Two similar occasions, one was the PWTC Open House hosted by our PM, the other Hari Raya Open House hosted by Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim and yet how different the treatment…
The very same 6years old Vwaishnavi, daughter of Hindraf chairman P.Waythamoorthy with the almost similar home made, Hari Raya greeting card carrying the same message accompanied by a teddy bear. The same Hindraf supporters of approximately 200 members, in their now familiar, orange Tee shirts. The very same occasion of Hari Raya open house but only this time hosted by the opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur on 12th October 2008.
As the supporters began to gather outside Sultan Sulaiman Club, our Muslim brothers who were passing by smiled and waved at us. In return Hindraf supporters wished them "Selamat Hari Raya bang”. Police officers on duty too were greeted Selamat Hari Raya by the Hindraf supporters, some of them wished us back while some just smiled and waved. What a contrast from the reception we got from the policemen on duty at PWTC? Were these officers the same ones who stopped and bullied us at PWTC? On whose orders?
Similar to our attendance at PWTC on the 1st of October 2008, Vwaishnnavi and her mother Mrs.Shanti took the lead into the club together with the Kapar MP YB Manikavasagam. The moment we stepped into the compound YB Zuraida Kamaruddin, the Ampang MP welcomed us . There was an announcement made to mark our presence and thousands of our Malaysian Muslim brothers cheered, clapped and welcomed us into the hall. Among the MPs who welcomed us were YB Tian Chua , YB Sivarasah ,YB Nurul Izzah and I might have missed some of the other hospitable YB's. Minta Maaf.
YB Anwar Ibrahim and Datin Wan Azizah who came in after prayers welcomed the hundreds of the Hindraf supporters with a welcoming smile .They shook hands with each and every one of us. We greeted them "Selamat Hari Raya, Release all ISA detainees and Abolish ISA". Datuk Seri confidently said "sure I will" to me and I believe to the rest as well. To digress a bit, no body says "Makkal Shakti" with so much conviction, encouragement and yet these powerful words of "Peoples'Power" is expressed with gentleness by Kak Wan – truly a woman of substance!! They accepted the same home made card and the teddy bear from little Vwaishnnavi.
Yet what a difference on how we were received by the two hosts and how it was reported by media, Hindraf had been demonized for attending the PWTC open house on 1st October 2008.
Frankly, we never anticipated the shameful way we were treated during the Hari Raya Open House hosted by none other than the PM of Malaysia and his cabinet ministers at PWTC.
Malaysians were fully aware of intentions of getting our Hindraf leaders out before Deepavali so that they may celebrate this auspicious occasion with their family. We are also serious about getting our brother RPK and other ISA detainees released. All of which was turned, twisted , manipulated and propagated by the powers that be.
Hindraf was accused as "Biadap" , "Kurang Ajar" "Pengacau" and the most heart breaking "Insulting Islam and Muslims of this country". This was further compounded with 4 Hindraf supporters being summoned to the Dang Wangi Police station for merely attending the open house of the Prime Minister.
They were charged for illegal gathering?? and trespassing?? at PM's Open House. By the way, we even informed Senior Officers in Putra Jaya on 22nd Sept 2008, that Vwaishnnavi and some of us Hindraf supporters would be at the Open House, PM's secretary assured us that we would be welcome at the open house. Additionally, wasn't the PM's invitation to the open house extended to all Malaysians?
So then why PM Sir, were we consistently provoked ever since we stepped into PWTC premises? You yourself saw how the hand made Hari Raya card by six years old Vwaishnnavi was torn by your officials? This wasn't a petition or a memo. A simple self made Hari Raya Greeting card offered to you by a Malaysian Child was taken over by dozens of police officers who stormed in to confiscate and rip it apart, what an insult to the Indian children and the entire Malaysian community!!
Why then did you say we did not greet you? You and your advisors, the police insulted us Indians, every step of our way in the Open House. Are we not correct to assume that the Hari Raya Open House was paid by us Malaysian Tax payers? So then, why were we so badly treated at our own Malaysian open house? Mr PM, don't you consider us Hindraf supporters as Malaysians?
Is it wrong for us to ask you to release our Hindraf leaders, RPK and other ISA detainees, who are in prison, without you giving us any valid reasons for their imprisonment? So many Malaysians of all races concur with us that the draconian ISA law should be abolished, even members of your own cabinet voiced it out, so what's so wrong about us voicing our democratic right at our own Malaysian Open House??
Then again, why didn't Datuk Seri Anwar , Datin Wan Azizah , rest of the YBs and VIPs present at Sultan Sulaiman Club think that Hindraf as Biadap , Kurang Ajar , pengacau. Our Malay brothers there never commented or felt that Hindraf had insulted theMuslims, by attending this open house in our orange colored Tee shirts with a simple home made Raya greeting card and a teddy bear?? By the way we still asked that ISA be abolished and detainees released, yet what a contrast in treatment we received at PWTC ?
The Main stream media especially the Malay newspapers under your control has blamed and accused us for unruly behavior, labeled our women and children as trouble makers and said Hindraf supporters never respected Hari Raya. The Almighty God knows the truth and you too should let all Malaysians know the truth, that we conducted ourselves with decorum, even though we were initially stopped and not allowed to meet you.
You all with your propaganda had Hindraf demonized, some of you even wanted the society deregistered, do you think you can kill the spirit of Hindraf?? Sorry, we are not just a society, we are a united in spirit, not just Indians, but every Anak Bangsa Malaysia, and this spirit can never die, it will continue until we are accorded due respect as Malaysian citizens.
One may ask why we chose the Hari Raya Open House, our answer Mr Prime Minister is that you have just avoided all our calls to meet you in your office or elsewhere. We have no other choice but to state our request at this open house, we wanted you to look us in the eyes so that we can directly tell you to release our leaders, RPK and other detainees. That's all. So cut out the condemnation and lies about our behaviour.
Many guests who were at the PWTC open house did not even know that we were present. Categorically we did not create any ruckus or commotion, full familes came in support. We are the ones who feel insulted that you did not treat us Malaysian citizens with due respect of a courteous host, especially as one would expect from a person of your stature.
I might not be a scholar on religion, but I can definitely say what the Prime Minister , the deputy prime minister, the home minister , the information minister, the tourism minister, Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister and rest of the ministers have said against Hindraf on and after the 1st of October 2008 Hari Raya Open House at PWTC - untruths, insincerity and lies are never condoned and unacceptable by any religion!!
Sambulingam Wisvalingam
Hindraf National Co-ordination team
Comments (20) from Malaysia Today
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written by DreamLady, October 14, 2008 21:37:28
Hindraf, hats off for your dignity, your bravery to speak the truth, your openess to confront the evils...My heartwarm love for all the Hindraf and the family, and ISA detainees.. May God bless our country !!!
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written by PAKRAK, October 14, 2008 21:52:12
Put it this way: The Hindrafs were not welcome to the HR open house. If DAP, PAS, or PKR were to attend in big groups, I am sure 'they' (UMNO) would even protest. Next time we will not go to any BN/UMNO HR open house. Happy Deepavali in advance. Hindraf, this time stay away from MIC (Samy Velu) open house.
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written by sonofmalaysia, October 14, 2008 21:59:23
Dear Hindraf,
All decent Malaysians are behind you to face adversity and to fight evil . Our country history will remember your courage and endeavour to fend for the poor, the oppressed and the deprived.
Soldier on , victory will be yours and ours, the new bangsa Malaysia !!
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written by kennyeu, October 14, 2008 22:03:44
What a wonderful piece of writing, so pure in its truth and emotions. I'll stand with Hindraf like I would stand with RPK any day. We should all stand for what is right and what is just in this World and to me Hindraf is right.
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written by LAL, October 14, 2008 22:07:25
The God whom we serve is a fair and just God. Truth will prevail. As Deepavali approaches, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
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written by Proud_2b_Malaysian, October 14, 2008 22:11:04
When the aspiration is different to the Government, it is considered anti-establishment, no matter how dignified and noble that aspiration may be. Malaysians have lost the right to demand accountability to the tax money collect as if those taxes entered into the twilight zone known only to those in the know. PM Open House is paid by Malaysian tax payers but hey, who cares after money changes hands.
