LETS TAKE HINDRAF’S ANTI-RACISM CAMPAIGN TO SCHOOLS

If racism can never be eliminated from schools, then it’s our responsibility to convey UMNO’s 54 years of racism, its racist policies and designs to schools.

We need to target school children. They need to comprehend the meaning of racism and learn to understand these gross Human rights violations at a tender age. We are a minority community in this country. We need to be alert and we need to protect ourselves and furnish our generation of children with a sense of morality concerning these things, otherwise they will succumb to UMNO’s subtle planting of the racism seed in schools.

By introducing such racist materials in schools, UMNO intends to plant the Malay supremacy agenda in schools. The Malay students would be nurtured to be the “tuans” (Masters) and we the “hambas” (slaves) of Malaysia.

Let us alert our children on the provisions of the constitution of Malaysia, which guarantees Equality for all. Lets educate our children on the original spirits and intentions of Article 153. The original NEP was meant to eradicate poverty irrespective of race. But today the father of racism in Malaysia Mahathir openly declares NEP was meant to enrich the Malay elite and Malay poor thus confirming that the NEP is really a blueprint for racism. We have to expose our children to the original understanding our forefathers had in agreeing to Article 153 of the Federal Constitution.

Our forefathers were made to belief that if they gave in to the provisions in Article 153, they would be entitled to equality. They would be treated as loyal and equal citizens. However today when we question our basic rights and the unfairness and legality and true meaning of Article 153, we are branded extremists.

There was indeed a great personality and Human rights defender we Malaysians have forgotten – the late Lau Pak Khuan of Perak who I believe founded the Chinese assembly hall. He was a true Democratic leader who warned the British in no uncertain terms on the dangers of Article 153 with no safeguards measures for the non-Malays. Let our younger children learn the values and principles this great personality fought for.

Let us educate our children on the Universal principles and values of Human Rights. Let us educate our children on all the provisions of Human Rights Covenants and simplify these to cater for younger children. Universal Human Rights values abhor racism and discrimination and expansion of racist policies.

Let us teach and provide evidence to our children that the Indians were backbones of economic development and growth of modern Malaysia. Our forefathers lost lives and shed blood in building and maintaining this country’s infrastructure at a very formative stage of the nation - roads, railway, buildings, power installations, bridges, plantations providing for the wealth of the country.

The Auditor-General’s Report in 1956 clearly shows that the income from rubber contributed 2/3 of Malaya’s income and tin 1/3. It was we the Non- Malays who were responsible for the building of this nation.

The British in their self-interest, used the wealth created by the Indians and Chinese to educate an elite group mostly royals and the upper class Malays to take over the country.

Let these facts flow to our students. Let them learn the truth about Malaysia’s history. Let them learn how UMNO extended the divide and rule policy of the British and continued ruling this country as Masters (Tuans) and enslaved us. Let them learn how the country’s economic pie is denied to us in toto now. Let them know how the democratic system and Constitution is manipulated to institutionalise racism.

Let us bring change to the country together. Let us set the platform for the future generation to bring about the CHANGE in event we fail in this lifetime.

I have 15 committed volunteers who are willing to work round the cloak to prepare the syllabus of this text. Any of you who wish to contribute your part are most welcomed. With my previous NGO experience working for the advancement of students, I belief the students population could be easily reached and I am willing to train committed volunteers.

Let us all work to ending racism. Let us all end UMNO’s 54 years of lie, deceit, corruption, plunder and institutionalised racism. Let us bring this message to our students in schools.
Let me quote Wael Ghonim, the 30 year old Egyptian Google executive and Democracy Activist who was instrumental in moving the people of Egypt during the recent uprising of the people in Egypt just a few days ago :
“The only barrier to people rising up is the psychological barrier of fear. All these regimes rely on fear. They want everyone to be scared. If you manage to break the psychological barrier you are going to definitely going to win.”
The Neo –Democratisation Revolution

RIGHTS NOT MERCY
P.Waytha Moorthy
Chair
HINDRAF
waytha@hotmail.com

No let-up in Interlok protests

HRP will continue to pile the pressure on the BN government until the controversial book is withdrawn from the education system.

IPOH: The Human Rights Party Malaysia (HRP) is not letting up the political pressure on the Barisan Nasional (BN) government to remove the controversial Form Five Malay literature book “Interlok” from the education system.

It has drawn up programmes to continue with its people’s power protests to demonstrate to the government that the Indian community is dead set against the book.

Certain portions of the book were deemed to have offended the sentiments of the Indian community with their alleged racist attack.

