PWTC Raya Open House - Actual Story in Pics

UMNO’s cowardly media campaign against HINDRAF.

So visiting the PM on a Hari Raya (Eid) is a grave sin committed by HINDRAF. An act of betrayal and insult to the Islamic religion – the masterminds should be arrested under the ISA or prosecuted under the existing Laws - so say the Malay extremist and fundamentalists organisations. Cabinet Ministers claim HINDRAF was extreme in barging into the PM’s open house and presenting a memorandum. Their seditious criticisms’ were carried out by the none other than the UMNO controlled daily Utusan and TV3.

So it was a grave sin. I challenge these fools to obtain evidence from over 30 odd TV crews and pressmen (both local and International media) and the numerous Police Special Branch units who covered , recorded and filmed the entire episode to make public their recordings so that the whole world could see the foolishness and low mentality of Malaysian politicians and their UMNO coolies who stir up racial sentiments for their own political survival.

There is no doubt that whenever there are serious problems within UMNO, the best solution (idiotic though) is to stir racial tension among races. UMNO creates problems and misleads the public with the strength and might of their media.

Let us see the pictures below which our supporters recorded.

It is for you to judge whether HINDRAF presence at PM’S OPEN HOUSE IS as an INSULT TO ISLAM ?

This card is interpreted by the Cabinet Ministers as memorandum. I wonder if they know what they are talking about. The simplest greeting card prepared by a 6 year old with the help of adult to express the feeling of HINDRAF supporters to the PM-And this is interpreted as an insult to the Islamic faith???

“Salam Aidilfitri,
Semoga di hari mulia ini YAB akan diberkati rahmat Tuhan dan membebaskan semua tahanan ISA dan mendengar rintihan masyarakat India di bumi tercinta Malaysia.
Maaf Zahir batin”


The above wordings meant as follows,


“Happy Eid,
May in this auspicious day the Almighty bless you Mr PM and may you release all ISA detainees and hear the tears of the Indian community in this beloved Malaysia.
Seek Forgive and Forget"

So the above were interpreted as extreme by UMNO Ministers and their coolie NGO’s ??





Hey look onto the eyes of these kids. Don’t you see excitement and hope in their eyes. Excitement and hope that they are part of the change that are about to happen in the history of Malaysia. Look at this on the
above kid. Isn’t this “look Of hopes”??




Hey you came with hope too. You look so excited!! To see the PM eh!!!
You sure the UMNO Ministers have the intelligence to understand this ?? careful you might be termed extremist!!!.



The excitement of signing the card for PM!!!

The future generation taking part in today’ s campaign.



They came in hope but then came the naughty uncles to snatch the Raya (Eid) cards away. Apparently it contained “seditious materials” and its contents were a Threat to National Security!!!!!!!!!!

Poor Hindraf parent tried their best to rescue the creative greeting card made by the children.

The end product of the card and the disappointed fathers- children in tears and sadness.


How do we explain to them??????




HINDRAF well wishers queued accordingly contrary to what UMNO claims Under watchful eyes of police.



Contrary to media report HINDRAF supporters never went 4 the food but queued orderly to greet the PM

Now let us see how the Police are comfortable with HINDRAF


Hey everyone look comfortable.


Well looks like HISHAMUDIN & MRS never had problems with HINDRAF wishes. All in Good Aidilfitri spirits.



Pak Lah & Najib never had any problems RPK supporters wishing them. No insult to Islam!!!!!!!



MRS HINDRAF and Vwaishnawi wishes the PM and Najib looks on with all smiles. Sorry folks photo not clear.
Pak Lah accepted the wishes with smile and open heart. Najib is surely delighted!!!!!
Now now!!

You see the Naughty uncle is not happy with the appeal to PM and is pulling away MRS H .


In the meantime HINDRAF BABIES are awaiting their turn behind patiently. They look serious as they know they have an important task of delivering a clear message for their uncles to be released.
sorry folks! That’s the best we could get of the kiddies on camera with the PM. There were lots of pushing by the naughty uncles which prevented us from getting more photo shots.





Mission accomplished. Message and wishes
Delivered to PM Personally.

HINDRAF’s sincere wishes to PM is manipulated as using kids for political purpose and insulting Islam by NGO’s linked to UMNO.
THEY COULD USE THE ENTIRE MEDIA TO TARNISH HINDRAF BUT THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES.
HINDRAF WILL NEVER GIVE UP.
OURS IS JUST AND DEMOCRATIC STRUGGLE.
THE NEO PASSIVE DEMOCRATISATION "REVOLUTION" BEGINS

Letter in TheStar- Spare a thought for Hindus when setting exam period

Tuesday October 7, 2008

MY SON’S primary school recently announced that the year-end examination would start on Oct 30.
The District Education Office had issued the directive for Year 5 students.

Did someone forget that Deepavali is on Oct 27?

As a result of the directive, most schools have set the same date for Year 1 to Year 4 as it would be logical for all classes to conduct examinations at the same time.
Initially, some schools had planned for examinations to start on Oct 21, which would have been ideal. Many Hindus also balik kampung for Deepavali.
Affected families who choose to travel will have no choice but to make the journey back the morning after Deepavali.
Apparently, scheduling examinations closer to the year-end school holidays prevents students from skipping school.
Ideally year-end exams should be about a month before the academic year ends.
This gives teachers time to grade exam papers, prepare report cards and review the students’ performance. A sense of completion is achieved and the new academic year can start afresh.
When I was in school, there were a lot of fun activities and the annual class party to look forward to after examinations.
Attendance was full right up to the last day.
This may not work in present times but perhaps educators could come up with other ideas to keep children in school.
Deepavali is special and significant for Hindus.
I hope the District Education Office is able to look at this issue from our perspective and allow examinations to begin on Oct 21.
Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye’s letter (The Star, Sept 22) clearly conveyed the message that “goodwill breeds unity.”

Dr. I.R.,
Johor Baru.