When things are said and done that may not appeal to the Government, please examine the motivation. Is it terrorism or is it patriotism? And patriotism is for the country, its freedom and its dignity, not blind support to Government policies.
Same actions at two different places of the same Hari Raya Open House event, we get two opposing reactions. What happened? Unless there's something to hide, we are all Malaysians celebrating together. And each bears a message, whether it's about "Abolishing ISA" or "Pak Lah I support you", they are messages brought by Malaysians of differing views.
Nevertheless, different in views but still MALAYSIANS.
http://proud2bmalaysian.wordpr...esnt-care/
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written by Amicus Curia, October 14, 2008 22:22:01
My Hindraf Brothers, it is apparent that the MIC is scared of your capabilities and is behind much of the negativity that is being propaganded by the BN. Your objectives are being ignored on purpose to satisfy their political thirsts and by doing so support for your cause is multiplying. Push on.
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written by jammary88, October 14, 2008 22:26:36
PM and BN/UMNO share their joyous occasion with their cronies only not with the rakyat. It's a cultural shock to them.
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written by New Malaysian, October 14, 2008 22:30:14
Kudos to you Mr Sambulingam and gang for soldiering on against rowdy, untruthful, arrogant leaders who only make a show of invitation to their "Open House". The comments from the PM, which were very clear that you made him "kecewa" then degenerated into, "I don't know if they wished others as I had gone off for prayers!" It was all hearsay from then on! Really, Mr PM, you are working alone........ and no wonder!
Did the 4th floor boys advise you that this can be turned to advantage?
Hope you can take a cue from Pakatan on how to treat your guests - even if they were all clad in orange T-shirts with a message to give!
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written by Fatcat, October 14, 2008 22:39:46
The Guilty will always be defensive and abusive.
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written by Spear Bing, October 14, 2008 22:45:57
Hindraf officials should not be condescending. The PWTC open house issue is just a storm in teacup. Why continue to harp so long as your conscience remains truthful?
Move on.... there are more important issues to tackle.
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written by future, October 14, 2008 22:50:22
To All Hindraf Supporters,
The truth is the govt.is 'Kurang Ajar and Biadap' and what a shame even the PM
and his cabinets misbehave seperti orang yang tahu adat.
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written by Jit Dharma, October 14, 2008 22:58:33
Brother Sambulingam,
Kudos all around for doing the Indian community a great service and rendering
the Traitor Samy Velu irrelevant and impotent.Glad to hear you refer to the
Malays as our Brethren. They are and so too are the rest of humanity.They tried to fan the flames but of course they have failed. They will, of course,try harder and may Lord God frustrate and foil their plans. For they are unjust,
and the unjust must fail for our nation to prosper.
Happy Deepavali to all at HINDRAF and all our Malaysian Brethren.
Makkal Sakti. Om Shanti.
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written by hanisma, October 14, 2008 23:04:13
MSM should telecast and give report on the open house of DSAI at Kg Bahru and Ceruk Tok Kun. Alas, they are biased when truth is concerned, what more if it would lead to the rakyats losing faith on BN/Umno's regime. Shame on you Pak Lah and all the Muslim ministers for the unkind and unjust treatment given to HINDRAF on the first day of Syawal. I, a Muslim, am shameful to have a PM and his bunch of ministers who are all idiots and morons!!!
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written by Margeemar, October 14, 2008 23:05:03
It is very clear here from what happened at the Hari Raya open house of Badawi and DSAI, TV3, Utusan Malaysia and Syed Hamid Albar were not only demonizing Hindraf but also trying to cause racial and religious unrest. To you Syed Hamid, the Muslim editors of Utusan Malaysia, the Muslim management and news readers of TV3, you clowns are all MURTAD (APOSTATES)!!! Seksa dalam kubur menanti hang semua!!!...More http://margeemar.blogspot.com
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written by msiaman, October 14, 2008 23:07:27
HINDRAF seem to bring out the true colors of our leaders. Now why is it so?
They thought with their high mighty power, they can do whatever they could. They have ignored the people power. We shall see how this leads us....
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written by dassky2000, October 14, 2008 23:17:32
Only the guilty will shy away, like what the Pee Em did at his Hari Raya open house. He is guilty guilty guilty. no mistake this time. He and his croonies will go to hell and the gate keys will be disposed so that they will never step foot into this beutiful earth ever in another life.
Seems like even god/allah won't want to accept them. God/allah is afraid that these BN UMNO theives will take over god's/ allah's place in heaven or hell.
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written by picadilly, October 15, 2008 01:14:36
BN is lucky their nemesis is HINDRAF.
Stupid BN dont know, Hindraf is following good principles and using righteousness and good values in their struggle.
If not for the leaders who are following vivekananda's teachings,
Malaysia would have seen a worse situation.
Hindraf leaders controlled the entire 20000 plus crowd to calm down when grandfathers and granmothers were running haywire when the first tear gas bomb hit us you BN morons. Hindraf leaders stopped the youths from attacking police and making a mess.
BN should be thankful. If they had tried this on any other Indian Group, they would have got hit by slippers, They would get back the treatment that was asked by rahim Tamby kecik and they would have got an extreme uncontollable scenario.
BN is lucky that its the educated and civilised Indians are in charge of Hindraf. Until now the leaders are patiently negotiating and fasting and talking.
You try this with any other Indian groups, BN would be having nightmare.
You are lucky BN, You are very lucky. IF for good people you try to make into Hooligans, what would you have if the Hooligans turun padang???
You are lucky BN, very lucky. The entire community is in submission to waytha and the Hindraf 5. other than few MIC scumbags, Even Hooligans are patient not to revoke anger of the Indian community by retaliating.
knowing Hindraf Patience, MIC & BN are trying to create a lashback, will not happen as long as the top leaders are following the principles of Hindraf.
BN you are unlucky because for generations the Indians vote will never come back to you. we will never ever vote for you again. We remember alot
we remember our children being hit by tear gas, our mothers being stampeded by people, oour fathers beaten by your batons. we remember.
we will teach our children and their children.
This is Our history.
You made it: BN
HIDUP RAKYAT!
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written by 1351, October 15, 2008 04:12:40
Only now have I been able to catch up with some reading so heads up Sambulingam for the unpleasant encounter hosted by one Dollah Badawi. And indeed most disheartening to note, the home made card and teddy were confiscated and ripped up.
I have just these plain words for them foul mouth, most ungracious mongrels disguising themselves as PM, Ministers, ranking UMNO shitheads etc. The six year old kid exemplifies better mannerism in her conduct in celebration an occasion not of her faith - clearly, the enemies of the state, the enemies of Islam ALL reside within UMNO. Poster margeemar in her most eloquent Bahasa Malaysia says it best.
MAMPUS UMNO
Casper
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written by 1351, October 15, 2008 04:28:14
Dollah Badawi
You are a disgrace to your father's name. You and your ministers are nothing more than thieving rats and going about the plunder by incitement. Many have not fallen for that and for that, I am doubly proud of my Malay brethens. And since the race bait is not biting, you the so-called anak alim have sanctioned the use of Islam to advance your politics of hate but to pick on a six year old girl has to be a new low for you corrupt UMNO monkeys. I dare say, even the Tun himself would not stoop to such standards.
Go ahead and continue to victimise Hindraf Dollah. Each and every time you do that, I will remind public at large the treatment you afforded six year old Vwaishnavi. I'm almost certain, if Kak Endon were around, she will kick you where it hurts. Celaka punya PEE M. Makkal Sakti.
Casper
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..[[]]..
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
TheStar Letter -PM should abolish the ISA
Monday October 13, 2008
THE decision by Datuk Sri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to step down as Prime Minister by March, though surprising was not unexpected.
Many may feel let down by his premature exit from the political arena especially when there country is plagued with numerous problems.
They would have preferred him to defend his post and remain as PM for a short while more and pursue his promised reforms with more vigour and zeal.
