Hi all,
Pls view the motivating and never give up speech by Makkal Sakthi hero Mr P. Uthayakumar given on Monday 20th Oct 2008 at Jalan Duta courtroom.
This is an historical moments to hear his speech and view though he is been held under draconian law ISA.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16aChl3cQxs&feature=user
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkZ46Hytf-c
Pls do post more links and photos of the event if you have captured them in your cameras or hp to admin.hindraf@gmail.com or waytha@hotmail.com.
Upload them to youtube with the name prefix starts with "Hindraf" for easy search.
Nandri.
Vaalge Makkal Sakthi
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Letter from Supporter :The Hundraf of Umno's making
Monday, October 20, 2008
By Helen Ang
Syed Albar take only the doctor and lawyer statastics which all are not sponsored by government, its the parents who sold their property to finance them to do medicine , by the time they become doctor these parents are almost bankrupt, UMNO cheat lump up malay income into bumiputera sabah & sarawak and orang asli to hide Malay income to show it as indian are earning 1.2 times higher than the Malays , he is the biggest cheat and racist minister in nature.The UMNO government who represent 60% of Malays they determine so much to suppress and oppress and marginalise the 8 % Indian for what reason, what is their agenda, are they hate the Indian, we are just tiny minority who are deprieved of their citizen right for 5o years, why they are not generous in admiting to the truth, and treat the minority fairly as a reponsible government.
There is no typing error above; I did spell 'Hundraf' for Human Rights Action Force. Hundraf is the twin spirit of Makkal Sakthi, an expression translated as People Power, not Indian Power.
Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar is reported by Bernama as saying the Indians are not neglected in Malaysia. What he implied is that Indians have little cause for complaint and thus the complaining Hindraf have no basis for their struggle.
Syed Hamid in announcing the ban on Hindraf said the Indian community was quite well represented with 14 Members of Parliament, 21.4% in the legal fraternity, 18.4% in medicine and their income was 1.2 times higher than the Malays.Out of his count of 14 Indian MPs, only three are from MIC compared to six from DAP. There are three from PKR and one from PSM — Samy-slayer of Sg Siput, the redoubtable Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj. If Indians are 'well represented' , it is no thanks to BN. (I could only recognise 13 Indian names, maybe I missed someone or perhaps there is a Malay Dilemma-ed MP in the House.)
Regarding the statistics Syed Hamid cited, may I ask how many Indian lawyers and doctors got their degrees from Malaysian public universities? And secondly, how many had their education paid for by the state?This is what blog commentator Parameswara tells me about one of the Hindraf-5 lawyers:
To my knowledge. R. Kengadharan the eldest son of a postal worker and housewife, completed his law studies on the meagre proceeds of a single storey house that was hocked to a financial institution to procure a study loan. Having returned from his studies, he not only paid off the loan but educated his siblings through the same house and earning from his law practice."
And DAP's Tony Pua says of another Hindraf-5 lawyer V. Ganabathirau:
"Gana never manage to have the privilege of completing his education at one go. After finishing Form 5, he had to take up various odd jobs to help support himself and his family. That however, did not prevent him from investing his earnings and taking up part-time courses to pursue his ambition of becoming an officer of the court. His dream came true in his late twenties when he graduated with a law degree from the University of London external programme."
Those who hold external or foreign degrees are required to additionally have the Certificate of Legal Practice, a hard-to-pass Malaysian exam designed to block entry into the profession.
SPIN ON STATISTICS
Syed Hamid conveniently forgot other professional fields where Indians are under-represented. From the same table of statistics that he drew his figures, here's what the Minister omitted: Of architects, 45.3% are bumiputera, 1.4% are Indian. Of engineers, 46.0% are bumiputera, 5.4% are Indian.I have statistics as well: While Indians accounted for 9.8% of civil servants in the 1980s, they were 5.2% in 2003. Malays are fast increasing in numbers in the skilled professions and dominating government and GLC posts, while the Indians are regressing in proportionate numbers.And more statistics:
In the present Abdullah cabinet, there is one Indian out of 27 Ministers — 3.7%. The Indian share in 2004 of corporate wealth (ownership of capital at par value) is 1.2%.Now with regard to those living under the poverty line, Syed Hamid said Indians comprised 2.9%, Chinese 0.6% and Malays 8.3%.
Again, he has deliberately obscured the truth. He said 'Malays'. Wrong, it's bumiputera 8.3%. These figures come from the Ninth Malaysia Plan. The poorest, least helped among bumiputera are the Orang Asli of the peninsula and the indigenes of Sabah and Sarawak who are not Muslim.How did the statistics measure 'poor'?
Over 300,000 Indians have been displaced in the last two decades after they lost their jobs in the plantations. In 2005, it was reported that more than 30% of Indians did not own a house. Indians are squatters in urban centres or the periphery; Indian vagrants sleep in the street — you have seen them.The poverty line income used for 2004 in Peninsular Malaysia was RM663 per month for urban areas, and RM657 for rural areas.
The Department of Statistics, ior year 2000, reported that out of approximately 1.68 million Indians, some 80% were urban and the remaining 20% rural.If one lived in his own house in the kampung, he does not have to pay rent. If one planted vegetables on his land and reared chicken, he spends less on food.
The use of household income as a single yardstick (RM663-urban and RM657-rural; the RM6 differential fails to reflect the cost of living gap between the two regions) does not signal the true level of deprivation.While on paper mean household income may look more for Indians, it is an average jacked up by the earnings of Indian professionals, and Ananda Krishnan.
But the figures also indicate class differences within any one community. Just as the Tan Sri Chinese tycoons have absolutely no bearing on my daily life, how much does the monthly income of RM3,456 attributed to Indians reflect their salary overall?Yayasan Strategic Sosial in 2005 put 30% of Indians in the bottom strata of society, and 20% in the top strata. My analogy would be that for the one doctor and one lawyer Syed Hamid mentioned, you have three low-wage earners in the labourer, cleaner and production worker.
Drawing from the same statistical pool dipped by the Minister, while Indians made up 7.5% of Malaysia's population, they constituted 14.7% in the elementary occupations.
Next, Syed Hamid said the overall income of the Indian was 1.2 times higher than Malay. Heck, if I'm Indian and took home RM3,456 a month, why would I want to go out and demonstrate? So where does the Tamil underclass that is the backbone of Hindraf come from then?
TEMPLES IN A ROW
Are the Indians a community in distress? How about looking at this set of social indicators? There were 2,555 suicides nationwide [Health Ministry report cited by NST in Sept, 2005], and 21.1 suicides per 100,000 Indians, 2.6 per 100,000 Malays.
They are killing themselves in despair, it would seem.Syed Hamid further claimed that there is a ratio of one temple to 149 Hindus and one mosque to 2,300 Muslims in this country. Aaah, the good Minister must have gone around the country tallying the little Hindu shrines under trees and altars lodged in rock crevices.
I hope these 'temples' — one for every 149 Hindus — are marked on maps because tourists may like to visit them.He also equated action against Hindraf to action taken against Al-Arqam, Al-Ma'unah and Kumpulan Militan Malaysia in the past, saying "The government's priority is to protect the security of Malaysians".
As a Malaysian, I do not feel threatened by the Muslims of Al-Arqam as I know the Malays to be a race full of kindness and budi bahasa. And as for the KMM, Syed Hamid as Home Minister should sign the order for their immediate release from ISA; prove their militancy in open court. Otherwise, I could think that Syed Hamid has committed fitnah, a grave sin in Islam, to allege his fellow ummah are militants.Lastly, Syed Hamid said the government "cannot tolerate groups that propagate extremism and stir up racial and religious tension" and accused them of having "created fear among the people".
Yet it appears to me as if he is describing Umno factions. Is Umno going to be declared illegal soon too?
- Centre for Policy Initiatives
The Other Press
By Helen Ang
Syed Albar take only the doctor and lawyer statastics which all are not sponsored by government, its the parents who sold their property to finance them to do medicine , by the time they become doctor these parents are almost bankrupt, UMNO cheat lump up malay income into bumiputera sabah & sarawak and orang asli to hide Malay income to show it as indian are earning 1.2 times higher than the Malays , he is the biggest cheat and racist minister in nature.The UMNO government who represent 60% of Malays they determine so much to suppress and oppress and marginalise the 8 % Indian for what reason, what is their agenda, are they hate the Indian, we are just tiny minority who are deprieved of their citizen right for 5o years, why they are not generous in admiting to the truth, and treat the minority fairly as a reponsible government.
There is no typing error above; I did spell 'Hundraf' for Human Rights Action Force. Hundraf is the twin spirit of Makkal Sakthi, an expression translated as People Power, not Indian Power.
Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar is reported by Bernama as saying the Indians are not neglected in Malaysia. What he implied is that Indians have little cause for complaint and thus the complaining Hindraf have no basis for their struggle.
Syed Hamid in announcing the ban on Hindraf said the Indian community was quite well represented with 14 Members of Parliament, 21.4% in the legal fraternity, 18.4% in medicine and their income was 1.2 times higher than the Malays.Out of his count of 14 Indian MPs, only three are from MIC compared to six from DAP. There are three from PKR and one from PSM — Samy-slayer of Sg Siput, the redoubtable Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj. If Indians are 'well represented' , it is no thanks to BN. (I could only recognise 13 Indian names, maybe I missed someone or perhaps there is a Malay Dilemma-ed MP in the House.)
Regarding the statistics Syed Hamid cited, may I ask how many Indian lawyers and doctors got their degrees from Malaysian public universities? And secondly, how many had their education paid for by the state?This is what blog commentator Parameswara tells me about one of the Hindraf-5 lawyers:
To my knowledge. R. Kengadharan the eldest son of a postal worker and housewife, completed his law studies on the meagre proceeds of a single storey house that was hocked to a financial institution to procure a study loan. Having returned from his studies, he not only paid off the loan but educated his siblings through the same house and earning from his law practice."