TheStar -Use carrot, not stick

COMMENTBY BARADAN KUPPUSAMY

Many poor Tamils are supporting Hindraf because it has been voicing out their woes loud and clear. The idea to ban Hindraf will not resolve any grievances of the community, it will only add fuel to the organisation’s survival.
IT IS time to engage and not reject or condemn Hindraf, the organisation that has won the hearts of the poorest among the Tamil people.
Although it is unregistered, fractured, not properly organised and with a conflicting leadership structure, Hindraf is a name that is emotionally and psychologically uniting the Tamil underclass.
It takes knowledge and wisdom to understand why Hindraf is admired and not the MIC or IPF although at one time both political parties had large sections of the Tamil underclass as their members.
But today most poor Tamils identify themselves with Hindraf because it articulates their interest and burning desire for justice and economic advancement.
They need jobs, skills, financial help to economically advance up the ladder. They need the authorities to open up the opportunities for them and above all they want protection of their heritage - temples and Tamil schools which are the two pillars that identify a Tamil as a Tamil.
Above all supporters of Hindraf want to be treated with respect and enjoy equality and a fair share of the national wealth to advance economically like everybody else.
“We don’t want to be discriminated against, we don’t want to be forgotten and left out,” said R.S.Thanenthiran, a Hindraf leader who organised a large anti-ISA protest in Pudu last month.
“We are only asking for recognition, help and a fair share.”
But some Malay leaders and newspapers are unhappy with the manner about 100 Hindraf supporters “gate-crashed” the Hari Raya gathering attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at the Putra World Trade Centre last Wednesday.
They are calling for stern police action against Hindraf including to ban it the same way as the Al-Arqam movement in 1994.
Banning Hindraf would be like banning an idea or emotional construct. It simply would not resolve the legitimate grievances of the Tamil for inclusion which is the fuel for Hindraf to survive.
On the other hand, if the authorities cannot fulfil such not so unreasonable demands, it would only alienate the Tamils and leave their economic woes unresolved. Their poverty, lack of opportunities and lack of skills would only worsen.
The core of the Tamil problem is displacement and its down side. In 1970, 80% of Tamils were rural and living and working in the estates but today 81% are living and working in the cities in deplorable conditions.
The change - from rural to urban - was unplanned, drastic and unorganised.
The down side today of that displacement is the poverty, crime and drug addiction afflicting the community.
There is an undercurrent of strong anger running through the Tamil underclass at their abject state.
The authorities are blamed for their abject state and Hindraf has tapped into that seam.
Without a political voice, however, the Tamil poor would be further alienated and cut off from the mainstream society and probably forced underground leaving decision makers blind.
Once the MIC and later the IPF played the role of articulators of their interest, but the standing of both the political parties have collapsed among the Tamil underclass.
With the loss of “grip” by the MIC, the opposition political parties took advantage and rode the Hindraf wave to victory in many constituencies in the west coast of peninsular Malaysia.
The poor have to be loud and boisterous to get a hearing unlike the well-heeled bloggers who also gate crashed the Raya do and are not lambasted as Hindraf is.
It is true Hindraf is noisy, vocal and persistent in demanding the release of the five Hindraf leaders held under the ISA in Kamunting.
It is unfortunate that some Malaysians see their persistence which is merely a serious commitment to a cause, as a challenge to their authority or questioning the Malaysian ethos.
It should not be the case because previously it was the same Tamil underclass who had turned up in their thousands to support the Barisan Nasional but are now siding with the opposition.
They also wore red before and attended Hari raya gatherings by the thousands and greeted by the Prime Minister. But at that time they were with the IPF and before that with the MIC now they are with the opposition.
It is all a question of perception.
The reality is there is an urgent need for both Hindraf and the authorities to step back and find common grounds and engage in a meaningful dialogue that would benefit both the Tamil poor and the Barisan which needs their support.
If the Barisan is serious about re-inventing itself and regaining lost ground it has to reach out and engage, not condemn or alienate.
The Barisan can transform itself and be a patron of the Tamil underclass and it only takes sympathy, wisdom and understanding to form a new partnership with the Tamil poor.
Threatening and showing the big stick are counter-productive and would only worsen the situation.
It is time to talk softly.

Waythamoorthy slams Utusan, TV3 and UMNO linked NGO

Waythamoorthy slams Utusan, TV3
Mkini- Oct 6, 08 12:25pm

Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) chairperson P Waythamoorthy has taken Malay daily
Utusan Malaysia and television station TV3 to task over their 'biased and invalidated' reporting.In a statement today, he said: "This was a clear to invoke racial tension."He was responding to reports regarding Hindraf's visit to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's open house at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur last Wednesday."The visit has been demonised and given the impression that a criminal act was committed and Islam insulted. "It is indeed shocking that federal ministers, senior professors and government officials do not have the intelligence to differentiate between a memorandum and greeting card," he said.Waytamoorthy, who is currently in self-exile in London, also noted that Hindraf's previous pleas for a dialogue with the prime minister have fallen on deaf ears."The open house is the only day in the year a commoner could make the acquaintance of the PM personally and Hindraf took the liberty to send a clear message- release all prisoners held unjustly without trial in spirit of forgiveness," he said.

Reveal photos and videos
The Hindraf chief also slammed Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar for interpreting the event as an insult to Islam. "We challenge Utusan (Malaysia) and TV3 to make public their photographs and video recordings to prove that Hindraf supporters behaved in an inappropriate manner."To the contrary we have evidence that the PM and his deputy were all smiles and accepted the greetings and card with an open heart," he added.Last December, five Hindraf leaders were detained under the Internal Security Act several weeks after they had organised a mammoth street protest in Kuala Lumpur. They remain incarcerated without trial at the Kamunting Detention Centre.Meanwhile, Waythamoorthy said the Umno-led government failed to realise that Malaysians were at a different wavelength now and could judge for themselves what truth, justice and equality means."Utusan Malaysia and TV3 can continue to act as an apparatus of the ruling government with their inept propaganda, but they fail to comprehend that most Malaysians are equipped with their own resources without any real need for their ultra bias commentary," he added.

Legal action
On Saturday, Hindraf coordinator RS Thanenthiran said the movement would initiate legal action against Utusan Malaysia over its reports. According to him, Hindraf was disturbed by the reports which he claimed were 'tainted by lies and distorted facts.'He said the Utusan Malaysia front page report under the headline – 'Hindraf Keterlaluan' (Extreme Hindraf) was unfair and communal, and seemed to suggest that the movement was made of extremists out to disrupt Muslim festivals and pour scorn on Islam.Criticising another article - Baharom Mahusin's commentary in the same edition, Thanenthiran said the writer was unfair, attempted to incite racial hatred and instigate communal conflict.Among others, Baharom had penned that 'kalau penyokong Hindraf melakukan penghinaan seumpama itu di kawasan-kawasan pendalaman yang menjadi kampung halaman orang Melayu, mereka sudah pun diajar tentang makna dan akibat berperangai kurang ajar.' (If Hindraf supporters poured such insults in the interior areas dominated by Malays, they would have been taught a lesson on the meaning and consequence of misbehaviour.)

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Mkni- Hindraf lodges police report against HM Syed Hamid, Utusan and others

Hindraf lodges police reports against Syed Hamid, others

Mkni- Athi Veranggan Oct 6, 08 6:14pm

Fed up with false allegations and reports about its visit to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s Hari Raya open house, the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) today lodged police reports across the country against Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar, newspaper
Utusan Malaysia and several Malay-based non-governmental organisations.Hindraf national coordinator RS Thanenthiran, 46, who lodged the first police report this afternoon, said the movement wanted police to take action on the home minister, Utusan and the NGOs for wrongfully accusing the human rights group of "creating chaos and insulting Islam" during the open house in Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur.“They should be charged under the Sedition Act for inciting communal hatred and instigating racial conflict and under the Penal Code for criminal intimidation by issuing threats to racial harmony,” said Thanenthiran, who with Nibong Tebal Hindraf coordinator Sanjeeviramah Subramani, 42, lodged the report in Butterworth police station at 12.50pm.That report was followed by a series of others lodged by Hindraf leaders and activists in George Town, Nibong Tebal, Simpang Empat, Shah Alam, Petaling Jaya, Klang, Alor Star, Sungai Petani, Jitra, Kulim, Lunas, Ipoh, Bagan Serai, Air Tawar, Parit Buntar, Taiping, Teluk Intan, Sitiawan, Muar, Tangkak, Skudai, Kluang and Johor Bahru.Reports were also lodged this evening in Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Terengganu, Seremban, Malacca and Tanah Merah.

