It’s funny reading how many times Samy Vellu had to stress that it’s not a political stunt; I doubt many would agree with him in this sense. He should have make the call much earlier, but it’s better late than never… political stunt or not, I don’t really mind as long as it makes a change at the end.

This raise the same old issue again… what’s the point of having ISA at the first place? It’s probably the most barbaric act we have in Malaysia. I can understand the need for certain laws to protect the nation against terrorism or racial crash, but locking up people without trial for months and years is just not right.

I would have support an act to detain a suspicious terrorist for prolonged period, say for 14 or 28 days… but if there is no solid proofs to file any charges, the suspect have to be let go. It’s one of the basic fundamentals of our constitution… that we would rather let a criminal off the hook than to put an innocent man into wrong justice.

I am not saying that the Hindraf 5 are innocent; the Hindraf memorandum still rings in my mind occasionally… truth or not it’s seditious nonetheless. However, it’s just not right to detain anyone without giving them a fair trial.

It’s not just about releasing the Hindraf 5… ISA should be abolished.

Quoted from Nuraina A Samad…
“If the government was so sure that the 5 Hindraf leaders had breached any law of the land, then the 5 should have been subjected to the processes of law. Detention under the ISA is not a due process of law. It is unjust.”

The Hindraf rally (and post mortem events) is a clear indication that there are serious discontent among the Indians about Samy’s leadership. There are also bloggers’ reports that Samy was being booed and insulted in various events that he attended in the past few months.

Thing is… can Hindraf and some others represent the majority voices of the Hindus or Indians? There are still large group of Indians (and non Indians) that have been silence about Hindraf and recent development about the Indian community… and we can never assume anything about what they are thinking.

Besides, those people who constantly claimed that Samy Vellu is unwanted probably have not been to Sungai Siput before… as far as I know, Sungai Siput is one of the best maintained areas in Perak, and Samy (and his representatives) has been very responsive to the community issues in the zone.

Samy is unwanted only if he can’t win at his stronghold at the end of the election day… else, it probably shows that he still has his influence after all, and that the silent majority still has some fate or hope for the MIC leader.

Let the voters decide.

I don’t feel good about this at all. I am against the use of ISA, but I am also against using children to fight for political or social causes.

I can understand the girl’s pledge to have her father home… but to fight for the rights of Indians? Am I supposed to believe that a 5-year-old girl could have such a mature thinking without being influenced or exploited by the adults?

Believe in what you want… I see this as a shameful exploitation.

Judge Nursinah Adzmi made the decision after allowing the application by Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail to withdraw the charges against them. [Bernama]

This have to be one of the biggest Malaysia jokes in 2007… it was a murder attempt charge, not chicken stealing. The AG should not have press the charges at the first place if he didn’t have enough evidence to prove the case… and if he does have solid evidence to prove it, they shouldn’t withdraw it at all.

I am not a law expert, but I know simple enough that our law should not be treated as a game… it’s controversial to press the charge, but it’s even worse to drop the case rather easily. The whole thing is just stupid.

Well, at least it’s good news for these 31 people… I hope that they are really innocent and not being let off for political reasons.

Thing is… if the police or government has any proof about the allegation, what are they waiting now? Go ahead and put the Hindraf leaders into lockup, charged them with whatever act they could think of and declare an official war on Hindraf. The only reason the government and police are not doing so is because the terrorist-link allegation is simply stupid words without solid backing.

What the IGP said is serious accusation… it could cause serious damage to the peacefulness of the country and the social harmony between races. He shouldn’t voice about it without having facts and proofs about it… it caused unnecessary tension and served no good purpose for the general public.

Regardless, I doubt any action would be taken against Musa Hassan if it is a false alarm in the end. They would come out with million of reasons that the IGP was just showing his concern, that they haven’t found any proof yet but it’s true, that their words are MISINTEPRETED… and Musa walks away.

No sympathy from me. I know some people will argue that the police were using tear gases, water cannons and some violent acts as well, but two wrongs don’t make one right… it doesn’t mean that it’s ok to throw bricks and iron pipes at the police when the cops were using force.

Yes, the charges might be biased and discriminative. It’s uncommon for Attorney General Abdul Gani Patail to personally handle the case when he is ignoring some other more pressing cases (Altantuya’s murder for example)… and besides that, I can’t stop wondering what has happened to the officer that fired 4 shots to the crowd at Batu Buruk fracas.

Still, it doesn’t mean that it is wrong to charge the Hindraf supporters. If there is anything to concern about… it’s to make sure that the prosecutors are not framing the accused but have solid proof to press the charges, and that the trial is handle fair and square with proper transparency.

Nazri’s response has probably created as much debate in the India Parliament as of the Hindraf’s plea itself. For once though, I have to agree with Nazri that this issue is none of India’s business.

Malaysian Tamil, Malaysian Indians, Malaysian Chinese, or Malaysian Bumiputras, whatever… we are MALAYSIANS. Whatever issue it is, it should be settle in Malaysia itself, and is none of other nations’ business.

