Source : via Makkal Sakti
HINDRAF
135-3 JALAN TOMAN 7
KEMAYAN SQUARE
70200 SEREMBAN
Y.A.B. Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim
Selangor Menteri Besar
Selangor State Secretariat Office,
Bangunan Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, Tel: 03 5544 7013
40503 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan. Fax: 03 5519 0032
08/06/08
Y.A.B.Tan Sri,
Re: Father’s Day ISA wish.
Weekly courtesy Public Transport for ISA detainees families from
KL to Kemta, Taiping, Perak.
We refer to the above matter and your statement in Utusan Malaysia last week offering transport and travelling expenses to Kemta prison Kamunting and school children’s allowances.
May we propose that the Selangor state government provides a free courtesy bus service belonging to the Selangor State Government from K.L. to Kemta prison once every week until all ISA detainees are released. This bus service could take off from outside Malaysiakini office in Bangsar, KL at 7am on every Sunday and ISA detainee families to be dropped back at the same point on the return journey. The Y.A.B. Menteri Besar could officially flag of this bus service on a date to be fixed preferably on or in conjunction with Father’s Day shortly. The Gabungan Mansuhkan ISA could be the co-coordinator to inform and publicise this bus service to the ISA detainee families.
This would help further create public awareness to the atrocities of ISA detention without trial besides enhancing family support groups and fellowship among ISA detainee’s families. We would then be able to create a multi-racial ISA family. There would literally be an 8 hour weekly meeting of the ISA families in the bus itself “without the risk of being arrested for unlawful assembly”. Wives and children who have been cruelly separated from their fathers and husbands would be able to show their love, care and affection with courtesy of the Selangor State Government.
This bus service would go a long way in easing the burden of the already financially drained out ISA detainee’s families especially so in the light of the 41% increase in petrol prices announced by the ISA Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on 04/06/08.
Further this would also reduce the risk of a road traffic accident as what happened to the Kota Alam Shah State Assemblyman and ISA Detainee M.Manoharan’s wife and son who were injured in a road traffic accident last Sunday.
This proposal when approved would be the strongest ever Makkal Sakti “people power” support by the Selangor PKR, DAP and PAS State Government in putting to an end to the draconian ISA.
We seek your kind indulgence in this matter.
Thank you,
Yours faithfully,
P.Waytha Moorthy
(Chairman)
Showing posts with label Hindu. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hindu. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Uproar over ruling against prayer, statue
Source : NST
IPOH: At the beginning of every Bharatanatyam performance, artistes of this famous South Indian classical dance pay obeisance on stage to a statue of Lord Nadaraja.
This common practice is also carried out to invoke the deity's blessings so that the dancers perform well without any obstacle.
However, on Monday night, a group of Bharatanatyam dancers performed before a full gallery at the Taman Budaya public auditorium without the customary on-stage pooja (prayer) to Lord Nadaraja.
This was because the owner of the venue, the state Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Department, permitted the dance on condition they did not install a statue or portrait of the deity and offer their prayers on stage.
For the record, this is not the first time that dancers from the three Bharatanatyam schools of Nrityakalanjali, Natyakalamandir and Anandanarthana Choodamani in the state had performed at the venue.
In the past, the dancers were allowed to offer their prayers on stage, said P. Sasikumar, who acted as the spokesman for the three dance schools.
"This time we were not allowed because the department imposed this condition.
"This is ridiculous. The pooja is an integral part of the performance and has been practised for hundreds of years," he said before the start of the Bharatanatyam performance at Taman Budaya.
He said the practice of paying obeisance to Lord Nadaraja was important because the deity was worshipped as the king of dance.
In defence, the department said the organisers were informed beforehand of the conditions and chose to go ahead with the performance.
The department's public relations officer, Shaliza Azlin, said the organisers had agreed that the prayers would be performed backstage to respect the sensitivities of the audience, who also comprised Chinese and Malays.
"We did not stop them from doing the pooja. We did not want them to do it in public."
Shaliza said the same conditions had been imposed on other cultural groups.
Perak state assembly speaker V. Sivakumar, who was at the performance, said: "The prayer is very much part of the cultural performance and should have been allowed on the stage."
He said he would bring the matter up with the state government as well as his party so that such "intolerant behaviour" could be nipped in the bud before it became widespread.
IPOH: At the beginning of every Bharatanatyam performance, artistes of this famous South Indian classical dance pay obeisance on stage to a statue of Lord Nadaraja.
This common practice is also carried out to invoke the deity's blessings so that the dancers perform well without any obstacle.
However, on Monday night, a group of Bharatanatyam dancers performed before a full gallery at the Taman Budaya public auditorium without the customary on-stage pooja (prayer) to Lord Nadaraja.
This was because the owner of the venue, the state Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Department, permitted the dance on condition they did not install a statue or portrait of the deity and offer their prayers on stage.
For the record, this is not the first time that dancers from the three Bharatanatyam schools of Nrityakalanjali, Natyakalamandir and Anandanarthana Choodamani in the state had performed at the venue.
In the past, the dancers were allowed to offer their prayers on stage, said P. Sasikumar, who acted as the spokesman for the three dance schools.
"This time we were not allowed because the department imposed this condition.
"This is ridiculous. The pooja is an integral part of the performance and has been practised for hundreds of years," he said before the start of the Bharatanatyam performance at Taman Budaya.
He said the practice of paying obeisance to Lord Nadaraja was important because the deity was worshipped as the king of dance.
In defence, the department said the organisers were informed beforehand of the conditions and chose to go ahead with the performance.
The department's public relations officer, Shaliza Azlin, said the organisers had agreed that the prayers would be performed backstage to respect the sensitivities of the audience, who also comprised Chinese and Malays.
"We did not stop them from doing the pooja. We did not want them to do it in public."
Shaliza said the same conditions had been imposed on other cultural groups.
Perak state assembly speaker V. Sivakumar, who was at the performance, said: "The prayer is very much part of the cultural performance and should have been allowed on the stage."
He said he would bring the matter up with the state government as well as his party so that such "intolerant behaviour" could be nipped in the bud before it became widespread.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Temple demolition: Report lodged against police 'inaction'
Source : M'Kini
A police report was filed today against Klang district police chief ACP Mohamad Mat Yusop for allegedly not acting on "tens of police reports" that have been lodged over a land transfer and clearance works involving the Sri Maha Nagamuthu Karumariamman temple near Jalan Kapar.
PKR's Kapar member of Parliament S Manikavasagam filed the report this morning, a day after residents living near the 80-year-old temple and activists demonstrated against its planned demolition by the ‘owner' of the temple.
"Tens of police reports have been lodged over several years, but nothing has been done," Manikavasagam told Malaysiakini.
According to Manikavasagam, workers for the current owner - who allegedly acquired the one-hectare land on which the temple stands through dubious means - had already broken parts of the roof of the temple and broken or taken down the statues contained inside.
"We're still doing research regarding the owner, but we believe the owner is connected to a local state assemblyperson and has development plans for the land. We believe the land costs up to RM3 million, maybe more," said Manikavasagam.
He said numerous police reports had been lodged since the temple caretaker E Muthu Kumar discovered the land was transferred to somebody else.
Muthu claimed that he had lived on the land for over 50 years and that his father had been given the land by its original landowner.
A protracted struggle
The original landowner, Harbhajan Singh, is said to have migrated to India in 1973 and died there in the 1980s.
In 1996, however, Muthu found that the land had earlier been transferred to one ‘Lin Chee Yong', who obtained in 2000 a Shah Alam High Court order for the land to be vacated.
A protracted struggle then ensued between Lin and Muthu, which saw contempt charges as well as a spate of police reports being filed between the parties against the other.
In 2007, Muthu applied for the Shah Alam High Court to set aside its earlier decision on the basis that the land transfer was allegedly "fraudulently obtained".
Muthu's lawyer Dr SN Pathmanabhan said this claim was based on the finding that Harbhajan's identity card (IC) number as contained in the memorandum of transfer to Lin actually belonged to a Chinese woman residing in Kuala Lipis, Pahang.
He also said that contrary to the practice of Punjabis of his generation, Harbhajan - who would have been in his 80s in 1996 - had written in "very precise English".
"The signature, furthermore, did not look like that of an 80-plus year old but that of a much stronger, younger person," he told Malaysiakini.
Pathmanabhan also said the payment of RM850,000 that Harbhajan allegedly received for the sale of his land actually never materialised.
Over and above all of these reasons, he added, was the fact that Harbhajan had died in India in the 1980s but supposedly entered in 1996 into a transaction to sell the land concerned.
A police report was filed today against Klang district police chief ACP Mohamad Mat Yusop for allegedly not acting on "tens of police reports" that have been lodged over a land transfer and clearance works involving the Sri Maha Nagamuthu Karumariamman temple near Jalan Kapar.
MCPX
PKR's Kapar member of Parliament S Manikavasagam filed the report this morning, a day after residents living near the 80-year-old temple and activists demonstrated against its planned demolition by the ‘owner' of the temple.
"Tens of police reports have been lodged over several years, but nothing has been done," Manikavasagam told Malaysiakini.
According to Manikavasagam, workers for the current owner - who allegedly acquired the one-hectare land on which the temple stands through dubious means - had already broken parts of the roof of the temple and broken or taken down the statues contained inside.
"We're still doing research regarding the owner, but we believe the owner is connected to a local state assemblyperson and has development plans for the land. We believe the land costs up to RM3 million, maybe more," said Manikavasagam.
He said numerous police reports had been lodged since the temple caretaker E Muthu Kumar discovered the land was transferred to somebody else.
Muthu claimed that he had lived on the land for over 50 years and that his father had been given the land by its original landowner.
A protracted struggle
The original landowner, Harbhajan Singh, is said to have migrated to India in 1973 and died there in the 1980s.
In 1996, however, Muthu found that the land had earlier been transferred to one ‘Lin Chee Yong', who obtained in 2000 a Shah Alam High Court order for the land to be vacated.
A protracted struggle then ensued between Lin and Muthu, which saw contempt charges as well as a spate of police reports being filed between the parties against the other.
In 2007, Muthu applied for the Shah Alam High Court to set aside its earlier decision on the basis that the land transfer was allegedly "fraudulently obtained".
Muthu's lawyer Dr SN Pathmanabhan said this claim was based on the finding that Harbhajan's identity card (IC) number as contained in the memorandum of transfer to Lin actually belonged to a Chinese woman residing in Kuala Lipis, Pahang.
He also said that contrary to the practice of Punjabis of his generation, Harbhajan - who would have been in his 80s in 1996 - had written in "very precise English".
"The signature, furthermore, did not look like that of an 80-plus year old but that of a much stronger, younger person," he told Malaysiakini.
Pathmanabhan also said the payment of RM850,000 that Harbhajan allegedly received for the sale of his land actually never materialised.
Over and above all of these reasons, he added, was the fact that Harbhajan had died in India in the 1980s but supposedly entered in 1996 into a transaction to sell the land concerned.
Police inaction
Pathmanabhan said the Shah Alam High Court had set Aug 27 this year to hear the application to set aside the 2000 court order.
Parallel to the case, said Manikavasagam, his concern today was for the police to address the questions of Muthu and the patrons of the temple as to why they had not acted on the numerous reports lodged on Lin's efforts to clear the land.
These efforts were taken despite the ongoing court proceedings and included efforts to dislodge Muthu, the disconnection of the temple's water supply, and damage done to the gates and other parts of the temple building, he said.
On Oct 1, 2007, a police report was lodged claiming threats had been made to the lives of the Muthu and his family, Manikavasagam added.
"We lodged the police report against ACP Mohamad Mat because the police had not acted on that and the many other reports that had been lodged," said Manikavasagam.
ACP Mohamad Mat could not be reached for comments.
A police report was filed today against Klang district police chief ACP Mohamad Mat Yusop for allegedly not acting on "tens of police reports" that have been lodged over a land transfer and clearance works involving the Sri Maha Nagamuthu Karumariamman temple near Jalan Kapar.
PKR's Kapar member of Parliament S Manikavasagam filed the report this morning, a day after residents living near the 80-year-old temple and activists demonstrated against its planned demolition by the ‘owner' of the temple.
"Tens of police reports have been lodged over several years, but nothing has been done," Manikavasagam told Malaysiakini.
According to Manikavasagam, workers for the current owner - who allegedly acquired the one-hectare land on which the temple stands through dubious means - had already broken parts of the roof of the temple and broken or taken down the statues contained inside.
"We're still doing research regarding the owner, but we believe the owner is connected to a local state assemblyperson and has development plans for the land. We believe the land costs up to RM3 million, maybe more," said Manikavasagam.