Civil suit
Hindraf explained it lodged the police reports to initiate investigations into the home minister, Utusan and the Malay-based NGOs, whom Thanenthiran alleged were ‘linked to the Barisan Nasional.
The movement plans go ahead with a civil suit against the newspaper and home minister and if warranted against the NGOs as well.Thanenthiran told reporters that Hindraf had decided to raise the quantum of its claims from RM1 million ringgit to perhaps even as high as RM100 million. The movement is now discussing the matter with its lawyers and will file the suits soon. Last Friday, Utusan had front paged its report with the headline – ‘Hindraf Keterlaluan’ (Extreme Hindraf). Two more articles - Baharom Mahusin's commentary in his ‘Cetusan’ column and Zulkifli Bakar’s commentary in his ‘Pada Hemat Saya’ column - published in the same edition were unfair and intimidating, alleged Thanenthiran. “The reports and criticisms were inciting racial hatred and instigating communal conflict. The reports suggested that we trespassed the function when in truth, we were invited,” said Thanenthiran.
“The function was not held in a mosque not a buka puasa event. It was organised in a common public building with an open invitation to all Malayians. Suddenly open houses during festive seasons were given new definitions, thanks to Syed Hamid and Utusan," he added.The Hindraf leader also alleged this was not first time the Malay daily had played up communal hatred and conflict against various organisations and individuals in the country.

Last Wednesday, some 20 Hindraf activists who were allowed to greet Abdullah during the Hari Raya open house, pleaded with him to release the five Hindraf leaders - P Uthayakumar, 47, T Vasanthakumar, 35, M Manoharan, 47, R Kenghadharan, 41, and V Ganabatirau, 35, detained under the Internal Security Act without trial since December last year.Afraid of being accused again of “causing disturbances”, Hindraf cancelled plans to pay a visit to Abdullah’s open house in Kepala Batas last Saturday.Thanenthiran also challenged Syed Hamid, Utusan and the NGOs to speak the truth and apologise to the movement for “distorting facts and lying to the public.”

source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/90781

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Hadi: Hindraf action a democratic right

By : Sean Augustin and Sharifah Mahsinah Abdullah

via NSTOnline

KUALA TERENGGANU: The Pas chief said the action by the the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) at the prime minister's and cabinet's Hari Raya open house on Wednesday was part and parcel of democracy.Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said it signalled a change in the democratic practices in the country that should be viewed positively.
"I don't think it was rude. That's democracy. In the United States, people demonstrate in front of the White House. It's not like they caused a commotion or started fighting," he said after the party's Hari Raya gathering at the Tarbiyyah headquarters yesterday.
In the incident on the first day of Hari Raya, Hindraf supporters went to the open house at the Putra World Trade Centre and presented a card to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi asking him to release the organisation's leaders detained under the Internal Security Act.
The card was delivered by Vwaishnnavi, the 5-year-old daughter of Hindraf leader in exile, P. Waythamoorthy. The group was led by Waythamoorthy's wife, K. Shanti.About 20 bloggers also turned up at the open house, wearing T-shirts bearing the slogans "No to ISA" and "Free RPK", referring to the two-year detention order on Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamaruddin.
Both groups told journalists their sole intention was to send a message to Abdullah. They have been condemned for being "intimidating, disrespectful and inappropriate", with Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal saying he would raise the matter in cabinet.
In Pasir Mas, independent MP Datuk Ibrahim Ali called on political parties and non-governmental organisations to stop pressuring the government to release the Hindraf leaders.
He said MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu and Hindraf should not get involved and let the government do its job.
"If the detainees are released following political interference, it will confirm allegations the ISA was being misused. Samy Vellu was a minister and he should know that the ISA is under the minister of home affairs. Even the prime minister cannot interfere."
Ibrahim was speaking at his Hari Raya open house at the Pasir Mas district hall. More than 5,000 constituents attended the event.

He warned that if Hindraf and other NGOs do not stop the pressure, he would use the Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Negara (Perkasa), which he heads, to counter their action.
"If these parties continue, we will organise a demonstration to show our displeasure. We are ready to fight off any interference in the administration of the country."

Orange Defiance - by Naragan

Sun, 05/10/2008 - 08:41 — naragan from hindraf.org

Several Hundred Hindraf supporters attended the PWTC Hari Raya Open House function. This has attracted attention from all sources - first and foremost to the grievances of the Indians.
Of course we all have our own ways of interpreting things and we interpret events according to our interests. Some have questioned the appropriateness of this and clearly they are the ones who want to portray Hindraf negatively. The UMNOPutras and their Cronies , and their Mandores, the MIC. See anybody else?

The UMNOPutras have decided to imprison the Indian Leaders – leaders of a significant section of Malaysian society. Since UMNO called the shot on this, they need to accept the consequences of this. They need to understand that there cannot be a normal functioning of Malaysian society under the circumstances of imprisonment of those that are revered by a section of the population. Look around in the world . Did the white South Africans win by imprisoning Nelson Mandela. They kept South Africa in a boil during the period he was in jail. There will always be something or other cropping up as long as they keep imprisoned, leaders of significant sections of the people. The situation will be in a constant boil. The UMNOPutras really need to understand this. There is a crisis. They created it and they have to accept the consequences of it.
All the Hindraf attendees to the PWTC function wore Orange T shirts. They have made it a symbol of this crisis. And we are going to see more Orange in the days to come. What also probably miffed the UMNO Tuans that day was the audacity of these Orange clad group to come in the numbers they did, in raw defiance of Authority – so blatantly and so purposefully. Are these people not afraid of authority anymore, are they not afraid of the Secret Police anymore, are they not afraid of the courts, the jails, the potential incarceration anymore. The UMNOPutras really have a problem on their hands when this fear is lost. Authority can have effect only when people are afraid. When they throw away their fear in large numbers the authorities begin to have trouble . The Indians used to be seen as a docile and unknowing community. Can this be said anymore. Definitely not, instead they have become the vanguard for change now. The world has indeed changed. UMNO cannot just parrot responses from an era gone.

Then look at how Utusan has been portraying the Hindraf attendance to the function. One day the headlines ran ‘HINDRAF KETERLALUAN” , the next day it ran “ HINDRAF DIBERI AMARAN” . We must only say thank you to the editors of Utusan, who have helped Hindraf achieve its objective of drawing attention to their issues – even though their story centred on some lies to create an image of an uncouth Hindraf. Whatever the editorial slant of their reports, the visibility of the grievances of a large section of Malaysian society continues to be kept visible , I must say very visible.