And DAP's Tony Pua says of another Hindraf-5 lawyer V. Ganabathirau:
"Gana never manage to have the privilege of completing his education at one go. After finishing Form 5, he had to take up various odd jobs to help support himself and his family. That however, did not prevent him from investing his earnings and taking up part-time courses to pursue his ambition of becoming an officer of the court. His dream came true in his late twenties when he graduated with a law degree from the University of London external programme."
Those who hold external or foreign degrees are required to additionally have the Certificate of Legal Practice, a hard-to-pass Malaysian exam designed to block entry into the profession.
SPIN ON STATISTICS
Syed Hamid conveniently forgot other professional fields where Indians are under-represented. From the same table of statistics that he drew his figures, here's what the Minister omitted: Of architects, 45.3% are bumiputera, 1.4% are Indian. Of engineers, 46.0% are bumiputera, 5.4% are Indian.I have statistics as well: While Indians accounted for 9.8% of civil servants in the 1980s, they were 5.2% in 2003. Malays are fast increasing in numbers in the skilled professions and dominating government and GLC posts, while the Indians are regressing in proportionate numbers.And more statistics:
In the present Abdullah cabinet, there is one Indian out of 27 Ministers — 3.7%. The Indian share in 2004 of corporate wealth (ownership of capital at par value) is 1.2%.Now with regard to those living under the poverty line, Syed Hamid said Indians comprised 2.9%, Chinese 0.6% and Malays 8.3%.
Again, he has deliberately obscured the truth. He said 'Malays'. Wrong, it's bumiputera 8.3%. These figures come from the Ninth Malaysia Plan. The poorest, least helped among bumiputera are the Orang Asli of the peninsula and the indigenes of Sabah and Sarawak who are not Muslim.How did the statistics measure 'poor'?
Over 300,000 Indians have been displaced in the last two decades after they lost their jobs in the plantations. In 2005, it was reported that more than 30% of Indians did not own a house. Indians are squatters in urban centres or the periphery; Indian vagrants sleep in the street — you have seen them.The poverty line income used for 2004 in Peninsular Malaysia was RM663 per month for urban areas, and RM657 for rural areas.
The Department of Statistics, ior year 2000, reported that out of approximately 1.68 million Indians, some 80% were urban and the remaining 20% rural.If one lived in his own house in the kampung, he does not have to pay rent. If one planted vegetables on his land and reared chicken, he spends less on food.
The use of household income as a single yardstick (RM663-urban and RM657-rural; the RM6 differential fails to reflect the cost of living gap between the two regions) does not signal the true level of deprivation.While on paper mean household income may look more for Indians, it is an average jacked up by the earnings of Indian professionals, and Ananda Krishnan.
But the figures also indicate class differences within any one community. Just as the Tan Sri Chinese tycoons have absolutely no bearing on my daily life, how much does the monthly income of RM3,456 attributed to Indians reflect their salary overall?Yayasan Strategic Sosial in 2005 put 30% of Indians in the bottom strata of society, and 20% in the top strata. My analogy would be that for the one doctor and one lawyer Syed Hamid mentioned, you have three low-wage earners in the labourer, cleaner and production worker.
Drawing from the same statistical pool dipped by the Minister, while Indians made up 7.5% of Malaysia's population, they constituted 14.7% in the elementary occupations.
Next, Syed Hamid said the overall income of the Indian was 1.2 times higher than Malay. Heck, if I'm Indian and took home RM3,456 a month, why would I want to go out and demonstrate? So where does the Tamil underclass that is the backbone of Hindraf come from then?
TEMPLES IN A ROW
Are the Indians a community in distress? How about looking at this set of social indicators? There were 2,555 suicides nationwide [Health Ministry report cited by NST in Sept, 2005], and 21.1 suicides per 100,000 Indians, 2.6 per 100,000 Malays.
They are killing themselves in despair, it would seem.Syed Hamid further claimed that there is a ratio of one temple to 149 Hindus and one mosque to 2,300 Muslims in this country. Aaah, the good Minister must have gone around the country tallying the little Hindu shrines under trees and altars lodged in rock crevices.
I hope these 'temples' — one for every 149 Hindus — are marked on maps because tourists may like to visit them.He also equated action against Hindraf to action taken against Al-Arqam, Al-Ma'unah and Kumpulan Militan Malaysia in the past, saying "The government's priority is to protect the security of Malaysians".
As a Malaysian, I do not feel threatened by the Muslims of Al-Arqam as I know the Malays to be a race full of kindness and budi bahasa. And as for the KMM, Syed Hamid as Home Minister should sign the order for their immediate release from ISA; prove their militancy in open court. Otherwise, I could think that Syed Hamid has committed fitnah, a grave sin in Islam, to allege his fellow ummah are militants.Lastly, Syed Hamid said the government "cannot tolerate groups that propagate extremism and stir up racial and religious tension" and accused them of having "created fear among the people".
Yet it appears to me as if he is describing Umno factions. Is Umno going to be declared illegal soon too?
- Centre for Policy Initiatives
The Other Press
Monday, October 20, 2008
Photos at Duta Court during Uthaya trail on 20 Oct 2008
This is amazing !!
We had an historical moment with our great Makkal Sakthi ( People's Power) leader, Mr Uthayakumar today while he came to the trail in Jalan Duta Court at 9am.
The court diverted the case to another court room without any notification even to the defence counsel. The supporter whom came as earlier morning as 6am started to que in front of court room and later found that the trail is about to start in another room.
When the supporters and well wishers came to the actual court room they were again blocked by police claiming thr room is packed when there is only 6 people in court room.
Again another first time took place, where the police says that only those with number tag will be allowed and asked the supporter to get back to ground floor to register the names and collect the tags. The peace loving supporters walked all the way down to que up to register thru their IC and collected the "special" token number which limited to 58 only.
Surprisingly there were many other cases running in the same building but they were allowed to move in to their respective court room without "special tags nor registration". Another double standard !!
The court later adjourn to afternoon and the interval were used to see and greet Uthaya by all the suppporter whom came. Uthaya was very happy and motivated. He stressed that the struggle for the Malaysian Indians will not stops until the UMNO led govt fulfill the rightful rights of Malaysian indians.
More news to be written later.
Thx
Vaalge Makkal Sakthi
Speaker rejects emergency motion on Hindraf
Rahmah Ghazali Oct 20, 08 12:06pm
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia today rejected an emergency motion by M Kulasegaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat) last week to discuss the government's recent ban on Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).
The speaker rejected the motion on the grounds that the matter was not urgent enough because members of parliament will still have an opportunity to discuss the ban on the ongoing budget debate session."They still can discuss the (Hindraf) issue during the budget debate session, there is an opportunity to do so. Why would we need an emergency motion for this?" asked Pandikar. Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar banned the movement last Wednesday after the ministry said it was satisfied with facts and evidence showing that "Hindraf had (been) and was being used for unlawful purposes and posed a threat to public order and morality".The decision was criticised, especially by Pakatan Rakyat leaders who described it as going against the principles of democracy and rights.
Barisan Nasional component party Gerakan and the Human Rights Commission have expressed rare disapproval as well.
At a press conference in the Parliament lobby, Kulasegaran said he had been “surprised” to receive a letter this morning informing him that the motion had been rejected.The motion, moved under Standing Orders 18 to the Home Ministry, is required to meet three criteria - the matter has to be specific, urgent and of public interest.“I regret that the speaker has made the decision like this. It would have been better for him to allow this motion because it is very urgent, otherwise we would not have move it,” he said.Kulasegaran pointed out that, had the motion been allowed, the home minister would have had to issuing a reply to the House immediatelyNow there will be a delay, as the minister is only due to wind up on matters relating to his ministry in two weeks time, during the ongoing debate on Budget 2009.The Ipoh Barat MP said he had been shocked to hear of the ban.“It is best for the minister to justify (the reason for the ban) in Parliament. I was surprised when the government decided to ban Hindraf, as (an announcement) was not made in the House.“When parliament is sitting, the minister should respect the House. This is not good for the parliamentary system.”
Uthaya in court to face sedition trial
Mkini news
Oct 20, 08 11:42am
ISA-detained Hindraf leader P Uthayakumar is in Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court this morning for his sedition trial over a letter which he posted on a website.
The letter, addressed to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, highlighted the alleged marginalisation of Indians in Malaysia.In the letter, Uthayakumar also sought the help of the British government to move emergency UN resolution condemning ethnic cleansing in Malaysia.The letter was dated Nov 15, 2007 and sent from Hindraf main office in Seremban.Uthayakumar, in ISA detention since Dec 13 for undertaking Hindraf activities, was charged on Dec 11. He pleaded not guilty and is out on a RM50,000 bail before he was detained under the detention-without-trial Act two days later.He was charged under Section 4 (1)(c) of the Sedition Act 1948 which carries a fine of not exceeding RM5,000 or a jail term not exceeding three years or both for a first offence.
Prosecution is led by deputy public prosecutor Raja Rozeela Raja Toran while N Surindran and M Manoharan represent Uthayakumar.
Commotion in court
Hearing is before Sessions judge Sabariah Othman but the trial today was preceded by a small commotion in the courtroom when the case was moved to another court, but also before the same judge.Hindraf supporters were unhappy when they were not allowed into the new courtroom. A shouting match ensued between the supporters and the police, with Uthayakumar - wearing a white shirt and a blue pants - joining in as well.He was brought from Kamunting detention centre for the trial yesterday.
A woman fainted in the ensuing disorder and was taken to a hospital in an ambulance.More than 150 Hindraf supporters had gathered at the court complex since early morning for the case.The government had banned the organisation last week for playing up sensitive issues.BN parties must speak out
On a related matter, Hindraf chairperson P Waythamoorthy urged all BN component parties to make their stand on the banning of Hindraf and the real problems facing the ethnic Indian community."Hindraf urges component parties within BN to come out of their cocoon and speak up the truth on the real situation facing the Indians and the impact of the Umno repression on Hindraf which is causing great uneasiness amongst the people," he said in a statement today.He said that the Umno-led government "cannot go on forever silencing all legitimate voice of democracy in the unfounded and malicious allegation of national security".He said the BN component parties have a moral duty to speak up the truth in the larger national interest and to protect and uphold the rule of law.