He said numerous police reports had been lodged since the temple caretaker E Muthu Kumar discovered the land was transferred to somebody else.
Muthu claimed that he had lived on the land for over 50 years and that his father had been given the land by its original landowner.
A protracted struggle
The original landowner, Harbhajan Singh, is said to have migrated to India in 1973 and died there in the 1980s.
In 1996, however, Muthu found that the land had earlier been transferred to one ‘Lin Chee Yong', who obtained in 2000 a Shah Alam High Court order for the land to be vacated.
A protracted struggle then ensued between Lin and Muthu, which saw contempt charges as well as a spate of police reports being filed between the parties against the other.
In 2007, Muthu applied for the Shah Alam High Court to set aside its earlier decision on the basis that the land transfer was allegedly "fraudulently obtained".
Muthu's lawyer Dr SN Pathmanabhan said this claim was based on the finding that Harbhajan's identity card (IC) number as contained in the memorandum of transfer to Lin actually belonged to a Chinese woman residing in Kuala Lipis, Pahang.
He also said that contrary to the practice of Punjabis of his generation, Harbhajan - who would have been in his 80s in 1996 - had written in "very precise English".
"The signature, furthermore, did not look like that of an 80-plus year old but that of a much stronger, younger person," he told Malaysiakini.
Pathmanabhan also said the payment of RM850,000 that Harbhajan allegedly received for the sale of his land actually never materialised.
Over and above all of these reasons, he added, was the fact that Harbhajan had died in India in the 1980s but supposedly entered in 1996 into a transaction to sell the land concerned.
A police report was filed today against Klang district police chief ACP Mohamad Mat Yusop for allegedly not acting on "tens of police reports" that have been lodged over a land transfer and clearance works involving the Sri Maha Nagamuthu Karumariamman temple near Jalan Kapar.
MCPX
PKR's Kapar member of Parliament S Manikavasagam filed the report this morning, a day after residents living near the 80-year-old temple and activists demonstrated against its planned demolition by the ‘owner' of the temple.
"Tens of police reports have been lodged over several years, but nothing has been done," Manikavasagam told Malaysiakini.
According to Manikavasagam, workers for the current owner - who allegedly acquired the one-hectare land on which the temple stands through dubious means - had already broken parts of the roof of the temple and broken or taken down the statues contained inside.
"We're still doing research regarding the owner, but we believe the owner is connected to a local state assemblyperson and has development plans for the land. We believe the land costs up to RM3 million, maybe more," said Manikavasagam.
He said numerous police reports had been lodged since the temple caretaker E Muthu Kumar discovered the land was transferred to somebody else.
Muthu claimed that he had lived on the land for over 50 years and that his father had been given the land by its original landowner.
A protracted struggle
The original landowner, Harbhajan Singh, is said to have migrated to India in 1973 and died there in the 1980s.
In 1996, however, Muthu found that the land had earlier been transferred to one ‘Lin Chee Yong', who obtained in 2000 a Shah Alam High Court order for the land to be vacated.
A protracted struggle then ensued between Lin and Muthu, which saw contempt charges as well as a spate of police reports being filed between the parties against the other.
In 2007, Muthu applied for the Shah Alam High Court to set aside its earlier decision on the basis that the land transfer was allegedly "fraudulently obtained".
Muthu's lawyer Dr SN Pathmanabhan said this claim was based on the finding that Harbhajan's identity card (IC) number as contained in the memorandum of transfer to Lin actually belonged to a Chinese woman residing in Kuala Lipis, Pahang.
He also said that contrary to the practice of Punjabis of his generation, Harbhajan - who would have been in his 80s in 1996 - had written in "very precise English".
"The signature, furthermore, did not look like that of an 80-plus year old but that of a much stronger, younger person," he told Malaysiakini.
Pathmanabhan also said the payment of RM850,000 that Harbhajan allegedly received for the sale of his land actually never materialised.
Over and above all of these reasons, he added, was the fact that Harbhajan had died in India in the 1980s but supposedly entered in 1996 into a transaction to sell the land concerned.
Police inaction
Pathmanabhan said the Shah Alam High Court had set Aug 27 this year to hear the application to set aside the 2000 court order.
Parallel to the case, said Manikavasagam, his concern today was for the police to address the questions of Muthu and the patrons of the temple as to why they had not acted on the numerous reports lodged on Lin's efforts to clear the land.
These efforts were taken despite the ongoing court proceedings and included efforts to dislodge Muthu, the disconnection of the temple's water supply, and damage done to the gates and other parts of the temple building, he said.
On Oct 1, 2007, a police report was lodged claiming threats had been made to the lives of the Muthu and his family, Manikavasagam added.
"We lodged the police report against ACP Mohamad Mat because the police had not acted on that and the many other reports that had been lodged," said Manikavasagam.
ACP Mohamad Mat could not be reached for comments.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Uthaya's new bid for freedom, this time for medical negligence
Source : M'Kini
A fresh habeas corpus has been filed by a detained Hindu Action Rights Force (Hindraf) leader against the Internal Security Ministry and Kamunting detention centre authorities for medical negligence and endangerment to life.
Lawyer N Surendran filed the habeas corpus application at the Kuala Lumpur High Court today on behalf of P Uthayakumar who claimed he has been denied medication for his diabetes.
Uthayakumar is also claiming that the camp authorities refused to admit him into the National Heart Institute (IJN) despite being told by doctors to do so.
The hearing is set for June 25.
Uthayakumar is among the five Hindraf leaders currently detained in Kamunting under the Internal Security Act for alleged terrorist links.
Habeas corpus is a writ ordering prisoners to be brought before a court or judge to ascertain if there are any procedural defects which could render their detention unlawful.
A fresh habeas corpus has been filed by a detained Hindu Action Rights Force (Hindraf) leader against the Internal Security Ministry and Kamunting detention centre authorities for medical negligence and endangerment to life.
Lawyer N Surendran filed the habeas corpus application at the Kuala Lumpur High Court today on behalf of P Uthayakumar who claimed he has been denied medication for his diabetes.
Uthayakumar is also claiming that the camp authorities refused to admit him into the National Heart Institute (IJN) despite being told by doctors to do so.
The hearing is set for June 25.
Uthayakumar is among the five Hindraf leaders currently detained in Kamunting under the Internal Security Act for alleged terrorist links.
Habeas corpus is a writ ordering prisoners to be brought before a court or judge to ascertain if there are any procedural defects which could render their detention unlawful.
Monday, May 19, 2008
WAYTHA:SYED HAMID LIED ABOUT MY PASSPORT.
Hindu Rights Action Force chairperson P Waythmoorthy today accused the Malaysian government of lying over the status of his passport.He said that it was "absolutely ridiculous and a blatant lie" for the Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar to claim that his passport was not revoked.
Waythamoorthy was also upset with Syed Hamid in shrugging off the issue by stating that a misunderstanding could have occurred over the status of the passport.Syed Hamid had earlier said that "probably because the passport had expired"."How can he lie like this?
Aren't his officers briefing him on what's happening to Malaysians abroad?" asked Waythamoorthy.He said that his passport was to expire in 2010 and that he, of all persons, would know the validity of his travel document.
"The problem started when I returned to London from Zurich on April 21 and was informed by the UK immigration officer at Gatwick Airport that the Malaysian government had revoked my passport," he told Malaysiakini.
"Is Syed Hamid saying that the British immigration authorities are lying?" he asked when contacted by telephone today.Waythamoorthy had revealed the cancellation of his travel document in a press statement on Friday.
On the same day, Syed Hamid, when asked to comment on the issue, rejected the claims, stating that Waythamoorthy's passport had not been revoked.Syed Hamid added that the "misunderstanding" was probably because Waythamoorthy's passport had expired and he could have his passport renewed at the Malaysian High Commission in London.
Forcing his return
Responding to the minister's remarks today, Waythamoorthy said Syed Hamid was trying to mislead the public on the matter."I'm indeed surprised that the senior cabinet minister would issue a statement based on probabilities without verifying the facts..."Waythamoorty said he was given a "fresh leave to enter and remain in the United Kingdom for six months" upon his return from India on April 2.
"It is a known fact that no country would admit a person into its territory without a six months' validity period on the passport."For that matter, Switzerland wouldn't have admitted me into its country on the April 17, nor would any airline allow me to board the flight, without a six months' validity," he said.
Waythamoorthy, who is in self-imposed exile in United Kingdom since the government's crackdown on Hindraf last November, said the government was seeking to lure him back to this country to detain him under the Internal Security Act.Five other Hindraf leaders, including the movement's most popular face and Waythamoorthy's brother Uthayakumar, are presently being held without trial since Dec 13.
"It is obvious my traveling to lobby for Hindraf and the ethnic minority Indian community had caused the Malaysian government to revoke my passport to curtail my movement," he said.
Waythamoorthy was also upset with Syed Hamid in shrugging off the issue by stating that a misunderstanding could have occurred over the status of the passport.Syed Hamid had earlier said that "probably because the passport had expired"."How can he lie like this?
Aren't his officers briefing him on what's happening to Malaysians abroad?" asked Waythamoorthy.He said that his passport was to expire in 2010 and that he, of all persons, would know the validity of his travel document.
"The problem started when I returned to London from Zurich on April 21 and was informed by the UK immigration officer at Gatwick Airport that the Malaysian government had revoked my passport," he told Malaysiakini.
"Is Syed Hamid saying that the British immigration authorities are lying?" he asked when contacted by telephone today.Waythamoorthy had revealed the cancellation of his travel document in a press statement on Friday.
On the same day, Syed Hamid, when asked to comment on the issue, rejected the claims, stating that Waythamoorthy's passport had not been revoked.Syed Hamid added that the "misunderstanding" was probably because Waythamoorthy's passport had expired and he could have his passport renewed at the Malaysian High Commission in London.
Forcing his return
Responding to the minister's remarks today, Waythamoorthy said Syed Hamid was trying to mislead the public on the matter."I'm indeed surprised that the senior cabinet minister would issue a statement based on probabilities without verifying the facts..."Waythamoorty said he was given a "fresh leave to enter and remain in the United Kingdom for six months" upon his return from India on April 2.
"It is a known fact that no country would admit a person into its territory without a six months' validity period on the passport."For that matter, Switzerland wouldn't have admitted me into its country on the April 17, nor would any airline allow me to board the flight, without a six months' validity," he said.
Waythamoorthy, who is in self-imposed exile in United Kingdom since the government's crackdown on Hindraf last November, said the government was seeking to lure him back to this country to detain him under the Internal Security Act.Five other Hindraf leaders, including the movement's most popular face and Waythamoorthy's brother Uthayakumar, are presently being held without trial since Dec 13.
"It is obvious my traveling to lobby for Hindraf and the ethnic minority Indian community had caused the Malaysian government to revoke my passport to curtail my movement," he said.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Waythamoorthy: I'll be back
Source : M'Kini
The following is the full statement from Hindraf chairman P Waythamoorthy on the revocation of his passport at London’s Gatwick Airport two weeks ago.
I was travelling back to London from Geneva after the Hindraf briefing with the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights on April 21, 2008 and was totally shocked to be informed by the UK immigration officer at Gatwick Airport that the Malaysian government had revoked my passport thus making me de facto stateless.
I see only one purpose. The Malaysian government had intended that I be deported back to Malaysia by the British authorities so that I too could be arrested under the draconian Internal Security Act and be detained for unspecified period of time without trial and be subject to torture and inhumane treatment for my political beliefs.
I have not committed any offence or crime other than to champion the cause of the systematically marginalised, discriminated and alienated ethnic Indian community in Malaysia who remained a permanently colonised community despite achieving independence 51 years ago.
It is most distressing to learn that, the land that my forefathers toiled as indentured labourers and one that I had been made citizen by the will of the unavoidable circumstances has decided to banish and exile me for speaking and advocating the truth that was never spoken off before.
The government has once again acted according to its whims and fancy without a second thought of the public or for the good of the public.
The Malaysian government repetitively had oppressed, suppressed and persecuted all causes of Hindraf by their act of totalitarianism from the very beginning but nevertheless the will and spirit of the Hindraf supporters have been the beacon of hope for the new strength founded upon our new found ‘Makkal Sakthi’ (people’s power).
The callous and cowardly acts of the government against me not only undermine their credibility domestically but also internationally. The government needs to realise that the Malaysian public can no longer be cowed as the public are no longer the sheep that begets the government wolves.
The government may use its best weapon in attempting to stall and break me but they fail to realise that I derive my strength from my ‘Makkal Sakthi’, and that is all that I need to carry on the torch and fight for the unjust cause of the ethnic Indians in Malaysia even if it means championing my cause from exile.
