Video: HINDRAF Arrest: S.O.S Bail Money

FRIENDS OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS SEEKS HELP TO RAISE BAIL FUNDS

Press Conference Media Statement

6th March 2011

RE : FRIENDS OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS SEEKS HELP TO RAISE BAIL FUNDS 

Trustees:

Pathmarajah & Co

Chartered Accountants, Certified Public Accountants

MBB Account No: 514075011112

Contact: Mr.Vijay -0133407197

           Dr.Paraman-0192358284

On the 27^th February 2011 Hindraf Makkal Sakthi organised and mobilised a Solidarity March Against UMNO Racism in the heart of KL to lodge a police report on the Institutionalised Racism suffered by 12 million non-Malays in Malaysia. Unfortunately Police began their crack down, intimidation, harassment for 2 weeks prior to the march.

Despite all obstacles more than 3,000 people managed to enter Kuala Lumpur though they were scattered all over KL and in the outskirts. It is disappointing to see this UMNO led Government clamped down on the expression of legitimate grouses of the people resulting in the arrest of about 300 people.

The Minority Malaysian Indian communities have suffered tremendously under the racist policies implemented by the UMNO led Government since independence and their condition is worsened as most are from low paid working class group. This community is left with no other choice but to raise their grouses in legitimate ways. One such ways is the recently organised Solidarity March.

The Government realises that Hindraf Makkal Sakthi and the Human Rights Party is opening a new dimension in the outlook of Malaysians in the area of human rights and have changed the political equations, and thus as usual have taken the most drastic method of clamping down these Human Rights Defenders by pressing criminal charges upon them. This is a blatant abuse of power and Human rights.

We, FRIENDS OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS, are appalled by this act of targeting Key leaders and their well wishers in the hope that this democratic movement could be clamped forever. We feel sorry for those persons who were detained and some who suffered injuries

So me and a group of friends and well wishers have stepped forward as Friends of Human Rights Defenders, to raise funds and post bail for those 100 odd persons who have been charged or expected to be charged. Today, another 6 persons will be charged in Kedah.

The money collected will be placed in a bank account operated by independent accountants as ‘clients account’ and will be disbursed solely for bail for those who stand up for human rights.

We shall administer these funds in the most professional manner, account for the funds disbursed and make it public by placing the details of collections in the Human Rights party website  http://www.hrp-my.org/.

We urge all Malaysians, including Chinese and Malays to show their support and contribute. For human rights concerns all, not just the Indians. Fighting for human rights is fighting for all.

Thanking you.

Friends of Hindraf Makkal Sakthi and Human Rights Party

 

Hindraf leader Ramesh charged, 53 in all

Another Hindraf leader has been charged with being a member of the outlaw organisation.

KUALA LUMPUR: Hindraf national secretary P Ramesh was today charged with being a member of an unlawful society at a magistrate’s court here today.
He was charged with committing two offences under the Societies Act 1966. This brings the number of people charged since last Sunday’s rally to 53.

According to the first charge, Ramesh was a member of Hindraf, and therefore committed an offence, outside a hotel at Jalan Thambipillay, off Jalan Tun Sambanthan, at 8.30am on Feb 27.

The word “Hindraf” in the chargesheet was changed to Hindraf Makkal Sakthi after the deputy public prosecutor Vincent Chew applied for the change.

Ramesh, 40, is also charged with possessing banners and documents totalling nearly 100 which appear to further the cause of Hindraf, an outlawed organisation.

Some the banners read: ‘People’s march solidarity against Umno’s racism’, ‘We demand equal rights for 12 million non-Malays in Malaysia and… universal standards of democracy’, ‘Hindraf is not anti-Islam’ and ‘What – racism? Who – Umno? When –54 years? Where – 1Malaysia? How –Marginalised? Why – Racist agenda’.

The first offence comes under Section 43 while the second under Section 47 of the Act.
Ramesh, also Human Rights Party (HRP) pro-tem Perak chief, pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Double standard
If convicted, Ramesh faces a maximum three-year jail term or RM5,000 fine or both for the first charge and a maximum of two years jail and a maximum fine of RM5,000 fine or both for the second offence.
Magistrate Mohd Azali Ibrahim set bail at RM8,000.

Mention date was fixed for April 11.

HRP’s pro-tem secretary-general P Uthayakumar, who is a lawyer for Ramesh, together with M Manoharan, Hindraf legal adviser, told FMT that the prosecution of Hindraf supporters showed that the government practised double standard.