Similarly there are those who are pleased that he finally agreed to make way for others to take over and manage the affairs of the nation more effectively in facing the current challenges.
Nevertheless it was magnanimous of him to give in to the calls of the people to relinquish his post and make way for someone new to succeed him especially when the country is facing tremendous political and economic uncertainties.
Whoever succeeds him will have a monumental task at hand to rebuild the nation to its past glory.
He will have to possess not only all the skills of political manoeuvring but above all the integrity, courage and whole-hearted commitment to bring bold changes for the benefit of the people and nation. Abdullah promised many changes when he took over the premiership in 2003. Despite his honesty and sincerity in wanting to bring changes and reforms for the benefit of the common man, Abdullah met with limited success.
The hardcore political realities prevented him from succeeding in realising his dreams as he would have wanted.
Abdullah has admitted his shortcomings and plans to continue with his unaccomplished tasks during the remaining short period of six months.
He plans to continue with his attempts to reform the judiciary by establishing a Judicial Appointments Commission and a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to strengthen and empower the anti-corruption body.
He wants to set up a Special Complaints Commission to improve the effectiveness of enforcement agencies and organise a Barisan Nasional convention to tackle head-on sensitive inter-communal problems that are threatening to disrupt the peace and harmony in our multi-racial country.
These may be honourable and praiseworthy aims on the part of the outgoing prime minister but time constraints may not allow him to complete these noble tasks before he leaves.
Nevertheless he should boldly push through these reforms with more vigour and zeal in the remaining time he is in office and impress on his successor the need to continue with them fearlessly.
While these reforms may meet tremendous resistance in their implementation and have limited chance for success, one thing that he can definitely succeed in the short time he has is abolishing the draconian Internal Security Act (ISA) and releasing all those detained under the Act.
Repealing the law is not an option but a must as the vast majority of the people oppose it.
Pak Lah still has the time to demonstrate that he listens to the people, whom he claims to love so much.
What the people want now is the immediate release of all ISA detainees and the abolition of the Act altogether.
If he can do that he will at least go done in history as the prime minister who restored greater democracy to the nation and freed the people from the clutches of a repressive law.
THE decision by Datuk Sri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to step down as Prime Minister by March, though surprising was not unexpected.
Many may feel let down by his premature exit from the political arena especially when there country is plagued with numerous problems.
They would have preferred him to defend his post and remain as PM for a short while more and pursue his promised reforms with more vigour and zeal.
Similarly there are those who are pleased that he finally agreed to make way for others to take over and manage the affairs of the nation more effectively in facing the current challenges.
Nevertheless it was magnanimous of him to give in to the calls of the people to relinquish his post and make way for someone new to succeed him especially when the country is facing tremendous political and economic uncertainties.
Whoever succeeds him will have a monumental task at hand to rebuild the nation to its past glory.
He will have to possess not only all the skills of political manoeuvring but above all the integrity, courage and whole-hearted commitment to bring bold changes for the benefit of the people and nation. Abdullah promised many changes when he took over the premiership in 2003. Despite his honesty and sincerity in wanting to bring changes and reforms for the benefit of the common man, Abdullah met with limited success.
The hardcore political realities prevented him from succeeding in realising his dreams as he would have wanted.
Abdullah has admitted his shortcomings and plans to continue with his unaccomplished tasks during the remaining short period of six months.
He plans to continue with his attempts to reform the judiciary by establishing a Judicial Appointments Commission and a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to strengthen and empower the anti-corruption body.
He wants to set up a Special Complaints Commission to improve the effectiveness of enforcement agencies and organise a Barisan Nasional convention to tackle head-on sensitive inter-communal problems that are threatening to disrupt the peace and harmony in our multi-racial country.
These may be honourable and praiseworthy aims on the part of the outgoing prime minister but time constraints may not allow him to complete these noble tasks before he leaves.
Nevertheless he should boldly push through these reforms with more vigour and zeal in the remaining time he is in office and impress on his successor the need to continue with them fearlessly.
While these reforms may meet tremendous resistance in their implementation and have limited chance for success, one thing that he can definitely succeed in the short time he has is abolishing the draconian Internal Security Act (ISA) and releasing all those detained under the Act.
Repealing the law is not an option but a must as the vast majority of the people oppose it.
Pak Lah still has the time to demonstrate that he listens to the people, whom he claims to love so much.
What the people want now is the immediate release of all ISA detainees and the abolition of the Act altogether.
If he can do that he will at least go done in history as the prime minister who restored greater democracy to the nation and freed the people from the clutches of a repressive law.
DR CHRIS ANTHONY,
Butterworth.
..{{}}..
PS from WMP - Challenge to TV3, Utusan, Syed Albar to prove
KENYATAAN AKHBAR
HINDRAF mengutuk TV3 dan Utusan dan Menteri Dalam negeri Syed Hamid Albar yang hanya melemparkan tomahan dan tuduhan melulu dan tidak berasas terhadap niat baik, murni dan ikhlas penyokong HINDRAF yang menziarahi YAB Perdana Menteri di majlis Rumah terbuka sempena meraikan Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Pada 22hb September 2008 suatu permintaan ikhlas telah dibuat untuk menziarahi YAB Perdana Menteri di pejabat beliau dan Setiausaha beliau mengesahkan YAB PM tiada bantahan atas permintaan tersebut.
Seramai lebih 500 orang penyokong HINDRAF telah menghadiri majlis tersebut tetapi kurang daripada 50 penyokong dibenarkan bersalaman dengan YAB PM. Kami datang dengan niat ikhlas dengan semangat Maaf Zahir Batin disamping merayu supaya PM membebaskan semua tahanan ISA di hari mulia ini. TV3 dan Utusan dengan sengaja mengapi-apikan semangat perkauman dengan tujuan menimbulkan kebencian masyarakat Islam terhadap masyarakat India. Sekiranya benar tohamah tomahan mereka mengapa mereka tidak berani menayangkan gambar dan klip yang kononnya penyokong HINDRAF bersikap biadap dan kurang ajar.
Disebaliknya kami mempunyai bukti kukuh yang menunjukkan yang YAB Perdana menteri , Timbalan beliau dan ramai lagi menteri-menteri kabinet yang senyum panjang dan menerima salamam penyokong Hindraf dengan hati terbuka dengan semangat maaf zahir dan batin.
Memang benar disamping ucapan ikhlas tersebut penyokong Hindraf merayu agar semua tahanan ISA dibebaskan. Apakah rayuan ini boleh dianggap mencemar agama Islam? Motif Utusan dan TV3 mengapikan sentimen perkauman dan agama harus dikutuk oleh semua lapisan masyarakat Malaysia.
HINDARF membuat rayuan bagi semua tahanan ISA termasuk mereka yang dituduh kumpulan extremis dan pengganas Islam JI. HINDRAF mengambil kira kebajikan semua masyarakat apabila membuat rayuan tersebut kepada YAB PM.
Tahanan kami cuma 5 orang tetapi ramai anak-anak Islam, isteri-isteri Islam, bapa dan Ibu Islam yang menyambut hari Raya tanpa anak, bapa dan suami terkasih mereka. Apakah niat murni HINDRAF ini harus diputar belitkan dengan tuduhan yang kami mengancam dan menghina Agama Islam??
Kami mencabar Utusan dan TV3 agar menayangkan rakaman mereka dengan segera bagi membuktikan tuduhan mereka atau sebaliknya meminta maaf kepada masyarakat berbilang kaum di Malaysia kerana menimbulkan ketegangan perpaduan.
Yang anehnya berpuluh puluh lagi wartawan asing dan dalam negeri dengan krew TV mereka langsung tidak memaparkan atau menuduh HINDRAF biadap dalam laporan mereka.
P.Waytha Moorthy
Pengerusi
HINDRAF
Friday, October 10, 2008
Mkini letter- Abolish ISA, the reform-killer
Collin Abraham Oct 9, 08 11:27am
It is well established that the Internal Security Act (ISA) should be abolished on grounds of violation of fundamental human and legal rights, enshrined for the legal and constitutional protection of Malaysians.
