Source : M'Kini
MIC information chief M Saravanan said there was no need for the government to revoke the passport of Hindu Rights Action Force leader P Waythamoorthy though he is known to be severely critical towards the authorities.
The Federal Territories Deputy Minister when contacted said that the Hindraf leader should not be likened to a criminal by his passport being revoked simply for his criticism towards the government.
"The government owes an explanation to the public as to why they revoked his passport because it involves a Malaysian citizen. They have to justify their action.
"In my eyes, he's not a terrorist. He just condemned the government, but that does not mean the government can revoke his passport," argued Saravanan.
Waythamoorthy revealed today that he had been informed by the British immigration officials that his Malaysian passport has been revoked, rendering him in as a stateless person. He is presently in Britain after leaving Kuala Lumpur last November to escape a givernment dragnet on Hindraf leaders.
Amnesty International's Washington-based Asia-Pacific advocacy director T Kumar had earlier told AFP that Waythamoorthy has applied for asylum in the UK.
According to the British Home Office website, asylum is given under the 1951 United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.
To be recognised as a refugee, one must have left one's country and be unable to go back because he or she have a well-founded fear of persecution because of his or her race, religion,nationality, political opinion, or membership of a particular social group.
The British authorities is reported to be contemplating to hold hearings to consider Waythamoorthy's application for political asylum.
More reactions
Apart from Saravanan, various quarters also expressed their shock towards the matter.
Below are the excerpts of what these people had to say:
N Surendran, human rights and Hindraf lawyer
This act amounts up to nothing but a clear indication of political prosecution. It is a vindictive step taken by the home ministry. Not only is he under Internal Security Act threat back home (but now) he is getting harassed abroad as well. He doesn't deserve to be treated this way, all he did was raise valid concerns of the Indian minority of this country. This act shows clearly that the government cannot take criticism.
John Liu, Suara Rakyat Malaysia's managing coordinator
It's a blatant attempt by the government to stop his movement. They have no right to revoke his passport. The government is just trying to get him so that he could be detained under ISA.
Simon Sipaun, Suhakam vice chairperson
As to what reason the government has revoked his passport. Did they (revoke) the passport under certain law, or any particular legislation, and what under condition of federal constitution?
If the government wants to revoke his passport, they have to state the actual reason (according to the law).
Anil Netto, Aliran activist
I think it's unfortunate for him because he has not been found guilty of any crime. So, he also should be allowed of any movement and the government should be accountable for the decision and should make public the reason why they revoked his passport.
Friday, May 16, 2008
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MALAYSIAN GOVT:
HINDRAF LEADER'S PASSPORT NOT REVOKED.
PUTRAJAYA: The Government has not revoked Hindraf chairman P. Waythamoorthy’s passport, Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said.
He said there was no truth to such claims by Amnesty International, adding that as far as he was concerned, Waythamoorthy, who is in London, was still in possession of his passport.
“I am surprised by this report. I would assume that Amnesty would check its facts before making such a statement to the press as such claims can be sensationalised.
“I am not really aware of what has happened to Waythamoorthy, but as far as I am concerned, the Government has not ordered for his passport to be revoked. If he wants to return to Malaysia, he can do so,” he told The Star yesterday.
According to an AFP report quoting Amnesty’s Washington-based Asia-Pacific advocacy director T, Kumar, Waythamoorthy’s visit to the United States has been put off because “of his passport’s cancellation.”
According to the report, the Hindraf leader had planned to visit Washington for talks with leaders of the US Congress, Amnesty and other rights groups to highlight alleged discriminatory policies against Indians in Malaysia as well as the arrests under Internal Security Act of five senior movement members.
Waythamoorthy claimed British immigration officers informed him that his passport was revoked upon his return to London from Geneva after visiting the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights office there.
Syed Hamid said the Government would not revoke the passport of its citizen unless the person relinquished his citizenship and when this occurred, all documents to prove his Malaysian citizenship must be surrendered.
He said the “misunderstanding” was probably because Waytha-moorthy’s passport had expired and he could have his passport renewed at the Malaysian High Commission in London.
Meanwhile, the Prisons Department said in a statement yesterday that Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee P. Uthayakumar received medical treatment 10 times until April 14 at government hospitals and clinics since being detained at the Kamunting detention centre in Taiping last November.
It said he was also supplied with various types of medicine for his diabetic condition.
Source : www.thestar.com.my
And you expect us to believe that statement knowing our government is good at "Lying" including our premier...??
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