As much as I have been coerced, castigated by the Malaysian government, so have the Hindraf supporters. Hindraf supporters have shown unprecedented courage and character for the truth. It only motivates me further to pursue our goals.
They will never break my spirit
The revocation of my passport is probably the last ditch desperate effort by the Malaysian government in crippling my international lobby for the cause of the Indian Malaysians.
This unwarranted act has given me a greater "inner" strength to continue to fight for the struggle of Indian Malaysians and for the unconditional release of my fellow brothers held unjustly in Kamunting.
The government can unleash all the man made mechanism to stifle and silence me, but I have the backing of ‘Makkal Sakthi’ and that alone is sufficient for me to continue my fight for the people.
In ‘Makkal Sakthi’, I have found the truthness of my cause for the people. In today's world, utterance of truth is seen as a revolutionary action, and my quest for the truth is considered as a hindrance for the government. My judge is the people not the government.
I will continue this struggle until my last breath. They may break me but they will never be able to break my will and spirit that is derived from the people for the truth is in it.
I shall continue the struggle for the "freedom" of the ethnic Indian Malaysians from London and urge all Hindraf supporters to remain calm as they have always been. I shall forever remain a loyal Malaysian and will return to Malaysia soon to continue and accomplish what I had started.
The following is the full statement from Hindraf chairman P Waythamoorthy on the revocation of his passport at London’s Gatwick Airport two weeks ago.
I was travelling back to London from Geneva after the Hindraf briefing with the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights on April 21, 2008 and was totally shocked to be informed by the UK immigration officer at Gatwick Airport that the Malaysian government had revoked my passport thus making me de facto stateless.
I see only one purpose. The Malaysian government had intended that I be deported back to Malaysia by the British authorities so that I too could be arrested under the draconian Internal Security Act and be detained for unspecified period of time without trial and be subject to torture and inhumane treatment for my political beliefs.
I have not committed any offence or crime other than to champion the cause of the systematically marginalised, discriminated and alienated ethnic Indian community in Malaysia who remained a permanently colonised community despite achieving independence 51 years ago.
It is most distressing to learn that, the land that my forefathers toiled as indentured labourers and one that I had been made citizen by the will of the unavoidable circumstances has decided to banish and exile me for speaking and advocating the truth that was never spoken off before.
The government has once again acted according to its whims and fancy without a second thought of the public or for the good of the public.
The Malaysian government repetitively had oppressed, suppressed and persecuted all causes of Hindraf by their act of totalitarianism from the very beginning but nevertheless the will and spirit of the Hindraf supporters have been the beacon of hope for the new strength founded upon our new found ‘Makkal Sakthi’ (people’s power).
The callous and cowardly acts of the government against me not only undermine their credibility domestically but also internationally. The government needs to realise that the Malaysian public can no longer be cowed as the public are no longer the sheep that begets the government wolves.
The government may use its best weapon in attempting to stall and break me but they fail to realise that I derive my strength from my ‘Makkal Sakthi’, and that is all that I need to carry on the torch and fight for the unjust cause of the ethnic Indians in Malaysia even if it means championing my cause from exile.
As much as I have been coerced, castigated by the Malaysian government, so have the Hindraf supporters. Hindraf supporters have shown unprecedented courage and character for the truth. It only motivates me further to pursue our goals.
They will never break my spirit
The revocation of my passport is probably the last ditch desperate effort by the Malaysian government in crippling my international lobby for the cause of the Indian Malaysians.
This unwarranted act has given me a greater "inner" strength to continue to fight for the struggle of Indian Malaysians and for the unconditional release of my fellow brothers held unjustly in Kamunting.
The government can unleash all the man made mechanism to stifle and silence me, but I have the backing of ‘Makkal Sakthi’ and that alone is sufficient for me to continue my fight for the people.
In ‘Makkal Sakthi’, I have found the truthness of my cause for the people. In today's world, utterance of truth is seen as a revolutionary action, and my quest for the truth is considered as a hindrance for the government. My judge is the people not the government.
I will continue this struggle until my last breath. They may break me but they will never be able to break my will and spirit that is derived from the people for the truth is in it.
I shall continue the struggle for the "freedom" of the ethnic Indian Malaysians from London and urge all Hindraf supporters to remain calm as they have always been. I shall forever remain a loyal Malaysian and will return to Malaysia soon to continue and accomplish what I had started.
Malaysian government revokes rights activist's passport: Amnesty
Source : Yahoo News
Image : M'Kini
WASHINGTON (AFP) - The Malaysian government has revoked the passport of a Malaysian human rights lawyer campaigning for minority rights and the abolition of a tough security law, Amnesty International said.
Ponnusamy Waytha Moorthy, the chairman of the Malaysian rights group Hindraf who has been living in London since he fled the country in December, has sought asylum in Britain, Amnesty's Washington-based Asia-Pacific advocacy director T. Kumar told AFP.
The activist had planned to visit Washington for talks with leaders of the US Congress and Amnesty and other rights groups, "but it has been put off because of his passport's cancelation," Kumar said.
Waytha Moorthy had sought the talks to highlight alleged discriminatory policies against minority ethnic Indian Malaysians as well as the arrest under the powerful Internal Security Act of five senior Hindraf members at home.
The five, who led a massive anti-discrimination rally in Kuala Lumpur in December, are being held without trial and for an indefinite period.
Kumar said Waytha Moorthy only became aware of his passport's revocation when he returned to London from Geneva after talks recently with the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
"He was shocked to be informed by British immigration officers that Kuala Lumpur has revoked his passport," Kumar said. "This makes him de facto stateless."
"This is the first time I have heard of a political activist's passport being revoked by his own country's government," he said.
Kumar called on Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to give a "full explanation on the rationale for the cancellation."
The British authorities will hold hearings to consider Waytha Moorthy's application for political ayslum, he said.
Waytha Moorthy said in a statement to Amnesty that the Malaysian government revoked his passport in the belief that the British authorities would deport him to Kuala Lumpur where he could be arrested under the Internal Security Act.
"This unwarranted act has given me greater 'inner' strength to continue to struggle for the Malaysian Indians and for the unconditional release of my fellow brothers held unjustly under the Internal Security Act," he said.
Malaysia's highest court on Wednesday refused to release the five activists, including a newly sworn-in state lawmaker.
Ethnic Indians make up less than eight percent of the 27 million population of the mainly Muslim-Malay country.
Lawyers for the five said they would appeal on Monday for the Federal Court to review its decision.
Rights groups say 70 people, mainly alleged Islamic militants, are being held under the Internal Security Act.
Image : M'Kini
WASHINGTON (AFP) - The Malaysian government has revoked the passport of a Malaysian human rights lawyer campaigning for minority rights and the abolition of a tough security law, Amnesty International said.
Ponnusamy Waytha Moorthy, the chairman of the Malaysian rights group Hindraf who has been living in London since he fled the country in December, has sought asylum in Britain, Amnesty's Washington-based Asia-Pacific advocacy director T. Kumar told AFP.
The activist had planned to visit Washington for talks with leaders of the US Congress and Amnesty and other rights groups, "but it has been put off because of his passport's cancelation," Kumar said.
Waytha Moorthy had sought the talks to highlight alleged discriminatory policies against minority ethnic Indian Malaysians as well as the arrest under the powerful Internal Security Act of five senior Hindraf members at home.
The five, who led a massive anti-discrimination rally in Kuala Lumpur in December, are being held without trial and for an indefinite period.
Kumar said Waytha Moorthy only became aware of his passport's revocation when he returned to London from Geneva after talks recently with the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
"He was shocked to be informed by British immigration officers that Kuala Lumpur has revoked his passport," Kumar said. "This makes him de facto stateless."
"This is the first time I have heard of a political activist's passport being revoked by his own country's government," he said.
Kumar called on Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to give a "full explanation on the rationale for the cancellation."
The British authorities will hold hearings to consider Waytha Moorthy's application for political ayslum, he said.
Waytha Moorthy said in a statement to Amnesty that the Malaysian government revoked his passport in the belief that the British authorities would deport him to Kuala Lumpur where he could be arrested under the Internal Security Act.
"This unwarranted act has given me greater 'inner' strength to continue to struggle for the Malaysian Indians and for the unconditional release of my fellow brothers held unjustly under the Internal Security Act," he said.
Malaysia's highest court on Wednesday refused to release the five activists, including a newly sworn-in state lawmaker.
Ethnic Indians make up less than eight percent of the 27 million population of the mainly Muslim-Malay country.
Lawyers for the five said they would appeal on Monday for the Federal Court to review its decision.
Rights groups say 70 people, mainly alleged Islamic militants, are being held under the Internal Security Act.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Uthayakumar refuses 'secret date' with heart institute
Source : M'Kini
Detained Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) legal adviser P Uthayakumar is “being pressured to secretly undergo treatment” at the National Heart Institute, claimed his brother Waytha Moorthy.
In a statement issued from London, where he is living in self-imposed exile, Waytha Moorthy (photo) said his brother is being compelled to do so without his family members being informed.
“Uthayakumar fears for his life and does not wish to be treated without the presence and knowledge of his family members at the National Heart Institute,” he wrote.
Uthayakumar is one of five Hindraf leaders being detained for two years at the Kamunting detention camp in Taiping, Perak. They were arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA) on Dec 13 last year, which allows for detention without trial.
A diabetic for 12 years, Uthayakumar is said to have developed a heart ailment. He has been admitted twice to the Taiping hospital, in January after a hunger strike and again from April 7-10.
Waytha Moorthy, who is Hindraf chairperson, alleged that the “prison director and other government officers” have been applying pressure on Uthayakumar.
“He has written to the prison director, requesting (that) his family be informed and for access to his lawyers while in hospital. His lawyer (N Surendran) had also written to the prison director on Uthayakumar’s requests.
“We are puzzled why the prison director is compelling him to undergo secret treatment and is threatening to lodge a police report against Uthayakumar for wilfully refusing treatment. (This is) still a democratic country and there should be transparency and openness (about) his treatment.”
Urging Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to look into the situation, Waytha Moorthy also posed the query if a “silent agenda” is involved.
‘He’s no terrorist’
Contacted today, Surendran said some irregularities were detected during Uthayakumar’s last visit to Taiping Hospital and “there may be some damage to his heart”.
“He wants to go as soon as possible because he is anxious about his health but he wants his family there because he is worried as to whether major procedures will be involved,” said Surendran.
“They refuse to tell us when they (intend to) take him, saying that this must be kept secret for security purposes.
“What is there a need for security? He is no terrorist. This is an excuse to traumatise the family and make things as difficult as possible for him.”
Hindraf supporters have held rallies demanding the release of their leaders, as well as access to medical attention for Uthayakumar.
Detained Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) legal adviser P Uthayakumar is “being pressured to secretly undergo treatment” at the National Heart Institute, claimed his brother Waytha Moorthy.
In a statement issued from London, where he is living in self-imposed exile, Waytha Moorthy (photo) said his brother is being compelled to do so without his family members being informed.
“Uthayakumar fears for his life and does not wish to be treated without the presence and knowledge of his family members at the National Heart Institute,” he wrote.
Uthayakumar is one of five Hindraf leaders being detained for two years at the Kamunting detention camp in Taiping, Perak. They were arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA) on Dec 13 last year, which allows for detention without trial.
A diabetic for 12 years, Uthayakumar is said to have developed a heart ailment. He has been admitted twice to the Taiping hospital, in January after a hunger strike and again from April 7-10.
Waytha Moorthy, who is Hindraf chairperson, alleged that the “prison director and other government officers” have been applying pressure on Uthayakumar.
“He has written to the prison director, requesting (that) his family be informed and for access to his lawyers while in hospital. His lawyer (N Surendran) had also written to the prison director on Uthayakumar’s requests.
“We are puzzled why the prison director is compelling him to undergo secret treatment and is threatening to lodge a police report against Uthayakumar for wilfully refusing treatment. (This is) still a democratic country and there should be transparency and openness (about) his treatment.”
Urging Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to look into the situation, Waytha Moorthy also posed the query if a “silent agenda” is involved.
‘He’s no terrorist’
Contacted today, Surendran said some irregularities were detected during Uthayakumar’s last visit to Taiping Hospital and “there may be some damage to his heart”.
“He wants to go as soon as possible because he is anxious about his health but he wants his family there because he is worried as to whether major procedures will be involved,” said Surendran.
“They refuse to tell us when they (intend to) take him, saying that this must be kept secret for security purposes.