[Full report to follow]
Oct 20, 08 11:42am
ISA-detained Hindraf leader P Uthayakumar is in Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court this morning for his sedition trial over a letter which he posted on a website.
The letter, addressed to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, highlighted the alleged marginalisation of Indians in Malaysia.In the letter, Uthayakumar also sought the help of the British government to move emergency UN resolution condemning ethnic cleansing in Malaysia.The letter was dated Nov 15, 2007 and sent from Hindraf main office in Seremban.Uthayakumar, in ISA detention since Dec 13 for undertaking Hindraf activities, was charged on Dec 11. He pleaded not guilty and is out on a RM50,000 bail before he was detained under the detention-without-trial Act two days later.He was charged under Section 4 (1)(c) of the Sedition Act 1948 which carries a fine of not exceeding RM5,000 or a jail term not exceeding three years or both for a first offence.
Prosecution is led by deputy public prosecutor Raja Rozeela Raja Toran while N Surindran and M Manoharan represent Uthayakumar.
Commotion in court
Hearing is before Sessions judge Sabariah Othman but the trial today was preceded by a small commotion in the courtroom when the case was moved to another court, but also before the same judge.Hindraf supporters were unhappy when they were not allowed into the new courtroom. A shouting match ensued between the supporters and the police, with Uthayakumar - wearing a white shirt and a blue pants - joining in as well.He was brought from Kamunting detention centre for the trial yesterday.
A woman fainted in the ensuing disorder and was taken to a hospital in an ambulance.More than 150 Hindraf supporters had gathered at the court complex since early morning for the case.The government had banned the organisation last week for playing up sensitive issues.BN parties must speak out
On a related matter, Hindraf chairperson P Waythamoorthy urged all BN component parties to make their stand on the banning of Hindraf and the real problems facing the ethnic Indian community."Hindraf urges component parties within BN to come out of their cocoon and speak up the truth on the real situation facing the Indians and the impact of the Umno repression on Hindraf which is causing great uneasiness amongst the people," he said in a statement today.He said that the Umno-led government "cannot go on forever silencing all legitimate voice of democracy in the unfounded and malicious allegation of national security".He said the BN component parties have a moral duty to speak up the truth in the larger national interest and to protect and uphold the rule of law.
[Full report to follow]
HINDRAF’S DHARMIC WAR WILL NEVER BE LOST.
Dear HINDRAF supporters
Thank you for the concern shown on the recent ban on HINDRAF. Many of you are anxious as to what would happen next. Numerous questions have been posed. What would we do? Have we lost the struggle?
The answer is a simple NO. Yes the Government has declared HINDRAF unlawful. They have taken away our “body” (HINDRAF) but they can never take away our souls for the humanity that will prevail . We belong to a great tradition which believes in the Law of Karma and Reincarnation- the spirit of HINDRAF would soon emerge in a new body, a much energized and energetic force which would lead us to greater democratic heights.
The artificial authority along with the spinmasters of UMNO led by the ruling government continues to chastise us. Let it be.
The history and each person's experience is the hard truth and reality that cannot be killed and what HINDRAF is fighting for is the hard truth and the reality and not what sounds good. The sanctity and dignity is on the truth and the reality is the base of HINDRAF and the Almighty in any form will protect us, as HINDRAF is a humanity struggle in the Almighty's blessing for his children.
Be patient – it would be sooner than later. Oppression intimidation and threats by the Malaysian Government will never derail our struggle. Let us all await the new “Rising Power” of Makkal Sakthi.
THE NEO DEMOCRATISATION REVOLUTION BEGINS.
P.Waytha Moorthy
CHAIRMAN
HINDRAF
Thank you for the concern shown on the recent ban on HINDRAF. Many of you are anxious as to what would happen next. Numerous questions have been posed. What would we do? Have we lost the struggle?
The answer is a simple NO. Yes the Government has declared HINDRAF unlawful. They have taken away our “body” (HINDRAF) but they can never take away our souls for the humanity that will prevail . We belong to a great tradition which believes in the Law of Karma and Reincarnation- the spirit of HINDRAF would soon emerge in a new body, a much energized and energetic force which would lead us to greater democratic heights.
The artificial authority along with the spinmasters of UMNO led by the ruling government continues to chastise us. Let it be.
The history and each person's experience is the hard truth and reality that cannot be killed and what HINDRAF is fighting for is the hard truth and the reality and not what sounds good. The sanctity and dignity is on the truth and the reality is the base of HINDRAF and the Almighty in any form will protect us, as HINDRAF is a humanity struggle in the Almighty's blessing for his children.
Be patient – it would be sooner than later. Oppression intimidation and threats by the Malaysian Government will never derail our struggle. Let us all await the new “Rising Power” of Makkal Sakthi.
THE NEO DEMOCRATISATION REVOLUTION BEGINS.
P.Waytha Moorthy
CHAIRMAN
HINDRAF
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Hear Hindraf's cry for freedom
Hear Hindraf's cry for freedom
Sim Kwang Yang | Oct 18, 08 3:17pm
The Hindu Rights action Force (Hindraf) has been banned under the Societies Act 1966 as of Oct 15.
When making this announcement, Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar declared that, if left unchecked, Hindraf could pose a threat to public order, peace, security, and morality in Malaysia. When I read this in the Star, I could already hear the uproar of outrage exploding all over the Malaysian blogsphere.
That itself is interesting. With the expansive influence of the internet in Malaysia, the BN government can no longer monopolise the right to interpret public events, or manufacture synthetic truths to pass moral judgement on citizen-based social movements in the country.
In the hearts and minds of many Malaysians, the emergence of Hindraf prior to the March 8 general election this year has been one of those critical phenomena that turned an important page for Malaysian history.
The peaceful but massive street protests that responded to Hindraf’s call for action then signaled a spontaneous groundswell of anguish, resentment, and quiet anger among the Indians against decades of arrogant neglect by the government over many political social and economic woes plaguing the community.
The Hindraf leadership and their protesters were probably from the middle class within the Indian community. But they must have plucked a sensitive nerve of all Malaysian Indians, including all the far flung, widely scattered, and hitherto long-suffering silent Indian underclass.
Far bigger political clout
Finally, the Indians broke their silence and spoke out where it counted the most - at the ballot box. During the March 8 general election, they voted as a bloc overwhelmingly against the BN, helped drive the ruling coalition from five state governments, reduced MCA to a mosquito party, practically retired MIC supremo Samy Vellu, and ended the myth of power sharing among ethnic communities within the closed doors of the BN supreme council conference room.
In doing so, the Indians have proven that they have far bigger political clout out of proportion with their numerical percentages. They can become king-makers. Hindraf has proven itself as the most empowering social movement in the half-century history of multiracial and polyglot Malaysian society.
A smart government in an enlightened democracy would recognize the message of the Indian voters. Political leaders would try to win back their hearts and minds by engaging the Hindraf people in serious, inclusive, and meaningful dialogues. The Indian problem would indeed have to receive urgent and comprehensive attention.
Unfortunately for the Indian community, the BN government is not all that smart, and our democracy is not all that enlightened.
After the general election, the BN government has rewarded the Hindraf people with more oppressive responses. Five Hindraf leaders were detained under the much hated ISA. Now, it has been banned, with official insinuation as if Hindraf is no better than organised criminals, fakers of passports, or even the communists of old.
With this punch of the iron first, is Hindraf therefore destined to fizzle out like a burst balloon?
Hindraf national coordinator RS Thanenthiran did respond the day after the ban by saying, “The government can ban Hindraf but it can’t silence the majority of the Indian community who feel marginalized”. As he pointed out, the ban can only aggravate the situation.
I am sure that Hindraf leaders are now taking stock of the situation and counting their many options. Perhaps they are waiting for feedback from people like you and me.
Words of Martin Luther King
The Hindraf predicament suddenly reminds me a lot of Martin Luther King’s Civil Rights Movement. In his letter from Birmingham city Jail (printed in 1972), King wrote:
“We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed ... Oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever. The urge for freedom will eventually come”.
King, like Hindraf leaders in recent months, had just been arrested and jailed for leading an “illegal” protest march against racism in America. But he knew he needed more than noble dreams and haughty rhetoric. He needed a strategy for action.
He explained how his non-violent campaign consisted of four steps: collection of the facts to determine whether injustices are alive, agitation, self-purification, and direct action. He wrote, “So we had no alternative except that of preparing for direct action whereby we would present our very bodies as a means of laying our case before the conscience of the local and national communities. We started workshops on non-violence an repeatedly asked ourselves this question, “Are you able to accept blows without retaliating? Are you able to endure the ordeals of jail”?
When queried why he advocated breaking some laws and obeying others, King had this to say; “The answer is found in the fact that there are two types of laws. There are just laws and there are unjust laws. I would be the first to advocate obeying just laws. One has not only a legal but moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. I would agree with St Augustine that ‘An unjust law is no law at all’.”
I suspect most Malaysian lawyers are influenced by legal positivism, which states that a law-legislated legally is a law, and must be obeyed. But I do agree with King and St Augustine - a law is not just a law; a law is either a good law or a bad law. Any piece of legislation may be legal, but it can also be highly immoral, and so must be changed peacefully at the earliest possible opportunity.
By now, we should know that, whatever the superstructure of the State may say about Hindraf, it is not a secret society out to ruin social stability and public security. It is a spontaneous movement of citizens trying to right socio-political wrongs through non-violent peaceful means. There is no denying that Hindraf does threaten the survival of the BN government. What’s wrong or illegal about that?