Then consider the largesse of the mandore - in – chief. He says his efforts in getting the release of the 5 Hindraf leaders will be impaired by this act of defiance. In the first place why is he intervening for the release when he worked hand in glove to get them arrested in the first place, not many months ago. Now in his vain attempt at what he calls a rebranding exercise he is trying to dispense from his unending store of “false generosity”.
In order to have the continued opportunity to express his generosity the Mandore must perpetuate injustice. An unjust social order is the permanent fount of this "generosity", True generosity consists precisely in fighting to destroy the causes which nourish such false charity. This is not the mandores objective. His is to continue to lie and cheat and continue to keep the people in darkness so he can continue to dispense his brand of generosity.
In summary the grievances of the Indian community are significant and cannot be wished away. Unless they are properly addressed there will continue to be open exhibitions of the grievances. Use of the ISA, the police, the courts only aggravate the matter, they do not make the problem go away. The colour Orange is here to stay.


UMNOPutras wake up to this!



United we stand!


United we act!

PS from Jayathas - Call for moderate Deepavali this year

Thu, 04/10/2008 - 20:25 — S.JAYATHAS

We want our Hindraf lawyers to be released soon as possible - before Deepavali. In the event the PM still does not want to release our heros then I urge all Malaysian Indian to celebrate Deepavali in a moderate way-no open houses. Everyone should go to the temple and pray for the release of our heros who fought for our rights and for our children's future. How can we celebrate Deepavali in a normal manner when our Hero's are in jail so that life can be better for us.
We hope the PM will release them soon.

Thank you.

S.JAYATHAS
HINDRAF National Information Coordinator
Valga Makkal SAKTHI

PS from WMP - Bias Report from Utusan, TV3 and other UMNO coolies regarding Hindraf visit to PM Open House

HINDRAF
135-3-A JALAN TOMAN 7
KEMAYAN SQUARE
70200 SEREMBAN


PRESS STATEMENT 5th October 2008

It appears of late, biased and invalidated reporting done by Utusan Malaysia and TV3 is a clear indication to invoke racial tension after the failure of the UMNO led government to create the racial tension that they were anticipating with the recent arrests under ISA.
The Hari Raya open house visit by HINDRAF has been demonised and given the impression that a criminal act was committed and Islam insulted. It is indeed shocking that Federal Ministers, senior Professors and Government officials do not have the intelligence to differentiate between a memorandum and a greeting card. What is wrong with HINDRAF supporters attending the open House. “Another time another date” – since when has the Prime Minister set a date to listen to the rakyat. HINDRAF has made numerous calls to the PM for dialogue but all fell in deaf ears. The open house is the only day in the year a commoner could make the acquaintance of the PM personally and HINDRAF took liberty to send a clear message- RELEASE ALL PRISONERS HELD UNJUSTLY WITHOUT TRIAL IN SPIRIT OF FORGIVENESS. Even more appalling the Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar interprets this as an insult to Islam. We challenge Utusan and TV3 to make public their photographic and video recordings to prove HINDRAF supporters behaved in an inappropriate manner. To the contrary we have evidence the PM and his Deputy was all in smiles and accepted the greetings and card with an open heart.
The Malaysian led UMNO government fails to realize that it is 2008 where Malaysians are at a different wavelength and able to see and judge for themselves what truth, just and equality means for the society we live in.
The current crop of Malaysians are no longer intimidated nor unable to digest their own resources to judge for themselves why and how it is done to serve what the ruling government seeks to hold their power and abuse the system and the process of law.
Utusan Malaysia and TV3 can continue to act as an apparatus of the ruling government in their inept propaganda, but they fail to comprehend that most Malaysians are equipped with their own resources without any real need with their ultra bias commentary.
Journalism is the unofficial fourth institution to check and balance the officially elected bodies of the legislative (Parliament), executive & judiciary and address issues of public concern unbiased.
Utusan and TV3 has just shown us how well they are intertwined and fettered for the objective of the ruling government and its coolies with their hate journalism which is only one sided without even checking their facts or highlighting the other side of the story. It is indeed a sad day for journalism.
A despotic and desperate government and it's elected representatives will always voice out without any regard to the truth or what should be the truth or for the betterment of the society but for the benefit of the few Utusan and TV3 currently plays the lead role to enhance their cause.
The UMNO ruled administration with its coolies are currently like a headless chicken as they continue to fail to see the truth that lies before them to create a truly multicultural and equal society in Malaysia for the enhancement of the nation.
Democracy in Malaysia is growing at such speed that UMNO continuously fail and/or refuse to see its growth. HINDRAF will not be deterred by wild accusations, threat or intimidation and will continue its campaign until all draconian laws are abolished and its Lawyers and all others released unconditionally.

Waytha Moorthy
Chairman
Hindraf

PM Hari Raya Open House in PWTC

PM Hari Raya Open House PWTC we went as PEACE loving Malaysian citizen, to forgive PM for what he have done to our Hindraf Lawyers who speak out of marginalization, discrimination and permanent colonization of UMNO lead government. We told PM that please release HINDRAF 5, RPK, all ISA detainees and Abolish ISA. PM said he will look into it. We want our Hindraf lawyers to be release soon as possible before Deepavali. In the event the PM still don't want to release our hero's then I urge all Malaysian Indian to celebrate Deepavali in a moderate way, no open house. Everyone should go to temple and pray for the release of our hero's who fought for our rights and for our children future. How can the families and we celebrate Deepavali went our Hero's are in ISA. Lets get united for we are one. We hope PM will release them soon as they are not terrorist, they only fought for our rights as Malaysian citizen.

We are dissapointed with Bernama, RTM and TV3 for saying that we acted rudely. We came with peace and we left in peace that's our way. Please report without fear of favour.

Thank you.

S.JAYATHASHINDRAF

National Information Coordinater

Valga Makkal SAKTHI

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Dear Prime Minister sir, why you did that to us?

There was never once we came without informing. Every our visit to meet you Mr. Prime Minister, has been informed either thru an open letter or a personal letter to you. Your senior officers are well informed of our planned visits, be it in Putra Jaya, Parliament or in the latest development in PWTC on your Hari Raya Open House. Malaysia’s (probably the world’s) youngest human right activist VWaishnnavi ( 6years old) approached your senior officer in Putra Jaya on 22nd September 2008 and informed him in writing that she will be attending the Hari Raya Open House function planned to be held at PWTC with some 10,000 Hindraf supporters .

In return Mr. Prime Minister sir, your secretary thanked the delegation and assured us that this would not have the objections of the PM and the PM would be glad to welcome visitors to his open house. Adding on to this, your press statement dated 29th September 2008 published by unit Komunikasi Pejabat Perdana Menteri , PUTRAJAYA, extended an open invitation to ALL the rakyat of Malaysia to attend the Hari Raya Aidilfitri Open House that to be held in Dewan Tun Razak of the 4th floor at PWTC on the 1st Syawal 1429, between 12.30 and 4.30pm. What else needed for a Malaysian citizen who upholds the principles of Rukun Negara to accept and attend your Hari Raya Open House function? So we came Mr. Prime Minister .