However, it is considered insufficient and indeed unrealistic, to call for its abolition purely on these grounds alone.For these basic rights to be effectively and meaningfully implemented through the apparatus of government and bureaucratic system, it is a necessary condition that avenues for social reforms should be facilitated and enhanced.The ISA, in being used by the government as an instrument to deny and suppress possibilities for reform, has laid the authorities open to the accusation that they have deliberately stifled social change to maintain the status quo in the interests of the ruling class We do not need to be reminded that even in a practising democracy, it is said that ‘all power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely’ .
Therefore, there is no question that on this basis alone - because it is essentially a reform-killer - the ISA must be abolished in toto.But there is also an equally important dimension to take into account - that the use of the ISA to block and suppress reform is inimical to the effective functioning of a multi-cultural society where reforms are inherently essential and fundamental to nation-building. Given the complex process of accommodating inter-ethnic and intra-ethnic interests that overlap and override social class and racial identities in such societies, it can be fatal to their maintenance and even survival if such permutations and combinations fail to be satisfactorily overcome. Indeed, some published works have drawn attention to situations in contemporary Malaysia where such accommodations have failed to achieve the desired objectives because of the use of the ISA.I have previously written about two important ‘cases’ as being particularly relevant.
I am grateful to (former de facto law minister) Zaid Ibrahim for including these situations in his Open Letter to the Prime Minister calling for the ISA to be abolished. By so doing, he has given credibility and indeed legitimacy to these situations in a manner that only he could give.
The two scenarios are the cases of Dr Burhanuddin Al-Helmi and that of certain leaders of the reform movement known as Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf). In both situations the ISA was used to detain them.Each situation essentially involved leaders calling for reform in the political economy and it is important to present the cases in some detail, as an analysis within a wider perspective of the ISA.
Dr Burhanuddin Al-Helmi
(Former premier) Dr Mahathir Mohamad wrote the lead foreword to my book ‘The Finest Hour: Malaysian - MCP Peace Accord in Perspective’. In it, he emphasised the defining and pivotal role played in the independence struggle by leaders of Islamic political parties such as Burhanuddin.
Mahathir recognised that these anti-colonial resistance movements were “unanimous that despite the negative impact that the immigrant communities had in working within the colonial economy against that of the indigenous economy, this was due to no fault of their own, and that therefore, the non-Malay should find a place in an independent free Malaya”.But more importantly Burhanuddin clearly argued that reforms were essential to forge a sense of common identity among Malayans if political independence was to be meaningfully achieved. Therefore the status of ‘non’ applying to any locals would be unacceptable. He accordingly called for a distinction to be made between bangsa (race) and kebangsaan (nationality) so that the citizenship status of ‘Melayu’ becomes jointly available to both Malays and non-Malays.
Burhanuddin’s call for such reforms for the “integrity of our national existence’ was unanimously endorsed by the Constitutional Commission comprising Putera and AMCJA (interestingly including Tan Cheng Lock representing the Chinese Chambers of Commerce).The calls for reform will be recognised in the forthcoming publication of my Malaysian Chapter of the World Wide Encyclopedia on Protest and Revolution by Blackwell (Oxford) in January.
Hindraf movement
In his ‘open letter’ Zaid also made the comment that the government had yet to provide any evidence that the detained leaders of Hindraf movement had anything to do with “terrorist activities”. On this basis, and considering the enourmous negative public concern over their continued detention, the government has opened itself to the charge that they are being held due to the widespread call for reform, particularly for the marginalised and powerless groups among low-income groups in all communities.However, it needs to be pointed out in no uncertain terms that the demand for such reforms is not new. There has been a consistent and significant amount of published material on the need for reforms that pre-date to at least the early 1960s.The problem is that neither the government nor its delegated agencies - such as the former ministry and department of national unity - seem to have given any attention to these well researched reports and recommendations because of their lack of capacity and capability to meaningfully implement these, let alone understand the meaning and significance for nation-building and national unity.It is not proposed to repeat details of some of the more important publications here for the simple reason that anyone seriously concerned and interested in calling for a review of the continued detention of the leaders with a view to their unconditional release had better do their home work before presenting the case to the prime minister.Zaid himself had made an excellent case on the meaning and significance of the Hindraf movement in his article entitled ‘Fresh Thinking Needed’ in his recent book titled ‘In Good Faith’. I have also attempted a holistic appraisal of the entire ‘Indian Question’ and Hindraf, with particular reference to the dire and urgent need for reforms in the books titled ‘Speaking Out: Insights into Contemporary Malaysian Issues’ (Utusan 2006) and ‘Speaking Out Loud For National Unity: Social Change and Nation-building in Contemporary Malaysia’ (Sird 2008).I believe that the titles of the topics covered especially in the Utusan publication will give readers an insight into the nature and extent of the problems, with suggestions and recommendations as to what might be done to hopefully overcome some of the problems.
The titles are:
- The Curtain Falls on the Malaysian
- Indian Estate Community: From Coolie Rubber Tapper-to-Squatter-to-Gangster
- Evacuation from the Estates: A Case for Urban Proletarianization?
- Indian-Malaysian ‘Gangsterism’: Reform the Estate Stucture
- New Thinking Vital to Create a Viable Plantation Sector
Relevant articles in the SIRD publication are;
- Uprising Against the System
- Not the Government- Help All Deprived Groups
- Open Letter to the Prime Minister
This is not the place to enter into a deliberation on the question of ‘predicting’ or ‘prescribing’ certain outcomes in social issues and problems. However, I am taking the liberty of suggesting that had the government should have given serious consideration to the plight of the marginalised low-income and powerless groups. Had it done so, the Hindraf movement would not have evolved the way it has.
_______________________________________________________________
DR COLLIN ABRAHAM holds a doctorate in race relations from Oxford. Initially a civil servant attached to the welfare ministry, he later undertook research projects with the rural development ministry and economic planning unit. He was seconded to Universiti Sains Malaysia as associate professor in sociology and, more recently, visiting fellow. He is currently pro-tem president of the Malaysian Association of Social Impact Assessors.
It is well established that the Internal Security Act (ISA) should be abolished on grounds of violation of fundamental human and legal rights, enshrined for the legal and constitutional protection of Malaysians.
However, it is considered insufficient and indeed unrealistic, to call for its abolition purely on these grounds alone.For these basic rights to be effectively and meaningfully implemented through the apparatus of government and bureaucratic system, it is a necessary condition that avenues for social reforms should be facilitated and enhanced.The ISA, in being used by the government as an instrument to deny and suppress possibilities for reform, has laid the authorities open to the accusation that they have deliberately stifled social change to maintain the status quo in the interests of the ruling class We do not need to be reminded that even in a practising democracy, it is said that ‘all power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely’ .
Therefore, there is no question that on this basis alone - because it is essentially a reform-killer - the ISA must be abolished in toto.But there is also an equally important dimension to take into account - that the use of the ISA to block and suppress reform is inimical to the effective functioning of a multi-cultural society where reforms are inherently essential and fundamental to nation-building. Given the complex process of accommodating inter-ethnic and intra-ethnic interests that overlap and override social class and racial identities in such societies, it can be fatal to their maintenance and even survival if such permutations and combinations fail to be satisfactorily overcome. Indeed, some published works have drawn attention to situations in contemporary Malaysia where such accommodations have failed to achieve the desired objectives because of the use of the ISA.I have previously written about two important ‘cases’ as being particularly relevant.
I am grateful to (former de facto law minister) Zaid Ibrahim for including these situations in his Open Letter to the Prime Minister calling for the ISA to be abolished. By so doing, he has given credibility and indeed legitimacy to these situations in a manner that only he could give.The two scenarios are the cases of Dr Burhanuddin Al-Helmi and that of certain leaders of the reform movement known as Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf). In both situations the ISA was used to detain them.Each situation essentially involved leaders calling for reform in the political economy and it is important to present the cases in some detail, as an analysis within a wider perspective of the ISA.
Dr Burhanuddin Al-Helmi
(Former premier) Dr Mahathir Mohamad wrote the lead foreword to my book ‘The Finest Hour: Malaysian - MCP Peace Accord in Perspective’. In it, he emphasised the defining and pivotal role played in the independence struggle by leaders of Islamic political parties such as Burhanuddin.
