Vwaishhnnavi celebrates birthday with visit to the palace

May God Bless Hindraf leaders n their family.

Hindraf Protest In Jb........

Today i was so excited to join Hindraf gathering in Jb...I turned up there ard 11am with my aunty all...After reached there,I called up Mr.Ramesh where to meet up n then he came with few other guys...there were about 10 of us with banners....Well,in this case,the police alwez be earlier there..welcoming us...The road lead to Mariamman temple was blocked n the original place as planned oso was blocked,so the coordinator changed to plan B...

And there were only 3 woman joined the protest.....not included me..m not a girl,not yet a women. :D.....

After about 10minz,d crowd got bigger,were ard to 50ppl..very few.. :(.....It was so disappointed to see some Indians who were just stand at a corner n watched as tho there was a show goin on n didnt care to join n show support....that was really disapointed to see some adults behaved like chicken where there was even a kid joined the gathering...Even when the police gave time,they still was afraid to join...just speechless what to say about them...neway,I did my part....

And yeah...this gathering gave me chance to meet Vasantha Rao-->>one of the guy among the 31 ppl who got arrested in Batu Caves....Glad to know him...;)...

During the gathering,we managed to pass our msg to refer Uthayakumar to IJN n release all the ISA detainees to media.There wer few reporters present..and Mr.Ramesh and another Hindraf supporter gave speech.

Among who were present are PKR representative,Mr.Subra and PAS representative....no idea what is the name...

I will try to upload the video that recorded when the PAS n PKR representative gave speech.

Thx to all supporters who turned up!
Makkal Sakthi Valgha!


Supporters gathered at a restaurant after the protest...

there goes the FRU truck.....itheke onnem korechel ellai...

supporters with the banner...

there goes our friend...Police Kawan Kita.... :D

recognise d dude in yellow tshirt??except him,d others are watcin the show...sigh..

D guy in yellow tshirt is PKR representative..

Our "friend" is talking with Mr.Ramesh

still talking............

Nationwide Protest for Urgent reference for P.Uthayakumar to IJN

Nationwide protest demanding P.Uthaya to be refered to IJN immediately Hi All Hindraf Makkal Sakthi Supporters.

There are few spots where this protest will take place so that supporter can show solidarity and unity in demanding just for our Hindraf Leaders health.

The area where the silent protest will be held are as below :-
1. Penang - Gurney Roundabout - Contact Vasantha 012 46883532.
2.Prai - Pacific Mall - Contact Anba 012-40718673.
3Ipoh - Ipoh Jusco - Contact Vetha 01759623174.
4.KL - KLCC - Contact Selvam 01666265795.
5.Seremban - Terminal 1 - Contact Devi 019-66411016.
6.JB - Near Aminah Hospital - Contact Ramesh 019-7685712

All will start at 11.00 am, bring manila card and banners to show support.Lets do it!!!

Show Hindraf 5 our gratitude

Before you lay yourself down to sleep tonight, take a moment to think of the Hindraf 5 currently being detained under the ISA in Kamunting. Just wonder what must be going through their minds, as they lie on their beds. Without doubt, they must be missing their wives and children. Take a moment to think of their children who cannot see, hug or play with their fathers.

The Hindraf 5 must be wondering how to support their families since they are out of work. They must be thinking how to continue the struggle for the Indians in this country since their freedom has been so unjustly taken away from them. They may even wonder if the Indian Malaysians have forgotten them.

Now, take a moment to think of our prime minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Think of him lying on his comfortable bed in Putrajaya. Do you think he feels an iota of guilt, since he was the one who signed the ISA instructions to wrongfully separate these men from their wives and children? Think of MIC President S Samy Vellu lying on his bed after a good dinner with his family.

Do you think he feels sorry for the plight of these men, since he was the one who boldly declared to the international media that they were detained under the ISA on mere suspicions that they had terrorist links? Both of them know in their hearts that these men are innocent, but they had to selfishly put them away to safeguard their political futures.

How can we continue to allow these kinds of men to be our leaders?

The MIC was supposed to take care of the Indian community’s interests all these years, but only after the Nov 25 Hindraf rally do you see the government taking such a keen interest in this deprived community. Million of dollars have been ‘promised’ for Tamil schools. The chief secretary to the government has been instructed to ‘look into’ hiring more Indians for the civil service. An Indian boy falls to his death at a school in Puchong, and Umno Youth now sends an officer to visit the family and investigate!

Would all this have taken place if not for Hindraf? If your answer is ‘no,’ take a moment to think about where their struggles and sacrifices have landed them.

How do we repay these men who put the interests of their community above themselves and their families? How do we give back for the sacrifices they have made?

The best thing we can do is to free them. How do we do it? The ISA is the tool of this government. If this government is replaced in the next elections, the ISA will fall, and the Hindraf heroes will be freed. Therefore, if you value the sacrifices these men, their wives and their young children have made for your interests, then all you registered voters should make a commitment to vote against the Barisan Nasional on March 8, election day.

Go out in force and urge your families and friends to go with you. Just remember that every vote counts. The government has taken us for fools by promising a lot of last-minute goodies and last-minute development plans. Let us show them that we are not fools.

Most importantly, come election day, let us show Uthayakumar, Manoharan, Kenghadharan, Ganabatirau, Vasantakumar and their families that we have not, and will never forget them.

Hindraf and the Pluralisation of the Malaysian-Indian Community

Many of the accusations levelled by the leaders of Hindraf towards the leadership of the MIC and its President Samy Vellu in particular were based on long-held grouses that were nurtured over Samy Vellu’s long stewardship of the party:


Since it came to the public stage of Malaysian politics the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) of Malaysia has been cast as a troubling phenomenon, but to whom?Predictably the reaction of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) and its leadership has been to respond to Hindraf’s demands by stating that it is a troublesome organisation that is bent on dividing (and consequently weakening) the Indian community. Hindraf however has defended its actions on the basis that the MIC has singularly failed to defend the interests of the Hindus of Malaysia, and that the leadership of the MIC is entirely beholden to the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition instead. The vernacular Malay press in turn has attacked Hindraf on the grounds that it was seen and cast as being ‘anti-Malay’; though Hindraf in turn has proclaimed its loyalty to the concept of Malaysia as a universal idea while rejecting the notion of Malay cultural and ethnic supremacy.