We came with hopes and love. We came as citizens of Malaysia to wish our Prime Minister “Selamat Hari Raya” and in return instead of ‘Ang Pows’ we want to request for freedom of our innocent Hindraf heroes from the unlawful Barbaric and draconian ISA detention .

What could be wrong in that sir?

Instead what happened to us?

Why did you humiliated us ?

Why did you stopped us at the entrance of the PWTC ?

Why did you embarrassed us in the eyes of our fellow Malaysian brothers??

Why did you treated us as criminals ???

Why did you performed body search as if we were there to harm you????

Why Mr. Prime Minister ??? Why?...Why??…Why..????

Was that because we are poor Indians?

Was that because we are weak Indians?

Was that because we in your opinion untouchables?? !!

Why Mr. Prime Minister ? Why? Why you did that to us ??

Was that you or was it those around you in the name of advisors did all this?

We were consistently provoked ever since we stepped into the PWTC premises.

You yourself saw how the hand made Hari Raya card by a six years old kid was torn by your officials . Imagine the time and the effort of that poor girl to get the card done. Imagine how she would have dreamt to pass it to you on your Open House. That wasn’t a petition or a memo. A simple hand made Hari Raya Wishing card !!! And dozens of police officers stormed in an attempt to confiscate and tear it of. What? Is this necessary at all for a wishing card? Mr. Prime Minister sir , we all know those were meant to provoke us and in return expecting us to retaliate , but we will never get provoked because Hindraf believes in Ahimsa and that is exactly how we are going to be in rest of our struggle. Even then the Main stream medias under your control has blamed and accused us for unruly behavior and as trouble makers and said Hindraf supporters never respected the Hari Raya . God knows the truth and you too should attempt to seek for one.

Only if we were treated like citizens and were let to see you as the rest , our presence most probably would have went unnoticed. Too bad your advisors had decided otherwise. One may ask why we chose the Open House, our answer , Prime Minister has avoided all our calls to meet him else where . We have no other choice but to accept his invitation to his open house, look into his eyes and tell him what we have to. That’s all. Finally when we shook your hands Mr. Prime Minister didn’t you actually felt Hindraf guys are after all not that bad as been described to you all these while? Indeed that is the truth sir. Our Hindraf leaders are innocent. Release them from ISA. Our demands are basic needs of a poor community , fulfill them. Hindraf is done then. Wake up sir, realize the truth and execute your power as Prime Minister to all.. Otherwise Hindraf never decided to stop.

Hindraf wishes you “ Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri , maaf zahir batin.

Vaazhge Hindraf…!!!

Sambulingam Wisvalingam

Hindraf National Coordination Team

2nd October 2008.

Navarathi Prayers by Hindraf

Hi all,

Below is the poster of Navarathiri Prayer held by Hindraf for the betterment of Malaysian Indians in general and release of all Hindraf lawyers from ISA.

Date : 30th Sept to 9 Oct 2008, daily from 7.30 pm omwards
Venue : Sri Raja Mariamman Alayam, Sentul , KL
( Belakang Sentul Timur LRT stattion )
Contact : Ms Latha 016 601 9703 or Selangor State Coordinator Mr Selvam



Other temples that conduct the Navarathiri prayers for Hindraf were,

1. Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Sg Puyu, Butterworth
2. Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Jasin, Melaka

Pls join them and pray for the divine intervention in this struggle.

Thx
Vaalge Hindraf

Letter to PM ( Pregant Rajeswary detained without proper trail -Tamil version)

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

Y.A.B.. DATO’ SERI ABDULLAH AHMAD BADAWI
Prime Minister of Malaysia
Block Utama,
Bangunan Perdana Putra,
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan,
62502 Putrajaya
Tel: 03 8888 8000
Fax: 03 8888 3444
Email: reduceredtape@pmo.gov.my
Email: abdullah@kdn.gov.my
28/09/2008

மேன்மைதங்கிய பிரதம மந்திரி அவைகளே1

கடந்த 08/09/08 தமிழ் நேசன் மற்றும் 19/09/08 NSTயிலும் பிரசுரிக்கப்பட்ட இராஜேஸ்வரியின் (வயது 22) துயரக்கதை யாவரும் அறிந்ததே. இன மதவாதமிக்க மலேசிய அம்னோ அரசினும் மற்றும் அரச அதிகாரிகளின் அலட்சியப் போக் கினாலும் இந்தியனாகப் பிறந்த குற்றத்திற்காக 8 மாத கர்ப்பிணி பெண்ணை எந்தவித மனிதாபிமானமோ அனுதாபமோ இல்லாமல் 11 மாதம் தடுப்புக்காவலில் வைத்து அளவில்லா துன்பங்களுக்கு ஆளாக்கினார்கள். இராஜேஸ்வரியின் கதையைப் போல் தினந்தோறும் பல ஆயிரம் இந்தியர்கள் சொல்லணாத் துயரங்களுக்கு ஆளாக்கப் பட்டுள்ளார்கள். இதற்கெல்லாம் என்ன காரணம்? அரசாங்கதாலும் அதன் அரச நிர்வாகிகளாலும் சரியான முறையில் அமுல்படுத்தப் படாத அரசுமுறை நிர்வாகம்தான்.. தினந்தோறும் அல்லல்படும் நமது மலேசிய இந்தியர்களுக்கு பின்வரும் கூற்றுக்கள் தான் மிகமுக்கிய காரணகர்த்தாக்கள்:

1) பொலிஸ் படையின் அறிவில்லாச் செயல்.

ஆறு மாதக் கர்ப்பிணியான இராஜேஸ்வரி பிரிக்பீல்ட்டில் இலங்கை அகதி என்ற சந்தேகத்தின் பேரில் கைதுசெய்யப்பட்டார். அத்தருணம் அவருடைய அடையாள அட்டை அவர்வசம் இல்லை. அடையாள அட்டை இலக்கத்தையும் அவரால் ஞாபகப்படுத்தமுடியவில்லை. அத்துடன் அவருடைய மலாய் பாஷையும் அவ்வளவு சரளமாக இல்லை. இந்தக்காரணத்தால் இராஜேஸ்வரியை பொலிஸ் கைதுசெய்தது. இராஜேஸ்வரியைக் கைது செய்த பொலிஸ் அதிகாரி கேட்கவேண்டிய சாதரண கேள்விகளைக் கேட்டறிந்திருந்தால் அதாவது, படித்த பாடசாலை, அவருடைய வீட்டு விலாசம், அல்லது இருவர் இராஜேஸ்வரியின் நிலமையை உறுதிப்படுத்திருந்தால் அல்லது சாட்சிப்படுத்திருந்தால் இவருடைய கைது ஒரு தேவையற்ற அனாவசியமான செயலாகும். இன்றுள்ள மலேசியாவின் நிலமையில் பொலிஸின் பார்வையில் இந்தியர்கள் சந்தேகப்பேர்வளிகள் அத்துடன் அனாவசியமாகக் கைதுசெய்வதும், விசாரணைகள் இன்றி சிறையில் அடப்பதும் மற்றும் துன்புறுத்துவதும் வழக்கமான செயலாகிவிட்டது. பொலிஸ் அதிகாரிகள் கைரேகை பரிசோதனை மேற்கொண்டிருந்தால் இராஜேஸ்வரி ஒரு மலேசியப் பிரஜை என்பதை உடனடியாக அத்தாட்சிப்படுத்தியிருக்க முடியும்.