Mahathir recognised that these anti-colonial resistance movements were “unanimous that despite the negative impact that the immigrant communities had in working within the colonial economy against that of the indigenous economy, this was due to no fault of their own, and that therefore, the non-Malay should find a place in an independent free Malaya”.But more importantly Burhanuddin clearly argued that reforms were essential to forge a sense of common identity among Malayans if political independence was to be meaningfully achieved. Therefore the status of ‘non’ applying to any locals would be unacceptable. He accordingly called for a distinction to be made between bangsa (race) and kebangsaan (nationality) so that the citizenship status of ‘Melayu’ becomes jointly available to both Malays and non-Malays.
Burhanuddin’s call for such reforms for the “integrity of our national existence’ was unanimously endorsed by the Constitutional Commission comprising Putera and AMCJA (interestingly including Tan Cheng Lock representing the Chinese Chambers of Commerce).The calls for reform will be recognised in the forthcoming publication of my Malaysian Chapter of the World Wide Encyclopedia on Protest and Revolution by Blackwell (Oxford) in January.
Hindraf movement
In his ‘open letter’ Zaid also made the comment that the government had yet to provide any evidence that the detained leaders of Hindraf movement had anything to do with “terrorist activities”. On this basis, and considering the enourmous negative public concern over their continued detention, the government has opened itself to the charge that they are being held due to the widespread call for reform, particularly for the marginalised and powerless groups among low-income groups in all communities.However, it needs to be pointed out in no uncertain terms that the demand for such reforms is not new. There has been a consistent and significant amount of published material on the need for reforms that pre-date to at least the early 1960s.The problem is that neither the government nor its delegated agencies - such as the former ministry and department of national unity - seem to have given any attention to these well researched reports and recommendations because of their lack of capacity and capability to meaningfully implement these, let alone understand the meaning and significance for nation-building and national unity.It is not proposed to repeat details of some of the more important publications here for the simple reason that anyone seriously concerned and interested in calling for a review of the continued detention of the leaders with a view to their unconditional release had better do their home work before presenting the case to the prime minister.Zaid himself had made an excellent case on the meaning and significance of the Hindraf movement in his article entitled ‘Fresh Thinking Needed’ in his recent book titled ‘In Good Faith’. I have also attempted a holistic appraisal of the entire ‘Indian Question’ and Hindraf, with particular reference to the dire and urgent need for reforms in the books titled ‘Speaking Out: Insights into Contemporary Malaysian Issues’ (Utusan 2006) and ‘Speaking Out Loud For National Unity: Social Change and Nation-building in Contemporary Malaysia’ (Sird 2008).I believe that the titles of the topics covered especially in the Utusan publication will give readers an insight into the nature and extent of the problems, with suggestions and recommendations as to what might be done to hopefully overcome some of the problems.
The titles are:
- The Curtain Falls on the Malaysian
- Indian Estate Community: From Coolie Rubber Tapper-to-Squatter-to-Gangster
- Evacuation from the Estates: A Case for Urban Proletarianization?
- Indian-Malaysian ‘Gangsterism’: Reform the Estate Stucture
- New Thinking Vital to Create a Viable Plantation Sector
Relevant articles in the SIRD publication are;
- Uprising Against the System
- Not the Government- Help All Deprived Groups
- Open Letter to the Prime Minister
This is not the place to enter into a deliberation on the question of ‘predicting’ or ‘prescribing’ certain outcomes in social issues and problems. However, I am taking the liberty of suggesting that had the government should have given serious consideration to the plight of the marginalised low-income and powerless groups. Had it done so, the Hindraf movement would not have evolved the way it has.
_______________________________________________________________
DR COLLIN ABRAHAM holds a doctorate in race relations from Oxford. Initially a civil servant attached to the welfare ministry, he later undertook research projects with the rural development ministry and economic planning unit. He was seconded to Universiti Sains Malaysia as associate professor in sociology and, more recently, visiting fellow. He is currently pro-tem president of the Malaysian Association of Social Impact Assessors.
Mkini Letter -Hindraf has just causes to be aggrieved
Stephen Ng Oct 10, 08 5:23pm
I refer to the Malaysiakini report Hindraf-bashing 'politically motivated'.I am not a Hindraf activist nor am I condoning their actions over what was allegedly a commotion that they had caused during the festive celebration at the Putra World Trade Centre.However, as a fellow Malaysian struggling to understand why certain people behave in a certain manner, I can fully understand why they are an aggrieved lot.
It is reported that 27 Hindu temples, which are sacred to them, have been demolished over the years. In their opinion, the government has sidelined them, and unless they create some ‘noise’, no one would even pay attention to their plight.Five of their leaders are still under ISA detention. Muslims are told to forgive each other in the spirit of the Raya celebrations but as Deepavalli is round the corner, the families of the five Hindraf activists have to embrace the prospect of not being able to celebrate Deepavalli with these detainees.
Sadness will be turned into anger, and many observers like us would throw our arm around them and say, ‘Yes, we understand your predicament. We are with you, brothers!
’Politics aside, when the Hindraf supporters turned up at the prime minister’s open house, they had good intentions else, they would not have brought flowers and bring the daughter of one of the ISA detainees to present them to Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.No matter how good their intentions are, a slight provocation may have caused some of them to lash out; hence, the commotion which is what we see happening.
For Umno Youth Selangor to call for stern action against the Hindraf supporters, it is again a show of arrogance and intolerance. It is this same attitude that has distanced Umno from the majority of Malaysians, as seen from the last political tsunami. Just as the Hari Raya celebrations are important to any Muslim, the demolition of Hindu temples has indeed caused grievances to the Indian community in the past.
It is time that the government solve this issue by approving proper land for non-Muslim religious groups as what the Selangor government has done recently. Without this, it is no point of talking about respecting each other’s religion. If the Pakatan state government can immediately remedy this situation, what more at the federal level. The issues should be dealt with more care and tact.
..{{}}..
I refer to the Malaysiakini report Hindraf-bashing 'politically motivated'.I am not a Hindraf activist nor am I condoning their actions over what was allegedly a commotion that they had caused during the festive celebration at the Putra World Trade Centre.However, as a fellow Malaysian struggling to understand why certain people behave in a certain manner, I can fully understand why they are an aggrieved lot.
It is reported that 27 Hindu temples, which are sacred to them, have been demolished over the years. In their opinion, the government has sidelined them, and unless they create some ‘noise’, no one would even pay attention to their plight.Five of their leaders are still under ISA detention. Muslims are told to forgive each other in the spirit of the Raya celebrations but as Deepavalli is round the corner, the families of the five Hindraf activists have to embrace the prospect of not being able to celebrate Deepavalli with these detainees.
Sadness will be turned into anger, and many observers like us would throw our arm around them and say, ‘Yes, we understand your predicament. We are with you, brothers!
’Politics aside, when the Hindraf supporters turned up at the prime minister’s open house, they had good intentions else, they would not have brought flowers and bring the daughter of one of the ISA detainees to present them to Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.No matter how good their intentions are, a slight provocation may have caused some of them to lash out; hence, the commotion which is what we see happening.For Umno Youth Selangor to call for stern action against the Hindraf supporters, it is again a show of arrogance and intolerance. It is this same attitude that has distanced Umno from the majority of Malaysians, as seen from the last political tsunami. Just as the Hari Raya celebrations are important to any Muslim, the demolition of Hindu temples has indeed caused grievances to the Indian community in the past.
It is time that the government solve this issue by approving proper land for non-Muslim religious groups as what the Selangor government has done recently. Without this, it is no point of talking about respecting each other’s religion. If the Pakatan state government can immediately remedy this situation, what more at the federal level. The issues should be dealt with more care and tact.
..{{}}..