Needless to say, these manifold configurations and postures has made it difficult to locate Hindraf on the Malaysian political landscape; but it has also expanded that very same political landscape to include a new range of disaffected and marginalised political actors. What many critics have failed to recognise is that despite the verbal pyrotechnics employed by Hindraf, it has actually contributed to the pluralisation and complexification of the Indian minority, and by doing so has rendered the simplistic mode of race-based politics in Malaysia more and more difficult.

While Hindraf’s appeal to the Indian minority in Malaysia is primarily communal and sectarian it has also introduce a cleavage – both political and ontological – in the Malaysian-Indian community itself. Hindraf’s sustained efforts to highlight the marginalisation, alienation and discrimination in all walks of life did not merely challenge the staid rhetoric of the Malaysian state whose brand of multiculturalism dates back to the mode of race-relations first developed during the colonial era, but more importantly rendered hollow the MIC’s claim to be the main representative, patron and protector of the Malaysian-Indian community.

Many of the accusations levelled by the leaders of Hindraf towards the leadership of the MIC and its President Samy Vellu in particular were based on long-held grouses that were nurtured over Samy Vellu’s long stewardship of the party: During the time of Samy Vellu the MIC expanded its patronage machinery and used its educational outreach unit, the Maju Institute of Educational Development (MIED) to sponsor the education of more than 10,000 Tamil schoolchildren. In 1982 Maika Holdings was created by the MIC to help pool together the economic resources of the Indian minority so that they could collectively invest in Malaysia’s economic development. Maika however was criticised by some as a patronage arm of the MIC, despite the fact that it was built from the collected sum of RM 106 million that was raised by many poor Tamil families. Following a succession of mismanagement scandals, Maika faced serious losses and many of the Tamil families could not recover their investments. In the face of growing criticism of his leadership Samy Vellu maintained a strong grip on the MIC: S. Subramaniam, who was brought into the MIC during the time of former MIC President Manickavasagam, was one of the strongest opponents of Samy Vellu, and accused the latter of mismanagement of the party. Nonetheless Subramaniam was defeated at the MIC Annual General Meeting of 2006, shoring up Samy Vellu’s position in the party even further.

When Hindraf began mobilising its supporters in 2006 in defence of the Hindu temples that were being demolished all over the country, much of its criticism was directed towards Samy Vellu and the senior leadership of the MIC who they accused of betraying the Indian minority and not being able to stand up to the demands of the UMNO party that leads the ruling BN coalition. Linked to the Hindu temples issue were other complaints related to the MIC’s finances, its alleged failure to uplift the economic condition of the Hindus; its failure to defend Hindu culture, language and identity, etc.

As a result of these complaints being aired in public, Hindraf had inadvertently exposed the class divisions that now exist within the membership of the MIC and the gulf of power, wealth and influence between the MIC leadership and the rest of the Indian minority community. This is ironic considering the fact that the MIC was originally set up by Indian activists like John Thivy, K. Ramanathan and Budh Singh in 1946 to defend the interests of the Indian working class and to struggle for economic and social equality in the first place. By emphasising the weakness and marginalisation of ordinary Malaysian-Indians and contrasting their lot to the opulence and luxury of those who claimed to be their leaders and spokesmen, Hindraf has actually introduced the fault-line of class difference within the Indian community itself, thereby rendering any simplistic attempts to homogenise the Malaysian-Indians as a singular political constituency more problematic.

Here lies the paradox that Hindraf itself has introduced into the equation of Malaysian politics: On the one hand it is a communitarian and sectarian organisation that seeks to mobilise and consolidate the Indian minority in Malaysia on the basis of an exclusive racial and religious identity; but on the other hand it has succeeded in doing so by adopting the rhetoric and discourse of betrayal and neglect of the community by some of its own; namely the leaders of the MIC. Hindraf has therefore contributed to the problematisation of the category of ‘Indian-ness’ itself, making it consequently more difficult for both the MIC and the ruling National Front to maintain its divisive form of communal sectarian politics that has always relied upon the instrumental fiction of neatly divided and compartmentalised racial groupings. What Hindraf has done via its street demonstrations and campaigns to discredit the MIC leadership is to demonstrate that the Indian community is not a singular bloc that can be reduced to one essentialised stereotype or compartmentalised within neatly-defined and hermetically sealed borders.

The responsibility, therefore, falls on the shoulders of the parties of the ruling National Front that have for so long maintained the culture and norms of divisive race and religion-based politics in the country. Malaysia is in need of a new politics that transcends racial and ethnic divisions, or at least one that recognises the complexity of the plural communities that reside in this country. One thing however is certain for now: Hindraf’s very presence on the political stage signals that some sections of the Malaysian-Indian community no longer see the MIC as the sole patron and protector of the Malaysian-Indians of Malaysia.

'Guns and roses' in Parliament?

Source:MalaysiaKini



The police have denied a permit for the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) to hold a gathering outside the Parliament building this Saturday, paving the way for a possible standoff should the movement decide to press on.



Sentul police chief ACP Ahmad Sofian Md Yassin told reporters today that the permit was denied on grounds of ‘security and public order’.



Hindraf supporters planned to gather 200 children and their parents to carry roses meant for Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in a symbolic Valentine’s Day gesture to call for the release of five Hindraf leaders held under the Internal Security Act (ISA).



"My advice to those invited to attend, is to stay away from the gathering," warned Ahmad Sofian who stressed that the planned gathering was illegal since no police permit was granted.



