HINDRAF
135-3 KEMAYAN SQUARE
70200 SEREMBAN
PRESS STATEMENT 23rd August 2008
RE: MIC LEADER’S REPEATED LIES “HE SPOKE” TO HINDRAF
HINDRAF views with deep concern statements by MIC leader Dato Seri Samy Velu that he has “spoken to” HINDRAF leaders and that they support MIC and the Barisan Candidate in Permatang Pauh.
This is a blatant lie by Dato Samy Velu and irresponsibly made to confuse the voters in Permatang Pauh.
We challenge Samy Velu to name the leaders he has “spoken to”. We are aware there are groups that call themselves Makkal Sakti (who are proxies of MIC) and are misleading the public so it may be possible Samy Velu has spoken to these “bogus supporters” who claim to represent HINDRAF.
It is a fact that HINDRAF supporters are absent in Permatang Pauh but that is a policy matter of HINDRAF and has nothing to do with MIC. HINDRAF is an organisation that stands on its own principles and will never be dictated by any political party.
As far as HINDRAF is concerned MIC is an obsolete Political Party that does not command the support of the majority Malaysian Indians for their sins in colluding with the UMNO led Government in cheating the Malaysian Indians for 51 years. Samy Velu is seeking cheap publicity by insinuating that HINDRAF is under his arms.
HINDRAF has always sough social and equal justice for the ethnic minority Malaysian Indians and will continue to do so irrespective of who or which party rules the Country.
The Indians in Permatang Pauh are politically mature and are well aware of the political ploy by Barisan Government led by UMNO. They will never fall for Barisan’s empty promises again and look for a better Malaysia where all races are treated equally.
P.Waytha Moorthy
Chairman
currently in London
Sunday, August 24, 2008
PS from WMP -HINDRAF BETRAYED FROM WITHIN
HINDRAF
135-3 JALAN TOMAN 7
KEMAYAN SQUARE
70200 SEREMBAN
BRIEF PRESS STATEMENT 23RD AUGUST 2008-08
RE: ISA DETAINEE VASANTHAKUMAR A SPECIAL BRANCH PLANT
RAMACHANDRAN MEYAPPAN & V.K.REGU HAVE BEEN RECRUITED AS GOVERNMENT AGENTS TO BETRAY HINDRAF CAUSE.
ISA detainee Vasanthakumar had volunteered to join HINDRAF in September 2007 and according to him at that time he was “waiting for someone to do something drastic” and the fact that I had filed an action against the UK Government attracted him to join HINDRAF. He had then served as a volunteer and I offered him to undertake the post of pro tem treasurer.
It came to my attention in January 2008 that Vasanthakumar has been planted by the Police Special Branch to infiltrate HINDRAF and upon further investigations the fact became apparent.
In March 2008 I was informed by two top Government officers on separate occasions confirming Vasanthakumar was assigned to break up HINDRAF lawyers in detention and the organisation from his detention. He had since met with various people from within HINDRAF to break the organization.
V.K.Regu though was a Pro tem Secretary of HINDRAF but was removed personally by me in October 2008 for undertaking activities against the interests of HINDRAF.
Upon the arrest of the 5 I had appointed a 10 member interim committee of which Tanendran was made the National Co-ordinator and Ramachandran Meyappan alias Ramaji was made the Spiritual Advisor of HINDRAF.
Recent events have shown that Ramaji and Regu had made frequent visits to KEMTA prison to meet Vasanthakumar secretly and they had colluded to break up HINDRAF and take over the registration of HINDRAF as an organization.
Ramaji and Regu had various secret and unauthorised meetings with the Prime Ministers Department, the PM’s Private Secretary and top MIC leaders over the last 5 months and I have evidence of this. It is now clear that all their activities thus far is to break up HINDRAF and take over the leadership of HINDRAF together with Vasanthakumar upon his release from ISA
It wouldn’t be a surprise that the Government would approve the registration of HINDRAF as a legitimate organisation but the approval would be handed over to Regu Ramaji and Vasanthakumar and other MIC proxies so that the unity and power that HINDRAF has displayed under the MAKKAL SAKTI would be permanently be damaged and shattered.
I apologize to all HINDRAF supporters for concealing these crucial facts all these while. I did this solely to protect the unity and integrity of HINDRAF and to avoid the breakup of HINDRAF. I sincerely believed that the release of the 5 including Vasanthakumar is of utmost importance for the sake of HINDRAF’S struggle.
What transpired today at Butterworth is a blatant insult to the intelligence of all HINDRAF supporters. Ramaji and Regu had placed various advertisements and news in the local tamil daily over the last few days about gathering 20 000 people for a Yaagam for the release of the 5 HINDRAF and for the promotion of the 18 demands submitted by HINDRAF in August 2007 under their organisations ie HSS (Hindu Sevai Sangam) and an organisation loosely named Makkal Sakti. This event that was organised deliberately in the Permatang Pauh Constituency where there the Ex deputy Prime Minister is contesting in a by-election next Tuesday. By using the name Makkal sakti both ramaji and Regu had expected a huge crowd to bolster their grip on HINDRAF by the Prime Minister personally attending their Maha Yagam which was organised in a Chinese Temple (1st time of its kind) and entertained by a local famous pop band group.
I urge all HINDRAF supporters to remain calm during this crucial moment and urge all look out for news in our website www.hindraf.org and www.hindraf.co.uk for the latest news.
As the Chairman of this organisation I take full responsibility for the damage caused to the divine struggle of this organisation and extend my sincere apologies to all our supporters. Let us all unite to fight the betrayers within us who are up for selfish gain and to break the unity that never was seen prior to this within our community over the last 51 years. May the blessings of the almighty be showered upon us on this crucial period and I seek his guidance to take me in the right path.
P.Waytha Moorthy
Chairman
HINDRAF
Currently in London
Waytha@hotmail.com
ps.. pls spread this to all.
135-3 JALAN TOMAN 7
KEMAYAN SQUARE
70200 SEREMBAN
BRIEF PRESS STATEMENT 23RD AUGUST 2008-08
RE: ISA DETAINEE VASANTHAKUMAR A SPECIAL BRANCH PLANT
RAMACHANDRAN MEYAPPAN & V.K.REGU HAVE BEEN RECRUITED AS GOVERNMENT AGENTS TO BETRAY HINDRAF CAUSE.
ISA detainee Vasanthakumar had volunteered to join HINDRAF in September 2007 and according to him at that time he was “waiting for someone to do something drastic” and the fact that I had filed an action against the UK Government attracted him to join HINDRAF. He had then served as a volunteer and I offered him to undertake the post of pro tem treasurer.
It came to my attention in January 2008 that Vasanthakumar has been planted by the Police Special Branch to infiltrate HINDRAF and upon further investigations the fact became apparent.
In March 2008 I was informed by two top Government officers on separate occasions confirming Vasanthakumar was assigned to break up HINDRAF lawyers in detention and the organisation from his detention. He had since met with various people from within HINDRAF to break the organization.
V.K.Regu though was a Pro tem Secretary of HINDRAF but was removed personally by me in October 2008 for undertaking activities against the interests of HINDRAF.
Upon the arrest of the 5 I had appointed a 10 member interim committee of which Tanendran was made the National Co-ordinator and Ramachandran Meyappan alias Ramaji was made the Spiritual Advisor of HINDRAF.
Recent events have shown that Ramaji and Regu had made frequent visits to KEMTA prison to meet Vasanthakumar secretly and they had colluded to break up HINDRAF and take over the registration of HINDRAF as an organization.
