Hindraf attacks newspapers for misreporting

The Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) has taken two mainstream English dailies to task for misreporting its Sunday gathering at Padang Chetty in Klang.

Hindraf information chief S Jayathas said that The Star and New Straits Times reported that the gathering was solely to vote BN out in the 13th general election.

Jayathas said that the event was also held to express the movement's disappointment with Pakatan Rakyat and Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim with regard to the welfare of the Indian community in Selangor, Kedah and Penang which Pakatan controls.

Jayathas noted that the crucial 15-point analysis of Pakatan's performance for the Indian community presented by Hindraf was not mentioned by The Star and New Straits Times.

He contrasted the reports by the two dailies with the Malaysiakini report, which he said was a proper representation of what took place on Sunday.

Jayathas said Hindraf de facto leader P Uthayakumar had never said that Pakatan's banners at its conventions or its functions did not have any Indian face.

“Neither Malaysiakini nor any of the three Tamil dailies reported that. However, the two English newspapers did. We have viewed our full video recording and at no time did Uthayakumar say that.

“For the record, Uthayakumar has never attended any Pakatan Rakyat function and is committed to seeing the end of the Umno rule in Putrajaya, and targeting the Indian poor in the 13th general election.

“We regret to note that from the above, there appears to be a common intention in furthering the Umno-BN agenda on the part of both The Star and the New Straits Times.”

Jayathas demanded that the two newspapers make corrections to their reports.

Perkasa: Indians can rely on Umno-BN

Also yesterday, Malay rights group Perkasa said it believes Pakatan and Anwar will not entertain Hindraf's demands as only the BN headed by Umno can fight for the community.

If meeting Anwar was difficult for Hindraf, Perkasa secretary-general Syed Hassan Syed Ali said, then it was clear the opposition leader could not be depended upon to help the Indian community.

“Hindraf should not rely on any last-minute meeting with Anwar, for as the general election approaches, he will promise the moon and stars. All this will remain undelivered promises.
  
“Look at the Indian community in Pakatan-held states. Hindraf has to agree, and realise, that Indian community can only depend on BN and Umno.

“BN changed the Indian livelihood since the British times for them to become successful, as some had become doctors and BN also allows Tamil vernacular schools.” Syed Hassan said.

He said BN assisted the Indian community by providing them education and they became successful engineers, architects, lecturers, lawyers, judges, senators and others.

BN, he added, had made an Indian to be one of the richest men in Malaysia, and to own an airline and a Premier League football club.

“Hindraf has to acknowledge that BN has improved the livelihood of the Indian community. If it wants to continue trusting Pakatan Rakyat, then go ahead. If Pakatan comes to power, Hindraf will know the truth.

“With BN, there is fair sharing. Hindraf has to understand that justice can only be gained with BN. Hindraf should be cautious in supporting Pakatan as many Indians will again become labourers,” Syed Hassan added.