In a letter addressed to PKR supreme council member S Manickavasagam, who applied for the permit on Hindraf’s behalf, Ahmad Sofian stated four grounds for rejecting the permit:



*Hindraf is not a registered body

*Intelligence suggest that there would be groups that would disrupt the planned gathering

*The gathering can cause disturbance of peace and public order

*The gathering would cause traffic congestion



Tourist attractions

Ahmad Sofian said Manickavasagam still had time to appeal against the decision with the Kuala Lumpur police chief within 48 hours.



Asked if roadblocks would be mounted on roads leading to the Parliament building and if a court order would be sought to bar people from gathering at the site, Ahmad Sofian said: "We will take action based on the law to ensure that the illegal gathering does not take place".



Asked why the gathering could disrupt public order, considering that there would be no parliamentary sitting on Saturday, Ahmad Sofian said there were many tourist attractions in the area and the gathering could cause traffic problems.



However, he added that nearby tourist attractions such as Tugu Negara (National Monument) and Lake Gardens would still be open to public.



If the organiser proceeded with the gathering, Ahmad Sofian said special care would be taken by the police to ensure the safety of the children but warned that their parents could be charged for compromising the safety of their children.



Hindraf leader-in-exile P Waythamoorthy’s five-year old daughter Vwaishhnnavi is expected to be among the children in the event.



Other than the planned parade of flower bearing children, Hindraf hopes to hand over to Abdullah an 18-point memorandum on the needs of the Indian Malaysian community.



'We'll appeal'

Meanwhile, Manickagasagam expressed disappointment with the permit rejection and vowed to file an appeal tomorrow.



He said the police had no reason to deny the permit as Hindraf had arranged for 100 marshals to maintain order during the event and that there would be less traffic on Saturday.



"We’re only asking for two hours (to gather). There would be no banners, no speeches, only roses. There is no reason for them to deny our right to assemble," he said.



He also expressed hope that the premier, or at least a representative, would be at Parliament this Saturday to receive the roses.



He added that he believes that the police would obtain a court order barring people from gathering, but stressed that Hindraf was prepared for any eventuality.



Manickavasagam also did not discount the possibility of switching venue at the eleventh hour if necessary.

16th Feb 2008 call for the Roses Rally.

HINDRAF.... The Truth

1st.. HINDRAFis not a political party...

2nd The objective of HINDRAF formed few years back is not to conduct peaceful gathering or exploit the racial integration as wat Gov polishing up.

It wuz formed by HUMAN RIGHTS lawyers to bring up issues which public not satisfied wif the way it wuz handled.

Example:

1. Murder of a pregnant indian woman saying that she wuz a suspect.

2. Death of few indian youngsters under police custody while being investigated.

3. Demolishment of temples. and few others. Basically it's all has something to do with rights.

When temple demolishmnet issue become massive, HINDRAF become more active and bring up the issue nationwide.

LEGALLY!!

None of the BN and itz component parties's ministers has answered our questions. They even ignored us. BUT opposition parties has turned up their ears and listen to our problems.But unfortunately they couldn't do anyting coz they are not in power. SO, IS TAT MEAN THAT what ever we do has political background?? They juz support us.. Coz, they noe tat we are not doing anything wrong.

There are so many news and stories out there in multi resources media.. But most are not true..

You noe why?? Coz there'z no freedom for media to write what they think is right!! They have to boast the gov to stay operated. Not all. But most.

Are we terrorist??

Greatest ever joke that i ever heard..

1st they called us HINDRAF assemblers, then illegal assemblers, protesters, murderers and finally gov address us as terrorist... If there's any better name, they would give us also. Cause, they are ignorant.

They really don't know:

Why we gathered??

What we want??

So, simply accusing to cover up their mistakes.

Accusitions as MURDERERs or TERRORISTs are ridiculous, since we didn't carry any weapons, even a single 0.01g stones!! hehe..

Peaceful gathering turned up havoc when Federal Reserve Unit(FRU) attacks us with tear gases and chemical(pepper n ..)water..

UNNECESSARILY!!

DO u think 50000-100000pple who came for the gathering are immatured, uncivilized and uneducated people as what gov saying?? Come on la..

"Professionals always like themselves!! Not others!! "

HINDRAF 18 point petition. Give us our rights.

1. Realizing the five leaders from the ISA because they were arrested for Malaysian Malay political purpose
2. Realizing or acquittal the Hindraf people charged by AG /PM Charges against for political purpose
3. 18 POINT DEMANDS OF THE MALAYSIAN INDIANS TO

1. Whereas:
The Reid Commission was appointed by her Majesty the Queen of England and the Conference of Rulers in 1956 with the view to Malaya (and now Malaysia) achieving independence by August 1957.Among the primary terms of reference of the Reid Commission were a
Common Nationality for the whole of the Federation.

2. And whereas
The overwhelming of the 131 written memoranda submitted to the Reid Commission as evidenced by the declassified documents from the Public Records Office, Kew, London, United
Kingdom which represented the will and wishes of the then Malayan population were primarily equality and equal opportunities etc for all Malayans irrespective of
race or religion as follows: -

2.1 In the grant of state land,
2.2 Admission to public and
administrative service;
2.3 To trade and do business, licences,
permits etc
2.4 Primary, secondary, skills
Training, university and overseas
university education.
2.5 No special privileges for the
Malays,
2.6 No discrimination of any ethnic
community based on race or religion,
2.7 The retention of all their places
of worship in particular Hindu temples,
crematoriums and burial sites,
2.8 Freedom of Religion,
2.9 Malaya is to be a Secular State and
not an Islamic state,
2.10 Right to mother tongue education
in particular Tamil schools to be fully
aided,
2.11 Minimum wage for the lowest paid,
and
2.12 Equal recognition as sons of soil
for all Malayan born.

3. And whereas
Based on the aforesaid proposals the Malaysian Federal Constitution, which is the supreme law of Malaysia as drawn out by the Reid Commission in 1957 was passed by the inaugural Malayan
Parliament and which formed the basis of independent Malaysia.