2) இளைய மஜிஸ்ரேட் நீதவான் நீதி வழங்கினார் (அநீதி).

தரமான, சுதந்திரமாக இயங்கும் மஜிஸ்ரேட் நீதவான் இராஜேஸ்வரியை விசார ணைக்கு உட்படுத்தப்பட்டு 2 மாதம் சிறைவாசமும் வழங்கினார். நமது எண்ணப் படி இதுதான் இன்றைய மலேசியாவில் இந்தியர்களின் நிலமை. இந்த மஜிஸ்ரேட் நீதவானின் தன்னிட்சையான தீர்ப்பில் பொலிஸ்காரர்களுக்கு கைரேகையோ அல்லது இராஜேஸ்வரியின் நிலமையை உறுதிப்படுத்தவோ எந்த ஒரு கட்டளை யையும் பிறப்பிக்கப்படவில்லை. அத்துடன் தகுந்த விசாரணை நடத்தப்படாமல் இந்த மஜிஸ்ரேட் நீதவான் சீக்கிரமாக இராஜேஸ்வரியை சிறைக்கு அனுப்பி விட்டார். ஏனெனில் இந்த நீதவான்கள் பொலிஸ்காரர்களுடன் மிகவும் நெருக்க மானவர்கள் எனப் பெயர்பெற்றவர்கள். ஒரு நீதிபதி தகுந்த நீதி வழங்குவதற்கும் அதாவது ஒருவரை சிறைக்கு அனுப்புவதற்கும் குறைந்தது 7 வருட சேவை இந்த நீதித்துறையில் அனுபவம் பெற்றிருக்கவேண்டும்.

3) மாவட்டரீதியில் சட்ட உதவியில்லை.

மாவட்டரீதியில் சட்ட உதவி வசதிகள் இருக்குமேயானால் இராஜேஸ்வரியைப் போன்ற ஆயிராமாய் தினந்தோறும் அல்லாலப்படும் நமது இந்திய்ர்களுக்கு நீதிகிடைக்கும் என்ற நம்பிக்கை கிடைக்கும். 2008/2009 வரவு செலவு திட்டத்தில் RM 207.93 பில்லியனில் எந்தவொரு ஒதுக்கீடும் வழங்கப் படவில்லை. தாய்லாந்தில் சட்ட உதவி வழக்கறிஞ்சர்களுக்கு பொலிஸ் அலுவலகத்தில் தனி அறை வழங்கி நீதியை உறுதி செய்கின்றனர்.

4) தரமான அரசுதரப்பு வழக்கறிஞ்சர்கள் இல்லை.

51 வருட சுதந்திரத்திற்குப் பின்னரும் சட்டரீதியில் திறமையுடைய இளைய பொலிஸ் அதிகாரிதான் குற்றவியல் விசாரணைகளை மஜிஸ்ரேட் நீதிமன்றங்களில் விசாரணை நடத்துகின்றார்கள். தரமான அரசுதரப்பு வழக்கறிஞ்சர்கள் இருப்பேராயனால் இராஜேஸ்வரிக்கு கைரேகை அடையாளம் எடுப்பதற்கும் அவரின் குடும்ப விபரங்களும் பெறுவதற்கு இந்த தரமான அரசுதரப்பு வழக்கறிஞ்சர்கள் உத்தரவிட்டிருப்பார்கள். ஆனால் இந்த மஜிஸ்ரேட் நீதிமன்றத்திற்கும் நீதித்துறைக்கும் எந்த ஒரு ஒதுகீடும் வழங்கப்படவில்லை. கைது செய்வதும், விசாரணை செய்வதும் தண்டணை வழங்குவதும் நீதிமன்றத்தில் வாதாடுவதும் சிறை அதிகாரிகளாகவும் பொலிஸ் அதிகாரிகள் திகழ்கின்றனர்.


5) சிறைச்சாலைகளும் சமூக நலன் இலாக்காக்களும்

சிறைச்சாலைக அதிகாரிகளும் சமூக நலன் இலாக்கா அதிகாரிகளும் தங்களிடைய அடிப்படைக் கடமைகளையும் மனிதாபிமானத்துடன் நடந்திருப் பேரேயானால் இராஜேஸ்வரி 2 மாத சிறைவாசமும் மேலும் 9 மாத தடுப்புக் காவலிலும் அவதிப்பட்டிருக்கமாட்டார். கடவுள் வசத்தால் இராஜேஸ்வரி இலங்கைக்கு திருப்பி அனுப்பப்படவில்லை. சிறைச்சாலைகளும் சமூக நலன் இலாக்காக்களும் நீதி வழங்கத்தவறிவிட்டனர்.




6) இந்திய அரசுசார்பற்ற இயக்கம்

தனது சிறையில் பெற்ற குழந்தையை மருத்துவத்திற்கு கொண்டு சென்ற சமயம் இந்திய அரசுசார்பற்ற இயக்கத்தின் உறுப்பினரைச் சந்தித்ததின் பலன் இராஜேஸ்வரியின் பிற்ப்புச்சான்றிதழ் மற்றும் புத்திராஜய தேசிய பதிவிலாகாவில் உறிதிப் பாரம் போன்றவற்றால் இராஜேஸ்வரியினதும் அவரின் 8 மாதக் கை குழந்தையயினதும் விடுதலைக்கு வழிவகுத்தது. இந்தக் குழந்தைக்கும் பிறப்புச் சான்றிதள் வழங்கப்பட்டுள்ளதா என்பது சந்தேகம்தான். ஏனெனில் இதே நிலமை இன்னும் 20 வருடத்தில் இந்தக் குழந்தைக்கும் நிகழும். இந்த சுற்று நமது இந்தியர்களுக்கு நடந்து கொண்டுதான் இருக்கும்.


7) சகல இனக் கலாச்சாரம்.

இதே இராஜேஸ்வரி ஒரு வெளிநாட்டுப் பிரஜையாக இருந்திருந்தால் ஏதவது அரசு சார்பற்ற இயக்கங்களோ ஜனநாகவாதிகளோ, எதிர்கட்சிகளோ, பத்திடிகைகளோ முன்னோடிகளாகத் திகழ்ந்திருப்பார்கள். ஆனால் மலேசிய இந்தியர்களுக்கு இந்தப் பாக்கியம் இல்லை.