“What is there a need for security? He is no terrorist. This is an excuse to traumatise the family and make things as difficult as possible for him.”
Hindraf supporters have held rallies demanding the release of their leaders, as well as access to medical attention for Uthayakumar.
Hindraf rally turned Malaysian Indians against government
Source : Thethaindian.com
Kuala Lumpur, May 14 (IANS) Malaysia’s ethnic Indians staged “a silent revolution” against the government, “triggered” by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), during the March general elections, a minister has said. Malaysian Human Resource Development Minister S. Subramanian Tuesday described a rally organised by the Hindraf in November last year as the “trigger factor” that turned the Indian community against the government.
Hindraf had organised the protest rally on behalf of Malaysia’s two million Tamil Hindus. The rally of an estimated 10,000 people was declared illegal and forcibly dispersed by police using water cannons. Five Hindraf leaders were jailed for two years for organising it.
“They were listening all this while and we were just oiling the spring. But the bursting point arrived. We have to rectify this fundamental problem to regain their support,” Subramanian told members of his Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) at a party meet in Malacca.
The MIC, part of the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, lost badly in the March polls. The BN itself lost the two-thirds majority advantage, emerging victorious but weaker with simple majority.
The simmering of discontent had been going on for a long time. The MIC was aware of the discontent but could not do much, except to manage it, the minister said.
Subramanian urged BN leaders to accept “the new reality” and change their mindset to ensure that ethnic minorities did not feel “not equal” to majority Malays, he was quoted as saying by The Star newspaper.
“There must be a massive change in the mindsets of BN leaders, particularly those from the United Malay Nasional Organisation (Umno), for the coalition to regain the people’s support,” Subramanian said.
“There must be a conscious effort to provide this sense of equality. This is the secret recipe to solve the problem. The thinking of all leaders should be this: I must be multi-racial in nature,” he added.
He urged MIC leaders at the grassroots level to hold dialogues with the leaders of Umno and other component parties “on the need to change their political thinking in line with new realities”.
Kuala Lumpur, May 14 (IANS) Malaysia’s ethnic Indians staged “a silent revolution” against the government, “triggered” by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), during the March general elections, a minister has said. Malaysian Human Resource Development Minister S. Subramanian Tuesday described a rally organised by the Hindraf in November last year as the “trigger factor” that turned the Indian community against the government.
Hindraf had organised the protest rally on behalf of Malaysia’s two million Tamil Hindus. The rally of an estimated 10,000 people was declared illegal and forcibly dispersed by police using water cannons. Five Hindraf leaders were jailed for two years for organising it.
“They were listening all this while and we were just oiling the spring. But the bursting point arrived. We have to rectify this fundamental problem to regain their support,” Subramanian told members of his Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) at a party meet in Malacca.
The MIC, part of the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, lost badly in the March polls. The BN itself lost the two-thirds majority advantage, emerging victorious but weaker with simple majority.
The simmering of discontent had been going on for a long time. The MIC was aware of the discontent but could not do much, except to manage it, the minister said.
Subramanian urged BN leaders to accept “the new reality” and change their mindset to ensure that ethnic minorities did not feel “not equal” to majority Malays, he was quoted as saying by The Star newspaper.
“There must be a massive change in the mindsets of BN leaders, particularly those from the United Malay Nasional Organisation (Umno), for the coalition to regain the people’s support,” Subramanian said.
“There must be a conscious effort to provide this sense of equality. This is the secret recipe to solve the problem. The thinking of all leaders should be this: I must be multi-racial in nature,” he added.
He urged MIC leaders at the grassroots level to hold dialogues with the leaders of Umno and other component parties “on the need to change their political thinking in line with new realities”.
Hindraf 5's appeal dismissed
Source : M'Kini
The Federal Court today dismissed the appeal by five Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders to be released from detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
The five are P Uthayakumar, V Ganabatirau, R Kenghadharan, T Vasantha Kumar and M Manoharan.
The Hindraf leaders were arrested on Dec 13 after the government accused them of being a threat to national security.
On Nov 25, they had organised a mammoth rally which drew some 30,000 disgruntled Indian Malaysians to the streets.
Their supporters however argued that the five - four of whom are lawyers - were merely raising issues concerning the community.
Numerous quarters, including Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties such as MIC, MCA and Gerakan, have called for their release.
The Federal Court today dismissed the appeal by five Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders to be released from detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
The five are P Uthayakumar, V Ganabatirau, R Kenghadharan, T Vasantha Kumar and M Manoharan.
The Hindraf leaders were arrested on Dec 13 after the government accused them of being a threat to national security.
On Nov 25, they had organised a mammoth rally which drew some 30,000 disgruntled Indian Malaysians to the streets.
Their supporters however argued that the five - four of whom are lawyers - were merely raising issues concerning the community.
Numerous quarters, including Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties such as MIC, MCA and Gerakan, have called for their release.
FAMILIES OF HINDRAF,ISA DETAINEES SAY DETENTION CENTRE IS UNSAFE.
Source : New Kerala.com
Image : Net
Kuala Lumpur, May 13 : Families of Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees have said that the Kamunting Detention Centre in Putrajaya is unsafe, and have demanded that Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi visit the place to assess the conditions for himself.
Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF) national co-ordinator R.S. Thanenthiran led a group of supporters and family members of several ISA detainees to the Prime Minister's Department yesterday to hand over a memorandum, urging Abdullah to abolish the Internal Security Act (ISA).
The memorandum was received by Abdullah's special officer, Ravin Ponniah.
Thanenthiran claimed the conditions at the camp were not healthy, not only for the detainees, but also for the camp personnel.
"The water is filthy while shrubs and bushes are overgrown and not maintained. The overall condition is inconducive and no longer safe for both the detainees and security officers there," the New Strait Times quoted him, as saying.
Asked if he had evidence or photographs to show the condition of the camp, Thanenthiran said he did not bring the photographs.
"The PM should spare some time to check on the condition at the camp and visit the detainees. The families of ISA detainees are appealing to him to visit the camp. We believe that he has been misinformed on the conditions at the camp," he added.
The memorandum also seeks the abolition of the ISA and the release of the five Hindraf leaders -- M. Manoharan, P. Uthayakumar, V. Ganabatirau, R. Kengadharan, and K. Vasantha Kumar. The five were detained under the ISA by the Home Ministry for their involvement in a street demonstration in Kuala Lumpur on November 25 last year.
Image : Net
Kuala Lumpur, May 13 : Families of Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees have said that the Kamunting Detention Centre in Putrajaya is unsafe, and have demanded that Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi visit the place to assess the conditions for himself.
Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF) national co-ordinator R.S. Thanenthiran led a group of supporters and family members of several ISA detainees to the Prime Minister's Department yesterday to hand over a memorandum, urging Abdullah to abolish the Internal Security Act (ISA).
The memorandum was received by Abdullah's special officer, Ravin Ponniah.
Thanenthiran claimed the conditions at the camp were not healthy, not only for the detainees, but also for the camp personnel.
"The water is filthy while shrubs and bushes are overgrown and not maintained. The overall condition is inconducive and no longer safe for both the detainees and security officers there," the New Strait Times quoted him, as saying.
Asked if he had evidence or photographs to show the condition of the camp, Thanenthiran said he did not bring the photographs.
"The PM should spare some time to check on the condition at the camp and visit the detainees. The families of ISA detainees are appealing to him to visit the camp. We believe that he has been misinformed on the conditions at the camp," he added.
The memorandum also seeks the abolition of the ISA and the release of the five Hindraf leaders -- M. Manoharan, P. Uthayakumar, V. Ganabatirau, R. Kengadharan, and K. Vasantha Kumar. The five were detained under the ISA by the Home Ministry for their involvement in a street demonstration in Kuala Lumpur on November 25 last year.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
MALAYSIAN POLICE VIOLATES ARTICLE 10 FEDERAL CONSTITUTION-MALAYSIA DEGENERATING INTO A POLICE STATE
Source : Hindraf.Org
HINDRAF
135-3 JALAN TOMAN 7
KEMAYAN SQUARE
70200 SEREMBAN
NEGERI SEMBILAN
12TH MAY 2008-05-11
RE: MALAYSIAN POLICE VIOLATES ARTICLE 10 FEDERAL CONSTITUTION MALAYSIA DEGENERATING INTO A POLICE STATE
HINDRAF DEMANDS P.UTHAYAKUMAR BE GIVEN URGENT MEDICAL TREATMENT AND ISA ABOLISHED.
HINDRAF condemns the conduct of the Malaysian Royal Police Force for acting above the constitution in arresting peaceful protesters who had gathered at Jalan Gurney Penang to protest the denial of fair and urgent medical treatment to P.Uthayakumar.
Protesters had dispersed after about 40 minutes when certain individuals were particularly targeted in the arrest in particular bloggers and a member of Penang Watch. The bloggers were filming the unlawful conduct of the Police when they were arrested and their films confiscated.
Concerned citizens from Suaram and other Human Rights bodies who witnessed this unlawful act had themselves arrested for lodging Police reports against the Police. It is disturbing to note the Police getting intimidated with Police reports lodged by members of the public and the trumped up charges against them for lodging police reports.
The act of arresting them is clearly high handed and intended to instil fear on the people not to question the conduct and authority of the police. Malaysia is a democratic country and the arrogant attitude of the Police coupled with the sanction of the Inspector General of Police on most occasions is definitely degenerating Malaysia into a Police State.
HINDRAF warns the Government that the people could not continuously be fooled into believing the propaganda advocated by the Police. The Police are losing credibility and confidence of the people and we hold the Inspector General of Police responsible for this gross violation of the legitimate right of its citizens to hold peaceful protests in accordance to Article 10 of the Federal Constitution.
HINDRAF calls upon the Government to take heed of the grouses of the rakyat and immediately refer Mr.P.Uthayakumar to the National Heart Institute and take positive steps to table an act of Parliament to abolish the Internal Security Act.
HINDRAF expresses its greatest gratitude to supporters, Human Rights Organizations/activists and Parliamentarians who had attended the peaceful protests organised nationwide.
P.Waytha Moorthy
Chairman
Currently in London
HINDRAF
135-3 JALAN TOMAN 7
KEMAYAN SQUARE
70200 SEREMBAN
NEGERI SEMBILAN
12TH MAY 2008-05-11
RE: MALAYSIAN POLICE VIOLATES ARTICLE 10 FEDERAL CONSTITUTION MALAYSIA DEGENERATING INTO A POLICE STATE
HINDRAF DEMANDS P.UTHAYAKUMAR BE GIVEN URGENT MEDICAL TREATMENT AND ISA ABOLISHED.
HINDRAF condemns the conduct of the Malaysian Royal Police Force for acting above the constitution in arresting peaceful protesters who had gathered at Jalan Gurney Penang to protest the denial of fair and urgent medical treatment to P.Uthayakumar.
Protesters had dispersed after about 40 minutes when certain individuals were particularly targeted in the arrest in particular bloggers and a member of Penang Watch. The bloggers were filming the unlawful conduct of the Police when they were arrested and their films confiscated.
Concerned citizens from Suaram and other Human Rights bodies who witnessed this unlawful act had themselves arrested for lodging Police reports against the Police. It is disturbing to note the Police getting intimidated with Police reports lodged by members of the public and the trumped up charges against them for lodging police reports.
The act of arresting them is clearly high handed and intended to instil fear on the people not to question the conduct and authority of the police. Malaysia is a democratic country and the arrogant attitude of the Police coupled with the sanction of the Inspector General of Police on most occasions is definitely degenerating Malaysia into a Police State.
HINDRAF warns the Government that the people could not continuously be fooled into believing the propaganda advocated by the Police. The Police are losing credibility and confidence of the people and we hold the Inspector General of Police responsible for this gross violation of the legitimate right of its citizens to hold peaceful protests in accordance to Article 10 of the Federal Constitution.
HINDRAF calls upon the Government to take heed of the grouses of the rakyat and immediately refer Mr.P.Uthayakumar to the National Heart Institute and take positive steps to table an act of Parliament to abolish the Internal Security Act.
HINDRAF expresses its greatest gratitude to supporters, Human Rights Organizations/activists and Parliamentarians who had attended the peaceful protests organised nationwide.
P.Waytha Moorthy
Chairman
Currently in London
A Mothers Day appeal - release my Uthayakumar
Source : The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: P. Uthayakumar’s mother has made a Mothers Day appeal to the Government for the release of her son and all other Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees.
K. Kalaivaniy made the appeal when she came to Parliament yesterday to tell her grievances to Opposition Leader Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang.
She came with a group of people, including Hindraf national coordinator R.S. Thanenthiran.