Ramaji and Regu had various secret and unauthorised meetings with the Prime Ministers Department, the PM’s Private Secretary and top MIC leaders over the last 5 months and I have evidence of this. It is now clear that all their activities thus far is to break up HINDRAF and take over the leadership of HINDRAF together with Vasanthakumar upon his release from ISA
It wouldn’t be a surprise that the Government would approve the registration of HINDRAF as a legitimate organisation but the approval would be handed over to Regu Ramaji and Vasanthakumar and other MIC proxies so that the unity and power that HINDRAF has displayed under the MAKKAL SAKTI would be permanently be damaged and shattered.
I apologize to all HINDRAF supporters for concealing these crucial facts all these while. I did this solely to protect the unity and integrity of HINDRAF and to avoid the breakup of HINDRAF. I sincerely believed that the release of the 5 including Vasanthakumar is of utmost importance for the sake of HINDRAF’S struggle.
What transpired today at Butterworth is a blatant insult to the intelligence of all HINDRAF supporters. Ramaji and Regu had placed various advertisements and news in the local tamil daily over the last few days about gathering 20 000 people for a Yaagam for the release of the 5 HINDRAF and for the promotion of the 18 demands submitted by HINDRAF in August 2007 under their organisations ie HSS (Hindu Sevai Sangam) and an organisation loosely named Makkal Sakti. This event that was organised deliberately in the Permatang Pauh Constituency where there the Ex deputy Prime Minister is contesting in a by-election next Tuesday. By using the name Makkal sakti both ramaji and Regu had expected a huge crowd to bolster their grip on HINDRAF by the Prime Minister personally attending their Maha Yagam which was organised in a Chinese Temple (1st time of its kind) and entertained by a local famous pop band group.
I urge all HINDRAF supporters to remain calm during this crucial moment and urge all look out for news in our website www.hindraf.org and www.hindraf.co.uk for the latest news.
As the Chairman of this organisation I take full responsibility for the damage caused to the divine struggle of this organisation and extend my sincere apologies to all our supporters. Let us all unite to fight the betrayers within us who are up for selfish gain and to break the unity that never was seen prior to this within our community over the last 51 years. May the blessings of the almighty be showered upon us on this crucial period and I seek his guidance to take me in the right path.
P.Waytha Moorthy
Chairman
HINDRAF
Currently in London
Waytha@hotmail.com
ps.. pls spread this to all.
Mkini- Hindraf leaders and supporters arrrested in Seberang Jaya
Hindraf leaders arrested in Seberang Jaya
Athi Veeranggan Aug 23, 08 7:44pm
Eight Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders, including national co-ordinator RS Thanenthiran, were arrested this evening after staging a protest against a splinter group outside a Chinese temple in Seberang Jaya, Penang.
The protest began around 2pm, swelling to about 200 people by the time the arrests were made. The splinter group, which also claims to represent Hindraf, was carrying out a bonfire prayer at the temple.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, in town to help campaign for his coalition in the Permatang Pauh by-election, dropped by to visit the temple around 5.30pm. He chatted briefly with members of the splinter group and shook hands with some of them before leaving.
Soon after that, the demonstration got out of hand and the arrests were made around 6.30pm. Police said the eight people, including two women, were arrested for illegal demonstration.
Hindraf chief P Waythamoorthy called Malaysiakini from London, saying that the splinter group did not represent Hindraf and the prayer ceremony was not sanctioned by the Indian rights group.
Seeking divine intervention
Bonfire organisers VK Regu had told reporters earlier that the event was organised by the Makkal Sakhti movement, which is sometimes used interchangeably with Hindraf, in collaboration with an NGO. “We want to seek divine intervention to secure the release of the five Hindraf leaders detained under the Internal Security Act,” he said, adding that the event was also to urge Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat to fulfil Hindraf’s 18-point memorandum on Indian affairs submitted to Abdullah last year.
Shortly after, Regu was confronted by the 10 Hindraf activists and a shouting match erupted between the two groups before the protest began. The Hindraf activist claimed that the bonfire organisers were out to confuse Indian voters in Permatang Pauh by engaging Abdullah at the event.
The demonstration began immediately after Abdullah left the event with protesters shouting “reformasi” and “long live Anwar” before they were dispersed by the police.
Video link of the arrest http://www.malaysiakini.tv/video/16175.html
Some of the detained are ;-
National Hindraf Coordinator - Mr RS Thanethiran
Penang Hindraf Coordinator - Mr Anbalagan
Butterworth Coordinator - Mr Anand
Butterworth Coordinator - Mr Velan
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
24 Hours Yaagam and Fasting Prayers in Mantin Seremban Invitation
Vanakam to all,
HINDRAF Makkal Sakthi would conduct a 24 Yaagam ( Fire Ritual) and Special Pooja for the betterment of Malaysian Indians here at ;
Date / Time : 30 Aug 2008 - 31 August Aug 2008 ( 8am - 8am ) 24 hrs
Venue : Kuil Devi Sri Maha Mariamman, Jalan Besar Mantin, 71700 Ng Sembilan
This is conducted in conjuction of 1 Year submission of Hindraf's class suit case against UK government which were done on 30th August 2007.
We also conduct this special Yaagam to get the bless and divine intervention from Almighty Lord for our immediate goals,
- immediate release of all Hindraf leaders and drop all the charges against Hindraf supporters.
- Adopt 18 point demands to uplift Malaysian Indians which were submitted to government last year August.
- to have a safe home return to Malaysia by our Hindraf Chairman , Mr Waythamoorthy from being self exile in London and assurance by government for his freedom.
Please come in large and join this 24 hours Yaagam and join the 24 hour fasting.
Pls contact Mr Haridass at 012 332 3490 or Mr Siva at 019 694 4693 for any queries.
VAALGE HINDRAF MAKKAL SAKTHI
VAALGE HINDRAF MAKKAL SAKTHI
VAALGE HINDRAF MAKKAL SAKTHI
ps.. please distribute this via email / sms / duplicate flyers to all.
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HINDRAF Makkal Sakthi - Merdeka 24 hours National Maha Yaagam and Hunger Strike
Date : 30th August 2008 – 31st August 2008
Time : 8 AM (Sat 30th Aug. - Sun 31st Aug.)
Venue : Devi Sree Maha Mariamman Aalayam
Jalan Besar Mantin, Negeri Sembilan.
Maha Yaagam would commence 24 hours non stop with chanting of hymns to seek divine blessings for the release of HINDRAF Lawyers detained under ISA, supporters maliciously prosecuted by the Attorney General supporters maliciously prosecuted by Attorney Generalsupporters maliciously prosecuted by Attorney General supporters maliciously prosecuted by Attorney Genera, ,, and Grant of Political Rights of the marginalised oppressed suppressed and permanently colonized Indian community.
All HINDRAF supporters nationwide are invited to attend and stay on for the 24 hours in the temple. Those wishing to participate in the hunger strike please register your name early with the organisers.
The event would be concluded with Special Pooja at 12.00pm and Annathanam (Lunch) on 31st August.
For further details please contact :
Mr. Haridass - 012-3323 490
Mr. Siva - 019 6944 693
06- 7672995/6
Date : 30th August 2008 – 31st August 2008
Time : 8 AM (Sat 30th Aug. - Sun 31st Aug.)
Venue : Devi Sree Maha Mariamman Aalayam
Jalan Besar Mantin, Negeri Sembilan.
Maha Yaagam would commence 24 hours non stop with chanting of hymns to seek divine blessings for the release of HINDRAF Lawyers detained under ISA, supporters maliciously prosecuted by the Attorney General supporters maliciously prosecuted by Attorney Generalsupporters maliciously prosecuted by Attorney General supporters maliciously prosecuted by Attorney Genera, ,, and Grant of Political Rights of the marginalised oppressed suppressed and permanently colonized Indian community.
All HINDRAF supporters nationwide are invited to attend and stay on for the 24 hours in the temple. Those wishing to participate in the hunger strike please register your name early with the organisers.
The event would be concluded with Special Pooja at 12.00pm and Annathanam (Lunch) on 31st August.