8) 8 மாத கர்ப்பிணிப் பெண்ணுக்கு எந்த ஒரு மனிதாபிமானமும் வழங்கப்படவில்லை

இந்த 8 மாத இந்தியக் கர்ப்பிணிப் பெண்ணுக்கு எந்த ஒரு மனிதாபிமானமும் வழங்காத மலேசிய அரசாங்கமும் அதன் அதிகாரிகளும் எவ்வாறு சக இந்திய சமுதாயத்திற்கு வழங்குவார்கள்?

9) அடிப்படைக்கல்வி நிராகரிப்பு

இராஜேஸ்வரிக்கு அடிப்படைக்கல்வி நிராகரிக்கப்பட்டதால் அவருடைய
மலாய் பாஷை சரளமாக இல்லை. இது இராஜேஸ்வரியின் குற்றமா? அல்லது
இன மத வெறி பிடித்த மலேசிய அரசாங்கத்தின் குற்றமா? இந்நிலையில்
எவ்வாறு படிப்பில் மலாய்காரர்போல் முன்னேறமுடியும்?

10) தீர்ப்பு

இது ஒரு தனிப்பட்டவோ புறநீங்கலான நிலமையில்லை. அம்னோ அரசாங்கத்தாலும் அதன் இன மதவெறிக்கொள்கைகளும் அதை சரிவர அமுல்படுத்தப்படாத சட்ட திட்டங்களாலும் அவதிப்படும் ஒட்டுமொத்த இந்திய சமுதாயத்தின் தினந்தோறும் குமுறலகளின் எத்ரொலி. மலேசிய மனித உரிமைக்குளு ஆணையாளர் டத்தோ காலிட் இப்ராகிமின் உருதியான கருத்துப்படி, 12க்கும் 17வயதிற்கும் உட்பட்ட எத்தனையோ சிறார்கள் தடுப்புக்காவலில் அடைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளனர். கிட்டத்தட்ட 40,000 இந்திய சிறார்கள் பிறப்புப்பத்திரமோ அடையாள அட்டையோ இல்லாமல் சிலங்கூர் மாவட்டத்தில் மட்டும் அவதிப்படுகின்றார்கள். இது இந்தியர்களுக்கு மட்டும் ஏன் நடக்கின்றது? ஏன் இது போன்ற அநீதிகள் மலாய்காரர்களூக்கோ, சீனர்களுக்கோ, பழங்குடியினருக்கோ, கடசான்காரர்களுக்கோ அல்லது இபான்களுக்கோ நடப்பதில்லை? ஏனெனில் இந்தியர்கள் இந்நாட்டு அபிவிருத்திகளில் இருந்து ஒதுக்கி வைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளனர்.. இந்தியர்களின் முன்னேற்றத்தில் இந்த மலேசிய அரசாங்கம் எதுவித அக்கரையோ ஆற்றலோ கொண்டிருக்கவில்லை என்பதுதான் உண்மை.

இந்த இராஜேஸ்வரிக்கு இந்த அரசாங்கதால் ஏற்படுத்தப்பட்ட அவல நிலைக்கு மன்னிப்பும் RM 500,000.00 நஷ்ட ஈடாக வழங்கப்படவேண்டும் என இந்த இந்து உரிமை நடவடிக்கைக் குழு வேண்டிக்கொள்கின்றது


நன்றி,

தங்கள் உண்மையுள்ள,


…………………………………..
பொ. வேதமூர்த்தி
[இந்த இந்து உரிமை நடவடிக்கைக் குழு தலைவர்]
[இலண்டனில் இருந்து]

Zaid Ibrahim writes open letter to PM

Sep 30, 08 1:53pm

In our proclamation of independence, our first prime minister gave voice to the lofty aspirations and dreams of the people of Malaya: that Malaya was founded on the principles of liberty and justice, and the promise that collectively we would always strive to improve the welfare and happiness of its people.
Many years have passed since that momentous occasion and those aspirations and dreams remain true and are as relevant to us today as they were then. This was made possible by a strong grasp of fundamentals in the early period of this nation.The federal constitution and the laws made pursuant to it were well founded; they embodied the key elements of a democracy built on the rule of law. The Malaysian judiciary once commanded great respect from Malaysians and was hailed as a beacon for other nations.
Our earlier prime ministers, Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Razak and Tun Hussein Onn were truly leaders of integrity, patriots in their own right and most importantly, men of humility. They believed in and built this nation on the principles and values enunciated in our constitution. Even when they had to enact the Internal Security Act (ISA) 1960, they were very cautious and apologetic about it. Tunku stated clearly that the Act was passed to deal with the communist threat.“My cabinet colleagues and I gave a solemn promise to Parliament and the nation that the immense powers given to the government under the ISA would never be used to stifle legitimate opposition and silent lawful dissent”, was what the Tunku said.
Our third prime minister, Tun Hussein Onn, reinforced this position by saying that the ISA was not intended to repress lawful political opposition and democratic activity on the part of the citizenry.

Gov’t has failed the people
The events of the last three weeks have compelled me to review the way in which the ISA has been used. This exercise has sadly led me to the conclusion that the government has time and time again failed the people of this country in repeatedly reneging on that solemn promise made by Tunku Abdul Rahman.
This has been made possible because the government and the law have mistakenly allowed the minister of home affairs to detain anyone for whatever reason he thinks fit. This subjective discretion has been abused to further certain political interests. History is the great teacher and speaks volumes in this regard. Even a cursory examination of the manner in which the ISA has been used almost from its inception would reveal the extent to which its intended purpose has been subjugated to the politics of the day. Regrettably, Tunku Abdul Rahman himself reneged on his promise. In 1965, his administration detained Burhanuddin Helmi, the truly towering Malay intellectual, a nationalist who happened to be a PAS leader. He was kept in detention until his death in 1969. Helmi was a political opponent and could by no stretch of the imagination be considered to have been involved in the armed rebellion or communism that the ISA was designed to deal with.This detention was an aberration, a regrettable moment where politics had been permitted to trump the rule of law. It unfortunately appears to have set a precedent and many detentions of persons viewed as having been threatening to the incumbent administration followed through the years.
Even our literary giant, ‘sasterawan negara’ the late Tan Sri A Samad Ismail was subjected to the ISA in 1976. How could he have been a threat to national security? I need not remind you of the terrible impact of the 1987 Operasi Lalang. Its spectre haunts the government as much as it does the peace-loving people of this nation, casting a gloom over all of us. There were and still are many unanswered questions about those dark hours when more than a hundred persons were detained for purportedly being threats to national security. Why they were detained has never been made clear to Malaysians.Similarly, no explanation has been forthcoming as to why they were never charged in court. Those detainees included amongst their numbers senior opposition members of parliament who are still active in Parliament today.
The only thing that is certain about that period was that Umno was facing a leadership crisis. Isn’t it coincidental that the recent spate of ISA arrests has occurred when Umno is again having a leadership crisis?