We should also know that the banning of Hindraf under the Societies Act of 1966 is an injustice that has made the Act into a bad law. It has become a law that denies the fundamental human rights to free association and free expressions, inalienable rights which are enshrined in our constitutions.
The Hindraf leaders may go to court and challenge their banning on constitutional ground. I don’t know. There may be a small later amendment to say that whatever decision a minister makes under this law cannot be challenged in a court of law.
It is good to see that the Hindraf leaders are now coolly calculating their odds and weighing their options. Their hot actions require cool heads.
They may end up adopting the philosophy of Martin Luther King, or they may not. They can also draw inspiration and courage from their ancient and rich Hindu traditions. There was Gandhi who could also provide them with some bright ideas.
Whatever they do from this point on, the worst choice is to get into an acrimonious factional fight over their next course of action. This would cripple their movement, as it did to the Socialist Front a few decades ago. They must guard against the infiltration of agent provocateurs into their rank and file to divide and rule them. This is a time that would indeed test their wisdom and courage to the limit.
A national problem
I see the Hindraf movement not merely as one involving Malaysian Indians only. The Indian problem is a national problem; it is your problem and my problem.
Once again, I would like to quote Martin Luther King. He wrote, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects us indirectly.”
In short, we Malaysians of all ethnic origin must do whatever we can to defend the Hindraf movement in whatever way we can. The least we can do is to pray for them.
We must take note that the central concept that drove King’s Civil Rights Movement is “freedom”. Although the word “freedom” has been made to sound like a dirty word in Malaysian mainstream discourse, it is an idea behind the Hindraf movement.
As I see it, Hindraf is a struggle of the Indian community to be free from poverty, neglect, marginalisation, and from many social ills that are the direct results of socio-economic backwardness. Above all, theirs is a struggle for freedom from political oppression and persecution by the multi-racial ruling class. It is this same cry for freedom that an increasing number of Malaysian can share these days.
We all badly need a reformation in our country.
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/91519
Sim Kwang Yang | Oct 18, 08 3:17pm
The Hindu Rights action Force (Hindraf) has been banned under the Societies Act 1966 as of Oct 15.
When making this announcement, Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar declared that, if left unchecked, Hindraf could pose a threat to public order, peace, security, and morality in Malaysia. When I read this in the Star, I could already hear the uproar of outrage exploding all over the Malaysian blogsphere.
That itself is interesting. With the expansive influence of the internet in Malaysia, the BN government can no longer monopolise the right to interpret public events, or manufacture synthetic truths to pass moral judgement on citizen-based social movements in the country.
In the hearts and minds of many Malaysians, the emergence of Hindraf prior to the March 8 general election this year has been one of those critical phenomena that turned an important page for Malaysian history.
The peaceful but massive street protests that responded to Hindraf’s call for action then signaled a spontaneous groundswell of anguish, resentment, and quiet anger among the Indians against decades of arrogant neglect by the government over many political social and economic woes plaguing the community.
The Hindraf leadership and their protesters were probably from the middle class within the Indian community. But they must have plucked a sensitive nerve of all Malaysian Indians, including all the far flung, widely scattered, and hitherto long-suffering silent Indian underclass.
Far bigger political clout
Finally, the Indians broke their silence and spoke out where it counted the most - at the ballot box. During the March 8 general election, they voted as a bloc overwhelmingly against the BN, helped drive the ruling coalition from five state governments, reduced MCA to a mosquito party, practically retired MIC supremo Samy Vellu, and ended the myth of power sharing among ethnic communities within the closed doors of the BN supreme council conference room.
In doing so, the Indians have proven that they have far bigger political clout out of proportion with their numerical percentages. They can become king-makers. Hindraf has proven itself as the most empowering social movement in the half-century history of multiracial and polyglot Malaysian society.
A smart government in an enlightened democracy would recognize the message of the Indian voters. Political leaders would try to win back their hearts and minds by engaging the Hindraf people in serious, inclusive, and meaningful dialogues. The Indian problem would indeed have to receive urgent and comprehensive attention.
Unfortunately for the Indian community, the BN government is not all that smart, and our democracy is not all that enlightened.
After the general election, the BN government has rewarded the Hindraf people with more oppressive responses. Five Hindraf leaders were detained under the much hated ISA. Now, it has been banned, with official insinuation as if Hindraf is no better than organised criminals, fakers of passports, or even the communists of old.
With this punch of the iron first, is Hindraf therefore destined to fizzle out like a burst balloon?
Hindraf national coordinator RS Thanenthiran did respond the day after the ban by saying, “The government can ban Hindraf but it can’t silence the majority of the Indian community who feel marginalized”. As he pointed out, the ban can only aggravate the situation.
I am sure that Hindraf leaders are now taking stock of the situation and counting their many options. Perhaps they are waiting for feedback from people like you and me.
Words of Martin Luther King
The Hindraf predicament suddenly reminds me a lot of Martin Luther King’s Civil Rights Movement. In his letter from Birmingham city Jail (printed in 1972), King wrote:
“We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed ... Oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever. The urge for freedom will eventually come”.
King, like Hindraf leaders in recent months, had just been arrested and jailed for leading an “illegal” protest march against racism in America. But he knew he needed more than noble dreams and haughty rhetoric. He needed a strategy for action.
He explained how his non-violent campaign consisted of four steps: collection of the facts to determine whether injustices are alive, agitation, self-purification, and direct action. He wrote, “So we had no alternative except that of preparing for direct action whereby we would present our very bodies as a means of laying our case before the conscience of the local and national communities. We started workshops on non-violence an repeatedly asked ourselves this question, “Are you able to accept blows without retaliating? Are you able to endure the ordeals of jail”?
When queried why he advocated breaking some laws and obeying others, King had this to say; “The answer is found in the fact that there are two types of laws. There are just laws and there are unjust laws. I would be the first to advocate obeying just laws. One has not only a legal but moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. I would agree with St Augustine that ‘An unjust law is no law at all’.”
I suspect most Malaysian lawyers are influenced by legal positivism, which states that a law-legislated legally is a law, and must be obeyed. But I do agree with King and St Augustine - a law is not just a law; a law is either a good law or a bad law. Any piece of legislation may be legal, but it can also be highly immoral, and so must be changed peacefully at the earliest possible opportunity.
By now, we should know that, whatever the superstructure of the State may say about Hindraf, it is not a secret society out to ruin social stability and public security. It is a spontaneous movement of citizens trying to right socio-political wrongs through non-violent peaceful means. There is no denying that Hindraf does threaten the survival of the BN government. What’s wrong or illegal about that?
We should also know that the banning of Hindraf under the Societies Act of 1966 is an injustice that has made the Act into a bad law. It has become a law that denies the fundamental human rights to free association and free expressions, inalienable rights which are enshrined in our constitutions.
The Hindraf leaders may go to court and challenge their banning on constitutional ground. I don’t know. There may be a small later amendment to say that whatever decision a minister makes under this law cannot be challenged in a court of law.
It is good to see that the Hindraf leaders are now coolly calculating their odds and weighing their options. Their hot actions require cool heads.
They may end up adopting the philosophy of Martin Luther King, or they may not. They can also draw inspiration and courage from their ancient and rich Hindu traditions. There was Gandhi who could also provide them with some bright ideas.
Whatever they do from this point on, the worst choice is to get into an acrimonious factional fight over their next course of action. This would cripple their movement, as it did to the Socialist Front a few decades ago. They must guard against the infiltration of agent provocateurs into their rank and file to divide and rule them. This is a time that would indeed test their wisdom and courage to the limit.
A national problem
I see the Hindraf movement not merely as one involving Malaysian Indians only. The Indian problem is a national problem; it is your problem and my problem.
Once again, I would like to quote Martin Luther King. He wrote, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects us indirectly.”
In short, we Malaysians of all ethnic origin must do whatever we can to defend the Hindraf movement in whatever way we can. The least we can do is to pray for them.
We must take note that the central concept that drove King’s Civil Rights Movement is “freedom”. Although the word “freedom” has been made to sound like a dirty word in Malaysian mainstream discourse, it is an idea behind the Hindraf movement.
As I see it, Hindraf is a struggle of the Indian community to be free from poverty, neglect, marginalisation, and from many social ills that are the direct results of socio-economic backwardness. Above all, theirs is a struggle for freedom from political oppression and persecution by the multi-racial ruling class. It is this same cry for freedom that an increasing number of Malaysian can share these days.
We all badly need a reformation in our country.
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/91519
Friday, October 17, 2008
CPPS' Statement on Banning of HINDRAF
CPPS' Statement on Banning of HINDRAF
The Centre for Public Policy Studies (CPPS) is disappointed with the decision taken by the Home Minister, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar to declare the Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF) an illegal organisation. This move by the Ministry of Home Affairs is an infringement on the basic human right to expression and contradicts the Prime Minister's previous commitment to opening up the democratic space and allowing more open discussion in the country.
This decision is telling of the dismal state of civil liberties in Malaysia, and sends these signals to the domestic and international community. The CPPS finds ludicrous that HINDRAF, in trying to voice out very legitimate grievances of the consistent socio-economic marginalisation of the Indian community, has been labelled as a threat to "public order, peace, security and morality" (The Star, Thursday 16 October 2008).
According to the Minister, HINDRAF would also pose a threat to the prevailing racial harmony enjoyed in Malaysia presently. This spells caution that any interest group speaking on behalf of the economic marginalisation of their particular community would be considered as a threat. Instead of banning HINDRAF, the Government should have called for an open, rational discussion in order to ascertain the problems and issues raised, and in seeking constructive solutions to overcome them.
This move may instead fuel further resentment by minority ethnic groups who are legitimately raising concerns of their particular interests. Discussion and dialogue on grievances or perceived injustices should be encouraged, not stifled.
Suppressing dissent under the guise of national peace and security is in fact counterproductive to fostering true national unity amongst the citizens of the country. Genuine national unity begins by identifying real problems and struggles being faced by all interest groups in the country. The CPPS is also concerned that the government is planning on identifying specific members of HINDRAF or anyone associated with the group.