I am pissed with some opposition leaders and political bloggers for supporting India’s stand regarding this matter. Anwar Ibrahim for example has told NDTV that India is right in taking up the issue of ethnic Tamils in the country… well, would Anwar approve if India decided to up their ante and send their armed force to ‘protect Malaysian Tamils’?

We can’t hail everything that is against the government simply for objecting sake; we still need to use our logical mind to see what is right or wrong… and Anwar is losing his mind here. So, what’s next? Chinese asking for China’s help for discrimination?

Fine, it’s freedom of speech… India’s leader can say whatever they want, but it ends there. Any further demands are unwanted and unwelcome. We don’t need foreign interference to handle Malaysian matters, period.

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

15.11.2007
The Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown
Prime Minister of the United Kindom
10 Downing Street, Fax: +442079250918
London, URGENT
SW1A 2AA

Dear Sirs,

RE: 1. COMMONWEALTH ETHNIC INDIAN PEACE LOVING SUBJECTS IN MALAYSIA PERSECUTED BY GOVERNMENT BACKED ISLAMIC EXTREMIST VIOLENT ARMED TERRORIST WHO LAUNCHED A PRE DAWN VIOLENT ARMED ATTACK AND DESTROYED THE KG JAWA MARIAMAN HINDU TEMPLE AT 4.00 A.M THIS MORNING (15.11.2007).

2. APPEAL FOR U.K TO MOVE EMERGENCY U.N RESOLUTION CONDEMNING “ETHNIC CLEANSING” IN MALAYSIA.

3. APPEAL TO REFER MALAYSIA TO THE WORLD COURT AND INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT FOR CRIMES AGAINST IT’S OWN ETHNIC MINORITY INDIANS.

We refer to the above critical matters in Malaysia but which generally gets the least attention locally even by the Opposition parties, NGO’s, the Malaysian Human Rights Commission and the media for this community is generally regarded as politically insignificant, do not draw local or international funding and are deemed not pressworthy. To the contrary the Malaysian government has successfully projected itself to the world as a modern Islamic thinking country which is not true.

The ethnic minority Indians in Malaysia were brought in to Malaysia by the British some 200 over years ago. Since independence in 1957 the Malaysian Indians have been permanently colonialised by the Islamic fundamentalist and Malay chauvinists UMNO led Malaysian government.

Among the recent atrocities committed by this government are as follows:-

1.100 over Indians were slashed and killed by the UMNO controlled Malaysian government in the Kampung Medan mini genocide. Despite numerous appeals, the Malaysian Human Rights Commission has refused to hold a Public Inquiry. The UMNO controlled Malaysian courts struck off a victim’s public interest civil suit for a Public Inquiry to be held without even the said UMNO controlled government having to file in their defence. The UMNO controlled Attorney General and the Inspector General of Police refused to investigate and / or initiate an inquest into the death of at least six Indians in this tragedy despite.

2. Every week one person at average is killed in a shot to kill policy and in every 2 weeks one person is killed in police custody. About 60% of these victims are Indians though they form only 8% of the Malaysian population.

3. In every three weeks one Hindu temple is demolished in Malaysia.

The latest being the demolishment of the Mariaman temple in Padang Jawa, Shah Alam, Selangor early this morning (15.11.2007) and the next being the (Mutaiya) Hindu temple in Sungai Petani scheduled for the 29.11.2007.

A violent armed pre down attack at 4.00a.m this morning was launched by the UMNO controlled Malaysian government backed by about 600 police, riot police, Islamic extremist and armed terrorists which completely destroyed this temple.

In an attack two weeks ago, uniformed police, riot police and city Council officers hurled rocks and attacked unarmed Hindu devotees with knives, sticks and iron rods.

At least 20 Hindu devotees were seriously injured and 19 arrested including 4 of their United Kingdom trained lawyers in direct violation of Article 5 (Right to life) Article 8 (Equality) Article 11 (Freedom of Religion) Section 295 (defiling a place of worship), Section 296 (disturbing a religious assembly), 298A(causing racial disharmony) and Section 441(criminal trespass) of the Malaysian Penal Code.

These authorities are plagued by an above the law mindset and in fact liberally take the law into their own hands. These atrocities however does not happen to almost all Islamic places of worship. Please visit www.policewatchmalaysia.com for further and better particulars.

4. State sponsored direct discrimination against the Indians in Public University intakes, Indian (Tamil) Schools, skills training institutes, civil service and private sector job opportunities, business and license opportunities and in almost all other aspects of daily life.

Despite our hundreds of letters, appeals and pleas to the Malaysian King and Sultans, the Prime Minister, Attorney General, Inspector General of Police, Ministers, Chief Ministers and the latest being our letters to the Prime Minister dated 29.10.2007 and 30.10.2007 and to the Attorney General dated 1.11.2007 the Malaysian authorities are only proceeding with greater ferocity and with impunity with very little regard for the Federal Constitution and laws of Malaysia. So please help us.

