Leaking of Hindraf-Pakatan discussions is sinister

COMMENT I refer to Terrence Netto's comment piece in Malaysiakini, dated Feb 14, 2013.

In making this clarification, I am cautious and take cognisance of the high level of confidential discussions that took place initially between PKR on Nov 1, 2013, and the subsequent meetings with the top Pakatan Rakyat leaders that are still continuing.

However, we are disappointed that those confidential discussions could be leaked and we believe there is a sinister motive behind this by irresponsible parties to break any possible co-operation between Hindraf and Pakatan.

On behalf of Hindraf, I made the proposal for Hindraf to contest against all MIC-held seats as part of our contribution to bringing about political and social change in Malaysia. This proposal was made from the very beginning of our meeting with Anwar Ibrahim.

We made it clear to him that this request for strategic partnership was made to cater to the voice of the poor and underclass Indian Malaysians, whose voice has never been heard in Parliament. It was agreed between the parties that further talks should be held on this electoral pact.

In the last general election, Hindraf was instrumental in bringing about the following:

1. Breaking the much acclaimed "fixed deposit" Indian votes and delivering that wholesale to the opposition candidates;
2. Contributing to the loss of job of a prime minister who unprecedentedly had to leave office as a result of BN's loss of its two-thirds mandate in Parliament;
3. Contributing to the unprecedented loss of the ruling government's two-thirds majority in Parliament; and
4. Being instrumental in the opposition coalition gaining an extra five states.

Our proposal to contest in seven Parliament and 10 state seats was made after consultation with various parties and in this we have the mandate of the Indian underclass that we represent. Their voices need to be heard in the legislative bodies. Their rights and interests have to be taken into account in formulating the various policies in this country.

It'll be the most bitterly fought election

This 13th general election is going to be the most bitterly fought election in Malaysian history and it is important for Hindraf to be part of that history.

In proposing to contest seven parliamentary and 10 state seats, we made it clear that it was negotiable and that we would never ask for any seat currently held by incumbent Pakatan leaders.

Our negotiations for seats were conditional upon Pakatan Rakyat endorsing the Hindraf blueprint. In the meeting with Pakatan leadership on Feb 6, we made it clear to the chair of the meeting that seat discussions were secondary and that our primary concern and goal were to get Pakatan to endorse our proposed blueprint.

However, we were willing to make any adjustment to the wordings, language or any matter in the blueprint that was of concern to the Pakatan leadership.

On Feb 9, 2013, we declared openly, through media statements, that we were willing to mobilise thousands of Hindraf volunteers to campaign for Pakatan should Pakatan endorse the Hindraf blueprint. Our main concern is to bring the marginalised Indians into the mainstream of national development.

We are probably in the last 30 days before the general election. Parliament may be dissolved anytime now.

Pakatan has to quickly make a decision as many grassroots Indians want to know its stand before making up their minds. Our nationwide roadshows are continuing and the Hindraf leaders in seven states are meeting thousands of people weekly.

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P WAYTHA MOORTHY is chairperson of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).