“I submitted in court that in 1988 Umno was declared illegal by the Kuala Lumpur High Court. The named was changed to Umno Baru, and now they’ve dropped the word Baru. It is contempt of court to be using the word Umno. They (Umno) don’t even have a court order to ban Hindraf or Hindraf Makkal Sakthi but they’re going after us.”

“This is in contravention of Article 8 of the Federal Constitution which provides for equality before the law,” he said.

On Feb 27, police arrested 109 people from different parts of the city and crippled a planned Hindraf rally.
Hindraf, which rose to fame after a mammoth rally in 2007, is a banned organisation but the group has now come under a new name – Hindraf Makkal Sakthi. It is closely linked to the political party HRP.

‘Malicious prosecution’
The Hindraf rally was to call for an end to “Umno’s racism” as well as seeking a ban on the controversial textbook Interlok. The group also held gatherings nationwide on the same issues.

On March 1, five men, including HRP information chief S Jayathas, 44, were charged at the Selayang magistrate’s court with being Hindraf members.

One of them was also charged with obstructing a public official from carrying out his duties by pushing Insp Mohd Aster Mohammad, causing him to fall to the ground.

On March 3, six men were slapped with similar charges at the Ipoh magistrate’s court.
Yesterday, 21 people, including five women, pleaded not guilty at the Kuala Lumpur magistrate’s court with being members of Hindraf.

At the Seremban magistrate’s court, 20 people, including state HRP chief S Sivarasa, pleaded not guilty to being Hindraf members.

All charges came under Section 43 of the Societies Act.

“To me, the charges on all the Hindraf supporters are basically a malicious prosecution by the attorney-general and an abuse of his powers,” said Uthayakumar.

“The charges are also politically motivated and intended to stiffle and finish off Hindraf Makkal Sakthi, which is a mere minority rights and human rights NGO.

“We are not a secret society; we have never been a threat to the country. This is an attempt by the Umno-led government, under its racist policies, to stop us from raising legitimate grouses and championing the Malaysian Indian poor.”

Harassment against Msian protestors continue, will we stand with them?

By Nathaniel Tan,

I just got off the phone with an activist who has been active in a lot of the death in detention cases, as well as with the HRP and Hindraf movements.

While news on the post protest arrests seems to have long faded from the news, I am told that people are continuing to be arrested and charged in court.

Apparently some RM 42,000 has had to be paid in bail, mostly for working class Malaysians who really do not need this excessive economic burden placed on them just because they exercised their right to assemble peacefully.

I was told one gentleman from Perak was charged basically for walking out of his Brickfields hotel with Hindraf banners in his possession. Bail was set at RM 8,000.

We’ve heard a lot of hype and drama about the movements in the Middle East, and rightfully so. There, great things are taking place, as the people seek to reclaim their nations.

I know many people aren’t always so comfortable with some of the positions that Hindraf takes and such, but there is no denying that they have every right to assemble peacefully and make their feelings felt.

I am all for cheering on our counterparts in the Arab world, but it would be remiss of us to do so while turning a blind eye to the more subversive repression going on under our noses.

This harassment and intimidation of Malaysians who are standing against oppression and racism must stop.

At the very, very least, let’s not let it leave our minds. Please do help spread the word. Thanks.

HRP vice-president,info chief nabbed

Solidarity Against UMNO's Racism

HRP Selangor chief arrested (Malaysiakini)

Police today arrested K Selvam, the Selangor information chief of the Human Rights Party (HRP), at his home in Kampung Benggali in Rawang.

According to HRP information chief S Jayathas, Selvam was picked up at 12.45 this afternoon and taken to the Selayang district police station for questioning.

“Three patrol cars stopped in front of his house while he was with his wife and children, and served him with a warrant of arrest,” Jayathas told Malaysiakini.

Jayathas said he understood that Selvam (right) would be charged under Section 43 of the Societies Act and would be brought before the magistrate’s court in Selayang at 2pm.

Selvam is to be charged with organising, participating and helping with illegal convoysof protesters.

Either HRP leader P Uthayakumar or HRP legal adviser M Manoharan is expected to represent Selvam.

On Feb 13, 59 HRP members in Selangor, Perak and Kuala Lumpur were arrested as police came down hard on their nationwide convoys heading for meeting to protest against the novel Interlok.