For further details please contact :
Mr. Haridass - 012-3323 490
Mr. Siva - 019 6944 693
06- 7672995/6
Letter from WMP to DSAI on allocation for Indian
HINDRAF
135-3-A, Jalan Toman 7,Kemayan Square,
Seremban,
Negeri Sembilan
Malaysia
Tel : 06-767 2995/6
Fax : 06-767 2997
Email : Waytha@hotmail.com
Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim
Adviser
National Justice Party
17, Jalan 16/2,
Petaling Jaya
46350, Selangor, Tel: 03-7956 6444
Malaysia Fax: 03-7956 5444
Dear Sir,
Re: Indian poor : RM 20 billion Motion in all five PKR, DAP and PAS State Assemblies.
We refer to the Motion passed at the Penang State Assembly that the UMNO controlled Federal Malaysian Government either continues with the monorail ,PORR and expansion of the Mengkuang damp or pay the Penang State Government RM 4.7 billion in compensation (NST 31/07/08, Pg 26).
In view of the very serious and critical issues faced by the Malaysian Indian community under 50 years of the neo colonialist UMNO rule, we hereby demand that all the five PKR,DAP and PAS controlled state governments of Kedah, Penang, Perak, Selangor and Kelantan pass a motion endorsing Hindraf’s 18 point demands to Prime Minister Badawi dated 12/08/07 and demanding that the UMNO controlled Federal Government fulfils the wishes and aspirations of the almost two (2) million especially poor and under privileged Indians contained in this 18 point demands in particular but not limited to the RM20 billion per year allocation for this community. We enclose herewith our said 18 Point Demands dated 12/08/07 once again for your easy reference.
May we bring to your kind attention that within a period of the one crucial month RM 34.57 Billion (Utusan Malaysia 26/06/08, Pg. 8 and NST 20/06/08, Pg. 4 and Utusan 30/06/08, Pg.8 ) had been allocated for Sabah alone which also has about 2 million people like the about 2 million Indian population in Peninsula Malaysia. The difference is there has been zero allocation for the poor and underprivileged Indians. After all the Indians are only asking for RM 20 billion which is less than the allocation for Sabah (34.57 billion).
This your goodselves motion would go a long way in helping to alleviate the very serious and long standing critical Indian issues faced by the Indian community in Malaysia.
Your kind indulgence in this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Yours faithfully,
……………………………..
P.Waytha Moorthy
Chairman
Currently in
Monday, August 18, 2008
Photos of Paurnami Pooja Preparation at the Kapar Temple
These are some of the pics took outside the one of the temple where the Paurnami Pooja for Hindraf where held on last Saturday 16th August 2008.
Similiar preparation are done in some of the temples nationwide.
More pics are to be loaded soon on the event.
Vaalge Hindraf Makkal Sakthi.
..//--
Friday, August 15, 2008
Paurnami Prayers Invites - 16th August 2008
Hi All
There will some special Paurnami Prayers for the betterment of Malaysian Indians and for our Hindraf heroes this weekend.
The temples that conduct the prayers are as below,
Date : 16th August 2008
Time : 7.30 pm
Venue: Sri Bala Thandayuthapani, Kapar, Klang
Contact Person : Mr Samy 017 3499650
and at
Date : 16th August 2008
Time : 7.30 pm
Venue : Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Taman Wawasan, Batang Kali,
Hulu Selangor.
Contact Person : Mr Ramesh 016 247 6344
Please do join in the events below to show our unity ans support for the sacrification made by these heroes in highlight the marginalization of Malaysian Indians and stood for basic rights.
Vaalge Hindraf Makkal Sakthi
Vaalge Hindraf Makkal Sakthi
Vaalge Hindraf Makkal Sakthi
..\\--
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Hindraf Hunger Strike at KLCC on 10th Aug 2008
Kuala Lumpur : 10 Aug 2008, KLCC
Hindraf Makkal Sakthi came back to KLCC, a significant location where the 25-11 peace rally took place. This time they gather is a smaller dedicated group but with higher spirit.
About 50 supporters took part in hunger strike for the immediate release of all Hindraf leaders from draconian ISA and safe return of their Chairman, Mr Waythamoorthy from UK.
The group started to swell at KLCC Suria at Ampang Enterance from 9 am. The police personnel and light force personnel were there from early morning as early as 7 am.
As usual the police came to dispease the crowd telling it is illegal to gather there.
Mr Sambu and Mr Jayathas both from Hindraf central cordinators teamwhom lead the group did negotiate with both the police personal and KLCC security staff.
They said they are here for peace hunger protest and expects the police do not disturb the peace gathering there.
The KLCC security made a stell boundry to not allowing the group to seat or walk near the enterance. The group were not allowed to carry any placard or make any slogan.
Hindraf whom known for their Ahimsha (non violence) way kept the spirit high. They had the hunger strike without any unwanted incident.
The group seat near the enterence and had peace hunger strike from morning 8 am till 5 pm.
There were many passby people whom stop to enquire what is the gathering for and some local immediately understand seeing the HINDRAF tshirts. They wave hands and some even said Long live Hindraf to support the Hindraf struggles.The police and media were there watching briefly and taking photos on the overall event.
Good support and nationwide activities
"The group of supporters whom took part in hunger strike were consider good turn up despite there are many events took part on the same day nationwide", said Hindraf National Event Coordinator, Mr Kannan. He added that there are many temples conducting special prayers, offering Thanner Panthal ( drink stall) inline with the Aadi month prayers nationwide and in Ipoh there were Hindraf Makkal Sakthi Blood Donation campaign at the same time. He said they are only expecting a small group for the hunger strike for the beginning and soon the event will be held in several location nationwide soon.
The hunger strike was a successful one as significant participant took part and stayed all the whole day near the KLCC enterance in a peaceful way despite high presence of police personnel. They ended the hunger strike with Thiryabagam Mantra reading, Long Live Hindraf slogan and a short end speeach by Mr Jayathas whom stress that Hindraf urge the UMNO lead government to immdiate release of all Hindraf leaders from ISA as the governement failed to prove any charge against the leaders.
The group break fast about 5.15 pm with a soya drink and dates. They disprease in peace after the event.
clips link from Mkini : http://www.malaysiakini.tv/video/16134.html
..\\--
Disruption of 'conversion' forum a black mark
The government's reluctance to champion open discussions on crucial interfaith issues is a step backwards in nation-building efforts, said supporters of a recent forum held to discuss issues pertaining to conversion to Islam.
"Government leaders have continuously prided themselves of having achieved racial and religious harmony in the country," said Charles Santiago, member of Parliament for Klang.
"It was their favourite slogan during the 50 years of independence celebrations… but the inability to hold dialogues about religious issues to find durable solutions only shows that the nation is split along racial and religious lines," he added in a statement.
The DAP parliamentarian was referring to last Saturday's unruly disruption of an open forum entitled 'Conversion to Islam', organised by the Bar Council.
About 300 angry protesters, mostly from Muslim-based parties within the ruling coalition as well as from the opposition, had gathered outside the Bar Council headquarters, where the discussion was held.
They demanded that the event be cancelled on the grounds it could be used as a platform to offend and provoke Muslim sensitivities about their religion.
Don't take unity for granted
Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who had advised against holding the meeting, warned Malaysians not to take their unity for granted.
"I said don't do it openly. If one still proceeds to do so, it will certainly cause strong reactions," he was reported as saying in the local media.
"We live in a multicultural society in which people of different backgrounds are able to co-exist peacefully. This is because we have been tolerant and respectful of the sensitivities of different races."
Yet, even within the ruling BN coalition, non-Muslim members are chaffing for greater openness and dialogue. Apart from fostering understanding among the various ethnic groups, they see it as the best way forward in resolving hard issues of law.
"They seem to have ignored the fact that the Bar Council has already clarified that the forum was to address the conflicts of law," MIC Youth coordinator T Mohan said in a statement.