The CPPS urges the government to reconsider its ban on HINDRAF and respond to grievances of various ethnic groups by engaging in further discussion and working towards reaching mutually beneficial solutions. This draconian method of suppression is not sustainable in the long run. It is hoped that this move by the Ministry is not the beginning of a more extensive clampdown on civil society in Malaysia.
If Malaysia truly desires to become a democratic country of developed nation status, it must not suppress opinions of any interest groups, much less those who are already downtrodden upon and at wit's end.
Tan Sri Ramon V. Navaratnam,
Chairman
Tricia Yeoh,
Director Centre for Public Policy Studies
Kuala Lumpur 16th October 2008
For more enquiries, please contact: The Centre for Public Policy Studies; website: www.cpps.org.my;email: cpps@cpps.org.my
Tel: +603-20932820/20934209/20932630;Fax: +603-20933078
The Centre for Public Policy Studies (CPPS) is disappointed with the decision taken by the Home Minister, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar to declare the Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF) an illegal organisation. This move by the Ministry of Home Affairs is an infringement on the basic human right to expression and contradicts the Prime Minister's previous commitment to opening up the democratic space and allowing more open discussion in the country.
This decision is telling of the dismal state of civil liberties in Malaysia, and sends these signals to the domestic and international community. The CPPS finds ludicrous that HINDRAF, in trying to voice out very legitimate grievances of the consistent socio-economic marginalisation of the Indian community, has been labelled as a threat to "public order, peace, security and morality" (The Star, Thursday 16 October 2008).
According to the Minister, HINDRAF would also pose a threat to the prevailing racial harmony enjoyed in Malaysia presently. This spells caution that any interest group speaking on behalf of the economic marginalisation of their particular community would be considered as a threat. Instead of banning HINDRAF, the Government should have called for an open, rational discussion in order to ascertain the problems and issues raised, and in seeking constructive solutions to overcome them.
This move may instead fuel further resentment by minority ethnic groups who are legitimately raising concerns of their particular interests. Discussion and dialogue on grievances or perceived injustices should be encouraged, not stifled.
Suppressing dissent under the guise of national peace and security is in fact counterproductive to fostering true national unity amongst the citizens of the country. Genuine national unity begins by identifying real problems and struggles being faced by all interest groups in the country. The CPPS is also concerned that the government is planning on identifying specific members of HINDRAF or anyone associated with the group.
The CPPS urges the government to reconsider its ban on HINDRAF and respond to grievances of various ethnic groups by engaging in further discussion and working towards reaching mutually beneficial solutions. This draconian method of suppression is not sustainable in the long run. It is hoped that this move by the Ministry is not the beginning of a more extensive clampdown on civil society in Malaysia.
If Malaysia truly desires to become a democratic country of developed nation status, it must not suppress opinions of any interest groups, much less those who are already downtrodden upon and at wit's end.
Tan Sri Ramon V. Navaratnam,
Chairman
Tricia Yeoh,
Director Centre for Public Policy Studies
Kuala Lumpur 16th October 2008
For more enquiries, please contact: The Centre for Public Policy Studies; website: www.cpps.org.my;email: cpps@cpps.org.my
Tel: +603-20932820/20934209/20932630;Fax: +603-20933078
இண்ட்ராஃப் நிகழ்வுகளுக்கு தற்காலிக நிறுத்தம்!
இந்து உரிமைப் பணிப்படையின் தலைவர் திரு.வேதமூர்த்தி, தற்சமயத்திற்கு இண்ட்ராஃப் இயக்கத்தின் நிகழ்வுகளை நிறுத்தி வைக்குமாறு கேட்டுக் கொண்டுள்ளார். சட்ட வல்லுநரான திரு.வேதமூர்த்தி மலேசியச் சங்கங்கள் சட்டம் 1966-ஐ ஆய்வு செய்து வருகிறார். அதன் அடிப்படையில் இன்னும் சில தினங்களில் இண்ட்ராஃப் எடுத்துக் கொள்ள வேண்டிய நடவடிக்கைகள் குறித்து அவர் விளக்கம் அளிப்பார் என எதிர்ப்பார்க்கப்படுகிறது.
இதற்கிடையில் அம்னோ அரசாங்கம் இண்ட்ராஃபிற்கு எதிராக விதித்தத் தடையை ஆட்சேபிக்கும் வகையில் அனைத்து இண்ட்ராஃப் ஆதரவாளர்களையும் ஒவ்வொரு சனி மற்றும் ஞாயிற்றுக் கிழமைகளில் ஆரஞ்சு நிற உடையினை அணியுமாறு திரு.வேதமூர்த்தி கேட்டுக் கொண்டுள்ளார். இத்தினங்களில் ஆரஞ்சு நிற உடையினை அணிந்து அம்னோ அரசாங்கத்தின் மீது இந்திய மக்களின் அவநம்பிக்கையையும் கண்டனத்தையும் அடையாளமாகக் காட்ட வேண்டும் என்று அவர் கேட்டுக் கொண்டுள்ளார்.
இதற்கிடையில் மலேசிய மனித உரிமை ஆணையமான 'சுஹாக்காம்', இண்ட்ராஃபிற்கு விதிக்கப்பட்டத் தடைக்கு வித்திட்ட ஆதாரங்களை அரசாங்கம் வெளிக்கொணர வேண்டும் எனக் கேட்டுக் கொண்டுள்ளது. கண்மூடித்தனமாக ஓர் இயக்கத்தை தடை செய்வதனால் மக்களின் போராட்டம் மேலும் வலுப்பெறுமே தவிர முடங்கிவிடாது என அது கருத்துரைத்தது.
ஈப்போ பாராட் நாடாளுமன்ற உறுப்பினர் எம்.குலசேகரன் கருத்துரைக்கையில், அம்னோ அரசாங்கத்தின் இத்தகு நடவடிக்கையானது கோழைத்தனம் என்றும் அராசகமானது என்றும் கூறினார்.
அம்னோ அரசாங்கம், இண்ட்ராஃபிற்கு எதிராக விதித்த தடைக்கான சட்டப்பூர்வமான காரணங்களை உடனடியாக வெளிபடுத்த வேண்டும் என்று இந்து நடவடிக்கை ஒருங்கிணைப்புக் குழுவின் தலைமை ஒருங்கிணைப்பாளர் திரு.முகுந்தன் அரசாங்கத்தைக் கேட்டுக் கொண்டுள்ளார். மேலும், இவ்வியக்கம் ஆயுதமின்றி உரிமைக்காக அமைதிவழி போராட்டத்தைக் கடைப்பிடிப்பவர்கள் என்றும், ஒடுக்கப்பட்ட மலேசிய இந்திய சமுதாயத்திற்காகக் குரல் கொடுக்கும் ஓர் உன்னத இயக்கம் என வர்ணித்தார்.
இண்ட்ராஃப் இயக்கத்தை தடை செய்ததன் வழி, அம்னோ அரசாங்கம் நெருப்புக் கோழியைப் போல தன் தலையையே மண்ணுக்குள் இட்டுக் கொண்டது என புக்கிட் பெண்டேரா நாடாளுமன்ற உறுப்பினர் லியூ சின் தோங் வர்ணித்துள்ளார்.
சிவில் மனித உரிமை போராட்டவாதியான டாக்டர் தோ கின் வூன் கருத்துரைக்கையில், உண்மையில் மத்திய அரசாங்கம் நேர்மையாகவும் மக்களின் மீது பரிவும் கொண்டிருந்தால் இதுபோன்ற இழிச்செயல்களில் ஈடுபடாது, மலேசிய இந்தியர்களின் அடிப்படைப் பிரச்சனைகளை கண்டறிந்துக் களைந்திருப்பர் என்று கூறினார்.
இவ்வியக்கத்தைத் தடைச் செய்வதன்வழி அம்னோ தன் நிலைமையை மேலும் மோசமாக்கிக் கொள்கிறது என அவர் மேலும் கூறினார்.
இதற்கிடையில் பல மனித உரிமை இயக்கங்கள், அரசியல் கட்சிகள், தொண்டூழிய இயக்கங்கள் அம்னோ அரசாங்கத்தின் இனவாத அடிப்படையிலான அராசகத்தைக் கண்டித்து கண்டனக் குரல்கள் எழுப்பி வருகின்றன.
போராட்டம் தொடரும்...
இண்ட்ராஃப் இயக்கத்தை தடை செய்ததன் வழி, அம்னோ அரசாங்கம் நெருப்புக் கோழியைப் போல தன் தலையையே மண்ணுக்குள் இட்டுக் கொண்டது என புக்கிட் பெண்டேரா நாடாளுமன்ற உறுப்பினர் லியூ சின் தோங் வர்ணித்துள்ளார்.
சிவில் மனித உரிமை போராட்டவாதியான டாக்டர் தோ கின் வூன் கருத்துரைக்கையில், உண்மையில் மத்திய அரசாங்கம் நேர்மையாகவும் மக்களின் மீது பரிவும் கொண்டிருந்தால் இதுபோன்ற இழிச்செயல்களில் ஈடுபடாது, மலேசிய இந்தியர்களின் அடிப்படைப் பிரச்சனைகளை கண்டறிந்துக் களைந்திருப்பர் என்று கூறினார்.
இவ்வியக்கத்தைத் தடைச் செய்வதன்வழி அம்னோ தன் நிலைமையை மேலும் மோசமாக்கிக் கொள்கிறது என அவர் மேலும் கூறினார்.
இதற்கிடையில் பல மனித உரிமை இயக்கங்கள், அரசியல் கட்சிகள், தொண்டூழிய இயக்கங்கள் அம்னோ அரசாங்கத்தின் இனவாத அடிப்படையிலான அராசகத்தைக் கண்டித்து கண்டனக் குரல்கள் எழுப்பி வருகின்றன.
போராட்டம் தொடரும்...