Kalaivaniy handed the two opposition leaders a letter of appeal that she wrote to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
“My son has been detained for five months for trying to do something good for Malaysia. He is suffering in the detention camp, his hands have developed rashes and he is wearing pants torn at the knee.
“He has a heart problem and he needs to be sent to Institut Jantung Negara. Please give him medical attention,” she told reporters in Tamil.
She added that all the detainees held under the ISA had mothers worrying about them, and urged for their release.
Dr Wan Azizah and Lim said they had both submitted questions to be raised in Parliament relating to Hindraf, but the questions were refused.
KUALA LUMPUR: P. Uthayakumar’s mother has made a Mothers Day appeal to the Government for the release of her son and all other Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees.
K. Kalaivaniy made the appeal when she came to Parliament yesterday to tell her grievances to Opposition Leader Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang.
She came with a group of people, including Hindraf national coordinator R.S. Thanenthiran.
Kalaivaniy handed the two opposition leaders a letter of appeal that she wrote to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
“My son has been detained for five months for trying to do something good for Malaysia. He is suffering in the detention camp, his hands have developed rashes and he is wearing pants torn at the knee.
“He has a heart problem and he needs to be sent to Institut Jantung Negara. Please give him medical attention,” she told reporters in Tamil.
She added that all the detainees held under the ISA had mothers worrying about them, and urged for their release.
Dr Wan Azizah and Lim said they had both submitted questions to be raised in Parliament relating to Hindraf, but the questions were refused.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Reform - NLFCS
Source : Reform NLFCS
Well, where do I start with this....
Let's start with what NLFCS (National Land Finance Cooperative Society) is about.
NLFCS was started by the late Tun Sambanthan out of concern for plantation workers working in fragmented plantations that were being sold by the British after Malaysia achieved independence. The idea was to pool capital from plantation workers so that they could buy out these plantations and amalgamate into larger groups. The plantation workers would own shares in the co-operative who would manage these larger holdings and provide benefits (both financial and social) to its members.
If anyone can give a better history of NLFCS please do...
After Tun Sambanthan, the chairman has been Tan Sri Somasundram (can't find dates for this, info on NLFCS is sparse).
I don't have much dealings with NLFCS, just what I hear. This is about my experience of working with Premium Nutrients and what I know. I want to remain anonymous because what I write will undoubtedly hurt people I know. It will be interspersed with things I have heard (but not directly experienced), but at the end of this piece, I hope to summarise the pertinent facts that could be checked.
Firstly to get it out of the way - the things I know about NLFCS and the questions they raise.
Tan Sri Somasundram has been there for decades (2 at least). Everyone who came to Premium Nutrients via NLFCS transformed from being strong supporters of NLFCS to being disillusionised.
As a co-operative, there is meant to be one vote per person, but challengers are not encouraged and I understand strong arm tactics are used. Like MIC, even thought a look at the rules would assume the party is democratic, the actual practice is not. A lot of feudalistic practises and hero worship really with a dash of nepotism.
Tan Sri Somasundram's son has been given a management position thought I have no idea what qualifications or experience he has or what kind of vetting process they have. From my experience in Premium Nutrients, there is no vetting process. All the orders come from the top, as I said a very feudal structure. (this is one fact that can be checked, on what basis did TSS's son get the position?)
Premium Nutrients
I will list things as I remember them and I hope they will form a cogent narrative.
Premium Nutrients was meant to be the flagship company of NLFCS. An example for people of Indian ethnic origin in Malaysia and for the co-operative concept/movement. It operates from an industrial area in Pasir Gudang and is a speciality fats (vegetable) company.
I worked in the accounts department of that company and had access to various documents during my time there.
The company has a very poor reputation. A lot of our raw materials (Palm Kernel etc) are only sold to us on an advance payment basis supply because of our poor reputation for payment (there were bankruptcy proceedings instigated by suppliers on the company when it was called Premium Vegetable Oils - this is another fact that can be checked). On the chemical side (various gases and other material we would need to run the chemical processes that would turn Crude Palm Kernel Oil into the end product) there would be a rotation of suppliers we would use, changing them when they asked for payment. The purchasing manager would promise payment to them when negotiating these supplies and then disappear and be uncontactable and the accounts department would have to deal with the resultant angry phone calls.
Most of the assets of the company of the company have covenants and liens on them and new machinery are acquired on a leasehold basis. I don't believe the company actually hold titles to any of its assets as there are first and second liens on almost everything.
While companies started in the area around the time has speed past and expanded. Premium Nutrients is in pretty much the same state it has since it started other than a minor expansion in the 1980's.
There has not been much though into the long term future of the company and it has been run as is.
It is sad to see a company which had such potential and had such dedicated and committed personnel in the lower echelons being run into the ground. The ideals of NLFCS that I thought would permeate within the company hit the brick wall of higher management and their self interest
The company is (as far as I know, I can't vouch for the history of the co since it began) on its third set of Auditors, the last 2 having resigned. They had an EGM to vote on the new auditors recently and I am not surprised that nothing seemed to have been raised about this. For auditors to choose to resign, would basically indicate that they can no longer approve the company accounts.
They co used to play a lot of tricks. They would have a tank of sludge (waste material that is a cost since you would have to pay to get rid of it/make it less pollutant) and have a layer of expensive oil on top. So when it came to value the oil in the tank, only the top level of oil would be used for analysis and hey presto, a cost would turn into a 5m dollar asset and this would in turn lower the cost of goods sold (which would affect the management fee, more on that later). I am not sure how this was down. For an analysis, they usually take samples from pretty deep in the tank, so doing the above would usually not be possible but this was what I was informed had happened during the year end audit process and is something I can't personally verify.
The other thing that I personally witnessed that was practised (and many companies do this) is to push sales on products that fail their quality test. This is to "book" higher sales for the quarter by raising an invoice and then financing on the back of the invoice (bill discounting). The product would inevitably be returned by the customer but in the next quarter (with the associated cost of return borne by the company) but by then the company would have already booked the sale and the management company would get the resulting management fees (I will talk more about the management fees below)
The personal impression I got was that the company was not profitable at all. That the profits were simply paper or accounting profits. The constant cashflow constraints, the pumping in of money from NLFCS every few years, the increasing debt that the company has taken over time would seem to prove my impression, whatever the annual accounts might indicate. A healthy profitable company that is not expanding, not increasing capital expenditure, does not need more debt and more money pumped in simply to run its operations. This would imply a deeper malaise.
I am not sure what oversight there is in NLFCS's investment in Premium Nutrients, and how the cash infusions have been approved. Tan Sri Somasundram (TSS) is also a big shareholder in the company (the 2nd largest holder with 43.5m shares – 12.93%, he bought 6.6m more on the 21/06/07 for approximately 1.8m ringgit). Therefore there is a clear conflict of interest in being the Chairman of NLFCS which is the biggest shareholder in the company and his personal shareholdings. If you have shares in a company, would you not as a chairman of its biggest shareholder, pump more money in so it would not fail? irrespective of your primary (and only) duty to NLFCS members.
There are a couple of conflicts of interest between the management of Premium Nutrients when I was there, and Tan Sri Somasundram and NLFCS.
Lets start with the management co. Before its floatation, Premium Nutrients was managed by a management company incorporated (I believe) in Singapore. I have been reliably told that this management company, 7 M Management, has as one of its beneficiary TSS, so another humongous conflict (to those with the know-how, please check to see who 7 M's ultimate beneficiaries are).
The management fee (20% (I believe - my memory may not be so good)which is a huge chunk of cash to take before all other expenses are paid) was based on the gross profit. As explained above, the accounting gross profit is easily manipulated, and calculating a management fee based on the gross profit provides absolutely no incentive to keep cost down. As you can see very poor corporate governance. What I witnessed was a company being leveraged to pay dividends and management fee to a few, while money was being pumped in from NLFCS to keep it afloat (my personal opinion, but please check the facts yourself).
The co. obviously has a very high turnover among staff. I understand they had brought new senior management recently.
Let's go through the company announcements, just to see the hanky-panky going on.
Announcement released 03/05/05
The audited and unaudited accounts had a 2.04m ringgit difference! In the unaudited accounts the company posted a 8m ringgit profit and the audited accounts showed a 6m profit!
Announcement released 02/05/06
Group Financial Controller and someof the senior staff have resigned, therefore the annual audited accounts will be delayed
Announcement released 02/06/06
Annual audited accounts could not be completed in time because the auditors resigned! Jeez, auditors want their fees, if they resign, it's basically saying things (accounting-wise) are so bad they would rather forgo their fees than audit the company's accounts and agree with it.
Announcement released 26/06/06
32m listing status cost previously written off, to be reinstated as an asset retrospectively? Why on earth do this?
Announcement released 26/10/07
Sells part of Malim Sawit (its plantation arm and crown jewel) for 22m to Revenue Direction Sdn Bhd. Who is Revenue Direction Sdn Bhd? Who are the ultimate beneficiaries? This could be legitimate of course, but after all the shenanigans I have witnessed, I have to be doubtful.
06/05/08 - Annual accounts.
Have a look at pg 53. That is a page full of conflicts of interest.
Of course everything could be managed for the best now, but with so little oversight in the past and in the present, people tend to take advantage.
I hope something is done so that such blatant abuse of trust and governance is a thing of the past in Malaysia and those who have enriched and continue to enrich themselves on the back of others know they no longer have carte-blanche.
Well, where do I start with this....
Let's start with what NLFCS (National Land Finance Cooperative Society) is about.
NLFCS was started by the late Tun Sambanthan out of concern for plantation workers working in fragmented plantations that were being sold by the British after Malaysia achieved independence. The idea was to pool capital from plantation workers so that they could buy out these plantations and amalgamate into larger groups. The plantation workers would own shares in the co-operative who would manage these larger holdings and provide benefits (both financial and social) to its members.
If anyone can give a better history of NLFCS please do...
After Tun Sambanthan, the chairman has been Tan Sri Somasundram (can't find dates for this, info on NLFCS is sparse).
I don't have much dealings with NLFCS, just what I hear. This is about my experience of working with Premium Nutrients and what I know. I want to remain anonymous because what I write will undoubtedly hurt people I know. It will be interspersed with things I have heard (but not directly experienced), but at the end of this piece, I hope to summarise the pertinent facts that could be checked.
Firstly to get it out of the way - the things I know about NLFCS and the questions they raise.
Tan Sri Somasundram has been there for decades (2 at least). Everyone who came to Premium Nutrients via NLFCS transformed from being strong supporters of NLFCS to being disillusionised.
As a co-operative, there is meant to be one vote per person, but challengers are not encouraged and I understand strong arm tactics are used. Like MIC, even thought a look at the rules would assume the party is democratic, the actual practice is not. A lot of feudalistic practises and hero worship really with a dash of nepotism.
Tan Sri Somasundram's son has been given a management position thought I have no idea what qualifications or experience he has or what kind of vetting process they have. From my experience in Premium Nutrients, there is no vetting process. All the orders come from the top, as I said a very feudal structure. (this is one fact that can be checked, on what basis did TSS's son get the position?)
Premium Nutrients
I will list things as I remember them and I hope they will form a cogent narrative.
Premium Nutrients was meant to be the flagship company of NLFCS. An example for people of Indian ethnic origin in Malaysia and for the co-operative concept/movement. It operates from an industrial area in Pasir Gudang and is a speciality fats (vegetable) company.
I worked in the accounts department of that company and had access to various documents during my time there.
The company has a very poor reputation. A lot of our raw materials (Palm Kernel etc) are only sold to us on an advance payment basis supply because of our poor reputation for payment (there were bankruptcy proceedings instigated by suppliers on the company when it was called Premium Vegetable Oils - this is another fact that can be checked). On the chemical side (various gases and other material we would need to run the chemical processes that would turn Crude Palm Kernel Oil into the end product) there would be a rotation of suppliers we would use, changing them when they asked for payment. The purchasing manager would promise payment to them when negotiating these supplies and then disappear and be uncontactable and the accounts department would have to deal with the resultant angry phone calls.
Most of the assets of the company of the company have covenants and liens on them and new machinery are acquired on a leasehold basis. I don't believe the company actually hold titles to any of its assets as there are first and second liens on almost everything.
While companies started in the area around the time has speed past and expanded. Premium Nutrients is in pretty much the same state it has since it started other than a minor expansion in the 1980's.
There has not been much though into the long term future of the company and it has been run as is.