"They should have come out with their proposals in addressing the issue of non-Muslim husbands who abandon their spouses and their families and convert into Islam rather than to stop a legitimate forum," he added.
"Many who had converted were also in a dilemma as they were unable to revert to their former religion."
Religious dilemma
Controversial cases involving the rights of Muslim converts and their families have surfaced in recent years, creating racial discord and even street protests.
Former Penang chief minister and Gerakan acting president Dr Koh Tsu Koon urged the government to convene a meeting of civil law and Syariah law practititioners.
He suggested a joint committee to look into issues related to marriages between Muslims and non-Muslims, conversion to Islam, custody of children and burial rituals.
"Such issues and procedures, if left unresolved without good mutual understanding, will continue to haunt the multi-religious society of Malaysia. There will be controversy and even conflicts over family matters related to religious conversion," Koh said.
"We should be aware of sensitivities about religions by all respective believers. Therefore, all politicians must take a rational and reasonable approach to look at how to fine-tune the relevant laws and procedures to avoid or minimise potential inter-religious controversies and conflicts," he added.
Double standards
Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) chairperson P Waythamoorthy accused the authorities of practising double-standards.
"You have over 300 protesters behaving aggressively, carrying inciting banners and storming into the Bar Council forum raising uncalled for racial sentiments against fellow non-Malay Malaysians without fear and protected by the Royal Police Force," he said.
The Hindraf chief also accused the ruling coalition of using religion to further its political agenda and popularity."There is no actual racial issue in Malaysia, it is only incited and seeded into the public to create a scenario that best serves an authoritarian state to serve its own agenda against the goodwill and humanity for the Malaysian society that have co-existed irrespective of their colour, race, religion and creed," said Waythamoorthy
"Government leaders have continuously prided themselves of having achieved racial and religious harmony in the country," said Charles Santiago, member of Parliament for Klang.
"It was their favourite slogan during the 50 years of independence celebrations… but the inability to hold dialogues about religious issues to find durable solutions only shows that the nation is split along racial and religious lines," he added in a statement.
The DAP parliamentarian was referring to last Saturday's unruly disruption of an open forum entitled 'Conversion to Islam', organised by the Bar Council.
About 300 angry protesters, mostly from Muslim-based parties within the ruling coalition as well as from the opposition, had gathered outside the Bar Council headquarters, where the discussion was held.
They demanded that the event be cancelled on the grounds it could be used as a platform to offend and provoke Muslim sensitivities about their religion.
Don't take unity for granted
Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who had advised against holding the meeting, warned Malaysians not to take their unity for granted.
"I said don't do it openly. If one still proceeds to do so, it will certainly cause strong reactions," he was reported as saying in the local media.
"We live in a multicultural society in which people of different backgrounds are able to co-exist peacefully. This is because we have been tolerant and respectful of the sensitivities of different races."
Yet, even within the ruling BN coalition, non-Muslim members are chaffing for greater openness and dialogue. Apart from fostering understanding among the various ethnic groups, they see it as the best way forward in resolving hard issues of law.
"They seem to have ignored the fact that the Bar Council has already clarified that the forum was to address the conflicts of law," MIC Youth coordinator T Mohan said in a statement.
"They should have come out with their proposals in addressing the issue of non-Muslim husbands who abandon their spouses and their families and convert into Islam rather than to stop a legitimate forum," he added.
"Many who had converted were also in a dilemma as they were unable to revert to their former religion."
Religious dilemma
Controversial cases involving the rights of Muslim converts and their families have surfaced in recent years, creating racial discord and even street protests.
Former Penang chief minister and Gerakan acting president Dr Koh Tsu Koon urged the government to convene a meeting of civil law and Syariah law practititioners.
He suggested a joint committee to look into issues related to marriages between Muslims and non-Muslims, conversion to Islam, custody of children and burial rituals.
"Such issues and procedures, if left unresolved without good mutual understanding, will continue to haunt the multi-religious society of Malaysia. There will be controversy and even conflicts over family matters related to religious conversion," Koh said.
"We should be aware of sensitivities about religions by all respective believers. Therefore, all politicians must take a rational and reasonable approach to look at how to fine-tune the relevant laws and procedures to avoid or minimise potential inter-religious controversies and conflicts," he added.
Double standards
Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) chairperson P Waythamoorthy accused the authorities of practising double-standards.
"You have over 300 protesters behaving aggressively, carrying inciting banners and storming into the Bar Council forum raising uncalled for racial sentiments against fellow non-Malay Malaysians without fear and protected by the Royal Police Force," he said.
The Hindraf chief also accused the ruling coalition of using religion to further its political agenda and popularity."There is no actual racial issue in Malaysia, it is only incited and seeded into the public to create a scenario that best serves an authoritarian state to serve its own agenda against the goodwill and humanity for the Malaysian society that have co-existed irrespective of their colour, race, religion and creed," said Waythamoorthy
Human Rights Forum Highlights Hindu Minority Plight
By ASHFAQUE SWAPAN
Special to India-West
source ; http://hindrafinternational.wordpress.com/2008/08/08/human-rights-forum-highlights-hindu-minority-plight/
MILPITAS, Calif. — Three activists drew horrific pictures of the predicament of Hindu minorities, sometimes backed by poignant video presentations, in far-flung parts of the world at the Hindu Human Rights Forum hosted at the Vaishnav Mandir here July 20. Hosted by the Hindu American Foundation, speakers talked about the plight of Hindus in Kashmir, Malaysia and Fiji.
HAF also presented its recently released fourth annual human rights report, "Hindus in South Asia and the Diaspora." The plight of evicted Kashmiri Pandits, and Hindus in Fiji and Malaysia was highlighted by impassioned presentations by Jeevan Zutshi, a Bay Area community activist and Kashmiri Pandit himself; southern California-based engineer and Malaysian Tamil human rights activist Bhuvan Govindasamy; and San Francisco Bay Area-based attorney of Fiji Indian descent Sadhana D. Narayan.The statistics are staggering: An estimated 350,000 Kashmiri Pandits have been hounded out of their homeland in the Kashmir valley; and Malaysia's egregious discriminatory policies have resulted in a drop of Indian-descent student enrollment in Malaysian universities from 20 percent in 1957 to just five percent in 2003.
In Fiji, harassment and discrimination has led to an exodus of Fiji Indians: From around half the population in the 1970s, the Fiji Indian population has dropped to 38 percent in 2004.
To be sure, only in Kashmir can it be argued that Pandits have been targeted because of their religion.
In Malaysia and Fiji, Hindus have been part of a broader, xenophobic attack against immigrants. Malaysia's decades-long troubled race relations led to Singapore leaving the Malay federation and a Chinese guerilla insurgency, while in Fiji, the plight of Hindus has been driven by the schism between indigenous Fijians and Indians who immigrated in the 19th century, a point made by Narayan. "The civil rights issues in Fiji do not boil down to a Hindu-Muslim type of conflict," she said. "The Hindus and the Muslims in Fiji live in peace, and live in harmony. "The conflicts that we have as Hindus in Fiji relates more to the fact that ethnic Indians, primarily Hindu, have been discriminated against in the last 10-20 years or so as a result of the ethnic Fijians and their actions. . . If anything, the Muslim community has suffered with us." Zutshi's presentation was augmented by the screening of a documentary film on the plight of the Kashmiri Pandits by Ashok Pandit, which presented poignant images of destitute Pandits in refugee camps and distraught women talking about the murder of their husbands by Islamists.