Although Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had responded to the vocal protest of the community by removing the offending sections, he stopped short of removing the book from the education system.

Even though MIC seems to support Muhyiddin’s move, the Indian community, NGOs and HRP were not prepared to compromise.

On Feb 13, HRP ignited the first spark of protest by organising a nationwide march – in the form of car convoys – against the novel.

The convoys started in various states, with each convoy ending in another destination in the respective states.

The peaceful protest ended with the arrest of some 75 activists in the various states, some of whom were later released.

The next anti-Interlok move is fixed for Feb 19 when HRP pro-tem secretary-general P Uthayakumar and its pro-tem chief W Sambulingam are set to address the Indian residents of Buntong, Perak, which has the highest number of Indian voters in the country.

This “Haramkan Interlok” function is to be held at Dewan Arioli Manram at 7pm and a huge Indian crowd is expected to turn up.

Biggest rally

The final and biggest rally called “People’s march for solidarity against Umno/BN racism” is slated to take place at the KLCC on Feb 27.

This event is expected to attract a mammoth gathering similar to the Nov 27, 2007 Hindraf protest which changed the political landscape of the country.

Ironically, Interlok, written by national laureate Abdullah Hussain in 1971, was to promote better racial understanding.

But it backfired as the Indian community took offence to the word “pariah” used to describe them and other alleged factual errors about their way of life.

According to HRP Perak chief P Ramesh, there are three different types of Form Five Malay literature books, of which one will be chosen by each of the three zones – northern, central and southern.

The northern zone, comprising the states in the north, is using the “Kembara Amira” Malay literature book. The central zone, comprising Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Selangor and Negri Sembilan, is using Interlok.

Ramesh, however, cannot remember the title of the Malay literature book used in Form Five for the southern region.

He contended that since Interlok was not used nationwide but only in a limited area, it would be easy to remove it completely from the education system.

“Why can’t the schools in the central zone use one of the other two titles for Malay literature instead of this controversial book?” he asked.

He said it was not practical to remove the offending portions of the book as this would disrupt the the smooth flow of the story. Thus, the best alternative is to withdraw it.

Meanwhile, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said in a press statement the BN government should not press any charges against the HRP and Hindraf protesters who took part in the convoy protest.

'Hindraf has no permit for Feb 27 rally'

The New Straits Times

PUTRAJAYA: The banned Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), which is planning a massive rally on Feb 27, will have to do it "at its own risk", said Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein here yesterday.

He said the organisation did not apply for a permit to hold the rally.

Hishammuddin was commenting on a statement by Hindraf legal adviser and Human Rights Party Malaysia pro-tem secretary-general P. Uthayakumar, who said the organisation would go ahead with the rally to call for a ban on Interlok despite the arrest of 58 of its members last week.

The rally is to be held at the Kuala Lumpur City Centre at 9am.

When asked if a permit would be issued, Hishammuddin said he would leave it to the relevant authorities to decide on the matter.

He was speaking to reporters after chairing the post-cabinet meeting.

Present were Deputy Home Minister Datuk Abu Seman Yusop and director-general Datuk Alias Ahmad.

On another matter, Hishammuddin shot down the possibility of providing Selangor with auxiliary policemen, calling the request by the state government insincere and against the constitution.

Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim had sent a second request for auxiliary policemen earlier this month. The first was made in July last year.

"I am a little aggrieved by the request as prior to this, the state government had never offered to help the police bring down the crime rate in the state.

"When the crime rate fell, they used it as an excuse to ask for auxiliary policemen, which seems to negate our efforts," he said, adding the state government just wanted to sensationalise matters.

When asked if Selangor had enough policemen, he said the fact was that the crime rate in the state had dropped.

Indian poor lady and her two children commit suicide. No hope; “I don’t want my children to suffer” (under UMNO regime).

(see Makkal Osia 16/2/2011 at headlines and NST 16/2/2011 at page 14)

 

Interlok & anti UMNO racism Car Convoy detainee tortured in police special branch 7 feet x 10 feet dark room.