It is sad to see a company which had such potential and had such dedicated and committed personnel in the lower echelons being run into the ground. The ideals of NLFCS that I thought would permeate within the company hit the brick wall of higher management and their self interest
The company is (as far as I know, I can't vouch for the history of the co since it began) on its third set of Auditors, the last 2 having resigned. They had an EGM to vote on the new auditors recently and I am not surprised that nothing seemed to have been raised about this. For auditors to choose to resign, would basically indicate that they can no longer approve the company accounts.
They co used to play a lot of tricks. They would have a tank of sludge (waste material that is a cost since you would have to pay to get rid of it/make it less pollutant) and have a layer of expensive oil on top. So when it came to value the oil in the tank, only the top level of oil would be used for analysis and hey presto, a cost would turn into a 5m dollar asset and this would in turn lower the cost of goods sold (which would affect the management fee, more on that later). I am not sure how this was down. For an analysis, they usually take samples from pretty deep in the tank, so doing the above would usually not be possible but this was what I was informed had happened during the year end audit process and is something I can't personally verify.
The other thing that I personally witnessed that was practised (and many companies do this) is to push sales on products that fail their quality test. This is to "book" higher sales for the quarter by raising an invoice and then financing on the back of the invoice (bill discounting). The product would inevitably be returned by the customer but in the next quarter (with the associated cost of return borne by the company) but by then the company would have already booked the sale and the management company would get the resulting management fees (I will talk more about the management fees below)
The personal impression I got was that the company was not profitable at all. That the profits were simply paper or accounting profits. The constant cashflow constraints, the pumping in of money from NLFCS every few years, the increasing debt that the company has taken over time would seem to prove my impression, whatever the annual accounts might indicate. A healthy profitable company that is not expanding, not increasing capital expenditure, does not need more debt and more money pumped in simply to run its operations. This would imply a deeper malaise.
I am not sure what oversight there is in NLFCS's investment in Premium Nutrients, and how the cash infusions have been approved. Tan Sri Somasundram (TSS) is also a big shareholder in the company (the 2nd largest holder with 43.5m shares – 12.93%, he bought 6.6m more on the 21/06/07 for approximately 1.8m ringgit). Therefore there is a clear conflict of interest in being the Chairman of NLFCS which is the biggest shareholder in the company and his personal shareholdings. If you have shares in a company, would you not as a chairman of its biggest shareholder, pump more money in so it would not fail? irrespective of your primary (and only) duty to NLFCS members.
There are a couple of conflicts of interest between the management of Premium Nutrients when I was there, and Tan Sri Somasundram and NLFCS.
Lets start with the management co. Before its floatation, Premium Nutrients was managed by a management company incorporated (I believe) in Singapore. I have been reliably told that this management company, 7 M Management, has as one of its beneficiary TSS, so another humongous conflict (to those with the know-how, please check to see who 7 M's ultimate beneficiaries are).
The management fee (20% (I believe - my memory may not be so good)which is a huge chunk of cash to take before all other expenses are paid) was based on the gross profit. As explained above, the accounting gross profit is easily manipulated, and calculating a management fee based on the gross profit provides absolutely no incentive to keep cost down. As you can see very poor corporate governance. What I witnessed was a company being leveraged to pay dividends and management fee to a few, while money was being pumped in from NLFCS to keep it afloat (my personal opinion, but please check the facts yourself).
The co. obviously has a very high turnover among staff. I understand they had brought new senior management recently.
Let's go through the company announcements, just to see the hanky-panky going on.
Announcement released 03/05/05
The audited and unaudited accounts had a 2.04m ringgit difference! In the unaudited accounts the company posted a 8m ringgit profit and the audited accounts showed a 6m profit!
Announcement released 02/05/06
Group Financial Controller and someof the senior staff have resigned, therefore the annual audited accounts will be delayed
Announcement released 02/06/06
Annual audited accounts could not be completed in time because the auditors resigned! Jeez, auditors want their fees, if they resign, it's basically saying things (accounting-wise) are so bad they would rather forgo their fees than audit the company's accounts and agree with it.
Announcement released 26/06/06
32m listing status cost previously written off, to be reinstated as an asset retrospectively? Why on earth do this?
Announcement released 26/10/07
Sells part of Malim Sawit (its plantation arm and crown jewel) for 22m to Revenue Direction Sdn Bhd. Who is Revenue Direction Sdn Bhd? Who are the ultimate beneficiaries? This could be legitimate of course, but after all the shenanigans I have witnessed, I have to be doubtful.
06/05/08 - Annual accounts.
Have a look at pg 53. That is a page full of conflicts of interest.
Of course everything could be managed for the best now, but with so little oversight in the past and in the present, people tend to take advantage.
I hope something is done so that such blatant abuse of trust and governance is a thing of the past in Malaysia and those who have enriched and continue to enrich themselves on the back of others know they no longer have carte-blanche.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Wife: Uthayakumar very ill...
Source : M'Kini
Detained Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader P Uthayakumar has taken ill again and would undergo medical tests at the hospital today.
His wife S Indra Devi, 36, who visited him at the Kamunting Detention Centre in Taiping yesterday, said her husband suffered heart problems and severe skin allergy for the past few days.
"His diabetic level is also high," she said.
Uthayakumar’s condition is reportedly stable after being treated by doctors at the centre.
She said Kamunting authorities had assured her that her husband would be taken to the hospital for further medical tests.
"We demand the authorities to provide the best medical care to protect his health," she told Malaysiakini when met outside the detention camp, where about 2,000-odd Hindraf supporters from all over the country gathered to call on the government to release all five Hindraf leaders held under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
Besides Uthayakumar, the others are M Manoharan, R Kenghadharan, V Ganabatirau and T Vasantha Kumar.
The five were arrested on Dec 13 last after organising a mammoth rally in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 25 against perceived marginalisation and discrimination of Malaysians of Indian origin.
Uthayakumar’s failing health has become a contentious subject for several human rights groups and social activists in recent days.
Various NGOs and politicians have condemned the camp authorities for allegedly failing to attend to Uthayakumar’s deteriorating health condition over the past month.
'Callous treatment'
Social reform group Aliran described it as "callous treatment of a human being."
Its president P Ramakrishnan said it was hard to believe and unacceptable that in a country that had exalted the virtues of Islam Hadhari could be so callous in the treatment of a human being.
"As a result of this gross negligence and wanton cruelty, Uthayakumar had fallen ill and had to be hospitalized," he said.
The Kamunting authorities, he said, had shirked their responsibility for the welfare of a detainee under their care.
"As a human, he is entitled to receive medical attention like any other Malaysian," he added.
Indra Devi’s statement refuted claims by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) commissioner N Siva Subramaniam that Uthayakumar was being put under good medicare at the camp.
"It was not true that he had been denied medicine for diabetes over the past month despite repeated requests to the director of the Kamunting camp," said Siva Subramaniam.
However, in an open statement sent to Hindraf or now popularly known as Makkal Sakti, the movement’s self-exiled chairperson P Waythamoorthy accused Siva Subramaniam and his team of lying..
"How could Sivasubramaniam be satisfied with the medication given to Uthayakumar when he had never interviewed my brother?" said Waythamoorthy in an online posting.
Losing steam
Makkal Sakti supporters, who held the gathering, later converged for a prayer session for their leaders at a Hindu temple in Taiping.
While calls from various groups for the release of the Hindraf five and other ISA detainees - estimated to be 80 at present - have gained pace over the past few months, the fire among Makkal Sakti supporters seems to be dying.
Yesterday’s gathering was more of a subdued affair than a fiery protest, which has been synonymous with Hindraf activities for the past two years to secure the freedom of their leaders.
This could have been due to fatigue, loss of interest after the election euphoria or poor organising by the coordinators.
Whatever the reason, the lack of enthusiasm was evident and the passion expressed by Makkal Sakti activists in front of the detention camp was not one to savour.
An estimated 500-car Makkal Sakti convoy from all over the country started to throng near the detention camp at about 2.30pm.
A small group of activists held a banner calling for the release of their leaders while others were mainly passive on-lookers.
Several Makkal Sakti supporters held up portraits of the five Hindraf leaders, and that of Mahatma Gandhi. They chanted `Makkal Sakti’ and `Release Our Leaders.’
The gathering, which apparently was carried out without a police permit, did not last long.
Point made
The crowd lost its momentum when Makkal Sakti coordinator RS Thanenthiran arrived at 3pm and told them to depart from the scene to a Hindu temple in Taiping, the Arulmigu Balathandayuthabani Alayam near Maxwell Hill.
Thanenthiran and his supporters were also warned by Deputy Taiping OCPD Supt Syed Wahab Syed Majid that "the demonstrators could be forcibly evicted if necessary."
"This is illegal assembly. You all are ought not to be here," he told Thanenthiran.
Syed Wahab later told Malaysiakini that the warning was given because he did not want any untoward incidents to happen near the detention camp.
Despite Syed Wahab’s warning and pleas by Thanenthiran and one of his deputies, MN Anbalagan, several Makkal Sakti supporters appeared reluctant to move.
Finally by 4pm the crowd dispersed under the watchful eyes of about 200-odd police and the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel.
Thanenthiran said later that the assembly was organised to compel the federal government to release the five Hindraf leaders.
"We have made our point with our massive presence today.
"We will go to the temple to pray for divine intervention to secure the freedom of our leaders," he told the supporters.
Detained Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader P Uthayakumar has taken ill again and would undergo medical tests at the hospital today.
His wife S Indra Devi, 36, who visited him at the Kamunting Detention Centre in Taiping yesterday, said her husband suffered heart problems and severe skin allergy for the past few days.
"His diabetic level is also high," she said.
Uthayakumar’s condition is reportedly stable after being treated by doctors at the centre.
She said Kamunting authorities had assured her that her husband would be taken to the hospital for further medical tests.
"We demand the authorities to provide the best medical care to protect his health," she told Malaysiakini when met outside the detention camp, where about 2,000-odd Hindraf supporters from all over the country gathered to call on the government to release all five Hindraf leaders held under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
Besides Uthayakumar, the others are M Manoharan, R Kenghadharan, V Ganabatirau and T Vasantha Kumar.
The five were arrested on Dec 13 last after organising a mammoth rally in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 25 against perceived marginalisation and discrimination of Malaysians of Indian origin.
Uthayakumar’s failing health has become a contentious subject for several human rights groups and social activists in recent days.
Various NGOs and politicians have condemned the camp authorities for allegedly failing to attend to Uthayakumar’s deteriorating health condition over the past month.
'Callous treatment'
Social reform group Aliran described it as "callous treatment of a human being."
Its president P Ramakrishnan said it was hard to believe and unacceptable that in a country that had exalted the virtues of Islam Hadhari could be so callous in the treatment of a human being.
"As a result of this gross negligence and wanton cruelty, Uthayakumar had fallen ill and had to be hospitalized," he said.
The Kamunting authorities, he said, had shirked their responsibility for the welfare of a detainee under their care.
"As a human, he is entitled to receive medical attention like any other Malaysian," he added.
Indra Devi’s statement refuted claims by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) commissioner N Siva Subramaniam that Uthayakumar was being put under good medicare at the camp.
"It was not true that he had been denied medicine for diabetes over the past month despite repeated requests to the director of the Kamunting camp," said Siva Subramaniam.
However, in an open statement sent to Hindraf or now popularly known as Makkal Sakti, the movement’s self-exiled chairperson P Waythamoorthy accused Siva Subramaniam and his team of lying..
"How could Sivasubramaniam be satisfied with the medication given to Uthayakumar when he had never interviewed my brother?" said Waythamoorthy in an online posting.
Losing steam
Makkal Sakti supporters, who held the gathering, later converged for a prayer session for their leaders at a Hindu temple in Taiping.
While calls from various groups for the release of the Hindraf five and other ISA detainees - estimated to be 80 at present - have gained pace over the past few months, the fire among Makkal Sakti supporters seems to be dying.
Yesterday’s gathering was more of a subdued affair than a fiery protest, which has been synonymous with Hindraf activities for the past two years to secure the freedom of their leaders.
This could have been due to fatigue, loss of interest after the election euphoria or poor organising by the coordinators.
Whatever the reason, the lack of enthusiasm was evident and the passion expressed by Makkal Sakti activists in front of the detention camp was not one to savour.
An estimated 500-car Makkal Sakti convoy from all over the country started to throng near the detention camp at about 2.30pm.
A small group of activists held a banner calling for the release of their leaders while others were mainly passive on-lookers.
Several Makkal Sakti supporters held up portraits of the five Hindraf leaders, and that of Mahatma Gandhi. They chanted `Makkal Sakti’ and `Release Our Leaders.’
The gathering, which apparently was carried out without a police permit, did not last long.