Zutshi refused to recognize the anti-Indian movement in Kashmir as the freedom movement that its supporters claim it is. He said it was an Islamist insurgency fueled by Pakistan. "The Islamic colonization of Kashmir has been supported by Islamic terrorists and fundamentalists who committed crimes of genocide against the community of Kashmiri Hindus in Kashmir. . . (including) targeted attacks on Sikh community," he said.He was scathing in his condemnation of the Indian government's role. "Unfortunately, Indian leaders have been romancing with the Islamists, anti-Hindus and anti Indians," he said. "So much so that the self-confessed killers and anti-nationalists, they have been wandering scot-free in the streets of Kashmir. . . The government of India has established two standards of justice. One for Indians, one for Kashmiri Muslims."
The U.S. role had been equally egregious, Zutshi said. "The (George W.) Bush administration has been cozying up to the Taliban regime in the same way . . . (as) the earlier administration of President (Bill) Clinton.," he said. "Thousands of Kashmiris Hindus have been murdered . . . Hindus are suffering, and the government is silent."He said the recent violent protests in the Kashmir valley against leasing of forest land to the Amarnath temple was a "sad and painful portrayal of the exclusivist and illogical mindset that rules the roost in Kashmir." "The government's approach towards this issue is reflective of its subjugation to the Islamic diktats which . . . cannot be accepted," he said. Govindasamy painted a grim picture of the plight of Hindus in Malaysia. "From 1957 what was a trickle of removal of rights became, under the rule of Dr. Mahathir Mohammed, a torrent, a waterfall," he said."What was a trickle of temple demolitions about 25 years ago, has now grown, and till now, 15,000 Hindu temples have been demolished."They have taken away our economic rights, they have deprived us in education," he said. "They cannot even leave our religion to us." Five Indian leaders have been unlawfully incarcerated, he added. In 50 years, the Malaysian government has turned the Malaysian Indian society into the underclass, Govindasamy charged. "Hindus are an endangered species in Malaysia," he said. "If this goes on for the next five to 10 years, there will be no more Hindus. All will either have left, or will have forcibly converted to Islam." Although Fiji Indians had gone through a difficult time, there was a glimmer of hope, Narayan said. Ironically, following a coup in 2006, things are looking up. Narayan made it clear that although she applauded the positive developments, she in no way endorsed the military coup. "Currently, we are in the process of trying to have another constitution put in place which essentially would go back to the original constitution . . . which would allow race neutral policies," she said.
A rise in indigenous nationalist fervor and four coups in 20 years, including the toppling of democratically elected Fiji Indian Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry, had exacerbated the plight of Fiji Indians, Narayan told the audience. "We were put in a position where all of a sudden we were interlopers and we did not belong," she said."Fiji Indians were . . . essentially told to leave," Narayan said. Temples have been attacked repeatedly, she said. "The second thing they did was to make people homeless. . . Individuals who had lived on the same land for three generations were forced to leave their lands and tear down their homes and go away. Now where would they go?," she asked."So we have squatter camps that have developed around Fiji." There are now huge squatter camps in the Fiji cities of Suva and Ba, and Amnesty International estimates that 12 percent of Fiji Indians live in squatter camps. The worst part was a lack of security, Narayan said. "In Fiji if you are Fiji Indian and a Fijian came and robbed your home, nobody would come," she complained. "Nobody would come to assist you. . . If you have no personal safety or security in your own home, you start feeling very frightened." Consequently, Fiji Indians left the country in droves, and now Fiji faces an economic crisis.Former Fiji Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry, who is now Fiji's finance minister, has told Narayan that the nation is bankrupt."The exclusionary policy of the last 20 years of keeping out Indians, making them feel not wanted, has eventually helped to destroy the economy of Fiji," she said. "And he was asking Indians to come home."The government is promising lease restoration of land and possible government payment. "Understandably, a lot of Fiji Indians are not interested in coming back," Narayan said. The government is promising 30-year leases on land with automatic 20-year renewals. "It's a situation where the government may end up having to rebuild the homes of the Fiji Indians and that's something that we are hopeful will end up happening," Narayan said.
Special to India-West
source ; http://hindrafinternational.wordpress.com/2008/08/08/human-rights-forum-highlights-hindu-minority-plight/
MILPITAS, Calif. — Three activists drew horrific pictures of the predicament of Hindu minorities, sometimes backed by poignant video presentations, in far-flung parts of the world at the Hindu Human Rights Forum hosted at the Vaishnav Mandir here July 20. Hosted by the Hindu American Foundation, speakers talked about the plight of Hindus in Kashmir, Malaysia and Fiji.
HAF also presented its recently released fourth annual human rights report, "Hindus in South Asia and the Diaspora." The plight of evicted Kashmiri Pandits, and Hindus in Fiji and Malaysia was highlighted by impassioned presentations by Jeevan Zutshi, a Bay Area community activist and Kashmiri Pandit himself; southern California-based engineer and Malaysian Tamil human rights activist Bhuvan Govindasamy; and San Francisco Bay Area-based attorney of Fiji Indian descent Sadhana D. Narayan.The statistics are staggering: An estimated 350,000 Kashmiri Pandits have been hounded out of their homeland in the Kashmir valley; and Malaysia's egregious discriminatory policies have resulted in a drop of Indian-descent student enrollment in Malaysian universities from 20 percent in 1957 to just five percent in 2003.
In Fiji, harassment and discrimination has led to an exodus of Fiji Indians: From around half the population in the 1970s, the Fiji Indian population has dropped to 38 percent in 2004.
To be sure, only in Kashmir can it be argued that Pandits have been targeted because of their religion.
In Malaysia and Fiji, Hindus have been part of a broader, xenophobic attack against immigrants. Malaysia's decades-long troubled race relations led to Singapore leaving the Malay federation and a Chinese guerilla insurgency, while in Fiji, the plight of Hindus has been driven by the schism between indigenous Fijians and Indians who immigrated in the 19th century, a point made by Narayan. "The civil rights issues in Fiji do not boil down to a Hindu-Muslim type of conflict," she said. "The Hindus and the Muslims in Fiji live in peace, and live in harmony. "The conflicts that we have as Hindus in Fiji relates more to the fact that ethnic Indians, primarily Hindu, have been discriminated against in the last 10-20 years or so as a result of the ethnic Fijians and their actions. . . If anything, the Muslim community has suffered with us." Zutshi's presentation was augmented by the screening of a documentary film on the plight of the Kashmiri Pandits by Ashok Pandit, which presented poignant images of destitute Pandits in refugee camps and distraught women talking about the murder of their husbands by Islamists.
Zutshi refused to recognize the anti-Indian movement in Kashmir as the freedom movement that its supporters claim it is. He said it was an Islamist insurgency fueled by Pakistan. "The Islamic colonization of Kashmir has been supported by Islamic terrorists and fundamentalists who committed crimes of genocide against the community of Kashmiri Hindus in Kashmir. . . (including) targeted attacks on Sikh community," he said.He was scathing in his condemnation of the Indian government's role. "Unfortunately, Indian leaders have been romancing with the Islamists, anti-Hindus and anti Indians," he said. "So much so that the self-confessed killers and anti-nationalists, they have been wandering scot-free in the streets of Kashmir. . . The government of India has established two standards of justice. One for Indians, one for Kashmiri Muslims."
The U.S. role had been equally egregious, Zutshi said. "The (George W.) Bush administration has been cozying up to the Taliban regime in the same way . . . (as) the earlier administration of President (Bill) Clinton.," he said. "Thousands of Kashmiris Hindus have been murdered . . . Hindus are suffering, and the government is silent."He said the recent violent protests in the Kashmir valley against leasing of forest land to the Amarnath temple was a "sad and painful portrayal of the exclusivist and illogical mindset that rules the roost in Kashmir." "The government's approach towards this issue is reflective of its subjugation to the Islamic diktats which . . . cannot be accepted," he said. Govindasamy painted a grim picture of the plight of Hindus in Malaysia. "From 1957 what was a trickle of removal of rights became, under the rule of Dr. Mahathir Mohammed, a torrent, a waterfall," he said."What was a trickle of temple demolitions about 25 years ago, has now grown, and till now, 15,000 Hindu temples have been demolished."They have taken away our economic rights, they have deprived us in education," he said. "They cannot even leave our religion to us." Five Indian leaders have been unlawfully incarcerated, he added. In 50 years, the Malaysian government has turned the Malaysian Indian society into the underclass, Govindasamy charged. "Hindus are an endangered species in Malaysia," he said. "If this goes on for the next five to 10 years, there will be no more Hindus. All will either have left, or will have forcibly converted to Islam." Although Fiji Indians had gone through a difficult time, there was a glimmer of hope, Narayan said. Ironically, following a coup in 2006, things are looking up. Narayan made it clear that although she applauded the positive developments, she in no way endorsed the military coup. "Currently, we are in the process of trying to have another constitution put in place which essentially would go back to the original constitution . . . which would allow race neutral policies," she said.