Later this afternoon, four more HRP activists were arrested. They are Jayathas himself, P Samy, R Nava and one Loshana, who is also said to be a Special Branch police officer.

[More to follow]

Hindraf march: Why double standards?

(Malaysiakini) The mass arrest of Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) activists who were trying to hold a rally on Sunday has raised questions over police treatment of peaceful demonstrations.

Coalition of Malaysian Indian Associations secretary G Gunaraj said the arrest of 108 Hindraf activists smacked of double standards because pro-government activists were allowed to demonstrate unobstructed.

“I recall the day when Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin (right) led some 8,000 people to protest Israel's attack on the mv Mavi Marimara in front of the United States Embassy last year.

“Instead of being detained for questioning, Khairy was given police escort. However, in Hindraf's case, they applied for a permit, but this was rejected on the eve of their peaceful march,” he said.

Gunaraj said the activists were all behaving in a peaceful manner and the amount of force used against them was disproportionate.

Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) human rights committee chairperson Liaw Kok Fah expressed shock that the police arrested Hindraf legal adviser P Uthayakumar at his home.

“How could the police do that? At Uthayakumar's home? I mean, the police should at least wait until he attended the march… pick him up there, with the rest of the crowd,” said Liaw.

MIC leader: Police colour blind

Liaw said that such arbitrary arrests showed that the authorities did not respect individual rights and echoed Gunaraj's views about the double standards of the police force.

“Back in 2009, protesters with a cow's head hurt the feelings of the Hindu community. They were spitting and kicking it but no one was handcuffed or shoved into police trucks.

“Was that what (the authorities) call a peaceful demonstration, as compared to what Hindraf was trying to achieve yesterday?” he asked.

However, two MIC leaders contacted both believe that the police acted appropriately.

“Police had given their warning earlier for them not to carry on with the rally as Hindraf is illegal. Hindraf does not respect the police or the rules and regulations in Malaysia.

“The police force is blind, it does not see colour, race or religion,” said MIC information chief V Mogan.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minsiter's Department T Murugiah said the police had acted appropriately and did not manhandle any protester.

Murugiah said the protest had tarnished Malaysia's image.

'Interlok should be withheld for now'

On Sunday, Hindraf had initially planned a rally from KLCC to the Dang Wangi police station to lodge a police report against the Form Five Malay literature textbook Interlok.

The group, along with other critics, has been arguing that Interlok portrays the Indian and Chinese communities in negative light and should thus be withdrawn.

Gunaraj said the authorities should rightfully withdraw the book completely, instead of continuing to discuss the matter.

“I do not see any point in the novel still being used in schools in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Negri Sembilan.

"What is their (BN government's) motive? What is their agenda? What are the benefits for these three states to continue using that novel?

"The government had better do something fast about this matter as it has been months. Even their own MIC partners are not agreeing with themselves on this issue,” Gunaraj pointed out.

Mogan said the MIC has taken steps to “remedy the matter” and that the party's proposal would be forwarded to the prime minister and education minister.

Uthayakumar: Police abusing powers under CPC

HRP's P Uthayakumar says it is unprecedented of the police to use Section 105 of the CPC against protesters.

KUALA LUMPUR: Human Rights Party’s (HRP) pro tem secretary P Uthayakumar claims that the police are abusing Section 105 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) that provides for arrest to prevent seizable offences.

“This section has never been used before. It is unprecedented and a danger sign to Pakatan Rakyat and NGOs,” he said at a press conference at the HRP headquarters here today.

He also said that 14 people who held a candle light vigil in solidarity for those who were detained at the Jinjang police station were arrested and not allowed the right to representation.

“The police did not allow me to represent them. They were also not allowed to make phone calls,” he said.
One of the 14 is a 17-year-old youth V Pirasad who is reported to be missing, said Uthayakumar.

He also claimed that police did not allow outsiders into the station.

All 14 were forced to sit on the floor.

Uthayakumar was arrested and later released yesterday along with HRP pro tem president W Sambulingam and pro tem vice-president K Selvam. The latter two had related how they were beaten up while in detention.
Uthayakumar also said that Hindraf Makkal Sakthi would not be necessary if the Umno-led government resolved all the problems faced by the Indian poor.

“Resolve the Indian problems, and we’ll close shop,” he said when commenting on press reports that Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak is willing to meet Hindraf Makkal Sakti leaders to resolve problems of the Indian community.