4. And whereas
Over the last 50 years since independence on the 31st day of August 1957, the United Malays Organisation (UMNO) controlled Malaysian government with their majoritarian might, and
backed by police, Attorney General’s Chambers, Judiciary, civil service and the media continuously violated the Malaysian Federal Constitution by their racist and Islamic extremist policies and which in effect have created an apartheid system ala Malaysia and especially resulting in the degeneration of at least 70% of the ethnic minority Indians to become the
underclass of Malaysia who end up in the poor and hardcore poor category. The rest of the 29% raised above the poor and hardcore poor category wholly and/or substantially through their own efforts, sacrifices and labour with no or very little assistance by the UMNO controlled government. The 1% of the cream thrives anyway.

5. And whereas
The plight of the Indians have been made worse by the racist UMNO mindset having spilled over to even almost all of the Opposition parties, NGOs’, Civil society, Malaysian Human Rights
Commission (Suhakam), Bar Council, the media etc who do not take up the Indian plight for they are deemed to be lacking “political mileage” (race based) and/or no funding.

6. And whereas
The Indians having no or very little opportunities for upward mobility or hope either turn to crime (60% of Malaysian detainees are Indians though they are only 8% of population-Suhakam
2005) or end up committing suicide which is 1000% higher than Malays (Utusan Malaysia 12.9.2005).

7. And Whereas at a public forum attended by 1,000 over Indians on 28.7.2007 at 7.00p.m at the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, the participants unanimously resolved to forward their 18 point demands and which this peaceful assembly gathered here today on the 12th day of August 2007 at Putrajaya once again unanimously resolves to demand as hereinbelow outlined.

And now it is hereby demanded for and on behalf of the two (2) Million ethnic minority Indians in Malaysia from the UMNO controlled Malaysian Government
their 18 point demands as follows: -

(1) End 50 years of violations of the Malaysia Federal Constitution.

(2) End Racism, end Islamic extremism and end Malay privileges on the 50th year golden jubilee mega Independence celebrations of Malaysia on 31st August 2007.

(3) Call for affirmative action plans for all poor Malaysians especially the ethnic minority Indians. A Protection of Ethnic Minority Malaysian Indian Act 2007 be passed to secure and safeguard the interests of the poor and defenceless ethnic Indian Minority Community.

(4) All 523 Tamil Schools in Malaysia be made fully aided government schools with immediate effect and to have equal and same facilities as granted to national schools especially in terms of
financial allocations, sufficient graduate teaching staff, financial allocation for extra tuition, ample
computers, Information Technology facilities, school fields, sports, recreational facilities, air
conditioned library, textbook loans, kindergarden, school uniforms and pocket money for poor pupils, nutritional food programmes, teaching aids, school building, infrastructure, film screening room and facilities, financial assistance for poor students, rehabilitation classes, non Muslim
religious classes, etc. A RM 100 Billion grant @ 20 Billion per year with effect from 2007 be allocated to Indians under the 9th Malaysia Plan (5 years) for refurbishing the existing 523 Tamil schools and rebuilding of the 300 Tamil schools demolished over the last 50 years.

(5) Extend and implement with immediate effect to Indians the affirmative action plans, grants, scholarships, loans etc as extended to Malay Muslim citizens with the view to providing equal opportunities for higher education, university education, admission to foreign universities, post
graduate studies locally and overseas, Trade and Skills Training Institutions, Science Colleges especially for each and every Indian student from the 70% poor and hardcore poor Indian category.

(6) Extend and implement with immediate effect affirmative action plans as extended to Malay Muslim citizens with the view to provide equal opportunities in acquiring wealth, venturing into
business, trade, industries, medium and small scale industries, government linked companies, corporate sector, procurement of direct government contracts, in acquiring licenses for contractors, blue chip and / or guaranteed return shares, lorry, taxi and bus permits, loans and licenses to venture into trade, business banking and the corporate sector for each and
every Indian from especially the 70% poor and hardcore poor Indian category. To this
effect the UMNO controlled government allocates RM100 Billion at RM20 Billion per annum with effect from 2007 and implements successful strategic schemes in investments for the Indians as implemented for the Malay Muslims with the view to the Indians acquiring at
least 10% of the nation’s equity.

(7) All the aforesaid is to be handled directly by the UMNO controlled government and UMNO is to stop “playing politics” through the “Mandore” (supervisor) system by dishing out on a
piecemeal and/or peanuts basis or merely public and/or newspaper announcements and declarations by the Malaysian Indian Congress ( M.I.C) who have no or very little power or say in the UMNO controlled Malaysian government.

(8) 20% of the Government top most level postings (Secretaries Generals), Middle level Management (Directors) and management level (Managers) postings, and the same for the Private Sectors, and positions of District Officers; Foreign and Diplomatic Service positions, civil service positions are reserved for Indians for the next 15 years.

(9) The UMNO controlled government makes public and is transparent on all of the aforesaid affirmative action plans i.e. the aforesaid education places, licenses, scholarships, grants,
loans, permits, licenses, opportunities etc by publishing the same in the official website of the Government of Malaysia as and when the same is granted and/or on a monthly basis
specifying the Indian beneficiaries thereto.

(10) Stop the indiscriminate unconstitutional and unlawful demolitions of Hindu temples,
crematoriums and burial sites in Malaysia. All existing Hindu temples, crematoriums and burial sites be granted state land and permanently gazetted as Hindu temple reserves as has been done for all Islamic places of worship and burial sites. Compensation at RM10 Million per temple be paid by the UMNO controlled Malaysian Government for the 15,000 Hindu temples demolished up to date over the last 50 years.

Every individual given the Right to practice and profess Religion/s of his/her choice in accordance to Standards adopted by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948. The
State and its Authorities barred from interfering in the personal beliefs and conscience of individual citizens . Disputes between Muslims & Non Muslims should be adjudicated in the Civil
Courts.

(11) Stop the victimization and direct discrimination by the Police and all other state authorities of the Indians. All Malaysians earning RM 3,000.00 and below are to be fully borne by state
funded legal aid for any criminal charges they face.