A rise in indigenous nationalist fervor and four coups in 20 years, including the toppling of democratically elected Fiji Indian Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry, had exacerbated the plight of Fiji Indians, Narayan told the audience. "We were put in a position where all of a sudden we were interlopers and we did not belong," she said."Fiji Indians were . . . essentially told to leave," Narayan said. Temples have been attacked repeatedly, she said. "The second thing they did was to make people homeless. . . Individuals who had lived on the same land for three generations were forced to leave their lands and tear down their homes and go away. Now where would they go?," she asked."So we have squatter camps that have developed around Fiji." There are now huge squatter camps in the Fiji cities of Suva and Ba, and Amnesty International estimates that 12 percent of Fiji Indians live in squatter camps. The worst part was a lack of security, Narayan said. "In Fiji if you are Fiji Indian and a Fijian came and robbed your home, nobody would come," she complained. "Nobody would come to assist you. . . If you have no personal safety or security in your own home, you start feeling very frightened." Consequently, Fiji Indians left the country in droves, and now Fiji faces an economic crisis.Former Fiji Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry, who is now Fiji's finance minister, has told Narayan that the nation is bankrupt."The exclusionary policy of the last 20 years of keeping out Indians, making them feel not wanted, has eventually helped to destroy the economy of Fiji," she said. "And he was asking Indians to come home."The government is promising lease restoration of land and possible government payment. "Understandably, a lot of Fiji Indians are not interested in coming back," Narayan said. The government is promising 30-year leases on land with automatic 20-year renewals. "It's a situation where the government may end up having to rebuild the homes of the Fiji Indians and that's something that we are hopeful will end up happening," Narayan said.
Malaysian teacher transferred for racial slur
source ; http://www.kyrgyzstannews.net/story/391665
also in http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Indians_Abroad/Malaysian_teacher_transferred_for_racial_slur/articleshow/3343526.cms
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian school teacher who admitted to using racial slur against ethnic Indian Malaysian students has been transferred despite offering an apology, the media reported on Friday.
Selangor State education department director Ashah Samah said on Thursday that other schools may have reservations about accepting "a problematic teacher". The 35-year-old woman teacher, against whom two ethnic Indian Malaysian students complained, has not been named, The Star newspaper said on Friday
The official said the teacher would, on transfer, undergo counselling. Samah added that she would personally counsel the teacher as she felt that her actions were against the principles and duties of a teacher. "This should not be a case of taking revenge but to reform and to make her understand such racial sentiments were not acceptable," the official said. "If she repeats it, then more severe action will be taken against her. We will watch her closely and may even place another teacher to sit in the class with her." The hurt students' parents and the Indian community of Banting in Selangor state are not satisfied with the teacher's apology.
The Coalition of Indian Non-Governmental Organisations secretary George Gunaraj said that transferring the teacher was not the solution. "Moving her elsewhere is even worse as she can start the verbal abuse all over again in a different environment. She needs to undergo counselling to control her emotions. If she is unable to control her emotions, how can she teach?" he asked. Another solution would be to place her on a desk job.
Media reports on Friday carried some details of what happened. In an incident last month, the teacher allegedly entered a Form Five Class and called the students using a derogatory word. She also accused them of being gangsters and thieves. She was also alleged to have ordered the boys to do push-ups. When some of them could not do so, she allegedly stomped on their backs. The second incident happened five days later in a Form Four class where she taught history.
She allegedly told the students that she "wanted to test their level of patience" and began abusing them. She even wrote the words on the blackboard.
Two students lodged police reports against the teacher. On Monday, about 500 parents and members of the public gathered to protest in front of the school.
Malaysians of Indian origin, who migrated to Malaysia during the British era, form eight percent of the country's 28 million population.
..\\--
also in http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Indians_Abroad/Malaysian_teacher_transferred_for_racial_slur/articleshow/3343526.cms
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian school teacher who admitted to using racial slur against ethnic Indian Malaysian students has been transferred despite offering an apology, the media reported on Friday.
Selangor State education department director Ashah Samah said on Thursday that other schools may have reservations about accepting "a problematic teacher". The 35-year-old woman teacher, against whom two ethnic Indian Malaysian students complained, has not been named, The Star newspaper said on Friday
The official said the teacher would, on transfer, undergo counselling. Samah added that she would personally counsel the teacher as she felt that her actions were against the principles and duties of a teacher. "This should not be a case of taking revenge but to reform and to make her understand such racial sentiments were not acceptable," the official said. "If she repeats it, then more severe action will be taken against her. We will watch her closely and may even place another teacher to sit in the class with her." The hurt students' parents and the Indian community of Banting in Selangor state are not satisfied with the teacher's apology.
The Coalition of Indian Non-Governmental Organisations secretary George Gunaraj said that transferring the teacher was not the solution. "Moving her elsewhere is even worse as she can start the verbal abuse all over again in a different environment. She needs to undergo counselling to control her emotions. If she is unable to control her emotions, how can she teach?" he asked. Another solution would be to place her on a desk job.
Media reports on Friday carried some details of what happened. In an incident last month, the teacher allegedly entered a Form Five Class and called the students using a derogatory word. She also accused them of being gangsters and thieves. She was also alleged to have ordered the boys to do push-ups. When some of them could not do so, she allegedly stomped on their backs. The second incident happened five days later in a Form Four class where she taught history.
She allegedly told the students that she "wanted to test their level of patience" and began abusing them. She even wrote the words on the blackboard.
Two students lodged police reports against the teacher. On Monday, about 500 parents and members of the public gathered to protest in front of the school.
Malaysians of Indian origin, who migrated to Malaysia during the British era, form eight percent of the country's 28 million population.
..\\--
Monday, August 11, 2008
Letter from WMP to PM on for Indians Poverty and Pemudah
HINDRAF
135-3 JALAN TOMAN 7
KEMAYAN SQUARE 70200
SEREMBAN.
Y.A.B. DATO’ SERI ABDULLAH AHMAD BADAWI
Prime Minister of Malaysia
Block Utama,
Bangunan Perdana Putra, Email: reduceredtape@pmo.gov.my
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan, Email: abdullah@kdn.gov.my
62502 Putrajaya Tel: 03 8888 8000
Fax: 03 8888 3444
07/08/2008
Y.A.B,
Re: 1) Height of Indian poor wanting to sell his kidney to start a new Small
Business.
2) Proposals - Pemudah like Task Force, Commission
We were moved by the Tamil Nesan news report dated 22/07/08 at page 13 on one Murali [35] who was declared a bankrupt because his identity card got lost and was misused in a RM 36,000.00 loan. Murali is an asthma patient his wife a breast cancer patient having gone through eight treatments. He has four children aged between five and 14 years old and going to school.
He gets a Socso pension of RM 368.00 per month and RM 100 per month from the welfare department for his school going child. His total income per month is RM 468.00 which is way below the hardcore poverty line index of RM 687.00 per urban household of five [NST 18/05/08 page 26]. RM 1,500.00 per month being the maker for urban poverty [NST 28/06/08 page 23], RM 2,000.00 per below being in the lower income group [NST focus 13/07/08 page 32].