Point made
The crowd lost its momentum when Makkal Sakti coordinator RS Thanenthiran arrived at 3pm and told them to depart from the scene to a Hindu temple in Taiping, the Arulmigu Balathandayuthabani Alayam near Maxwell Hill.
Thanenthiran and his supporters were also warned by Deputy Taiping OCPD Supt Syed Wahab Syed Majid that "the demonstrators could be forcibly evicted if necessary."
"This is illegal assembly. You all are ought not to be here," he told Thanenthiran.
Syed Wahab later told Malaysiakini that the warning was given because he did not want any untoward incidents to happen near the detention camp.
Despite Syed Wahab’s warning and pleas by Thanenthiran and one of his deputies, MN Anbalagan, several Makkal Sakti supporters appeared reluctant to move.
Finally by 4pm the crowd dispersed under the watchful eyes of about 200-odd police and the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel.
Thanenthiran said later that the assembly was organised to compel the federal government to release the five Hindraf leaders.
"We have made our point with our massive presence today.
"We will go to the temple to pray for divine intervention to secure the freedom of our leaders," he told the supporters.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
NATIONWIDE CONVOY TO ABOLISH ISA ON 27TH APRIL 2008...
Source : Makkal Sakti Blog
Fri, 25/04/2008
Hindraf is planning to organise a special prayers in Kamunting Mariamman Temple, Taiping for the speedy recovery of P. Uthayakumar and release of all detainee under ISA.
We are planning to create awareness and show sign of protest against this draconian law, ISA as well through Nationwide Motorcade Convoy leading to Kamunting Mariamman Temple.
Below are details :-
Date : 27th April 2008 ( Sunday)
There are few gathering spots for all the motorcar and superbike before we proceed to Kamunting.
Below are the details of start off.
For Klang Valley and southern region :- PLUS Plaza R&R Rawang
Time : 8.30 am
Contact : Mr Selvam ( 016-6626579)
For Ipoh : Ipoh Kallumalai Temple, Perak
Time : 11 am
Contact : Mr Vetha ( 017-5005658)
For Northern region : PLUS Plaza R&R Juru
Time : 10.30 am
Contact : Mr Anba ( 012-4071867)
There will be special prayers and speech from HINDRAF Coordination team on the current HINDRAF struggle.
Pls do call the above number to confirm. Some stickers and posters will be given to all cars.
Let us all join together to show our support to our heroes and protest to repeal ISA.
Nandri.
Vaalge HINDRAF
Vaalge Makkal Sakthi
Kannan R
Hindraf National Event Coordinator
Fri, 25/04/2008
Hindraf is planning to organise a special prayers in Kamunting Mariamman Temple, Taiping for the speedy recovery of P. Uthayakumar and release of all detainee under ISA.
We are planning to create awareness and show sign of protest against this draconian law, ISA as well through Nationwide Motorcade Convoy leading to Kamunting Mariamman Temple.
Below are details :-
Date : 27th April 2008 ( Sunday)
There are few gathering spots for all the motorcar and superbike before we proceed to Kamunting.
Below are the details of start off.
For Klang Valley and southern region :- PLUS Plaza R&R Rawang
Time : 8.30 am
Contact : Mr Selvam ( 016-6626579)
For Ipoh : Ipoh Kallumalai Temple, Perak
Time : 11 am
Contact : Mr Vetha ( 017-5005658)
For Northern region : PLUS Plaza R&R Juru
Time : 10.30 am
Contact : Mr Anba ( 012-4071867)
There will be special prayers and speech from HINDRAF Coordination team on the current HINDRAF struggle.
Pls do call the above number to confirm. Some stickers and posters will be given to all cars.
Let us all join together to show our support to our heroes and protest to repeal ISA.
Nandri.
Vaalge HINDRAF
Vaalge Makkal Sakthi
Kannan R
Hindraf National Event Coordinator
Friday, April 25, 2008
Daughter of Hindraf leader presents letter to palace
Source : The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: A group of Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) supporters gathered at Istana Negara here Friday in solidarity for the abolishment of the Internal Security Act (ISA) and the release of its five members detained under the Act.
The group's intent was penned in a letter purportedly written by Hindraf chairman P. Waythamoorthy's five-year-old daughter Vwaishhnnari, who was accompanied by her aunt during the event.
The three-page letter, childishly written on yellow paper with stickers of comic character Garfield wearing a royal crown and wielding a scepter requested for the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong to urge Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to abolish the "draconian ISA".
It read: "It is my humble request that you urge the Prime Minister to abolish the draconian ISA in your opening Royal Address in Parliament on April 29th and advise the Prime Minister to treat all Malaysians, especially the minority communities equally.
"Thank you Your Highness and I would eagerly wait for your speech before the TV," it further read.
Among other points raised in the letter included that "five of my uncles have been kept in jail without trial" and "many others are also held for very long, as the government claims they are JI members without proof".
Vwaishhnnari remained shy and rarely spoke throughout the event as she was carried by her aunt M. Philomena, 48, a housewife.
"I passed this letter to the Chief Minister of Penang yesterday, noting him of the matter.
"I deeply feel my father's absence and miss him dearly," she said when approached by reporters.
Her father is currently in London in self-imposed exile.
The five-year-old later presented the letter to the palace. The letter was received by the senior private secretary of the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong.
She was accompanied by Kapar MP S. Manikavasagam, Teluk Intan MP M. Manogaran, Hindraf coordinator S. Jayathas and lawyer N. Surendran.
A squad of policemen closely monitored the 30-minute gathering which ended at noon.
KUALA LUMPUR: A group of Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) supporters gathered at Istana Negara here Friday in solidarity for the abolishment of the Internal Security Act (ISA) and the release of its five members detained under the Act.
The group's intent was penned in a letter purportedly written by Hindraf chairman P. Waythamoorthy's five-year-old daughter Vwaishhnnari, who was accompanied by her aunt during the event.
The three-page letter, childishly written on yellow paper with stickers of comic character Garfield wearing a royal crown and wielding a scepter requested for the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong to urge Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to abolish the "draconian ISA".
It read: "It is my humble request that you urge the Prime Minister to abolish the draconian ISA in your opening Royal Address in Parliament on April 29th and advise the Prime Minister to treat all Malaysians, especially the minority communities equally.
"Thank you Your Highness and I would eagerly wait for your speech before the TV," it further read.
Among other points raised in the letter included that "five of my uncles have been kept in jail without trial" and "many others are also held for very long, as the government claims they are JI members without proof".
Vwaishhnnari remained shy and rarely spoke throughout the event as she was carried by her aunt M. Philomena, 48, a housewife.
"I passed this letter to the Chief Minister of Penang yesterday, noting him of the matter.
"I deeply feel my father's absence and miss him dearly," she said when approached by reporters.
Her father is currently in London in self-imposed exile.
The five-year-old later presented the letter to the palace. The letter was received by the senior private secretary of the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong.
She was accompanied by Kapar MP S. Manikavasagam, Teluk Intan MP M. Manogaran, Hindraf coordinator S. Jayathas and lawyer N. Surendran.
A squad of policemen closely monitored the 30-minute gathering which ended at noon.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Good News : Makkal Osai's permit renewed
Source : M'Kini
The government has made an about-turn - a week after banning Tamil daily Makkal Osai. Its publishing permit has been renewed and the newspaper will hit the stands on Saturday.
On April 16, the daily received a letter from the Home Ministry stating that its permit would not be renewed. No reasons were given for this.
The daily, which is closely linked to former MIC deputy president S Subramaniam, subsequently filed an appeal.
Industry sources claimed that the ministry's decision was related to Makkal Osai's extensive coverage of opposition-related news and the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).
The government has made an about-turn - a week after banning Tamil daily Makkal Osai. Its publishing permit has been renewed and the newspaper will hit the stands on Saturday.
On April 16, the daily received a letter from the Home Ministry stating that its permit would not be renewed. No reasons were given for this.
The daily, which is closely linked to former MIC deputy president S Subramaniam, subsequently filed an appeal.
Industry sources claimed that the ministry's decision was related to Makkal Osai's extensive coverage of opposition-related news and the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).
HINDRAF CHAIRMAN'S LETTER TO THE YANG DI PERTUAN AGONG
Source : Makkalakti
Private Secretary to His Majesty
Duli Yang Maha MuliaTuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin
Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billal Shah
Istana Negara
Kuala Lumpur.
23rd April 2008.
Dear Sir,
Re: W.Vwaishhnnavi (5 years old) wishes to present Roses and a Humble Request to His Majesty the Yang Dipertuan Agong on His Majesty’s Royal Address at the First session of the 12th Parliament 2008.
On behalf of the Malaysian Indians we pray for the health and happiness of His Royal Highness the yang Dipertuan Agong and his family members.
We write to seek an urgent appointment with your goodself on the 25th April 2008 at 11.15 am upon the request of W. Vwaishhnnavi a 5 year old to present Roses and make a special request to His Royal Highness The Yang Dipertuan Agong on His Highness Royal Address at the opening ceremony of the First session of the 12th Parliament which is due on the 29th April 2008.
We humbly apologize for the short notice given and hope you would be able to convey our sincere apologies to His Majesty the yang Dipertuan Agong.
W.Vwaishhnnavi would be present at the Royal Palace on the 25th April 2008 at 11.15 am to submit her Roses and request personally.
Should you require any further information kindly contact our National Coordinator Mr. Tanendran on 0194105283.
Your understanding and co-operation is very much appreciated.
Yours in Service
P.Waytha Moorthy
Chairman
HINDRAF
Private Secretary to His Majesty
Duli Yang Maha MuliaTuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin
Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billal Shah
Istana Negara
Kuala Lumpur.
23rd April 2008.
Dear Sir,
Re: W.Vwaishhnnavi (5 years old) wishes to present Roses and a Humble Request to His Majesty the Yang Dipertuan Agong on His Majesty’s Royal Address at the First session of the 12th Parliament 2008.
On behalf of the Malaysian Indians we pray for the health and happiness of His Royal Highness the yang Dipertuan Agong and his family members.
We write to seek an urgent appointment with your goodself on the 25th April 2008 at 11.15 am upon the request of W. Vwaishhnnavi a 5 year old to present Roses and make a special request to His Royal Highness The Yang Dipertuan Agong on His Highness Royal Address at the opening ceremony of the First session of the 12th Parliament which is due on the 29th April 2008.
We humbly apologize for the short notice given and hope you would be able to convey our sincere apologies to His Majesty the yang Dipertuan Agong.
W.Vwaishhnnavi would be present at the Royal Palace on the 25th April 2008 at 11.15 am to submit her Roses and request personally.
Should you require any further information kindly contact our National Coordinator Mr. Tanendran on 0194105283.
Your understanding and co-operation is very much appreciated.
Yours in Service
P.Waytha Moorthy
Chairman
HINDRAF
LETTER : HINDRAF CHAIRMAN'S FORMAL COMPLAINT TO UNCHR
Source : MakkalSakti
Hon. Madam Louise Arbour
United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Palais Wilson
52 rue des Pâquis
CH-1201 Geneva, Switzerland
17th April 2008.
Dear Madam,
RE: SERIOUS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AFFECTING THE ETHNIC INDIAN MINORITY COMMUNITY IN MALAYSIA.
50 YEARS OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AND THE ETHNIC COMMUNITY REMAINS A PERMANENTLY COLONIZED COMMUNITY.
APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS AFFECTING THE ETHNIC MALAYSIAN INDIAN COMMUNITY.
I write both in my personal capacity as well as chairman of the above-mentioned organization.
Malaysia achieved independence in 1957 from the United Kingdom Government. 200 years ago the British colonial masters exported indentured laborers from South India into then Malaya and when the country achieved independence these ethnic Indians were left behind without their rights being adequately protected in the new Federal Constitution that was then drafted.
Over the last 50 years the ethnic Indian minority community has suffered various Human Rights violations under the hands of the majority Malay UMNO led political party who controlled other coalition political parties within the Government. Amongst the violations are as follows:
FREEDOM OF RELIGION
No Freedom of Religion, thought or conscience. Citizens are denied their right to renounce their religion or to revert to their original religion/faith.
Demolitions of places of worships particularly belonging to Hindus, which has been in existence since the time, they were imported as indentured laborers. It is believed that about 10,000 temples have been demolished over the last 50 years.
No new allocations in terms of funding and grant of land for erection of places of worships for the benefit of non-Muslims.
Christian churches are particularly targeted in that they are not allowed to build new churches though they have the necessary funding and land for those purposes.
Non- Muslims are compelled to seek redress in the Muslim syariah courts should either one of the spouse convert to the Islamic faith.