Mkini- Hindraf Raya visit: 'Stop whining' said Charles Santiago
Oct 8, 08 11:47am
DAP parliamentarian Charles Santiago today called on political leaders to stop whining about Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders and supporters being present at the premier’s Hari Raya open house last week.The opposition politician also found it amusing that Abdullah Ahmad Badawi - who holds the top job in the country - is disappointed that a group of people approached him to request for the release of the Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees during the open house."But when the prime minister laments that Hindraf supporters failed to shake hands and extend Hari Raya greetings to him and his cabinet colleagues, he sounds downright pathetic."Abdullah needs to understand that the action of Hindraf activists is part of the democratic process. He must also be educated that the chanting of slogans by Hindraf supporters is all about the freedom of expression, which is in short supply in Malaysia," he said in a statement today.
Santiago also took a swipe at MIC president S Samy Vellu who expressed concerned that the activists had undermined his efforts to secure the release of the ISA-detained Hindraf leaders."Instead of being an apologist for Abdullah and his government, Samy Vellu should gather enough courage to demand for the repeal of the ISA which allows for indefinite detention without trial, following the examples of MCA, Gerakan and the PPP," he said.
'Not an Indian issue'
Human Resources Minister and MIC secretary-general deputy minister Dr S Subramaniam had also irked the Klang MP by saying that the presence of Hindraf members at the open house went against Indian culture."This is an absolutely ridiculous assertion, more so as it comes from a smart man like Subramaniam. Since when does fighting for basic rights and liberties violate any culture?" he asked.
Santiago then turned his attention to independent MP Ibrahim Ali, who had threatened to protest over the Hindraf visit."Maybe he does not realise that resorting to the ancient tactic of racial politics has no place in Malaysia anymore."I urge Ibrahim to stop seeing the detention of Hindraf leaders as an Indian issue but a Malaysian one and request Muslim groups not to regard the attendance of Hindraf members at the open house as a sign of disrespect to Muslims," he said."
Let's not start twisting the real issues and fashion them to instigate racial problems in the country. The ISA is way off its expiry date and redundant in a modern democracy. "But the ruling government uses it as an easy tool to create a climate of fear and head off threats to its leadership," he added.
..[[]]..
Mkini- Revoke Utusan's permit, PM urged
Oct 10, 08 4:15pm
Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader P Waythamoorthy has written to premier Abdullah Ahmad Abdullah to complain that Umno-owned daily
Utusan Malaysia has been “inciting hatred” against Indian Malaysians.And he has demanded that the annual publishing and printing permit of the Malay-language daily should be revoked, using ministerial powers in the Printing and Publications Act 1984.
Waythamoorthy, who is living in London in self-imposed exile, was reacting strongly to a series of articles in the newspaper since a group of Hindraf supporters made their presence felt during the ministerial Hari Raya ‘open house’ on Oct 1.
Abdullah has since reprimanded the group for being noisy and causing “a lot of unhappiness” among guests by allegedly demanding the abolition of the Internal Security Act (ISA) and release of detainees including five of the movement’s leaders.Utusan and private television station TV3 have been singled out by the movement’s supporters as having been unfair in their coverage of the event and subsequent comments by Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar among others.“Utusan Malaysia has been doing this for years and (it) is the main stumbling block to racial unity, racial integration, co-existence and a peaceful and harmonious Malaysia,”
Waythamoorthy alleged in his letter, a copy of which was made available to Malaysiakini.“It is plain and obvious that Hindraf’s (attendance at) the prime minister’s Hari Raya open house… is a case of making a mountain out of an ant [sic] hill… “Utusan is trying to incite Malay Muslim hatred for Indians. (It) is threatening the Indian minority with violence by the Malay Muslim majority or setting the tone for the same.”He also claimed that the newspaper is carrying out a vendetta against Hindraf in order to “divert attention from Umno’s leadership tussle”. “
The headlines, front page stories, editorials, articles and letters indicate incitement of racial and religious sentiments against the Indians, when all we asked for was the release of all the detainees and for the ISA to be abolished,” he said.
Nevertheless, Waythamoorthy said the daily’s efforts to portray Hindraf in negative light will not succeed as the majority of the Muslims understand “the genuine reason” for the Hari Raya visit.He noted that Indian Malaysian minority groups are fighting for their rights, equality and equal opportunities in a peaceful manner.
'Broadcast the footage'
Waythamoorthy said that, on Sept 22, “a sincere request to visit the prime minister” had been submitted to his office and that the secretary assured that there was no objection to the visit.“More than 500 supporters attended the function but less than 50 were allowed to greet the prime minister. We went there with sincere intentions in the spirit of forgiveness and to appeal to the premier to release all ISA detainees.
“TV3 and Utusan purposely exacerbated racial sentiments…if the allegations are true why (isn’t TV3) brave enough to play the video clip that supposedly showed Hindraf supporters behaving insolently?”“We challenge (TV3) to show their video recording to prove their allegations or seek forgiveness from the people of Malaysia for straining our unity.”Hindraf, he said, has strong evidence to show that the premier, his deputy and many others were “smiling widely” and “accepted greetings” from the supporters.
“Hindraf took the (opportunity) to appeal for (the release of) all ISA detainees inclusive of those accused of extremism and terrorism,” he added.“There are only five of our detainees but many more Muslim children, Muslim wives and Muslim parents who celebrated Hari Raya without their parents, spouses and children.”
The Hindraf 5, arrested on Dec 13 last year, are among some 80 detainees being held for at least two years without trial at the Kamunting detention camp in Perak. The ISA provides for the detention order to be renewed indefinitely.
When contacted, an editorial assistant from Utusan refused to comment, instead asking for a written request. No one from TV3 however could be contacted for comment.
Police record information
In a related development, blogger P Surind Raj said he had reported, as requested, to the Jalan Dang Wangi police station this afternoon where he was asked about the conduct of the Hindraf supporters at the ‘open house’.
“The police officer, Sydney Clyde Jeremiah, said the information is to assist with investigation into the incident,” said Surind.He also said lawyers Amarjit Sidhu and Haris Ibrahim had been similarly questioned today.“We were basically asked simple questions like whether we saw them (Hindraf) and whether there was any commotion,” said Surind.Surind said he had gone to the event as an individual, even though he was wearing a T-shirt with a ‘Free RPK’ slogan, in reference to blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin who has been detained for two years under the ISA
.
..(())..
Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader P Waythamoorthy has written to premier Abdullah Ahmad Abdullah to complain that Umno-owned daily
Utusan Malaysia has been “inciting hatred” against Indian Malaysians.And he has demanded that the annual publishing and printing permit of the Malay-language daily should be revoked, using ministerial powers in the Printing and Publications Act 1984.
Waythamoorthy, who is living in London in self-imposed exile, was reacting strongly to a series of articles in the newspaper since a group of Hindraf supporters made their presence felt during the ministerial Hari Raya ‘open house’ on Oct 1.Abdullah has since reprimanded the group for being noisy and causing “a lot of unhappiness” among guests by allegedly demanding the abolition of the Internal Security Act (ISA) and release of detainees including five of the movement’s leaders.Utusan and private television station TV3 have been singled out by the movement’s supporters as having been unfair in their coverage of the event and subsequent comments by Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar among others.“Utusan Malaysia has been doing this for years and (it) is the main stumbling block to racial unity, racial integration, co-existence and a peaceful and harmonious Malaysia,”
Waythamoorthy alleged in his letter, a copy of which was made available to Malaysiakini.“It is plain and obvious that Hindraf’s (attendance at) the prime minister’s Hari Raya open house… is a case of making a mountain out of an ant [sic] hill… “Utusan is trying to incite Malay Muslim hatred for Indians. (It) is threatening the Indian minority with violence by the Malay Muslim majority or setting the tone for the same.”He also claimed that the newspaper is carrying out a vendetta against Hindraf in order to “divert attention from Umno’s leadership tussle”. “
The headlines, front page stories, editorials, articles and letters indicate incitement of racial and religious sentiments against the Indians, when all we asked for was the release of all the detainees and for the ISA to be abolished,” he said.
Nevertheless, Waythamoorthy said the daily’s efforts to portray Hindraf in negative light will not succeed as the majority of the Muslims understand “the genuine reason” for the Hari Raya visit.He noted that Indian Malaysian minority groups are fighting for their rights, equality and equal opportunities in a peaceful manner.