The average household income for an Indian family has been declared in the Mid term review of the Ninth Malaysia Plan as RM 3,799.00 [NST 27/06/08 page eight]. Murali’s family and thousands of other Indians and in fact at least 85% of the Indians do not earn RM 3799, 00 per month. This RM 3,799.00 per month figure certainly does not reflect the ground reality and appears merely speculative. Murali out of desperation has decided to sell his kidney to raise funds for capital to start a new business. Murali’s case is just the tip of the iceberg.
Hundreds of thousands of Indians are in Murali’s shoes. Baitulmal, Pusat Zakat, Vayasan Islam, Badan Amal, badan kebajikan etc. would not help him. TV3, Utusan, NST, Star and Berita Harian would never help publicize the serious Indian plight according to it’s gravity. UMNO, PKR, DAP and PAS would not campaign these very serious Indian poor issues. Felda, Felcra, Risda, Kejora, Kada, Project Agropolitan would not give Murali a business license to run a bus stop kiosk nor the UMNO Federal give him a taxi license. What alternative does Murali have? He and his family lie on the railway tracks and kill themselves as happened to the Indian family in Seramban last year?
Incidentally the Indian suicide rate is 800% higher that for the Malays because of poverty and poverty related issues. Unlike the Malays, Orang Asli, the natives of Sabah and Sarawak who have their inherited villages and even the Chinese who have their new Villages to fall back on, Murali and hundreds of thousands of other Indians have no where else to go to. Almost all the Indians do not have a village to fall back on or as a safety net.
We hereby propose that the Federal UMNO government set up a Permudah like high level task force with impeccable action oriented results in a short space of time to seriously address the critical Indian issues as per our 18 point demands to the prime minister dated 12/08/07.
This task force should be co chaired by the Chief Secretary to the Government and Hindraf Legal Adviser and to also be comprised of the Secretaries Generals of the Finance Ministry, Welfare Ministry, and the Directors Generals of the Economic Planning Unit.
plementation Unit, Secretary to the Prime Minister and social scientists to be nominated by Hindraf but to the exclusion of all “wayang kulit” and “mandore” political parties. A budget of RM 35 Billion is set aside annually.
This special task force is eventually to be replaced by a Race Relations Commission [to eliminate all forms racism and religious extremism] and an Equal Opportunities Commission in furtherance to Article 8 of the Federal Constitution [Equality before the law]
Kindly revert to us accordingly.
Thank you,
Yours faithfully,
…………………………….
P.. Waytha Moorthy
Chairman
CC:
Y.A.B Mr Lim Guan Eng
Chief Minister's Office,
Level 28,
KOMTAR,
10502 Penang
tel: 04-650 5112
fax: 04-261 3003
limguaneng@penang.gov.my
135-3 JALAN TOMAN 7
KEMAYAN SQUARE 70200
SEREMBAN.
Y.A.B. DATO’ SERI ABDULLAH AHMAD BADAWI
Prime Minister of Malaysia
Block Utama,
Bangunan Perdana Putra, Email: reduceredtape@pmo.gov.my
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan, Email: abdullah@kdn.gov.my
62502 Putrajaya Tel: 03 8888 8000
Fax: 03 8888 3444
07/08/2008
Y.A.B,
Re: 1) Height of Indian poor wanting to sell his kidney to start a new Small
Business.
2) Proposals - Pemudah like Task Force, Commission
We were moved by the Tamil Nesan news report dated 22/07/08 at page 13 on one Murali [35] who was declared a bankrupt because his identity card got lost and was misused in a RM 36,000.00 loan. Murali is an asthma patient his wife a breast cancer patient having gone through eight treatments. He has four children aged between five and 14 years old and going to school.
He gets a Socso pension of RM 368.00 per month and RM 100 per month from the welfare department for his school going child. His total income per month is RM 468.00 which is way below the hardcore poverty line index of RM 687.00 per urban household of five [NST 18/05/08 page 26]. RM 1,500.00 per month being the maker for urban poverty [NST 28/06/08 page 23], RM 2,000.00 per below being in the lower income group [NST focus 13/07/08 page 32].
The average household income for an Indian family has been declared in the Mid term review of the Ninth Malaysia Plan as RM 3,799.00 [NST 27/06/08 page eight]. Murali’s family and thousands of other Indians and in fact at least 85% of the Indians do not earn RM 3799, 00 per month. This RM 3,799.00 per month figure certainly does not reflect the ground reality and appears merely speculative. Murali out of desperation has decided to sell his kidney to raise funds for capital to start a new business. Murali’s case is just the tip of the iceberg.
Hundreds of thousands of Indians are in Murali’s shoes. Baitulmal, Pusat Zakat, Vayasan Islam, Badan Amal, badan kebajikan etc. would not help him. TV3, Utusan, NST, Star and Berita Harian would never help publicize the serious Indian plight according to it’s gravity. UMNO, PKR, DAP and PAS would not campaign these very serious Indian poor issues. Felda, Felcra, Risda, Kejora, Kada, Project Agropolitan would not give Murali a business license to run a bus stop kiosk nor the UMNO Federal give him a taxi license. What alternative does Murali have? He and his family lie on the railway tracks and kill themselves as happened to the Indian family in Seramban last year?
Incidentally the Indian suicide rate is 800% higher that for the Malays because of poverty and poverty related issues. Unlike the Malays, Orang Asli, the natives of Sabah and Sarawak who have their inherited villages and even the Chinese who have their new Villages to fall back on, Murali and hundreds of thousands of other Indians have no where else to go to. Almost all the Indians do not have a village to fall back on or as a safety net.
We hereby propose that the Federal UMNO government set up a Permudah like high level task force with impeccable action oriented results in a short space of time to seriously address the critical Indian issues as per our 18 point demands to the prime minister dated 12/08/07.
This task force should be co chaired by the Chief Secretary to the Government and Hindraf Legal Adviser and to also be comprised of the Secretaries Generals of the Finance Ministry, Welfare Ministry, and the Directors Generals of the Economic Planning Unit.
plementation Unit, Secretary to the Prime Minister and social scientists to be nominated by Hindraf but to the exclusion of all “wayang kulit” and “mandore” political parties. A budget of RM 35 Billion is set aside annually.
This special task force is eventually to be replaced by a Race Relations Commission [to eliminate all forms racism and religious extremism] and an Equal Opportunities Commission in furtherance to Article 8 of the Federal Constitution [Equality before the law]
Kindly revert to us accordingly.
Thank you,
Yours faithfully,
…………………………….
P.. Waytha Moorthy
Chairman
CC:
Y.A.B Mr Lim Guan Eng
Chief Minister's Office,
Level 28,
KOMTAR,
10502 Penang
tel: 04-650 5112
fax: 04-261 3003
limguaneng@penang.gov.my
PS from WMP - HINDRAF reaction on Bar Council forum
HINDRAF
135-3 KEMAYAN SQUARE
70200 SEREMBAN
NEGERI SEMBILAN.
PRESS STATEMENT 11TH AUGUST 2008
BAR COUNCIL FORUM - CLEAR EVIDENCE OF AUTHORITARIAN STATE
POLICE COLLUDED WITH PROTESTERS – AN INSULT TO ARTICLE 10 OF THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION.
STATEMENT BY HOME MINISTER SYED HAMID IRRESPONSIBLE.
The latest fiasco on the Malaysian Bar Council forum on "Conversion to Islam" clearly indicates that our ruling government practices authoritarian policies where the elected representatives and police are used to suppress civil liberties and freedom of expression in the pretext of security and public order.
The ruling government and its agents, ie police were at their best to exercise their authority to allow the protest by the muslim mobs to incite racial sentiments and storm into the forum and slander, humiliate and insult
the non-Malays.