(12) The UMNO controlled government forms with immediate effect a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Kg Medan Mini Genocide, condemns the violence thereto, apologises to the Indian community on this mini genocide, undertakes not to repeat the same in future and pay a compensation of RM1,000, 000.00 for each and every citizen killed, permanently maimed,
maimed or injured in this tragedy.

(13) Each and every Indian especially the Indian poor in the aforesaid 70% Indian poor and hardcore poor category is paid compensation which is to be adjudicated and determined by the United Nations Secretary General for the aforesaid 50 years of Constitutional violations by
the UMNO controlled government.

(14) All homeless Malaysians are to be provided affordable homes and not low cost flats by law. A minimum wage of RM1,000.00 for each and every Malaysian be made law.

(15) A Royal Commission of Inquiry is initiated to report on the aforesaid constitutional violations by the UMNO controlled government and appropriate recommendations for amongst others further affirmative action plans for especially the 70% Indian poor and hardcore poor category.

(16) All forms of racial and religious discrimination, oppression and suppression of the Indians / Hindus in both the public and private sectors are stopped with immediate effect and a
Race Relations Commission Act 2007, an Equal Opportunities Commission Act 2007 and a Freedom of Religion Commissions Act 2007 be passed and powerful Commission thereto be put into force to give effect to anti racism, anti Islamic extremism and anti direct discrimination practices by the UMNO controlled government in both the public and private sectors.

(17) The UMNO controlled government passes specific laws to give effect to the Independence of the Judiciary, the Attorney General’s Chambers, Civil service, Police Force, Army, the
Malaysian Human Rights Commission and the Malaysian media and for the Opposition parties, NGOs’ Civil Society groups, Bar Council and the media not to discriminate and side step Indian
issues but instead to voice out the same without fear or favour. The Malaysian media is also to be legislated to report the real happenings especially on the 70% Indian poor and hardcore poor without fear or favour.

(18) A minimum of 20 Opposition members of Parliament are elected exclusively by the Indian Community to represent their interest at the highest political level and also as a Parliamentary
Democracy check and balance and the same is safeguarded and entrenched into the Federal Constitution and which is to be increased proportionately with the increase in Parliamentary seats.

Hindraf leaders to contest in polls?

Source:MalaysiaKini

DAP leaders are believed to be looking into the possibility of fielding Hindraf leaders detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in the upcoming general election.

Of the five Hindraf leaders held in Kamunting, M Manoharan and V Ganabatirau are the two tipped as possible candidates as they are DAP members.
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng when contacted neither denied nor confirmed the possibility.

"I don’t want to discuss candidacy at this point. However, as they are party members, they are definitely qualified to be nominated," said Lim.

In 1978, the party fielded two ISA detainees Chan Kok Kit and Chang Heng Kai in the Sungai Besi and Batu Gajah parliamentary seats respectively.

Both individuals won the seats comfortably, but Lim stressed that they were both incumbents. The duo were detained for nearly five years under the ISA for alleged communist links that was never proven.

Support from community
Manoharan and Ganabatirau are by comparison less experienced in the polls. However, the former contested, and lost, once for the Segambut parliamentary seat in 1999.

Counsel for the five Hindraf leaders and DAP vice-chairperson M Kulasegaran said he had received many requests from party supporters and the Indian community to push the detainees into the political ring.

This includes nominating Hindraf’s most recognisable face, lawyer P Uthayakumar, as a candidate in Sungai Siput parliamentary seat in a face-off with MIC president Samy Vellu.

"Then again, there are also many who are against this idea because they want the Hindraf leaders to remain solely as an NGO voice," said Kulasegaran, who is also Ipoh Barat MP.

Elaborating, Kulasegaran said the five Hindraf leaders shot to fame not for political reasons but for organising the Nov 25 rally which drew tens of thousands of Indians calling for equal rights and an end to marginalisation of the community.

"They did not hold any political banner. They were there as a common front without portraying any political objectives," he added.

As such, Kulasegaran stressed that the chances of fielding detained Hindraf leaders as candidates would depend on the detainees themselves, public sentiment and the party leadership.

DAP to meet detainees
Another counsel for the five Hindraf leaders, A Sivanesan, told Malaysiakini that DAP leaders are expected to visit the detainees soon to discuss "political matters".

According to Sivanesan, who is also an active DAP member, he had received a letter from Manoharan which indicated that the latter was interested in "playing a role" in the upcoming general election.

Sivanesan was however declined to elaborate on the matter.

In another development, Moharan and Uthayakumar were said to be in "high spirits" following their discharge on Tuesday from the Taiping general hospital following a hunger strike.

Lawyer Edmund Bon, who was part of a Bar Council delegation to the Kamunting detention centre yesterday, said the duo appeared to be recovering from their hunger strike.

(The nine-member Bar Council team, led by vice-president K Ragunath, had visited the detention centre to visit ISA detainees and offer their legal assistance).

Uthayakumar was warded since Jan 24 while Manoharan was warded three days later. Initially, the five were supposed to be on hunger strike between Jan 21 to Jan 28 to protest their detention.

The five Hindraf leaders - including T Vasanthakumar and R Kenghadharan - were detained on Dec 13 for allegedly threatening national security. All five of them have filed habeas corpus applications to challenge their detention orders.

Opinions:
Pukal: Hindraf has to remain an NGO. This will make the Indian community have more confidence in them. The Indian community has actually lost their trust and confidence in politicians. Even before Hindraf, what has the opposition done for Indians. Did they fight and win any rights for Indians?

We respect Hindraf as an NGO but won’t as a political body. I believe Hindraf leader Wathyamoorthy doesn’t want any political influence in Hindraf. We respect Wathya’s motive and we support his move. We hope ‘Makkal Sakthi’ (People’s Power) will remain.

BS Koh: I think the five Hindraf representatives, imprisoned under ISA, know that MIC president Samy Vellu is scared of losing to the opposition in the coming polls. All Malaysians, especially the Indians, know very well that Samy Vellu is only good for gathering benefits for his own family and cronies while doing nothing or very little for the Indian community.

I strongly believe that the use of ISA to detain the five Hindraf leaders was influenced or instigated by Samy Vellu of the MIC.