'Broadcast the footage'
Waythamoorthy said that, on Sept 22, “a sincere request to visit the prime minister” had been submitted to his office and that the secretary assured that there was no objection to the visit.“More than 500 supporters attended the function but less than 50 were allowed to greet the prime minister. We went there with sincere intentions in the spirit of forgiveness and to appeal to the premier to release all ISA detainees.
“TV3 and Utusan purposely exacerbated racial sentiments…if the allegations are true why (isn’t TV3) brave enough to play the video clip that supposedly showed Hindraf supporters behaving insolently?”“We challenge (TV3) to show their video recording to prove their allegations or seek forgiveness from the people of Malaysia for straining our unity.”Hindraf, he said, has strong evidence to show that the premier, his deputy and many others were “smiling widely” and “accepted greetings” from the supporters.
“Hindraf took the (opportunity) to appeal for (the release of) all ISA detainees inclusive of those accused of extremism and terrorism,” he added.“There are only five of our detainees but many more Muslim children, Muslim wives and Muslim parents who celebrated Hari Raya without their parents, spouses and children.”
The Hindraf 5, arrested on Dec 13 last year, are among some 80 detainees being held for at least two years without trial at the Kamunting detention camp in Perak. The ISA provides for the detention order to be renewed indefinitely.
When contacted, an editorial assistant from Utusan refused to comment, instead asking for a written request. No one from TV3 however could be contacted for comment.
Police record information
In a related development, blogger P Surind Raj said he had reported, as requested, to the Jalan Dang Wangi police station this afternoon where he was asked about the conduct of the Hindraf supporters at the ‘open house’.
“The police officer, Sydney Clyde Jeremiah, said the information is to assist with investigation into the incident,” said Surind.He also said lawyers Amarjit Sidhu and Haris Ibrahim had been similarly questioned today.“We were basically asked simple questions like whether we saw them (Hindraf) and whether there was any commotion,” said Surind.Surind said he had gone to the event as an individual, even though he was wearing a T-shirt with a ‘Free RPK’ slogan, in reference to blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin who has been detained for two years under the ISA
...(())..
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Mkini-Hindraf-bashing 'politically motivated'
Andrew Ong | Oct 8, 08 5:11pm
A Malay-language daily’s continuing condemnation of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) is politically motivated, claimed coordinator RS Thanenthiran.
Utusan Malaysia today front-paged calls for action against Hindraf supporters who were allegedly unruly at the ministerial Hari Raya ‘open house’ last Wednesday at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur.
The report entitled ‘Tegas tangani Hindraf’ (Deal firmly with Hindraf) quoted several individuals who called on the government to take action.
Reacting to this, Thanenthiran said: “Umno elections are around the corner. Now, they are condemning Hindraf to get Malay support...(Utusan) is trying to please its political owners.”
He claimed that the daily did not present a true picture of what transpired at the event and did not contacted Hindraf representatives for clarification either.
Information coordinator S Jayathas said photographs of the event would be sufficient to prove that the movement’s supporters had not misbehaved.
“They should go to our website and see the photos. These show very clearly that everything was done in a peaceful way. It is not our culture to create havoc in other people’s house,” he said.
On suggestions in the Utusan report that Hindraf was being rude to the Malays and Islam, Jayathas said it was a non-issue because the movement merely used the opportunity to ask Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to repeal the Internal Security Act (ISA).
“How can they say that we are racist? In what way? We are just asking for the ISA to be abolished,” he said.
When they eventually met Abdullah on Oct 1, Hindraf activists presented him with a teddy bear and a Hari Raya card which contained their plea for abolition of the ISA.
‘Absurd suggestion’
Defending the activists, Hindraf legal advisor N Surendran, alleged that it was the police who had acted in an unruly manner that day.
“They were intimidating and threatening to arrest people who came to participate in the ‘open house’. They (initially) prevented the Hindraf supporters from entering the venue.
“One even asked P Waythamoothy’s (Hindraf chairperson-in-exile) wife to remove her t-shirt (which carried a Hindraf logo),” he said.
Surendran said Hindraf has become the victim of a harsh campaign to incite hatred against the movement and Indian Malaysians.
“They creating something out of absolutely nothing. Absolutely nothing violent happen during ‘open house’ (at) an open venue. Nothing wrong with that in a democracy,” he said.
On Home Ministry secretary-general Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof’s suggestion that Hindraf be ‘banned’, Surendran said that the statement was “absurd” and without justification.
“(Hindraf) is not a terrorist or armed movement. It is a mass movement of citizens calling for social improvement - not just for Indians, but all marginalised communities,” he added.
Although Hindraf is not a registered body, Surendran argued that the movement exists by virtue of Article 10 of the Federal Constitution which guarantees the right to freedom of association.
A Malay-language daily’s continuing condemnation of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) is politically motivated, claimed coordinator RS Thanenthiran.
Utusan Malaysia today front-paged calls for action against Hindraf supporters who were allegedly unruly at the ministerial Hari Raya ‘open house’ last Wednesday at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur.
The report entitled ‘Tegas tangani Hindraf’ (Deal firmly with Hindraf) quoted several individuals who called on the government to take action.
Reacting to this, Thanenthiran said: “Umno elections are around the corner. Now, they are condemning Hindraf to get Malay support...(Utusan) is trying to please its political owners.”
He claimed that the daily did not present a true picture of what transpired at the event and did not contacted Hindraf representatives for clarification either.
Information coordinator S Jayathas said photographs of the event would be sufficient to prove that the movement’s supporters had not misbehaved.
“They should go to our website and see the photos. These show very clearly that everything was done in a peaceful way. It is not our culture to create havoc in other people’s house,” he said.
On suggestions in the Utusan report that Hindraf was being rude to the Malays and Islam, Jayathas said it was a non-issue because the movement merely used the opportunity to ask Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to repeal the Internal Security Act (ISA).
“How can they say that we are racist? In what way? We are just asking for the ISA to be abolished,” he said.
When they eventually met Abdullah on Oct 1, Hindraf activists presented him with a teddy bear and a Hari Raya card which contained their plea for abolition of the ISA.
‘Absurd suggestion’
Defending the activists, Hindraf legal advisor N Surendran, alleged that it was the police who had acted in an unruly manner that day.
“They were intimidating and threatening to arrest people who came to participate in the ‘open house’. They (initially) prevented the Hindraf supporters from entering the venue.
“One even asked P Waythamoothy’s (Hindraf chairperson-in-exile) wife to remove her t-shirt (which carried a Hindraf logo),” he said.
Surendran said Hindraf has become the victim of a harsh campaign to incite hatred against the movement and Indian Malaysians.
“They creating something out of absolutely nothing. Absolutely nothing violent happen during ‘open house’ (at) an open venue. Nothing wrong with that in a democracy,” he said.
On Home Ministry secretary-general Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof’s suggestion that Hindraf be ‘banned’, Surendran said that the statement was “absurd” and without justification.
“(Hindraf) is not a terrorist or armed movement. It is a mass movement of citizens calling for social improvement - not just for Indians, but all marginalised communities,” he added.
Although Hindraf is not a registered body, Surendran argued that the movement exists by virtue of Article 10 of the Federal Constitution which guarantees the right to freedom of association.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
PWTC Raya Open House - Actual Story in Pics
UMNO’s cowardly media campaign against HINDRAF.
So visiting the PM on a Hari Raya (Eid) is a grave sin committed by HINDRAF. An act of betrayal and insult to the Islamic religion – the masterminds should be arrested under the ISA or prosecuted under the existing Laws - so say the Malay extremist and fundamentalists organisations. Cabinet Ministers claim HINDRAF was extreme in barging into the PM’s open house and presenting a memorandum. Their seditious criticisms’ were carried out by the none other than the UMNO controlled daily Utusan and TV3.
So it was a grave sin. I challenge these fools to obtain evidence from over 30 odd TV crews and pressmen (both local and International media) and the numerous Police Special Branch units who covered , recorded and filmed the entire episode to make public their recordings so that the whole world could see the foolishness and low mentality of Malaysian politicians and their UMNO coolies who stir up racial sentiments for their own political survival.