POLICE REPORT
Name: Sivakumar s/o Santhosam
I.C. No : 690201-05-5245
Address: 4.8 Blok M Rumah Pangsa
Jalan Lobak 12
Lobak 70200 Seremban
Date of Birth: 1.2.1969
Occupation: Contractor
I Sivakumar s/o Santhosam I.C. No 690201-05-5245 lodge this report against the following persons
1) ASP Alias Investigation officer Seremban Police station
2) OCPD of the Seremban District Police Station
3) Inspector General of Police
On the 13^th February 2011 at about 2.30 pm I was arrested unlawfully by the Police at Rahang Seremban when I was driving a car registration No BEP 4939. The grounds of the arrest was not explained to me. At the time of arrest my 2 children were travelling in another car driven by a friend.
I was driving together with 25 other Hindraf Makkal Sakthi volunteers in our campaign to raise awareness and campaign for the peaceful March against UMNO’s Racism scheduled to be held in Kuala Lumpur on the 27^th February 2011.
I was separated from my children and immediately taken to the Seremban Police station separately. Throughout this period the grounds of arrest was not explained to me despite me asking for it.
About 30 minutes after arrival at the Seremban Police station, I was placed in a DARK ROOM measuring about 7 feet by 10 feet. I am a big built person weighing 98 Kilograms and this small DARK ROOM which I belief was used as a cell by the Police caused severe mental torture and stress to me. I felt claustrophobic. 
In total I was detained for more than 27 ½ hours in contravention of Article 5 (4) of the Federal Constitution. I was placed in the DARK ROOM for more than 19 hours incommunicado. I was not allowed to contact my family members, I did not know the whereabouts of my children who were in another car behind me , was not allowed to contact and obtain the services of a lawyer.
The DARK ROOM was filthy and unhygienic without proper toilet facilities and I had to use the toilet in total darkness. The 19-hour ordeal caused severe anxiety, fear, sweating, nauseating, suffocation and my heart started beating rapidly for no apparent reason.
I was just a week ago discharged from the Seremban Hospital for infection on my leg. During this period my legs swelled and cracking and despite me and my wife’s police report No. 755/11 at about midnight on 13/2/11 also urging me to be taken to the hospital urgently, the Police refused to take me to hospital.
I belief the Police deliberately placed me in the small DARK ROOM to punish, cause mental torture and stress, and intimidate me for my involvement in the Human Rights movement Hindraf Makkal Sakthi which advocates the rights of the ethnic Malaysian Indian community.
I now make this report against the above named persons for causing torture and inhumane treatment to me during my detention at the Seremban police station. I belief they deliberately did this to spite me for my involvement in Hindraf Makkal sakthi and prevent me from further getting involved in Hindraf Makkal Sakthi’s activities. They were particularly angry with me for organising a successful campaign in Negeri Sembilan in the March against UMNO’s Racism, which is due to take place in Kuala Lumpur on the 27^th February 2011.
I had organised various meetings with youths throughout Negeri sembilan, distributed flyers and canvassed for various groups to organise themselves in large numbers to turn up at the peaceful March against UMNO’s Racism on 27^th February.
I do not have confidence in Police investigating their own crimes especially since it is against their own kind and they are protecting their masters UMNO. However I lodge this report to put on record the atrocities of the Police in using unlawful methods, illegal and unknown arbitrary Police procedures and torturing me. I suffer severe mental agony as a result.
I also make this report on behalf of myself and 25 others including 4 children (released after more than 10 hours and given food only at about 11.00p.m and that too after my wife scolding them) detained at the same place and time.
We were arrested without any valid grounds in a road- block mounted by Police simply for the “unknown offence in law” of driving in a campaign to raise awareness against UMNO’s racism. Our cars were diverted to the Seremban Police station forcibly and the 26 were arrested and held in detention for almost 27 ½ hours.
During the initial detention, all of us were told to remove our Orange Hindraf T-Shirts, as the Police were unhappy with our Orange T-Shirts. (which they had already taken photographs of). The 22 Hindraf Makkal Sakthi volunteers were instructed to contact their family members to request them to bring a change of clothing (of the Orange Hindraf Makkal Sakthi T-Shirts) but they refused. ASP Alias then threatened all of them with detention overnight and/or 7 days more should they refuse to do so and the 22 stood their ground. For this they were detained overnight and told to change into lock-up clothing and placed in cells overnight.
The next day at about 12pm we were told that we were being released on Police bail. However we were again threatened that if we do not leave the Police station, we would not be released. We stood our ground and insisted that we were forcibly and unlawfully arrested for wearing Orange Hindraf T-Shirts and that we will walk out with the same scared Orange T-Shirts as this is a free country and we are proud to belong to Hindraf Makkal sakthi and wear the Orange T-Shirts.
This annoyed the Police further. I personally heard one Policeman saying “kita ajar mereka” (we should teach them a lesson).
About half an hour later ASP Alias told us that we have no choice and that they are now “detaining the T-shirts as exhibits” . ( kita sekarang tahan T-shirt sebagai barang bukti). I insisted that we were arrested for the so-called unlawful assembly offence and it does not make sense that the T-Shirts should be made exhibits.
In any event all of us agreed to walk out of Police station with prison uniform, as we have no choice over the matter but even to this ASP Alias was not agreeable. He then threatened us with another criminal charge of stealing Government property (prison uniforms) and said we are arrested for a further 2 days period for this offence and that we would only be taken to court to be charged on 16^th February as 15^th was a public holiday.
We told him we were willing to face the extra 2 days behind bars for the “charge of stealing Government property” (Prison uniforms) and would tell the magistrate how stupid the Police were to charge us for this offence.
I belief the arrest and detention on such trivial charges are ill intended, deliberate, degrading, demoralising and humiliating and to spite us for our participation in Hindraf Makkal Sakthi activities.
However when we stood our grounds and were willing to face another 2 days in lock-up and the charge of theft, the Police relented and decided to allow us to leave the Police station with our Orange T-Shirts.
On behalf of the 25 I categorically state that we do not have confidence in Police investigating their own crimes especially since it is against their own kind and they are protecting their masters UMNO. However I lodge this report to put on record the atrocities of the Police in using unlawful methods, illegal and arbitrary unknown Police procedures and torturing us. We suffer severe mental agony as a result.
……………………………..
Name: Sivakumar s/o Santhosam
I.C. No : 690201-05-5245
Address: 4.8 Blok M Rumah Pangsa
Jalan Lobak 12
Lobak 70200 Seremban

