The Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) is fully committed in its support for Pakatan Rakyat candidates in Bukit Selambau and Bukit Gantang by-elections next Tuesday.
In a statement issued today, its London-based chairperson P Waythamoorthy said the human rights movement would go all out to back Pakatan candidates because Hindraf’s mutual political enemy was the Barisan Nasional government, and not the parliamentary opposition group Pakatan.
He said Hindraf and Pakatan could ill-afford to go separate ways as it would only boost BN’s political survival.
Waythamoorthy (photo) had a long conversation with Pakatan de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim a few days ago on several subjects, including Hindraf’s continued commitment to support the opposition front during the ongoing by-election campaigns, and beyond.
“I had the opportunity to discuss with Anwar on many pertinent questions raised by grassroots Hindraf supporters.
“I am glad to say that we had reached an understanding that issues affecting the Indian community would be deliberated and resolved at a later date with leaders from all Pakatan component parties,” he said.
Waythamoorthy said he was happy and satisfied with Anwar’s assurance to address prevailing Indian issues in the country.
“I reiterate here Hindraf’s commitment and full support for Pakatan candidates in Bukit Selambau and Bukit Gantang,” he told Malaysiakini via telephone from United Kingdom.
PKR’s S Manikumar faces 14 rivals, including MIC’s S Ganesan and 13 independent candidates, in Bukit Selambau state contest.
And PAS strongman Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin faces BN candidate Ismail Saffian and independent Kamarul Ramizu Idris in Bukit Gantang parliamentary constituency.
Confident supporters will heed his call
Hindraf’s open support to Pakatan candidates in Bukit Selambau and Bukit Gantang will now quash the rumours that the relationship between the human rights movement and the opposition pact was falling apart.
It will also put to rest the speculations that Hindraf supporters would spoil PKR candidate Manikumar’s (photo) chances to win the Bukit Selambau state seat in Kedah.
Several grassroots leaders, such as Penang deputy coordinator R Sanjay, has openly criticised Anwar for rejecting Hindraf’s overture to field its national coordinator RS Thanenthiran as PKR candidate for Bukit Selambau.
Some even called for the supporters of the outlawed Hindraf to boycott PKR in the state contest.
Waythamoorthy acknowledged that Hindraf grassroots leaders and supporters were disappointed when the Bukit Selambau seat was not offered to any of the five short listed candidates, among which two were the movement’s coordinators and three more were reputable PKR local leaders.
However, he said Hindraf grassroots leaders and supporters shall never become sour grapes merely because their request had been turned down by Anwar.
“Our mutual political enemy is BN imperialist government. Our goal is to create nationwide public awareness on depleted state of the Indian community.
“We must stay focused, initiate actions and work hand in hand with Pakatan to successfully get rid of our common enemy in the next general election,” said the Hindraf leader.
He expressed confident that Hindraf grassroots activists would heed his call and back Pakatan in the by-elections.
He believed that Indian voters in Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau were politically matured and aware of the community predicament, thus would not be fooled by BN and its election gimmicks.
source: Malaysiakini
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