TIME FOR ALL COMPONENT PARTIES WITHIN BARISAN TO SPEAK UP.
PRESS STATEMENT 17/10/08
RE : TIME FOR ALL COMPONENT PARTIES WITHIN BARISAN TO SPEAK UP.
HINDRAF calls upon all component parties within Barisan to speak up and make their stand clear on the issue of HINDRAF ban and the real problems facing the ethnic Indian community. 51 years has passed since independence and the ruling UMNO led Government has neglected and denied the ethnic Indians their basic rights and has oppressed suppressed and marginalized them so much so they remain a permanently colonized community. HINDRAF took the bold step to highlight these issues and is paying a heavy price and the ban is a desperate attempt to silence legitimate voice of democracy.
HINDRAF urges component parties within BN to come out of their cocoon and speak up the truth on the real situation facing the Indians and the impact of the UMNO repression on HINDRAF which is causing great uneasiness amongst the people. UMNO can’t go on forever silencing all legitimate voice of democracy in the unfounded and malicious allegation of National Security and against public order.
Barisan component parties have a moral duty to speak up the truth in the larger 
National interest and to protect and uphold the Rule of Law. The people who voted in the multi racial BN Government are losing their patience and confidence on the component parties which would eventually lead them into oblivion.
National interest and to protect and uphold the Rule of Law. The people who voted in the multi racial BN Government are losing their patience and confidence on the component parties which would eventually lead them into oblivion. It is time for the component parties to come together and voice out the ground reality and rebuke UMNO for its arrogance and bully attitude against HINDRAF.
P.Waytha Moorthy
CHAIRMAN
HINDRAF
Suhakam: Prove Hindraf a threat
Athi Veeranggan Oct 16, 08 8:56pm
The government was at the receiving end of much criticism for its decision to ban Hindraf, starting with the country’s officially sanctioned human rights organisation.
“Suhakam is of the opinion that a ban on Hindraft will not resolve the issues being championed by this group of individuals and therefore encourages the relevant agencies to address the genuine grievances which are socio-economic in nature,” said commissioners Simon Sipaun, Michael Yeoh and Denison Jayasooria in a joint statement.They were concerned that the ban would further alienate the group from mainstream Malaysian society and asked for the ban to be rescinded.The trio want the government to produce evidence of the movement being a threat to public order and morality - a feeling shared by others.“It was cowardice and arrogance - a clampdown of genuine voices of dissent,” said DAP Ipoh Barat MP M Kulasegaran.“Its (18-point) demands should indeed be incorporated into the national socio-economic policy,” he said - critical of Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar for not informing Parliament beforehand.
Ostrich behaviour
Bukit Bendera MP Liew Chin Tong characterised it as the government “burying itself in the sand like an ostrich” and losing further Indian support."The government should understand that with or without Hindraf, the community was unhappy with the way their cultural, religious and basic needs were trampled on," he said.Liew lambasted socio-economic policies which marginalised the lower income groups in Malaysia, making many Indians, Malays and Chinese living in abject poverty.“The government had kow-towed to demands made by a small group of Umno right-wing advocates to ban Hindraf,” he said.
Civil rights activist and former Gerakan leader Dr Toh Kin Woon called it distasteful and ridiculous since they are banning a NGO struggling for disenfranchised Indians.“If the federal government is sincere, it’ll find the root causes of Indian dissatisfaction, rather than to resort to such harsh actions,” he said. Toh argued that poor Indians - not unlike other ethnicities - lack upward social mobility opportunities, and are mired in generational poverty. Therefore the government should work with Hindraf to address the issues.“Declaring Hindraf illegal will not only resolve the problem, but exacerbate the situation,” he summed up.
Hindu Action Network (HAN) chief coordinator G Mugunthan asked Syed Hamid to clarify his decision.“Hindraf was never an armed struggle. It was a harmless movement championing the cause of marginalised minorities and protesting against repressive security laws,” he said, repeating similar calls to revoke the ban.
Save Ourselves secretary BK Ong questioned the legal basis of the decision. “Without such evidence, the charges are rather unfounded and libellous,” he said adding that the reasons behind the decision were questionable.He postulated that if Syed Hamid was doing this because of Hindraf’s illegal assemblies, then Umno and PAS too should be banned for their NEP demonstrations in Penang and Bar Council’s forum intrusion in Kuala Lumpur respectively.“Ban on Hindraf was blatant prejudice and injustice.“Is this the sign of things to come after the Umno leadership change?” he asked.
Ahimsa movement
“If the movement was a threat to national security, then former Indian independence hero Mahatma Gandhi’s Ahimsa movement should also be deemed as a terrorist organisation,” said United Hindu Religious Council (UHRC) deputy president AK SuppayahHe believes the ban was a bad omen for the BN federal government, just like how police brutality at the Nov 25 Hindraf rally last year led to their electoral losses in March.Bayan Baru MCA division vice-chairperson Ooi Chuan Aik felt that the government should have adopted a softer approach.Anti-ISA Movement (GMI) chairperson Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said the ban would not change the situation since the issue was about managing and engaging’ Hindraf and its demands.
Penang Makkal Sakti Welfare Association (Pemaswa) deputy chairperson MC Pitchay views the ban as part of government strategy to quell the community’s insurgence against injustice and discrimination.“The government may have a hidden agenda to establish a camouflaged pro-BN NGO in Hindraf’s mould to hoodwink the Indian community,” he said.
PAS national unity chairperson Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa said the government should have dealt with the movement professionally and not politically, calling on the accusations against the movement to be heard in court.He also invited Hindraf to move into mainstream civil rights struggles in the country and to appear less as an extreme Hindu movement
The government was at the receiving end of much criticism for its decision to ban Hindraf, starting with the country’s officially sanctioned human rights organisation.
“Suhakam is of the opinion that a ban on Hindraft will not resolve the issues being championed by this group of individuals and therefore encourages the relevant agencies to address the genuine grievances which are socio-economic in nature,” said commissioners Simon Sipaun, Michael Yeoh and Denison Jayasooria in a joint statement.They were concerned that the ban would further alienate the group from mainstream Malaysian society and asked for the ban to be rescinded.The trio want the government to produce evidence of the movement being a threat to public order and morality - a feeling shared by others.“It was cowardice and arrogance - a clampdown of genuine voices of dissent,” said DAP Ipoh Barat MP M Kulasegaran.“Its (18-point) demands should indeed be incorporated into the national socio-economic policy,” he said - critical of Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar for not informing Parliament beforehand.
Ostrich behaviour
Bukit Bendera MP Liew Chin Tong characterised it as the government “burying itself in the sand like an ostrich” and losing further Indian support."The government should understand that with or without Hindraf, the community was unhappy with the way their cultural, religious and basic needs were trampled on," he said.Liew lambasted socio-economic policies which marginalised the lower income groups in Malaysia, making many Indians, Malays and Chinese living in abject poverty.“The government had kow-towed to demands made by a small group of Umno right-wing advocates to ban Hindraf,” he said.
Civil rights activist and former Gerakan leader Dr Toh Kin Woon called it distasteful and ridiculous since they are banning a NGO struggling for disenfranchised Indians.“If the federal government is sincere, it’ll find the root causes of Indian dissatisfaction, rather than to resort to such harsh actions,” he said. Toh argued that poor Indians - not unlike other ethnicities - lack upward social mobility opportunities, and are mired in generational poverty. Therefore the government should work with Hindraf to address the issues.“Declaring Hindraf illegal will not only resolve the problem, but exacerbate the situation,” he summed up.
Hindu Action Network (HAN) chief coordinator G Mugunthan asked Syed Hamid to clarify his decision.“Hindraf was never an armed struggle. It was a harmless movement championing the cause of marginalised minorities and protesting against repressive security laws,” he said, repeating similar calls to revoke the ban.
Save Ourselves secretary BK Ong questioned the legal basis of the decision. “Without such evidence, the charges are rather unfounded and libellous,” he said adding that the reasons behind the decision were questionable.He postulated that if Syed Hamid was doing this because of Hindraf’s illegal assemblies, then Umno and PAS too should be banned for their NEP demonstrations in Penang and Bar Council’s forum intrusion in Kuala Lumpur respectively.“Ban on Hindraf was blatant prejudice and injustice.“Is this the sign of things to come after the Umno leadership change?” he asked.
Ahimsa movement
“If the movement was a threat to national security, then former Indian independence hero Mahatma Gandhi’s Ahimsa movement should also be deemed as a terrorist organisation,” said United Hindu Religious Council (UHRC) deputy president AK SuppayahHe believes the ban was a bad omen for the BN federal government, just like how police brutality at the Nov 25 Hindraf rally last year led to their electoral losses in March.Bayan Baru MCA division vice-chairperson Ooi Chuan Aik felt that the government should have adopted a softer approach.Anti-ISA Movement (GMI) chairperson Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said the ban would not change the situation since the issue was about managing and engaging’ Hindraf and its demands.
Penang Makkal Sakti Welfare Association (Pemaswa) deputy chairperson MC Pitchay views the ban as part of government strategy to quell the community’s insurgence against injustice and discrimination.“The government may have a hidden agenda to establish a camouflaged pro-BN NGO in Hindraf’s mould to hoodwink the Indian community,” he said.
PAS national unity chairperson Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa said the government should have dealt with the movement professionally and not politically, calling on the accusations against the movement to be heard in court.He also invited Hindraf to move into mainstream civil rights struggles in the country and to appear less as an extreme Hindu movement
Mkini-Your Say: Hindraf ban BN's Deepavalli 'gift'
Oct 17, 08 10:34am
‘Syed Hamid can declare Hindraf illegal if he wishes but an organisation does not live or die at the whim of the government. They live and die by the will of the people.