Hindraf hails rally a great success

Hindraf says it has evidence to show the police have been brutal to the Indian community during the Feb 27 protest.

KOTA KINABALU: Hindraf Makkal Sakthi hailed its planning for the Feb 27 anti-racism rally at the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) as a great success.

The ad hoc apolitical human rights movement dismissed the police claim that they had thwarted the rally “as a mixture of outright lies, half-truths and propaganda”.

“We have documented enough evidence to show how brutal the police and Umno can be,” said Hindraf man P Waytha Moorthy early today from London from where he stage-managed the Feb 27 event via the Internet.

He was commenting on Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s statement to the press last night that Hindraf was out to paint the country in a bad light abroad and that it was an unlawful organisation.

Najib has been reported as also saying separately that the Indian community did not need Hindraf.

Waytha Moorthy said that Najib was trying to link the country with the fate of his party, Umno, “which was responsible for racism, racial prejudice and racial polarisation”.

He also dismissed Najib’s claims that Hindraf Makkal Sakthi was an unlawful organisation.

Explaining the status of his movement, Waytha Moorthy claimed that Hindraf was declared unlawful in late 2008 even before the Registrar of Societies responded to its application for registration as a human rights society.

Movement’s legitimacy

The “banned” Hindraf, according to him, has now been replaced by Hindraf Makkal Sakthi which is pending registration. The so-called ban on Hindraf, he added, doesn’t apply to Hindraf Makkal Sakthi.

“Late last year, we held our first national convention at the Chinese Assembly Hall in Kuala Lumpur,” said Waytha Moorthy.

“Why didn’t the police stop our national convention then on the grounds of it being an unlawful organisation?”

He reminded the press and police that Umno had been declared unlawful by the Kuala Lumpur High Court and that the Umno Baru which replaced it had long since ceased to be active.

Waytha Moorthy denied that he was getting into semantics. Instead, he urged that the media focus on Umno and not question his movement’s legitimacy.

“We don’t deny that we are after Umno. We are determined to expose the evil that this party has become in the country,” said Waytha Moorthy, citing the controversial novel Interlok as an example. “Umno is a menace to Malaysia and the future of us all.”

As an example, the Hindraf chief pointed at the racial profiling of Indians by the police and their behaviour towards the community as a manifestation of the deep-seated racist mindset of the Umno government.

“As our various live feeds and video hook-ups of Feb 27 show, the police did not conduct themselves with respect towards the Indian community and the handicapped,” said Waytha Moorthy. “They went after any Indian, mostly innocent ones, found within the vicinity of KLCC.”

He asked whether it was the policy of the government to deny Indians even the right to wait at a bus stop to take a ride to wherever they were headed.

International community

Asked what Hindraf intended to do with the evidence it had gathered on the Feb 27 rally, Waytha Moorthy said that his NGO intended to present it to the international community.

“We will work closely with Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and human rights defenders,” said Waytha Moorthy. “They recognise us although the Malaysian government keeps saying that we are an unlawful organisation.”

Post-Feb 27, Hindraf’s first order of business would be to seek a meeting with Najib to present him with the report on the proceedings of a conference it held in Kuala Lumpur on Jan 23.

The meeting, which focused on the marginalised, disenfranchised communities and minorities in Malaysia, also drew participation from the Orang Asli and representatives from Sabah and Sarawak.

“Najib wants us to send him another memorandum on our problems. So, we will send him the Jan 23 report,” said Waytha Moorthy. “He’s still sitting on our memorandum from last year on our 18-point demand and the list of over 100 problems besetting the community.”

Hindraf plans to hold a series of rallies nationwide calling for “an end to Umno’s racism”. Waytha Moorthy declined to disclose when and where the next anti-Umno racism rally will be held.

“Interlok is a manifestation of the racism of Umno,” said Waytha Moorthy. “We will not be deterred. We will risk detention and arrests. We are prepared to fill all the police lock-ups in the country.”

Hindraf blames cops for failed march

The Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) had blamed the police force for the failure of yesterday's 'People's March in Solidarity Against Umno's Racism'.

"The march was unsuccessful because we were arrested (on the spot) by the police force, and we were outnumbered," Hindraf coordinator W Sambulingam (left in photo) said in response to Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein's comment last night.

Human Rights Party (HRP) chief P Uthayakumar (right in photo) said it was impossible to proceed with the peaceful march, considering that the police had rejected their application for a police permit.