Hindraf 5: Decision on Feb 26

It will be a month before the five Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders know if they can be brought to court for a proper trial as the Kuala Lumpur High Court set Feb 26 as the decision date for their habeas corpus application.

Judicial commissioner Zainal Azman Abdul Aziz said he needed more time to go through the documents before making a decision.

“Please bear with me as I would need some time to go through the authorities.

I will need until the end of February to go through all the documents,” he told the packed court.On the last day of the habeas corpus application, lawyer Karpal Singh argued that the Internal Security Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in his affidavits failed to prove ‘certain circumstances’ needed when issuing a detention order under Section 8(1) of the Internal Security Act 1960.

He said that Abdullah failed to show exceptional reasons why he bypassed Section 73 which provided for a period not exceeding 60 days for investigations including the right of the applicant to put up his defence.

“The dire lack of material in the two affidavits filed by the minister to show certain circumstances for him to have acted directly under Section 8, makes the detention orders made by him on Dec 13 last year procedurally and fatally flawed,” he said.

The Hindraf five - P Uthayakumar, M Manoharan, R Kenghadharan, V Ganabatirau and T Vasanthakumar were detained under Section 8(1) ISA on Dec 13 last year under Abdullah’s orders.

As such they were immediately sent to under a two-year detention to the Kamunting detention centre without first having to undergo a 60-day investigative period.


Can’t challenge minister’s orders
Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail replied that the minister had made the detention orders after receiving a complete investigation report from the police.

“The minister is not solely reliant on police but also from other sources. In his affidavit, he said that the investigations were complete and perfect before he addressed his mind.

“He has a right to issue calls for investigation from his own people He has an unfettered decision on matters of national security which he would know best,” he said.

The senior lawyer added that Abdullah’s detention orders cannot be reviewed by the courts and the burden to prove any bad faith on the minister’s part lies with the applicants.Before the court adjourned, Karpal made a plea to the judicial commissioner to consider the impact of allowing the minister’s powers go unchecked.

“This is a test case and its very crucial for every citizen in the country. Can the Internal Security minister act without investigation which the law requires and arrest anybody he pleases?

“What about the grounds of the detention order which cannot be questioned by the courts? Such dictatorial powers given to minister has far reaching implications and consequences,” he said.He told judicial commissioner Zainal that the courts have to ensure that excesses of the executive does not go beyond the law.

“The little mercies left must be given attention to. The courts must apply detention laws strictly. The court must go into the position of legal implication and make a ruling that upholds the constitution.

“Detention without trial is a very cruel thing, only those who have undergone it would understand. I pray that the court would rise to the occasion and grant us our application.” he asserted.

Karpal also requested for the decision date to be as soon as possible because two detainees - Uthayakumar and Manoharan - have been warded in Taiping Hospital for dehydration after having gone on a hunger strike since Jan 22.


Wife plea to the AG’s
Meanwhile, outside the courtroom, detainee Ganabatirau’s wife Puvaneswary was seen approaching Abdul Gani near the court lifts.Covered in tears, she told the AG that her husband was innocent and expressed her concern over the fate of her two daughters.

Abdul Gani appeared calm and comforted Puvaneswary before telling her that she can get her lawyers to contact him and see what can be done for Ganabatirau.

After Abdul Gani disappeared into the lift, a teary Puvaneswary told reporters that her husband was not guilty and what was being done to him was unfair.

She left soon after with several companions.

Hindraf supporters who crowded the area outside the fourth floor courtroom also lingered at the Jalan Duta court lobby before leaving.

Hindraf 5 deny split in ranks

Source:MalaysiaKini

The five detained leaders of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) detention have denied that there is a split in their ranks.

Malaysiakini reported yesterday that Hindraf secretary T Vasantha Kumar had lodged a police report against legal adviser P Uthayakumar over supposed allegations of misuse of funds. However, the latter’s lawyer N Surendran had urged caution over placing too much faith in such information.

The two, along with V Ganabatirau, M Manoharan and R Kenghadharan, are being held under the Internal Security Act (ISA) at the Kamunting camp in Perak.

Their joint denial was issued when they met today with their lawyers - M Kula Segaran, Karpal Singh, A Sivanesan, S Ponnumugam, M Manogran, T Kumar and Ram Karpal Singh.

In a statement signed by Kula Segaran, the five said: “We are not disunited, we will continue our fight (for betterment of the Indian Malaysian community) and will fast (from Jan 21-28).”

Specifically, the denial covers any suggestion that they are no longer on talking terms with one another or that “one or more of them will admit to (alleged terrorism charges)”.

“They are resolved to fight (on) and have not wavered in any way from their demands to the government,” Kula Segaran noted in the statement.

“Their detention without trial has put Malaysia on the world map as (a country) which does not respect human rights values. We hope the government will take steps to release (them) unconditionally as soon as possible.”

According to the statement, the ISA Advisory Board met in Kamunting today to discussion the alleged terrorism charges against the Hindraf leaders, but adjourned the hearing to Feb 12.

Yusuf Sam (whose designation was not stated), who presided over the closed- door meeting, was assisted by two assessors. The internal security ministry was represented by legal adviser Abdul Wahab, while lawyers for the Hindraf 5 were present.


Complaints about conditions
The Hindraf leaders further protested the conditions under which they are being held, calling for immediate attention to their complaints that:

• They are being locked up in their cells for nearly 16 hours daily “like common criminals”;

• The keys to their cells are kept some distance away in the administration block, thereby leading to potential delay in assistance in case of emergencies like a fire;

• They do not have access to television, computers or up-to-date books and magazines in the resource centre; and

• Vegetarians like Kengatheran do not get appropriate meals.

They also demanded more time with their families, who are only allowed a maximum of 45 minutes per visit and, even then, only in the presence of guards. Apart from wanting food from outside the camp, they want access to a temple for prayers.

The five reiterated their reasons for their forthcoming hunger strike, saying it is to protest their “unlawful and unconstitutional detention” since Dec 13, as well as to seek restoration of Indian rights and to “seek divine intervention”.