'On Gov't declares Hindraf an illegal organisation
Vetrivel: This is a Deepavalli gift for the Indians from BN after giving them a heartbreak last year.BN is lucky as Hindraf follows Gandhi's peaceful ahimsa (non-violence) way but even then Hindraf is demonised and made to look as pure evil terrorists though everyone knows better.If they were a terrorist group do you think their struggle will be peaceful and full of love while abiding by the laws of the land?The Hindraf leaders are the only ones keeping the community in check after Indian families were beaten, mothers and children were tear-gassed and after baton sticks were used on grandfathers on that fateful day in history as the community stood in the streets like beggars only to be kicked and pushed further away.From the first tear gas fired, the Hindraf leaders have taken responsibility for the community and for that some are in ISA and another is in self exile.Indeed, BN is lucky, the intellectuals guiding the community are using all peaceful methods to move but how patient can this community be? Only time will tell.
Spirit Fox: Syed Hamid can declare Hindraf illegal if he wishes but an organisation does not live or die at the whim of the government. Like governments are supposed to - but in Malaysia, do not - organisations live and die by the will of the people.
An organization that loses credibility, no matter how much official backing it receives, can no more sustain itself than a man can live without food. It can just squeak along for a few months. But in the end, it dies a natural and ignominious death.The alternative is an organisation that, while officially illegal, retains its credibility as a vehicle for the aspirations of the people. Such an organisation can survive indefinitely in a multitude of forms despite the harshest repression.Witness the PLO and its struggle against the Zionist regime or the wartime Edelweiss Pirates against the odious apparatus of the Third Reich.
These organisations can be declared illegal, their members hunted and hounded.But they survive so long as they continue to embody the spirit and goals of the populace.Syed Hamid can continue to blather but if the majority do not wish him to succeed, he cannot succeed.
This would entail the endurance of the resistance - for all their empty strength, the government still has brute force at its beck and call - but I have no doubt that if the people are strong and willing, the government will fail.Then Syed Hamid will have plenty of time to contemplate the words of a wise man, written over two centuries ago - that governments derive their powers from the consent of the governed.
As for me, I have a little Hindraf flag which I got from our September 27 outing. I will wave that banner proudly until which time Syed Hamid sees fit to revoke this illegal and fatuous ruling or when the sinister agents of this fascist government pry it from my fingers.
Millionth Citizen: Do not think we are born yesterday, Syed Hamid. We can see and are used to seeing you and your cronies trying to divert our attention from the helicopter scandal -good try.We can smell it coming a mile away. If you think what Hindraf did was wrong, by comparison, more of BN cronies should be in jail now. Correct Syed?
Marginalised: Mr Syed Hamid Albar, I'm very convinced that you never think. Let me tell you this. Your action is as good as banning the Indians.And the conclusion is BN has now lost almost all of the Indian Malaysians' votes. Let's see what is the MIC's role in this. Pakatan, I would like to see your response too.
Crazy Nutty: If Hindraf is only now an illegal organisation, why put the Hindraf leaders under ISA last year?Syed Hamid Albar's talk doesn't make sense. All Malaysians should judge for themselves what type of leaders we are having.Simply putting people under the ISA. Shall we put him under the ISA instead?Just World: Hindraf folks, continue with your struggle (for Malaysias democracy). Ban or no ban, do what is right for all Malaysians. Just change your name to ‘Hindraf Baru' (like what Mahathir did to Umno did in 1988 - from Umno to Umno Baru).
John Johnson: Just wonderful, the home minister has done it again. He has decided that Hindraf is an illegal society.
When are we going to wake up?Here is a society that is only fighting for the rights of the marginalised Indians and this minister wants to ban it. His reasons? It is an ‘illegal' society and it is a ‘threat' to the nation. ...What rubbish. These people are only fighting for equality, justice and equal opportunities. If the home minister is going to continue in this way, it is time to replace him.He has stuck his foot in his own mouth at every opportunity he gets and he is actually an embarrassment to us all.
Sang Kancil: Syed Hamid Albar has made another stupid mistake by banning Hindraf. The government has labelled Hindraf as ‘racist', ‘terrorist' and regarded this group of innocent Malaysians as a ‘national threat'.I put it to Syed Hamid, that you are the primary threat to national security. Umno is the most racist party in the world. Umno practices discriminatory laws. Umno leaders are confused between Umno, Malays, Utusan Malaysia and Islam.That is the reason why Umno's Cheras Division has launched a fund called Tabung Azan. They claim that a case against Utusan Malaysia is humiliating Islam. How can this be?challenge you Syed Hamid to sacked the Umno Cheras division chief.
On Hindraf's exiled leader lashes out at ban
Aiyaphaa: Yes, I too agree - the government's decision to ban the movement as a cowardly act. My only message is this:To my belief, what was the first reason why BN fared very badly in the recent elections? Answer?: HindrafAnd why? Their huge demonstration opened not only many eyes of the Indians eye but also th eyes of many others.And with this ban, does the government think they have solved the problem? The frustration will only increase.
‘Syed Hamid can declare Hindraf illegal if he wishes but an organisation does not live or die at the whim of the government. They live and die by the will of the people.
'On Gov't declares Hindraf an illegal organisation
Vetrivel: This is a Deepavalli gift for the Indians from BN after giving them a heartbreak last year.BN is lucky as Hindraf follows Gandhi's peaceful ahimsa (non-violence) way but even then Hindraf is demonised and made to look as pure evil terrorists though everyone knows better.If they were a terrorist group do you think their struggle will be peaceful and full of love while abiding by the laws of the land?The Hindraf leaders are the only ones keeping the community in check after Indian families were beaten, mothers and children were tear-gassed and after baton sticks were used on grandfathers on that fateful day in history as the community stood in the streets like beggars only to be kicked and pushed further away.From the first tear gas fired, the Hindraf leaders have taken responsibility for the community and for that some are in ISA and another is in self exile.Indeed, BN is lucky, the intellectuals guiding the community are using all peaceful methods to move but how patient can this community be? Only time will tell.
Spirit Fox: Syed Hamid can declare Hindraf illegal if he wishes but an organisation does not live or die at the whim of the government. Like governments are supposed to - but in Malaysia, do not - organisations live and die by the will of the people.
An organization that loses credibility, no matter how much official backing it receives, can no more sustain itself than a man can live without food. It can just squeak along for a few months. But in the end, it dies a natural and ignominious death.The alternative is an organisation that, while officially illegal, retains its credibility as a vehicle for the aspirations of the people. Such an organisation can survive indefinitely in a multitude of forms despite the harshest repression.Witness the PLO and its struggle against the Zionist regime or the wartime Edelweiss Pirates against the odious apparatus of the Third Reich.
These organisations can be declared illegal, their members hunted and hounded.But they survive so long as they continue to embody the spirit and goals of the populace.Syed Hamid can continue to blather but if the majority do not wish him to succeed, he cannot succeed.
This would entail the endurance of the resistance - for all their empty strength, the government still has brute force at its beck and call - but I have no doubt that if the people are strong and willing, the government will fail.Then Syed Hamid will have plenty of time to contemplate the words of a wise man, written over two centuries ago - that governments derive their powers from the consent of the governed.
As for me, I have a little Hindraf flag which I got from our September 27 outing. I will wave that banner proudly until which time Syed Hamid sees fit to revoke this illegal and fatuous ruling or when the sinister agents of this fascist government pry it from my fingers.
Millionth Citizen: Do not think we are born yesterday, Syed Hamid. We can see and are used to seeing you and your cronies trying to divert our attention from the helicopter scandal -good try.We can smell it coming a mile away. If you think what Hindraf did was wrong, by comparison, more of BN cronies should be in jail now. Correct Syed?
Marginalised: Mr Syed Hamid Albar, I'm very convinced that you never think. Let me tell you this. Your action is as good as banning the Indians.And the conclusion is BN has now lost almost all of the Indian Malaysians' votes. Let's see what is the MIC's role in this. Pakatan, I would like to see your response too.
Crazy Nutty: If Hindraf is only now an illegal organisation, why put the Hindraf leaders under ISA last year?Syed Hamid Albar's talk doesn't make sense. All Malaysians should judge for themselves what type of leaders we are having.Simply putting people under the ISA. Shall we put him under the ISA instead?Just World: Hindraf folks, continue with your struggle (for Malaysias democracy). Ban or no ban, do what is right for all Malaysians. Just change your name to ‘Hindraf Baru' (like what Mahathir did to Umno did in 1988 - from Umno to Umno Baru).
John Johnson: Just wonderful, the home minister has done it again. He has decided that Hindraf is an illegal society.
When are we going to wake up?Here is a society that is only fighting for the rights of the marginalised Indians and this minister wants to ban it. His reasons? It is an ‘illegal' society and it is a ‘threat' to the nation. ...What rubbish. These people are only fighting for equality, justice and equal opportunities. If the home minister is going to continue in this way, it is time to replace him.He has stuck his foot in his own mouth at every opportunity he gets and he is actually an embarrassment to us all.
Sang Kancil: Syed Hamid Albar has made another stupid mistake by banning Hindraf. The government has labelled Hindraf as ‘racist', ‘terrorist' and regarded this group of innocent Malaysians as a ‘national threat'.I put it to Syed Hamid, that you are the primary threat to national security. Umno is the most racist party in the world. Umno practices discriminatory laws. Umno leaders are confused between Umno, Malays, Utusan Malaysia and Islam.That is the reason why Umno's Cheras Division has launched a fund called Tabung Azan. They claim that a case against Utusan Malaysia is humiliating Islam. How can this be?challenge you Syed Hamid to sacked the Umno Cheras division chief.
On Hindraf's exiled leader lashes out at ban
Aiyaphaa: Yes, I too agree - the government's decision to ban the movement as a cowardly act. My only message is this:To my belief, what was the first reason why BN fared very badly in the recent elections? Answer?: HindrafAnd why? Their huge demonstration opened not only many eyes of the Indians eye but also th eyes of many others.And with this ban, does the government think they have solved the problem? The frustration will only increase.
Silent protest by Malaysian Indians against the ban
All planned HINDRAF activities be suspended,
pending further instructions.