HINDRAF strongly condemns the veiled threat by Home Minister to the Bar Council that “he hoped that the Bar Council got the message that there are certain things that are out of bounds for public discussion, even if held in a private place." It is the duty of the country to protect its citizens who have gathered to discuss a legitimate concern of its community (under article 10 of the Federal Constitution) but to come up with such threats (especially) by the minister is most irresponsible and insults the intelligence of Malaysians.
Four (4) members of HINDRAF were arrested in a rainy day for creating an awareness of their cause in the recent CPA conference on 7th August 2008 but here you have over 300 protesters behaving aggressively, carrying inciting banners and storming into the Bar Council forum raising uncalled racial sentiments against fellow non-Malay Malaysians without fear and protected by the Royal Police Force. The statement by Home Minister appear to be condoning such “violent” behavior and supporting hooliganism and claims he has not received any complaints of threat to National Security or disturbance to public order is utter rubbish and nonsensical.
Such double standards is only prevalent in an authoritarian state where any issues that concerns the public and freedom of thought for egalitarianism is suppressed and oppressed to serve the interest of the majority Malay muslim.
There is no actual racial issue in Malaysia, it is only incited and seeded into the public to create a scenario that best serves an authoritarian state to serve its own agenda against the goodwill and humanity for the Malaysian society that have co-existed irrespective of their color, race, religion and creed.
P.Waytha Moorthy
Chairman
Currently in London.
135-3 KEMAYAN SQUARE
70200 SEREMBAN
NEGERI SEMBILAN.
PRESS STATEMENT 11TH AUGUST 2008
BAR COUNCIL FORUM - CLEAR EVIDENCE OF AUTHORITARIAN STATE
POLICE COLLUDED WITH PROTESTERS – AN INSULT TO ARTICLE 10 OF THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION.
STATEMENT BY HOME MINISTER SYED HAMID IRRESPONSIBLE.
The latest fiasco on the Malaysian Bar Council forum on "Conversion to Islam" clearly indicates that our ruling government practices authoritarian policies where the elected representatives and police are used to suppress civil liberties and freedom of expression in the pretext of security and public order.
The ruling government and its agents, ie police were at their best to exercise their authority to allow the protest by the muslim mobs to incite racial sentiments and storm into the forum and slander, humiliate and insult
the non-Malays.
HINDRAF strongly condemns the veiled threat by Home Minister to the Bar Council that “he hoped that the Bar Council got the message that there are certain things that are out of bounds for public discussion, even if held in a private place." It is the duty of the country to protect its citizens who have gathered to discuss a legitimate concern of its community (under article 10 of the Federal Constitution) but to come up with such threats (especially) by the minister is most irresponsible and insults the intelligence of Malaysians.
Four (4) members of HINDRAF were arrested in a rainy day for creating an awareness of their cause in the recent CPA conference on 7th August 2008 but here you have over 300 protesters behaving aggressively, carrying inciting banners and storming into the Bar Council forum raising uncalled racial sentiments against fellow non-Malay Malaysians without fear and protected by the Royal Police Force. The statement by Home Minister appear to be condoning such “violent” behavior and supporting hooliganism and claims he has not received any complaints of threat to National Security or disturbance to public order is utter rubbish and nonsensical.
Such double standards is only prevalent in an authoritarian state where any issues that concerns the public and freedom of thought for egalitarianism is suppressed and oppressed to serve the interest of the majority Malay muslim.
There is no actual racial issue in Malaysia, it is only incited and seeded into the public to create a scenario that best serves an authoritarian state to serve its own agenda against the goodwill and humanity for the Malaysian society that have co-existed irrespective of their color, race, religion and creed.
P.Waytha Moorthy
Chairman
Currently in London.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Four Hindraf activists held at Commonwealth meet
Andrew Ong Aug 7, 08 7:41pm
Four Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) activists were arrested near the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) today for failing to disperse on police orders.
Dang Wangi OCPD ACP Zulkarnain Abdul Rahman told reporters that the four, including a woman, were arrested at the roadside while "picketing."
According to the detainees' lawyer N Surendran (photo:far left), the group were among 30 activists who were leafleting at the 54th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference at KLCC at 3.30pm.
The leaflets were meant to raise awareness among international lawmakers of the two-year Internal Security Act (ISA) detention order against five Hindraf leaders.
However 15-minutes later, the police tried to disperse the group resulting in the four - S Jayathas, S Poobalan, K Balakrishnan and B Susila - being arrested.
"They were given 20 seconds to disperse before they were ambushed while leafleting in the rain," said Surendran when met at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters later.
‘Woman locked up with men'
Surendran also complained that Susila, 41, was being held in a police lockup with seven other unknown men.
"This is unacceptable. Was she treated this way because she is affiliated with Hindraf?" he asked.
At the Dang Wangi police station, Surendran, accompanied by Kapar MP S Manickavasagam and Teluk Intan MP M Manogaran, held a short discussion with Zulkarnain.
Manogaran told reporters later that Zulkarnain had confirmed that Susila was held in a cell with men but a woman police officer was stationed outside the cell.
Manogaran also said they were assured of Susila's safety by Zulkarnain. The police chief however refused to comment on Susila's detention when approached by reporters.
Zulkarnain refused to divulge details of the investigation but said that investigations were being conducted according to Section 27 (5) of the Police Act.
"There are foreign guests there and we must ensure their security," he said when asked if the four were arrested because of tightened security at the KLCC area.
Latest news, all released under police bail
All four of them later were released under police bail at 7.30pm and all were required to present at Dang Wangi Police Station on 7th Sept 2008. All four were cheered by the big grooup of supporter whom been at Dang Wangi station since the arrest news spread. There were about 30 supporters waited for the release and welcome the 'heroes' with Vaalge Hindraf Makkal Sakthi slogan in the police compound itself.
Four Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) activists were arrested near the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) today for failing to disperse on police orders.
Dang Wangi OCPD ACP Zulkarnain Abdul Rahman told reporters that the four, including a woman, were arrested at the roadside while "picketing."
According to the detainees' lawyer N Surendran (photo:far left), the group were among 30 activists who were leafleting at the 54th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference at KLCC at 3.30pm.
The leaflets were meant to raise awareness among international lawmakers of the two-year Internal Security Act (ISA) detention order against five Hindraf leaders.
However 15-minutes later, the police tried to disperse the group resulting in the four - S Jayathas, S Poobalan, K Balakrishnan and B Susila - being arrested.
"They were given 20 seconds to disperse before they were ambushed while leafleting in the rain," said Surendran when met at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters later.
‘Woman locked up with men'
Surendran also complained that Susila, 41, was being held in a police lockup with seven other unknown men.
"This is unacceptable. Was she treated this way because she is affiliated with Hindraf?" he asked.
At the Dang Wangi police station, Surendran, accompanied by Kapar MP S Manickavasagam and Teluk Intan MP M Manogaran, held a short discussion with Zulkarnain.
Manogaran told reporters later that Zulkarnain had confirmed that Susila was held in a cell with men but a woman police officer was stationed outside the cell.
Manogaran also said they were assured of Susila's safety by Zulkarnain. The police chief however refused to comment on Susila's detention when approached by reporters.
Zulkarnain refused to divulge details of the investigation but said that investigations were being conducted according to Section 27 (5) of the Police Act.
"There are foreign guests there and we must ensure their security," he said when asked if the four were arrested because of tightened security at the KLCC area.
Latest news, all released under police bail
All four of them later were released under police bail at 7.30pm and all were required to present at Dang Wangi Police Station on 7th Sept 2008. All four were cheered by the big grooup of supporter whom been at Dang Wangi station since the arrest news spread. There were about 30 supporters waited for the release and welcome the 'heroes' with Vaalge Hindraf Makkal Sakthi slogan in the police compound itself.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
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