COMPLAINT TO SUHAKAM ON ARREST and TORTURE of Mr Sivakumar & twenty six (26) other HINDRAF Makkal Sakthi members on February 13 & 14, 2011 at Seremban Police Station.

THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF MALAYSIA 
11th Floor, Menara TH Perdana, 
Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur 
Tel: 03 2612 5600
Fax: 03 2612 5620
Dear Sir/ Madam
RE: COMPLAINT ON ARREST and TORTURE of Mr Sivakumar & twenty  six (26) other HINDRAF Makkal Sakthi members on February 13 & 14, 2011 at Seremban Police Station. 
We refer to the above matter.
We are requesting for an urgent meeting with your goodself at 2.15pm today in regards to the recent arrest and torture encountered by our members at the Seremban police station on the 13^th February 2011.
As the sole organization established by the government under the Human Rights Commission Act 1999, we request your urgent attention to meet with our representative on flagrant disregard of human rights that had been administered by the police force against our members.
Our representative will accompany the complainants in handing over a memorandum with the view that you carry out an urgent inquiry on the gross violation of Human Rights by members of the Royal Police Force including the crime of torture, inhumane and degrading treatment.
Further, we would also appreciate as a special request, that a Malaysian Non-Indian Commissioner to be appointed to attend during our meeting.
Your cooperation in this matter is highly appreciated.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully
P.Waytha Moorthy
Chair
HINDRAF

W.Sambulingam
Chairman Human Rights Party Malaysia (Pro tem)
National Co-ordinator HINDRAF MAKKAL SAKTHI
N0 6 Jalan Abdullah off Jalan Bangsar
59000 Kuala Lumpur