There is no doubt that whenever there are serious problems within UMNO, the best solution (idiotic though) is to stir racial tension among races. UMNO creates problems and misleads the public with the strength and might of their media.
Let us see the pictures below which our supporters recorded.
It is for you to judge whether HINDRAF presence at PM’S OPEN HOUSE IS as an INSULT TO ISLAM ?
This card is interpreted by the Cabinet Ministers as memorandum. I wonder if they know what they are talking about. The simplest greeting card prepared by a 6 year old with the help of adult to express the feeling of HINDRAF supporters to the PM-And this is interpreted as an insult to the Islamic faith???
“Salam Aidilfitri,
Semoga di hari mulia ini YAB akan diberkati rahmat Tuhan dan membebaskan semua tahanan ISA dan mendengar rintihan masyarakat India di bumi tercinta Malaysia.
Maaf Zahir batin”
The above wordings meant as follows,
“Happy Eid,
May in this auspicious day the Almighty bless you Mr PM and may you release all ISA detainees and hear the tears of the Indian community in this beloved Malaysia.
Seek Forgive and Forget"
So the above were interpreted as extreme by UMNO Ministers and their coolie NGO’s ??
Hey look onto the eyes of these kids. Don’t you see excitement and hope in their eyes. Excitement and hope that they are part of the change that are about to happen in the history of Malaysia. Look at this on the
above kid. Isn’t this “look Of hopes”??
Hey you came with hope too. You look so excited!! To see the PM eh!!!
You sure the UMNO Ministers have the intelligence to understand this ?? careful you might be termed extremist!!!.
The excitement of signing the card for PM!!!
The future generation taking part in today’ s campaign.
They came in hope but then came the naughty uncles to snatch the Raya (Eid) cards away. Apparently it contained “seditious materials” and its contents were a Threat to National Security!!!!!!!!!!
Poor Hindraf parent tried their best to rescue the creative greeting card made by the children.
The end product of the card and the disappointed fathers- children in tears and sadness.
How do we explain to them??????
HINDRAF well wishers queued accordingly contrary to what UMNO claims Under watchful eyes of police.
Contrary to media report HINDRAF supporters never went 4 the food but queued orderly to greet the PM
Now let us see how the Police are comfortable with HINDRAF
Hey everyone look comfortable.
Well looks like HISHAMUDIN & MRS never had problems with HINDRAF wishes. All in Good Aidilfitri spirits.
Pak Lah & Najib never had any problems RPK supporters wishing them. No insult to Islam!!!!!!!
MRS HINDRAF and Vwaishnawi wishes the PM and Najib looks on with all smiles. Sorry folks photo not clear.
Pak Lah accepted the wishes with smile and open heart. Najib is surely delighted!!!!!
Now now!!
HINDRAF’s sincere wishes to PM is manipulated as using kids for political purpose and insulting Islam by NGO’s linked to UMNO.
THEY COULD USE THE ENTIRE MEDIA TO TARNISH HINDRAF BUT THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES.
HINDRAF WILL NEVER GIVE UP.
OURS IS JUST AND DEMOCRATIC STRUGGLE.
THE NEO PASSIVE DEMOCRATISATION "REVOLUTION" BEGINS
So visiting the PM on a Hari Raya (Eid) is a grave sin committed by HINDRAF. An act of betrayal and insult to the Islamic religion – the masterminds should be arrested under the ISA or prosecuted under the existing Laws - so say the Malay extremist and fundamentalists organisations. Cabinet Ministers claim HINDRAF was extreme in barging into the PM’s open house and presenting a memorandum. Their seditious criticisms’ were carried out by the none other than the UMNO controlled daily Utusan and TV3.
So it was a grave sin. I challenge these fools to obtain evidence from over 30 odd TV crews and pressmen (both local and International media) and the numerous Police Special Branch units who covered , recorded and filmed the entire episode to make public their recordings so that the whole world could see the foolishness and low mentality of Malaysian politicians and their UMNO coolies who stir up racial sentiments for their own political survival.
There is no doubt that whenever there are serious problems within UMNO, the best solution (idiotic though) is to stir racial tension among races. UMNO creates problems and misleads the public with the strength and might of their media.
Let us see the pictures below which our supporters recorded.
It is for you to judge whether HINDRAF presence at PM’S OPEN HOUSE IS as an INSULT TO ISLAM ?
This card is interpreted by the Cabinet Ministers as memorandum. I wonder if they know what they are talking about. The simplest greeting card prepared by a 6 year old with the help of adult to express the feeling of HINDRAF supporters to the PM-And this is interpreted as an insult to the Islamic faith???
“Salam Aidilfitri,
Semoga di hari mulia ini YAB akan diberkati rahmat Tuhan dan membebaskan semua tahanan ISA dan mendengar rintihan masyarakat India di bumi tercinta Malaysia.
Maaf Zahir batin”
The above wordings meant as follows,
“Happy Eid,
May in this auspicious day the Almighty bless you Mr PM and may you release all ISA detainees and hear the tears of the Indian community in this beloved Malaysia.
Seek Forgive and Forget"
So the above were interpreted as extreme by UMNO Ministers and their coolie NGO’s ??
Hey look onto the eyes of these kids. Don’t you see excitement and hope in their eyes. Excitement and hope that they are part of the change that are about to happen in the history of Malaysia. Look at this on the
above kid. Isn’t this “look Of hopes”??
Hey you came with hope too. You look so excited!! To see the PM eh!!!
You sure the UMNO Ministers have the intelligence to understand this ?? careful you might be termed extremist!!!.
The excitement of signing the card for PM!!!The future generation taking part in today’ s campaign.
They came in hope but then came the naughty uncles to snatch the Raya (Eid) cards away. Apparently it contained “seditious materials” and its contents were a Threat to National Security!!!!!!!!!!
Poor Hindraf parent tried their best to rescue the creative greeting card made by the children.
The end product of the card and the disappointed fathers- children in tears and sadness. How do we explain to them??????
HINDRAF well wishers queued accordingly contrary to what UMNO claims Under watchful eyes of police.
Contrary to media report HINDRAF supporters never went 4 the food but queued orderly to greet the PM
Now let us see how the Police are comfortable with HINDRAF
Hey everyone look comfortable.
Well looks like HISHAMUDIN & MRS never had problems with HINDRAF wishes. All in Good Aidilfitri spirits.
Pak Lah & Najib never had any problems RPK supporters wishing them. No insult to Islam!!!!!!!
MRS HINDRAF and Vwaishnawi wishes the PM and Najib looks on with all smiles. Sorry folks photo not clear.
Pak Lah accepted the wishes with smile and open heart. Najib is surely delighted!!!!!
Now now!!You see the Naughty uncle is not happy with the appeal to PM and is pulling away MRS H .
In the meantime HINDRAF BABIES are awaiting their turn behind patiently. They look serious as they know they have an important task of delivering a clear message for their uncles to be released.
sorry folks! That’s the best we could get of the kiddies on camera with the PM. There were lots of pushing by the naughty uncles which prevented us from getting more photo shots.
Mission accomplished. Message and wishes
Delivered to PM Personally.
In the meantime HINDRAF BABIES are awaiting their turn behind patiently. They look serious as they know they have an important task of delivering a clear message for their uncles to be released.
sorry folks! That’s the best we could get of the kiddies on camera with the PM. There were lots of pushing by the naughty uncles which prevented us from getting more photo shots.
Mission accomplished. Message and wishes
Delivered to PM Personally.
HINDRAF’s sincere wishes to PM is manipulated as using kids for political purpose and insulting Islam by NGO’s linked to UMNO.
THEY COULD USE THE ENTIRE MEDIA TO TARNISH HINDRAF BUT THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES.
HINDRAF WILL NEVER GIVE UP.
OURS IS JUST AND DEMOCRATIC STRUGGLE.
THE NEO PASSIVE DEMOCRATISATION "REVOLUTION" BEGINS
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