KUALA LUMPUR: Hindu Rights Action Force members' "intimidating" actions at the ministers' open house on Wednesday were described yesterday as being disrespectful and inappropriate.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said the group's boldness at the function also constituted an insult to Islam.
The event was hosted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at the Putra World Trade Centre.
Syed Hamid said that the group should have known better than to hamper the spirit and celebration of a religious occasion with a political message.
"If they wanted to join in the celebrations, that's fine. But they came wearing T-shirts of the same colour and making it very clear that they wanted to deliver a message to the prime minister.
"That crosses the line and is just unacceptable, especially at a public function.
"There are other days to voice their protest or send a message. There are other avenues to bring up their disagreements."
A group of Hindraf supporters brought a Hari Raya card and a teddy bear which they handed to Abdullah.
The card, delivered by Vwaishnnavi, the 5-year-old daughter of Hindraf leader in exile P. Waythamoorthy, urged Abdullah to release the movement's leaders detained under the Internal Security Act.
The group led by Waythamoorthy's wife K. Shanti had gathered outside the building at 11am.
They were later ushered into a dining hall but their request to meet Abdullah was denied.
The group then left and re-entered via an entrance meant for VIPs, where security personnel tried to restrict their entry.
A compromise was reached and the group was allowed to join the public queue to greet the prime minister about 2pm.
Abdullah accepted the card and teddy bear with a smile.
Also present were about 20 bloggers who wore T-shirts bearing "No to ISA" and "Free RPK", referring to the two-year ISA detention order on Malaysia Today editor, Raja Petra Kamaruddin.
Both groups told journalists that their sole intention at the function was to send a message to Abdullah.
Syed Hamid said Hindraf supporters should have emulated MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu who had met him several times to seek the release of Hindraf leaders.
"He asked me (on several occasions) if there was any way to speed up their release."
Syed Hamid said this was the first time in Malaysian history that a religious celebration had been tarnished by the extremism of a group.
"I don't want to see a repeat of this. I do not want a trend of people causing disturbances during Deepavali, Christmas, Chinese New or other cultural and religious celebrations."
He said investigations may be carried out to identify the masterminds behind Wednesday's incident.
Joining Syed Hamid in castigating Hindraf members was Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal who said the movement should know its limits.
"There are 26 million people in this country and others have problems too, not only Hindraf. There are Malays in Kamunting too, but you did not see anybody coming here on their behalf.
"Even though they (Hindraf) have their sympathisers, they shouldn't be doing this at (religious) festivals."
He said there were other platforms to send political messages or make requests.
Shafie said he would raise the matter in cabinet.
In Ipoh, the Gagasan Melayu Perak described the actions of Hindraf members as shameful.
Bernama quoted its president, Datuk Seri Mohd Helmi Ismail, as saying that they had gone overboard by taking their petition to Abdullah at the function.
He said the group's action in using children as a front every time they staged protests was "the work of cowards".
"The group is painting a negative picture in the minds of children as it is using them as a shield."
- nst
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