROSES.

P.Waytha Moorthy
Chairman
HINDRAF
Currently in London

HINDRAF-ROSE Campaign 16th FEB 2008

Hi my dear oppresed, depressed, systematically marginalized and permenantly colonialized Malaysian Indians friends, we have to be united again to show our unity and stand beside our rightful struggle for rights.

We would join the gathering lead by little 5 years old, Vwaishnavi ( daughter of Waytha Moorthy) to show our love and seek for love and compassion and also our unity in seeking for justice.

We would not carrying anything except a stake of rose either red or yellow colour that carries as symbol of love , compassion and cry for justice.

A group of 100 kids from all age will be joining little Vwaishnavi and lead our campaign to give the rose to our PM. They are reflecting the significant symbol of our struugle that is the future generation. The others expecting about 10, 000 people would follow to hand the roses to PM.

Please come and join this campaign of peace that seeks justice to release our HINDRAF 5 heroes and return the love towards Malaysian Indians as we are also Malaysians whom are loyal and faithful for generations to this beloved nation of Malaysia. We would never undivide our loyality to this nation as we are apart of nation building.

The details of Rose Campaign :-
Date : 16th Feb 2008 ( Saturday)
Time : 10.00 - 12.00 pm
Venue : Parliament House, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

For further info pls do contact our HQ fix phone ( 03- 2282-5241)

This is our rightful rights in our struggle for rights
Pls come and show again our unity in seeking justice and love towards Malaysian Indians.

Vaalge HINDRAF,
Vaalge HINDRAF,
Vaalge HINDRAF.
Valarge Makkal Sakti.

Nandri,




This is a must see video clip. pls pass

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9IZ9twmGXc