Islamic laws are deliberately imposed on non-Muslims.
EDUCATIONAL RIGHT
80% of the 523 Ethnic Tamil schools are poorly maintained and hundreds remain in a dilapidated condition. The Government has failed to take the responsibility for the Ethnic Tamil schools after independence and there is a silent agenda to permanently phase out these ethnic Tamil schools, which provided education in the mother tongue language of the Tamil community in Malaysia. Similar fate befalls the ethnic Andra, Malayali and Punjabi ethnic schools in Malaysia. No new Tamil schools are built by Government in new townships despite the ethnic Indian population increasing threefold since independence.
Indian students are denied places in Local Universities and higher educational institutions under the quota system which favors the Malays Muslim community which regard themselves as BUMIPUTRAS ( sons of soil) and hence they fill up most places of universities though they do not qualify for the respective courses.
No scholarships grants for education for ethnic Indian community either locally or overseas as provided for the Malay community.
No adequate grant/allocations in the annual budget for the building of new Ethnic Indian Schools or maintenance of those.
INTERNALLY DISPLACED COMMUNITY
The majority Indian community who belonged to the plantation sectors become internally displaced persons when their traditional plantation land is acquired by Government for purposes of development and their very social living lifestyle are disrupted. They are not provided adequate compensation for their contributions for the country’s economy over the last 200 years, not provided new job opportunities, training programs ect. No permanent alternative is given to resolve their housing problems and ultimately they end up as squatters in Urban and remain poor, underclass and neglected. No programs and schemes are introduced to uplift their economic condition as compared to what is done to the Malay community. When their plantation land is taken they lose their land, houses, temples, schools and end up a new poor class neglected society.
UNDOCUMENTED ETHNIC MINORITY MALAYSIAN INDIANS
Despite 50 years of independence, there are thousands of ethnic minority Malaysian Indians left being undocumented, without birth certificates, identity cards, marriage certificates ect. This in effect precludes and excludes them from even the formal primary schooling structure, obtaining licenses to run a business or from securing employment.
PATHETIC MONTHLY WAGES
After 46 years of independence the State has finally capped the monthly salary of the plantation workers at RM 325.00 (USD85.00) and RM 350.00 (USD 92.00) per month for rubber tappers who are mostly ethnic Malaysian Indians.
NO BUSINESS LICENCES/OPPORTUNITIES
Mearge or no business licenses, permits, business loans, opportunities, small businesses, commercial licenses for Malaysian Indians to run businesses resulting in less than 1% Indian participation in the country’s economic wealth.
KG. MEDAN “GENOCIDE”
The genocide by a state sponsored mysterious mob against the innocent and unarmed people of Kg.Medan in 2001 left 100 over killed and / or seriously injured still remains a mystery. The Malaysian Human Rights Commission refused to hold an inquiry while the state refused to hold a royal commission of inquiry. The Courts/Attorney General refused to hold inquests into the deaths contrary to Article 5 of the Federal Constitution and section 339 of the criminal procedure code. Worst still only USD 526 to a maximum of USD 6,578 for some victims being permanently maimed and/or loss of life cases was awarded for the said victims though RM136.8 billion was approved for the 2006 budget.
VICTIMISATION BY POLICE STATE
Indians formed about 60% of suspects shot dead by the police including an 8-month pregnant Indian lady, 60% of innocent people dying in Police custody, lockups and other detention centers.
The above are meant to give you an overview on the situation affecting the ethnic Indian community who has suffered for the last 50 years since Independence.
The Government of Malaysia portrays to the world that Malaysia is a multi racial and multi ethnic society that lives in peace and harmony. Unfortunately peace and harmony in Malaysia means the ethnic Indian community is compelled to remain silent on the atrocities that befall them and should they protest in a peaceful manner the Government takes severe action against them.
The recent attempt by HINDRAF to raise the violations against the Ethnic Indian community was seen as attempt to challenge the Malay Muslim supremacy UMNO led Government and hence our Organization was branded as an extremist organization. HINDRAF organized a peaceful gathering on the 25th November 2007 to submit a petition to Her Majesty The Queen of England and the event saw an unprecedented crowd of more than 100,000 people coming to the streets to protest the marginalization, oppression and suppression they suffered. This was seen as a threat and immediately within days our organization was accused falsely of having links to terrorists organizations.
On the 13th December 2007 5 key leaders of HINDRAF was detained under the draconian Internal Security Act which means detention without trial. This was deliberately done to instill fear onto the ethnic Indian community and to suppress the emerging “new voices of democracy” and to stamp out the democratic Movement.
We have suffered in silence thus far and when finally we came out to voice our dissatisfaction the Government attacked us with tear gas, chemical laced water cannons and baton beatings by the brutal Royal Police Force. Hundreds our peaceful protesters were arrested manhandled, beaten up, thrown into lock ups, humiliated for belonging to the ethnic Indian community, and slapped with trumped up criminal charges of attempted murder and denied bail. The State Attorney General took the trouble to personally attend these cases to show to the whole country how serious they are if their “might” is challenged.
The Malaysian ethnic Indian has no other choice but to seek redress and solutions at the doorsteps of the United Nations. On behalf of all those oppressed suppressed and marginalized ethnic Indian community I formally request that you exercise all powers conferred upon you by this most supreme world democratic organ to appoint a SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS AFFECTING THE ETHNIC MALAYSIAN INDIAN COMMUNITY who are and remain a permanently colonized community in Malaysia.
Thank you
Yours in service
P.Waytha Moorthy
Chairman
HINDRAF
Hon. Madam Louise Arbour
United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Palais Wilson
52 rue des Pâquis
CH-1201 Geneva, Switzerland
17th April 2008.
Dear Madam,
RE: SERIOUS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AFFECTING THE ETHNIC INDIAN MINORITY COMMUNITY IN MALAYSIA.
50 YEARS OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AND THE ETHNIC COMMUNITY REMAINS A PERMANENTLY COLONIZED COMMUNITY.
APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS AFFECTING THE ETHNIC MALAYSIAN INDIAN COMMUNITY.
I write both in my personal capacity as well as chairman of the above-mentioned organization.
Malaysia achieved independence in 1957 from the United Kingdom Government. 200 years ago the British colonial masters exported indentured laborers from South India into then Malaya and when the country achieved independence these ethnic Indians were left behind without their rights being adequately protected in the new Federal Constitution that was then drafted.
Over the last 50 years the ethnic Indian minority community has suffered various Human Rights violations under the hands of the majority Malay UMNO led political party who controlled other coalition political parties within the Government. Amongst the violations are as follows:
FREEDOM OF RELIGION
No Freedom of Religion, thought or conscience. Citizens are denied their right to renounce their religion or to revert to their original religion/faith.
Demolitions of places of worships particularly belonging to Hindus, which has been in existence since the time, they were imported as indentured laborers. It is believed that about 10,000 temples have been demolished over the last 50 years.
No new allocations in terms of funding and grant of land for erection of places of worships for the benefit of non-Muslims.
Christian churches are particularly targeted in that they are not allowed to build new churches though they have the necessary funding and land for those purposes.
Non- Muslims are compelled to seek redress in the Muslim syariah courts should either one of the spouse convert to the Islamic faith.
Islamic laws are deliberately imposed on non-Muslims.
EDUCATIONAL RIGHT
80% of the 523 Ethnic Tamil schools are poorly maintained and hundreds remain in a dilapidated condition. The Government has failed to take the responsibility for the Ethnic Tamil schools after independence and there is a silent agenda to permanently phase out these ethnic Tamil schools, which provided education in the mother tongue language of the Tamil community in Malaysia. Similar fate befalls the ethnic Andra, Malayali and Punjabi ethnic schools in Malaysia. No new Tamil schools are built by Government in new townships despite the ethnic Indian population increasing threefold since independence.
Indian students are denied places in Local Universities and higher educational institutions under the quota system which favors the Malays Muslim community which regard themselves as BUMIPUTRAS ( sons of soil) and hence they fill up most places of universities though they do not qualify for the respective courses.
No scholarships grants for education for ethnic Indian community either locally or overseas as provided for the Malay community.
No adequate grant/allocations in the annual budget for the building of new Ethnic Indian Schools or maintenance of those.
INTERNALLY DISPLACED COMMUNITY
The majority Indian community who belonged to the plantation sectors become internally displaced persons when their traditional plantation land is acquired by Government for purposes of development and their very social living lifestyle are disrupted. They are not provided adequate compensation for their contributions for the country’s economy over the last 200 years, not provided new job opportunities, training programs ect. No permanent alternative is given to resolve their housing problems and ultimately they end up as squatters in Urban and remain poor, underclass and neglected. No programs and schemes are introduced to uplift their economic condition as compared to what is done to the Malay community. When their plantation land is taken they lose their land, houses, temples, schools and end up a new poor class neglected society.
UNDOCUMENTED ETHNIC MINORITY MALAYSIAN INDIANS
Despite 50 years of independence, there are thousands of ethnic minority Malaysian Indians left being undocumented, without birth certificates, identity cards, marriage certificates ect. This in effect precludes and excludes them from even the formal primary schooling structure, obtaining licenses to run a business or from securing employment.
PATHETIC MONTHLY WAGES
After 46 years of independence the State has finally capped the monthly salary of the plantation workers at RM 325.00 (USD85.00) and RM 350.00 (USD 92.00) per month for rubber tappers who are mostly ethnic Malaysian Indians.
NO BUSINESS LICENCES/OPPORTUNITIES
Mearge or no business licenses, permits, business loans, opportunities, small businesses, commercial licenses for Malaysian Indians to run businesses resulting in less than 1% Indian participation in the country’s economic wealth.
KG. MEDAN “GENOCIDE”
The genocide by a state sponsored mysterious mob against the innocent and unarmed people of Kg.Medan in 2001 left 100 over killed and / or seriously injured still remains a mystery. The Malaysian Human Rights Commission refused to hold an inquiry while the state refused to hold a royal commission of inquiry. The Courts/Attorney General refused to hold inquests into the deaths contrary to Article 5 of the Federal Constitution and section 339 of the criminal procedure code. Worst still only USD 526 to a maximum of USD 6,578 for some victims being permanently maimed and/or loss of life cases was awarded for the said victims though RM136.8 billion was approved for the 2006 budget.
VICTIMISATION BY POLICE STATE
Indians formed about 60% of suspects shot dead by the police including an 8-month pregnant Indian lady, 60% of innocent people dying in Police custody, lockups and other detention centers.
The above are meant to give you an overview on the situation affecting the ethnic Indian community who has suffered for the last 50 years since Independence.
The Government of Malaysia portrays to the world that Malaysia is a multi racial and multi ethnic society that lives in peace and harmony. Unfortunately peace and harmony in Malaysia means the ethnic Indian community is compelled to remain silent on the atrocities that befall them and should they protest in a peaceful manner the Government takes severe action against them.
The recent attempt by HINDRAF to raise the violations against the Ethnic Indian community was seen as attempt to challenge the Malay Muslim supremacy UMNO led Government and hence our Organization was branded as an extremist organization. HINDRAF organized a peaceful gathering on the 25th November 2007 to submit a petition to Her Majesty The Queen of England and the event saw an unprecedented crowd of more than 100,000 people coming to the streets to protest the marginalization, oppression and suppression they suffered. This was seen as a threat and immediately within days our organization was accused falsely of having links to terrorists organizations.
On the 13th December 2007 5 key leaders of HINDRAF was detained under the draconian Internal Security Act which means detention without trial. This was deliberately done to instill fear onto the ethnic Indian community and to suppress the emerging “new voices of democracy” and to stamp out the democratic Movement.
We have suffered in silence thus far and when finally we came out to voice our dissatisfaction the Government attacked us with tear gas, chemical laced water cannons and baton beatings by the brutal Royal Police Force. Hundreds our peaceful protesters were arrested manhandled, beaten up, thrown into lock ups, humiliated for belonging to the ethnic Indian community, and slapped with trumped up criminal charges of attempted murder and denied bail. The State Attorney General took the trouble to personally attend these cases to show to the whole country how serious they are if their “might” is challenged.
The Malaysian ethnic Indian has no other choice but to seek redress and solutions at the doorsteps of the United Nations. On behalf of all those oppressed suppressed and marginalized ethnic Indian community I formally request that you exercise all powers conferred upon you by this most supreme world democratic organ to appoint a SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS AFFECTING THE ETHNIC MALAYSIAN INDIAN COMMUNITY who are and remain a permanently colonized community in Malaysia.
Thank you
Yours in service
P.Waytha Moorthy
Chairman
HINDRAF
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