KLANG: Both the MIC and Hindraf are fighting to get five of the group’s leaders freed from Internal Security Act (ISA) detention but they are using different approaches.
MIC secretary-general Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam said the party did not believe in methods adopted by Hindraf such as crowding the Hari Raya open house hosted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Muslim Cabinet ministers at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur.
“This sort of behaviour does not serve well for a united multiracial nation. It also does not reflect the true nature of our Indian culture,” he said.
Hindraf supporters had gone to the open house to present a teddy bear and card to Abdullah asking for the release of their leaders M. Manoharan, P. Uthayakumar, V. Ganabatirau, R. Kenghadharan and K. Vasanthakumar.
Dr Subramaniam said the group had created discomfort at the function.
He said everyone should emulate Opposition leaders such as DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang, who, despite political differences, attended open houses and joined the festivities in true Malaysian spirit.
Dr Subramaniam said the MIC would continue to talk to Abdullah, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Cabinet ministers to lobby for the release of the five.
He said the MIC pursued the matter on humanitarian grounds and because of pleas made to the party by the families of the detainees.
Meanwhile, Hindraf national event coordinator Kannan Ramasamy reiterated that they were invited to the open house and had been orderly.
He said Dr Subramaniam should have inquired about the actual situation before commenting on the conduct of the Hindraf members.
- The Star
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