Hindraf 5 to go on hunger strike

The five Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders held under the Internal Security Act (ISA) will go on a hunger strike beginning Jan 20.

P Uthayakumar, R Kenghadharan, M Manoharan, V Ganabathirau and T Vasanthakumar are currently being held at the Kamunting detention centre in Perak.

Their lawyer M Kulasegaran said today the hunger strike is to protest against their unlawful detention without trial.

The strike, which will last for five days, will commence at 7.30am on Jan 20 and end at 7.00pm on Jan 25.

According to Kulasegaran, the five are also urging Malaysians to join them in the protest fast.

“They strongly urged Malaysians especially the Indian community to join them in the fast to protest the unlawful detention without just cause and fair trial which is a serious violation of fundamental human liberties.

“The five leaders informed me that they totally reject the reasons given to detain them as simplistic, frivolous and vexatious,” he said.


‘Not too bad’
On their condition, Kulasegaran said the five are doing ‘not too bad’ but Kenghadharan - who is a vegetarian - is having trouble with the food being provided.

This is not the first hunger strike held over their arbitrary arrest. Late last year, Singaporean artist Seelan Palay, 23, consumed only water for five days - one day for each detained member - outside the Malaysian High Commission.

The Hindraf leaders gained fame when they organised a protest that saw 30,000 people hit the streets of Kuala Lumpur on Nov 25 last year.

This was followed by the movement’s leaders and supporters being charged for a slew of offences including sedition, causing mischief and attending an illegal assembly.

On Dec 13 last year, the five leaders were arrested under the ISA - a move anticipated by many after the government linked the movement to overseas terrorist groups.

Meanwhile, the alleged terrorism charges against the five will be heard by the ISA advisory board on Jan 14 at the detention centre.

“The advisory board will conduct a hearing on the allegation (of terrorism activities) against them. It’s a closed door hearing but the five will be represented by their lawyers,” Kulasegaran added.

Cops go after Hindraf donors

If you have made a donation to the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) movement, the police may be knocking on your door soon.

The Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) has sent letters to individuals summoning them to give statements at the Bukit Aman police headquarters over a possible offence of funding a terrorist organisation.

The letter stated that the police are investigating this offence under Section 130N of the Penal Code - the funding of terrorist activities.

If found guilty, the person can be punished with death (if the terrorist act results in death), imprisonment for a term of not less than seven years but not exceeding 30 years and a fine.

“The police believe that you can provide a statement about funds given to Hindraf Enterprise,” read the letter signed by investigating officer ASP Rozeni Ismail.

A donor who received the letter and was quizzed by the police recently said references were made to a RHB bank account registered under the name ‘Hindraf Enterprise’.

The donor, who requested anonymity, said the police recorded statement in relation to some other offence - non-terrorism related - committed by the company.

“It is odd that the matter is being dealt by the Commercial Crimes Department because during questioning, they made no reference to the terrorist offences. They said the company could be charged for impropriety in soliciting donations and funds.

“It is also very alarming that the banks can give information about their clients and their transactions to the police without the need for a court order.

”Under the Section 16A of the Central Bank of Malaysia Act 1958, banks are permitted to convey any information in relation to any offences to the police or affected financial institutions.

Many being summoned

However, the donor pointed out that the recording of the statement took only 30 minutes and the police were pleasant throughout the period.

“I don’t think I am the only one. When I asked if there were others, the officer said there were many other people being summoned,” the donor added.

Hindraf gained fame when it organised a protest that saw 30,000 people hit the streets of Kuala Lumpur on Nov 25 last year.

This was followed by the movement’s leaders and supporters being charged for a slew of offences including sedition, causing mischief and attending an illegal assembly.

On Dec 8, 2007, the Companies Commission of Malaysia revoked the registration of Hindraf Enterprise for using the company for unlawful purposes and purposes prejudicial to national security and public order.

The company at that time had set up a bank account for the public to donate money to the cause and for those incarcerated in need of bail money.

At the height of enforcement action, enigmatic Hindraf leader P Uthayakumar with R Kenghadharan, M Manoharan, V Ganabathirau and T Vasanthakumar were arrested under the Internal Security Act on Dec 13 last year.

They have been detained for two years without trial.

CCID director ACP Mohd Kamarudin Md Din was unavailable to comment on this investigation when contacted.

Waytha's message: Hindraf's just struggle for justice continues

Dear HINDRAF Supporters,

You may all have heard about the “War of Roses” declared by HINDRAF yesterday. Now the Government would understand that I have not accepted defeat and HINDRAF’S struggle would continue.

We would continue to peacefully fight for the release our 5 Leaders and demand that the Government meet our 18 demands submitted to the Prime Minister in July 2007.

I promise you that 16th Feb 2007 would be an eye opener to the Government that Indians will never give up their struggle.

We have remained silent for far too long. The Government finds it difficult to digest the fact that Indians have found strength to voice out their grievances.

So please send the message to all your friends by whatever means possible. We do not have the support of the media so we have to be independent and find our own way to spread the news. SMS are powerful tool at this time and age.

If you have friends overseas I suggest you ask them to organize one at their respective embassies and consulate offices as well. Never mind if it falls on Saturday. They can write to the embassy/consulate office to accept on a Saturday. They will oblige. After all the Roses are meant for the PM.How can they disrespect the PM?

Kindly also take note that as policewatchmalaysia website is not available currently you could log on to www.hindraf.co.uk to find out latest news on Malaysia.

Thank you.

Waytha Moorthy
Chairman
HINDRAF
waytha@hotmail.com

Hindraf rally - the silver lining

On Nov 25 last year, some 30,000 people reportedly flooded the streets in Kuala Lumpur to participate in a rally.



The massive turnout caught everybody by surprise, including the organiser - Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).



In a knee-jerk response, government leaders called it an act of extremism, arguing that all is well with the Indian community and hence there was no other motive, except for a sinister one, for such a rally.