As a mark of silent protest to the ban
we urge all supporters to wear orange
T-shirt during the weekends
(Sat & Sunday)
- Waytha Moorthy –Hindraf-
Let us be united and send this sms / email accross to all Malaysian show our solidarity in this silent protest against the act of suppression by the UMNO led govt.
Malaysia ban on Hindu rights group sparks outcry
Malaysia ban on Hindu rights group sparks outcry
Wed Oct 15, 2008 6:11pm IST
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia's government on Wednesday outlawed Hindu rights group Hindraf which held a massive anti-government protest last year against alleged discrimination of minority ethnic Indians.
Malaysia is holding five leaders of Hindraf or the Hindu Rights Action Force under the harsh Internal Security Act, which allows indefinite detention without trial, after they led the protest last November.
Ethnic Indians make up 7 percent of Malaysia's 27 million population and, like ethnic Chinese, have expressed growing resentment against decades-old government policies giving majority Muslim-Malays preferential treatment.
News agency Bernama said the Home (Interior) Ministry clamped down on Hindraf after it found evidence that the group posed "a threat to public order and morality".
"The decision to declare Hindraf an illegal organisation is not based on one or two of its activities that are in contravention of the law but covers all the actions it has taken since it was formed," Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar said.
"Hindraf has also tried to secure support from foreign countries for the purpose of pressuring the government to bow to its demands," he said.
The opposition Democratic Action Party (DAP) condemned the ban. "The banning of Hindraf by the Home Minister must be deplored in the strongest possible terms," DAP leader Lim Kit Siang said. "It will only aggravate the disaffection among the Indian community."
Malaysia has long been wary of anything that might upset racial harmony in the multicultural and relatively prosperous Southeast Asian nation.
Wed Oct 15, 2008 6:11pm IST
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia's government on Wednesday outlawed Hindu rights group Hindraf which held a massive anti-government protest last year against alleged discrimination of minority ethnic Indians.
Malaysia is holding five leaders of Hindraf or the Hindu Rights Action Force under the harsh Internal Security Act, which allows indefinite detention without trial, after they led the protest last November.
Ethnic Indians make up 7 percent of Malaysia's 27 million population and, like ethnic Chinese, have expressed growing resentment against decades-old government policies giving majority Muslim-Malays preferential treatment.
News agency Bernama said the Home (Interior) Ministry clamped down on Hindraf after it found evidence that the group posed "a threat to public order and morality".
"The decision to declare Hindraf an illegal organisation is not based on one or two of its activities that are in contravention of the law but covers all the actions it has taken since it was formed," Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar said.
"Hindraf has also tried to secure support from foreign countries for the purpose of pressuring the government to bow to its demands," he said.
The opposition Democratic Action Party (DAP) condemned the ban. "The banning of Hindraf by the Home Minister must be deplored in the strongest possible terms," DAP leader Lim Kit Siang said. "It will only aggravate the disaffection among the Indian community."
Malaysia has long been wary of anything that might upset racial harmony in the multicultural and relatively prosperous Southeast Asian nation.
Hindraf's exiled leader suspends all activities
Oct 16, 08 3:24pm
Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader P Waythamoorthy today said that he was suspending all activities of the movement as a result of the ban by the government.
MCPX
"I have instructed our coordinators to suspend all activities. I am also urging all our sympathisers and supporters not to take part in activities that is claimed to be organised by Hindraf from today onwards," he told Malaysiakini.
He urged them to await further instructions from him on the movement's next course of action.
"We are presently taking legal advice on this matter as well," he said.
Waythamoorthy also urged supporters to wear orange-coloured t-shirts over the weekends to show their support for Hindraf
Earlier in a statement, Waythamoorthy described the government's decision to ban the movement as a cowardly act.
“It is meant to suppress and oppress the minority Indian (Malaysian) community and the prime minister should step in and revoke the decision,” he said in a statement from his London base.
“Hindraf represents a very deep feeling experienced in the hearts and souls of millions of Indians both locally and internationally,” he added.
Waythamoorthy said the action proves that the government is running out of ideas in dealing with Hindraf and it underscores the notion that Malaysia is a police state.
The self-exiled leader said Hindraf’s struggle is to highlight the plight of Indian Malaysians who have been systematically marginalised, adding that the government does not understand this.
“Hindraf represents the Indian commoner, the hardworking oily-faced man who is made fun of in the streets, the man whom people step on, the man who walks past you, yet you notice him not.
“They all do not wither away with this illegal declaration. The government obviously has a primitive understanding of the situation. They cannot see a genuine problem within a significant section of Malaysian society."
ROS investigated Hindraf
The lawyer compared the movement with the French and American civil revolutions and, more pertinently, with the abolition of apartheid in South Africa.
He claimed that Hindraf’s struggle had raised the self-worth of all Malaysians.
“We demand dignity and equality for each and every Malaysian, which cannot be abandoned and diluted for the glory of the Umno-led government intent on stirring racial tension and maintaining the status quo,” Waythamoorthy added.
The government, however, has rejected claims that the ban is about the ethnicity or the faith of Hindraf followers.
“The government denies racial or religious bias in banning Hindraf. It is up to the police to decide what action to take against those associated with the movement,” English-language daily Star today quoted Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar as saying.
Announcing the ban yesterday, the minister explained that the decision was made after the Registrar of Societies investigated the movement, and his ministry found that “Hindraf had (been) and was being used for unlawful purposes and posed a threat to public order and morality".
Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, president of the national human rights society Hakam, said the ban was unnecessary and showed a lack of sensitivity to the minority community which shunned the government in March elections.
"Hindraf is more a wave of consciousness than an organisation and in declaring it illegal the government has possibly alienated the Indian community even more," he told AFP.
Koh: Listen to their woes
In a related development, Gerakan president Koh Tsu Koon expressed hope that despite the ban on Hindraf, the cause of the movement will be given due attention by the authorities.
"The issues affecting the Indian community brought up by Hindraf and other NGOs should be quickly and properly addressed," he told a press conference at Parliament House today.
He said a cabinet committee on the Indian Malaysian community chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has already implemented a few policies, although the outcome will take time to be seen.
"We hope this (ban) will not stifle the freedom of expression by individuals, groups and legally registered organisations. It is an important hallmark for the society to allow for freedom of expression and association" stressed Koh.
He was met by reporters after attending a BN management committee meeting chaired by Najib. The deputy premier and other BN leaders left without speaking to reporters.
The meeting had discussed the rebranding of BN among other aspects, but Koh declined to reveal details
Oct 16, 08 3:24pm
Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader P Waythamoorthy today said that he was suspending all activities of the movement as a result of the ban by the government.
MCPX
"I have instructed our coordinators to suspend all activities. I am also urging all our sympathisers and supporters not to take part in activities that is claimed to be organised by Hindraf from today onwards," he told Malaysiakini.
He urged them to await further instructions from him on the movement's next course of action.
"We are presently taking legal advice on this matter as well," he said.
Waythamoorthy also urged supporters to wear orange-coloured t-shirts over the weekends to show their support for Hindraf
Earlier in a statement, Waythamoorthy described the government's decision to ban the movement as a cowardly act.
“It is meant to suppress and oppress the minority Indian (Malaysian) community and the prime minister should step in and revoke the decision,” he said in a statement from his London base.
“Hindraf represents a very deep feeling experienced in the hearts and souls of millions of Indians both locally and internationally,” he added.
Waythamoorthy said the action proves that the government is running out of ideas in dealing with Hindraf and it underscores the notion that Malaysia is a police state.
The self-exiled leader said Hindraf’s struggle is to highlight the plight of Indian Malaysians who have been systematically marginalised, adding that the government does not understand this.
“Hindraf represents the Indian commoner, the hardworking oily-faced man who is made fun of in the streets, the man whom people step on, the man who walks past you, yet you notice him not.
“They all do not wither away with this illegal declaration. The government obviously has a primitive understanding of the situation. They cannot see a genuine problem within a significant section of Malaysian society."
ROS investigated Hindraf
The lawyer compared the movement with the French and American civil revolutions and, more pertinently, with the abolition of apartheid in South Africa.
He claimed that Hindraf’s struggle had raised the self-worth of all Malaysians.
“We demand dignity and equality for each and every Malaysian, which cannot be abandoned and diluted for the glory of the Umno-led government intent on stirring racial tension and maintaining the status quo,” Waythamoorthy added.
The government, however, has rejected claims that the ban is about the ethnicity or the faith of Hindraf followers.
“The government denies racial or religious bias in banning Hindraf. It is up to the police to decide what action to take against those associated with the movement,” English-language daily Star today quoted Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar as saying.
Announcing the ban yesterday, the minister explained that the decision was made after the Registrar of Societies investigated the movement, and his ministry found that “Hindraf had (been) and was being used for unlawful purposes and posed a threat to public order and morality".
Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, president of the national human rights society Hakam, said the ban was unnecessary and showed a lack of sensitivity to the minority community which shunned the government in March elections.
"Hindraf is more a wave of consciousness than an organisation and in declaring it illegal the government has possibly alienated the Indian community even more," he told AFP.
Koh: Listen to their woes
In a related development, Gerakan president Koh Tsu Koon expressed hope that despite the ban on Hindraf, the cause of the movement will be given due attention by the authorities.
"The issues affecting the Indian community brought up by Hindraf and other NGOs should be quickly and properly addressed," he told a press conference at Parliament House today.
He said a cabinet committee on the Indian Malaysian community chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has already implemented a few policies, although the outcome will take time to be seen.
"We hope this (ban) will not stifle the freedom of expression by individuals, groups and legally registered organisations. It is an important hallmark for the society to allow for freedom of expression and association" stressed Koh.
He was met by reporters after attending a BN management committee meeting chaired by Najib. The deputy premier and other BN leaders left without speaking to reporters.
The meeting had discussed the rebranding of BN among other aspects, but Koh declined to reveal details
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