CONCLUSION

We fear that this peace loving Indian community of Tamil origin having been pushed to the corner and the persecution getting worse by the day may be forced to into terrorism in a matter of time as what has happened to the Sri Lankan Tamils.

APPEAL

On our part we are committed to a peaceful and lawful struggle and pray and appeal that the Government of the United Kingdom:-

1. Moves an emergency United Nations resolution condemning these state sponsored atrocities and persecutions of Malaysian Indians in Malaysia.

2. Refers Malaysia to the World Court and the International Criminal Court for Crimes against it’s own ethnic minority Indians

Thank You,

Yours Faithfully

P.Uthayakumar
Legal Adviser

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nazri Aziz was fast to ask Devamany to resign from MIC if he had disputed his own party… and Devamany is scheduled to explain to Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak about his words.

I couldn’t bother much about BN’s rank or whatever policy. I am just wondering how people like you and me could get our voices to be heard by our government…

The UMNO led government has responded to the recent demonstrations saying that street rallies are unnecessary, and that they are willing to listen from the people through proper channels.

Thing is… if opposition leaders raised their concerns, they will be raped with all the insults possible. If a BN representative raised his opinions, like Devamany did… well, he is accused of breaking the ranks.

In the end… no one can say anything that the UMNO leaders do not want to listen. Badawi doesn’t care… and he has the most ferocious guarding dog at his Prime Minister Department that will bite on EVERYONE who voiced their dissatisfaction at the current government.

Government ready to listen to the citizens? Forget about it… that’s bullsh!t.

What has Hindraf achieved in the end?

Don’t get me wrong. As mentioned at my previous post… although I am not a public demo fan, I don’t feel that I have the right to deny others the freedom of expression. However, I am really confused on what Hindraf is fighting for.

In general view… Hindraf has planned the gathering to submit their petition to Queen Elizabeth II seeking support for the Indian community in a US$4 trillion class action suit against the British government for bringing Indians as labourers to the then Malaya and thereafter exploiting them.

The suit is a joke; the Hindraf organizers should know that. Initially I gave them beneficial of doubts thinking that they are using the suit to gain wide attention to the social problem instead of taking the monetary claim seriously… I hope I was right.

I have doubts on what Hindraf is trying to achieve with the protest though. After taking all the effort to bring people to the streets to endure the tear gas and water cannon… Hindraf failed to make a constructive point of what they are fighting for.

Ya, I know… fighting for equal rights for Indian minorities. However, what exactly do Hindraf want? They have to make their demand clear and precise.

More Indian schools?
More public servicing jobs for Indians?
Minimum wage for blue collars?
Stop demolition of Hindu temples?
Permits for Hindu temples?
Samy Vellu to step down from leadership?

So, what is Hindraf actually fighting for? Precisely?

Update Nov 29 – Hindraf’s memorandom to UK Prime Minister

Klang Valley folks should have noticed the unusual jam in and around KL for the past 2 days. Police has set up roadblocks, albeit prematurely, to cope with the potential confrontation before the rally. Seems like they has just up their ante by arresting the leaders of Hindraf.

About Hindraf and the rally

Not many Malaysians beside the Hindu community are paying attention to Hindraf… that’s a sad fact. After 50 years of independence, Malaysians are not giving much damn about the welfare of other races. The irony thing is… the arrest and roadblocks actually helped spreading Hindraf’s movement.

Hindraf is planning a gathering outside of British High Commission at Jalan Ampang on Sunday to submit a petition with 100,000 signatures to Queen Elizabeth II to appoint a Queen’s Counsel to represent the Indian community in a class action suit against the British government for bringing Indians as labourers to the then Malaya and thereafter exploiting them.

The suit, filed at the Royal Courts of Justice in London by Hindraf chief P. Wathyamoorthy in August, sought compensation of up to US$4 trillion (RM13.5 trillion), or US$1 million (RM3.4 million) for every Indian in Malaysia.

The petition and suit might sound ridiculous; people have been teasing the real motive behind the rally. Regardless, I am not going to question the possible personal agenda in Hindraf organization… I chose to believe that they want to seek international (and Malaysians’) attention on the problem the Indian society is facing in Malaysia, and that the suit is just a gimmick to get attention.

I am not a big fan of public rally or demonstration, but I am not going to deny the rights of others to voice their thoughts. Besides, who would want to bath under the torching sun or soak in the rain (and possibly polices’ tear gas and water cannon) to demonstrate if their voices are heard in a more comfortable way? People go to the streets because they don’t have much choice, not for fun.

For whatever cause it is… Don’t bring minors to a demonstration. One thing that I absolute distaste during the BERSIH rally is seeing minors involved.

Street demo is always unpredictable; the crowd might go wild, or the police might become irrational in handling situations. Violent confrontation might happen… it’s not safe to bring your young children to a demo. Forget about education from young age, that’s bull sh!t… there are better ways teaching children about democracy, human rights or whatever.