Scores were arrested, while five Hindraf leaders, four of whom lawyers, are being held under the Internal Security Act (ISA). The five were accused of having links with terrorist groups, a charge they have vehemently denied.



However, as the days passed, there seemed to be an official recognition of the problems faced by the Indian community. Suddenly, all was not well after all.



Even MIC and its leaders acquiesced, carefully pointing out the leaks that needed to be plugged.





Positive side

"This is the positive side of the Hindraf rally," argued Malaysian Indian Business Association (Miba) president P Sivakumar.





"This must be acknowledged. It is because of the five individuals locked up under ISA that so many things are moving now," he told Malaysiakini today.



"These professionals, who could have led comfortable lives, were forced to shoulder this issue because the groups tasked with helping the Indians failed miserably. They have sacrificed their freedom for this," he added.



On the momentum of change stoked by Hindraf, Sivakumar said since the Nov 25 rally, there have been numerous positive developments.



The most notable, he pointed out, is that it has united the Indian community. Apart from this, he said numerous meetings and assurances followed.



"For example, the special meeting between Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Indian non-governmental organisations on Dec 14," added Sivakumar, who was present at the meeting.



He said MIC and its president S Samy Vellu, who have come under intense pressure, are now forced to act for the betterment of the Indian community.



"Not to forget Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo meeting with Hindu groups over the issue of temple demolitions and the prime minister also giving an assurance concerning this.



"The premier, in his winding up speech during the special meeting, also acknowledged that help was not trickling down and promised to look into improving the delivery system.



"After three generations of Indian Malaysian parents selling off their assets to educate their children, there is now hope of more educational grants and loans coming forth.



"There is also hope that all races in Malaysia will one day be treated equally. Why did all of these happen? Because of the Hindraf rally," he noted.







New champions'



Sivakumar also pointed out that the rally gave rise to 'new champions' of the Indian community and some of them are branding the rally as a form of extremism.





"But where would these new champions be if not for the rally?" he asked.



In view of this, Sivakumar urged all parties, including the media, to stop using the word extremism to describe the rally.





"This is an unkind term which should not be used," he said, calling the rally a "just cause" born out of "bottled-up frustration".



"The rally, which was meant to be peaceful, was an eye opener, it got everybody talking. It even captured the world's attention," he added.



Critics have lambasted Hindraf and its leaders for making claims, which they said, bordered on extremism and could lead to racial tensions.







Chief among these are the claims that the government has marginalised the Indian community and subjected them to ethnic cleansing.





'No evidence'





In a related development, Samy Vellu told Indian television station NDTV that the Hindraf five are held under ISA on 'suspicion' of having terrorist links, namely with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).



The veteran politician said this when asked if the government has evidence to back the accusation.





Below is an excerpt from the Jan 2 interview.





NDTV: Do you have any evidence to back your government's charge that Hindraf has links with terrorists?





Samy Vellu: Hindraf said they would fight like the Tigers (LTTE), the way the Tigers are fighting in Sri Lanka. It was by (Hindraf chairperson) P Waythamoorthy. After he talked like that, we did an investigation and it was felt that he may have gone there for training.



NDTV: Do you have evidence of this?





Samy Vellu: No. It is our suspicion.

Singaporean activist protests outside Malaysian High Commission

Singaporean activist, Seelan Palay, is fasting without food for five days (starting at 9am, 31st Dec 2007) outside the Malaysian High Commission in protest against the ISA detention of the Hindraf leaders in Malaysia.



Mr Palay is asking for the release of the 5 detainees by the Malaysian government.



Below is the statement from Mr Palay explaining why he has decided to undertake the protest.





STATEMENT

I, Seelan Palay, am going to undertake fasting in my personal capacity for a period of 5 days calling for the release of the 5 Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF) leaders, legal adviser P Uthayakumar, lawyers M Manoharan, R Kenghadharan, V Ganabatirau and organizing secretary T Vasanthakumar, who were arrested on 13 December 2007under the Malaysian Internal Security Act (ISA) on unfounded charges of incitement to rebellion and for having links with terrorist organizations. Detention without trial under the draconian Internal Security Act is unjustified for the HINDRAF 5, who only struggle for the marginalized 8% of ethnic minority Indians in Malaysia.



The fast, in which I will only consume water and no food, will be carried out outside the Malaysian High Commission in Singapore, 31 Jervois Road. It will begin at 9am on Monday, 31 December 2007 and end at 9am on Saturday, 5 January 2008. Each day of my fast is in dedication to each of the 5 detainees.



My action is both a personal commitment and a plea for the international community to pay attention to this serious human rights issue. I am calling for greater global commitment to bear pressure on the Malaysian Government for the release of the HINDRAF 5 and to prove any allegations made against them in an open Court process. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch USA, the Federation of Human Rights Organizations of India (FHROI) and regional NGOs have also strongly condemned this application of the ISA by the Malaysian Government.



Having been present at the HINDRAF rally in Kuala Lumpur on 25 November 2007, I can personally attest to the peaceful assembly that HINDRAF organized and the unjustified response to it by the Malaysian Federal Reserve Unit (FRU). As if there were not enough tears in the eyes of the people gathered that day, the authorities have had to administer tear gas to further add to their pain. Rubber bullets and water cannons were also used on the unarmed citizens, which included men and women of all ages. Let us not forget the Batu Caves incident earlier the same day where tear gas was shot into the Batu Caves temple upon civilians who were trapped inside.



Given our common history, I can relate to the language of structural poverty of the Malaysian Indians. The people gathered that day with peaceful intent for a just cause, and that is why I am determined to express my disquiet and discontent at what is a highhanded approach by the Malaysian Government.



In line with the greater focus on human rights in ASEAN today, what with the inclusion of a Human Rights Commission in the signing of the ASEAN Charter in Singapore, we surely cannot turn a blind eye to this matter, especially as it concerns a country which is our immediate neighbor.



Lastly, I cannot celebrate the coming of the New Year when I know that the HINDRAF 5 may be detained for an indefinite period of time.



Sincerely,

Seelan Palay