‘Militant’ Ezam back in Umno
In 2001, Keadilan ‘reformasi’ activists were detained in an exercise that the Federal Court declared was in bad faith and unlawful. The continued detention of those that were not released earlier in the Kamunting detention facility was made possible only by the fact that the ISA had been questionably amended in 1988 to preclude judicial review of the minister’s order to detain.Malaysians were told that these detainees had been attempting to overthrow the government via militant means and violent demonstrations. Seven years have gone and yet no evidence in support of this assertion has been presented. Compounding the confusion even further, one of these so-called militants, Ezam Mohamad Noor, recently rejoined Umno to great fanfare, as a prized catch it would seem. At around the same time, members of PAS were also detained for purportedly being militant and allegedly having links to international terrorist networks. Those detained included Nik Adli, the son of Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, the menteri besar of Kelantan. Malaysians were made a promise by the government that evidence of the alleged terrorist activities and links of these detainees would be disclosed. To date no such evidence has been produced.

The same formula was used in late 2007 when the Hindraf 5 were detained. Malaysians were told once again that these individuals were involved in efforts to overthrow the government and had links with the militant Liberation Tiger of Tamil Eelam of Sri Lanka. To date no concrete evidence have been presented to support this assertion.It would seem therefore that the five were detained for their involvement in efforts that led to a mobilisation of Indian Malaysians to express, through peaceful means; their frustration against the way in which their community had been allowed to be marginalised. This cause has since been recognised as a legitimate one. The Hindraf demonstration is nothing extraordinary as such assemblies are universally recognised as being a legitimate means of expression. In the same vein, the grounds advanced in support of the most recent detentions of Tan Hoon Cheng, Teresa Kok and Raja Petra Kamarudin leave much to be desired. The explanation that Tan Hoon Cheng was detained for her own safety was farcical. The suggestion that Teresa Kok had been inciting religious sentiments was unfounded as was evinced by her subsequent release. As for Raja Petra Kamarudin, the prominent critic of the government, a perusal of his writings would show that he might have been insulting of the government and certain individuals within it.
However, being critical and insulting could not in any way amount to a threat to national security. If his writings are viewed as being insulting of Islam, Muslims or the Holy Prophet (pbuh), he should instead be charged under the Penal Code and not under the ISA.In any event, he had already been charged for sedition and criminal defamation in respect of some of his statements. He had claimed trial, indicating as such his readiness and ability to defend himself. Justice would best be served by allowing him his day in court more so where, in the minds of the public, the government is in a position of conflict for having been the target of his strident criticism.

Law used against dissidents
The instances cited above strongly suggest that the government is undemocratic. It is this perspective that has over the last 25 plus years led to the government seemingly arbitrarily detaining political opponents, civil society and consumer advocates, writers, businessmen, students, journalists whose crime, if it could be called that, was to have been critical of the government.How it is these individuals can be perceived as being threats to national security is beyond my comprehension. The self-evident reality is that legitimate dissent was and is quashed through the heavy-handed use of the ISA. There are those who support and advocate this carte-blanche reading of the ISA. They will seek to persuade you that the interests of the country demand that such power be retained, that Malaysians owe their peace and stability to laws such as the ISA. This overlooks the simple truth that Malaysians of all races cherish peace. We lived together harmoniously for the last 400 years, not because of these laws but in spite of them.I believe the people of this country are mature and intelligent enough to distinguish actions that constitute a ‘real’ threat to the country from those that threaten political interests. Malaysians have come know that the ISA is used against political opponents and, it would seem, when the leadership is under challenge either from within the ruling party or from external elements. Malaysians today want to see a government that is committed to the court process to determine guilt or innocence even for alleged acts of incitement of racial or religious sentiment. They are less willing to believe, as they once did, that a single individual, namely the minister of home affairs; knows best about matters of national security.
They value freedom and the protection of civil liberties and this is true of people of other nations too.

I attempted to push for reform
Mr Prime Minister, the results of the last general election are clear indication that the people of Malaysia are demanding a reinstatement of the rule of law. I was appointed as your, albeit short-lived, minister in charge of legal affairs and judicial reform.
In that capacity, I came to understand more keenly how many of us want reform, not for the sake of it, but for the extent to which our institutions have been undermined by events and the impact this has had on society. With your blessing, I attempted to push for reform. High on my list of priorities was a reinstatement of the inherent right of judicial review that could be enabled through a reversion of the key constitutional provision to its form prior to the controversial amendment in 1988.
I need not remind you that that constitutional amendment was prompted by the same series of events that led not only to Operasi Lalang but the sacking of the then Lord President and two supreme court justices.Chief amongst my concerns was the way in which the jurisdiction and the power of the courts to grant remedy against unconstitutional and arbitrary action of the executive had been removed by Parliament and the extent to which this had permitted an erosion of the civil liberties of Malaysians.
It was this constitutional amendment that paved the way for the ouster provision in the ISA that virtually immunises the minister from judicial review, a provision which exemplifies the injustice the constitutional amendment of 1988 has lent itself. I also sought to introduce means by which steps could be taken to assist the judiciary to regain the reputation for independence and competence it once had. Unfortunately, this was viewed as undesirable by some since an independent judiciary would mean that the executive would be less ‘influential’. I attempted to do these things and more because of the realisation that Malaysia’s democratic traditions and the rule of law are under siege. Anyway, there is nothing wrong with giving everyone an independent judiciary and the opportunity to a fair trial.
This is consistent with the universal norms of human rights as it is with the tenets of Islam, the religion of the federation. Unchecked power to detain at the whim of one man is oppressiveness at its highest. Even in Israel, a nation that is perpetually at war the power to detain is not vested in one man and detention orders require endorsement from a judge. If there are national security considerations, then these can be approached without jettisoning the safeguards intended to protect individual citizens from being penalised wrongfully. In other jurisdictions involved in armed conflicts, trials are held in camera to allow for judicial scrutiny of evidence considered too sensitive for public disclosure so as to satisfy the ends of justice.
If this can be done in these jurisdictions, why not here where the last armed struggle we saw, the very one that precipitated the need for the ISA, came to an end in the 1980s?

ISA was never intended to be permanent
Any doubts as to the continued relevance of the ISA in its present form should have been put to rest by the recommendation by the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) that the ISA be repealed and an anti-terror legislation suited to the times enacted in its place. Containing as it did a sunset clause in its original times, the ISA was never intended to be a permanent feature on the Malaysian legal landscape. Through its continued use in the manner described above and in the face of public sentiment, it is only natural that the ISA has become in the mind of the people an instrument of oppression and the government is one that lends itself to oppressiveness.
Its continued use does not bode well for a society that is struggling to find its place in the global arena. It does not bode well for the democracy that is so vital for us to develop sustainably. Mr Prime Minister, I remember very clearly what you once said; that if one has the opportunity to do what is good and right for the country, then he must take on the task. I respect you deeply for that and if I were confident that I would have been able to do some good for Malaysia, I would have remained on your team.
Sir, you are still the prime minister and you still have the opportunity to leave your footprint in Malaysian history. I urge you to do so by repealing the ISA once and for all. Let us attempt to fulfil that solemn promise made by our beloved first prime minister to the people of this country.

Yours sincerely
Zaid Ibrahim