THE CHAIR
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF MALAYSIA 
11th Floor, Menara TH Perdana, 
Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur 
Tel: 03 2612 5600
Fax: 03 2612 5620
16^th Feb 2011
Dear Sir/ Madam
RE: COMPLAINT ON ARREST AND TORTURE OF SIVAKUMAR S/O SANTHOSAM
COMPLAINT ON UNLAWFUL ARREST AND DETENTION OF 59 HINDRAF MAKKAL SAKTHI MEMBERS AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS AND POLICE STATIONS NATIONWIDE
PRACTICE OF NON- EXISTING, UNKNOWN AND MYSTERIOUS LAW BY PDRM  
We refer to the above matter.
We write in anticipation that you would exercise your powers under section 12 (1) of the Suhakam Act to hold an inquiry into the following complaints that I hereby make on behalf of 59 HINDRAF MAKKAL SAKTHI leaders and well wishers arrested nationwide on the 13^th February 2011.
Brief details of arrest;
HINDRAF MAKKAL SAKTHI is organising a Solidarity March Against UMNO’s Racism on the 27^th February 2011. In conjunction to this we have been organising various activities and campaigns to raise awareness of the march. One of such campaign was a drive campaign where we drive our vehicles with posters of the Peaceful March attached to our vehicles in a group without hindering any flow of traffic or causing obstructions to other traffic. This event was organised simultaneously in the states of Kedah, Perak,Selangor, Wilayah Persekutuan, Negeri Sembilan and Johor on the 13^th February.
However the Police mounted various roadblocks nationwide and with the assistance of the Federal Reserve Force stopped these vehicles arrested the drivers and passengers of such vehicles, seized the vehicles, manhandled the said drivers, and finally in the state of Negeri Sembilan detained 22 persons overnight.
We now list our complaints of the various Human Rights violations committed by the Royal Malaysian Police Force
a) Stopping the flow of traffic of vehicles belonging to HINDRAF MAKKAL SAKTHI members.
b) Arresting these drivers upon them obeying the orders to stop for the unknown, mysterious and non-existence crime in Law of driving in a group.
c) Arresting the passengers of these vehicles including children for an offence unknown, mysterious and non-existence in Law for accompanying such drivers.
d) Insisting that 22 HINDRAF MAKKAL SAKTHI members remove their Orange T-Shirts, failure of which they were punished with detentions overnight.
e) Insisting that the 22 HINDRAF MAKKAL SAKTHI members do not wear the Orange T-Shirts upon release of bail.
f) Seizing/threatening to seize the Orange T-Shirts on grounds that they were “exhibits” in an investigation by the Police for unlawful assembly.
g) Placing our Negeri Sembilan HINDRAF MAKKAL SAKTHI Chairman S.Sivakumar in a mysterious DARK ROOM of 6 feet x 10 feet, which was not an official cell within the meaning of lock-ups in the Malaysian, or any other International Law/conventions.
h) Subject Negeri Sembilan HINDRAF MAKKAL SAKTHI Chairman S.Sivakumar to torture by detaining him in a mysterious DARK ROOM for a period of 19 hours.
The above information warrants an urgent inquiry within the Powers of Inquiry of the Commission under section 12 (1) which provides;’

POWERS OF INQUIRY OF THE COMMISSION

Commission may inquire on own motion or on complaint

12.

(1)

The Commission may, on its own motion or on a complaint made to it by an aggrieved person or group of persons or a person acting on behalf of an aggrieved person or a group of persons, inquire into allegation of the infringement of the human rights of such person or group of persons

I no doubt am aware of Section 12 (2) which provides circumstances where the commission may not hold the inquiry and I quote ;

(2)	The Commission shall not inquire into any complaint relating to any allegation of the infringement of human rights which-
	1. is the subject matter of any proceedings pending in any court, including any appeals; or 2. has been finally determined by any court.

(3)

If the Commission inquires into an allegation under subsection 12(1) and during the pendency of such inquiry the allegation becomes the subject matter of any proceedings in any court, the Commission shall immediately cease to do the inquiry.

I wish to reiterate that this Inquiry is crucial to establish and answer certain pertinent issues ie could :
a) the Police arrest an individual for the crime of driving in a group which is not a defined/known crime in Malaysia.
b) the Police arrest innocent passengers in a vehicle.
c) the Police arrest individuals for wearing Orange T-Shirts
d) the Police arrest individuals with theft of Government property- in this case Prison clothing as the detainees’ clothing have been seized
e) the Police place an arrested person in a mysterious “DARK ROOM” which is not defined as a cell within the meaning of the Lock-ups in Malaysia.
f) In the interest of the larger group and civil rights advocates – Do the Police use secret “DARK ROOMS” to torture detainees. We have heard of these rooms but no official complain and inquiry held on this subject matter.
g) Did the Royal Police Force fulfil Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners passed by United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders?
We have in our possession various video, photographic, audio evidences, including those taken in Police stations, which we are willing to submit to this Commission on the official inquiry. We reiterate that more than 160 witnesses are willing to testify in order to establish the above questions.
We believe our request for inquiry would not be frustrated by virtue of Section 12 (2).
We believe this inquiry would serve as an eye opener and promote the cause of Human Rights which we in HINDRAF MAKKAL SAKTHI have always cherished.
Thanking you in anticipation.
Yours faithfully
W.Sambulingam

            

Police sentry harass Malaysiakini videojournalist

A police sentry ran from the Travers police station, demanding that a Malaysiakini.tv videojournalist stop his video interview of HRP Seremban chief who had gone to the station to submit a report against the arrest of HRP participants of an anti-racism convoy recently.

When the journalist and HRP members wanted to know the reason for his instructions, he pushed the camera away. 

The interview was about 30 metres from the front gate of the police station.