On Feb 11, Hindraf had submitted an application to Inspector-General Police Ismail Omar for a permit to hold the peaceful march, but it was rejected by Dang Wangi police on Feb 24.

It does not make sense to say the peaceful march was a failure, Uthayakumar told a press conference, since police had also stopped and given a stern warning to those intending to support the march.

"None of this (the arrests) would have happened if they approved our application. All we asked for was a permit to march peacefully, to show what we are upset and to present our demands... ," Sambulingam said, adding that there was no bad intention behind the gathering.

Supporters released

All Hindraf supporters who were arrested attempt were freed in stages yesterday, except for 14 supporters who showed up for a candlelight vigil outside the Jinjang police station last night.

"They were released about 3pm today, including 17-year-old Virasanth Visvanathan, who had been held at the Sungei Besi station," Uthayakumar said.

Yesterday, some 200 Hindraf supporters made their way to the Jinjang police station, demanding the release of their leaders.

At 8am yesterday, Uthayakumar was intercepted and arrested by four plainclothes police officers as he left his apartment in Pantai Hillpark, Kuala Lumpur.

Asked to comment on Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's statement that "Hindraf wanted the police to use force on them", Uthayakumar denied the accusation, insisting that the Hindraf march was to have been held peacefully.

Uthayakumar also said the movement is willing to meet the prime minister whenever it suits him.

"We will kuburkan (disband) Hindraf, provided the prime minister obliges our 18-point demand. We are giving Umno a tip for on how to kuburkan Hindraf... just answer our demands on what has been done, what is being done and what will be done for the Indian community," he added.

18-point demand

On July 28, 2007, Hindraf had submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, making an 18-point demand for the Indian community.

Among the demands are that:

• The Umno-controlled government should set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the 'Kg Medan mini genocide', condemn the violence, apologise to the Indian community for this, undertake not to repeat the same in future and pay compensation of RM1 million for every citizen killed, permanently maimed, maimed or injured in this tragedy.

• All forms of racial and religious discrimination, oppression and suppression of the Indians/Hindus in both the public and private sectors should be stopped with immediate effect; a Race Relations Commission Act, an Equal Opportunities Commission Act and a Freedom of Religions Commission Act be enacted; powerful commissions be created to give effect to anti-racism, anti-Islamic extremism and anti-direct discrimination practices by the Umno-controlled government, in both the public and private sectors.

• A minimum of 20 opposition members of parliament be elected exclusively by the Indian community to represent their interests at the highest political level and also as a parliamentary democracy check-and-balance; this should be safeguarded and entrenched into the federal constitution, and increased proportionately with the increase in parliamentary seats.

As for now, the movement will not hold any form of demonstration.

Asked if Hindraf had a time frame for an answer from Najib, Uthayakumar replied: "We will wait and see, as we have been waiting for the past three years for a change.

"But, Umno must stop all their wayang kulit and take this seriously, as we do not like to demonstrate for no reason. No one likes to do so."

HRP supporters demand release of Uthayakumar

HRP/ HINDRAF Press Conference (28/02/2011)

No.6, Jalan Abdullah, Off Jalan Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel: 03-2282 5241 Fax: 03-2282 5245
Website: www.humanrightspartymalaysia.com Email: info@humanrightspartymalaysia.com
Your Reference :
In Reply :
Date : 28/2/2011
HRP/ HINDRAF Press Conference (28/02/2011)
Re:
1) Hindraf 14 more arrested including one juvenile- MIA from police custody since at 2.30a.m last night.
2) Police brutality and one more notch down for human rights and civil liberties in Malay-sia because a citizen can now be arrested even before and/ or because “he intends” to attend a Peaceful Rally.
3) Police unprecedentedly abusing Section 105 of the Criminal Procedure Code for this purpose. Press Conference by P.Uthayakumar.
Date : 28/02/2011 ( Monday )
Time : 12.30 p.m
Venue: Human Rights Party HQ, No 6, Jalan Abdullah, Off Jalan Bangsar.
Contact Num: 03-22825622, 03-22825241 – HRP HQ

INTERLOK – ITU ATA APA SALAH, AH?

by Eyes Wide Open

HartalMSM has received some comments from people who find nothing wrong about the Interlok book being used as required reading in schools. Their reasoning usually goes along the lines of “The things mentioned in the book really happened among Indians and Chinese immigrants what, so what’s the big deal?”

Honestly, I felt the same way until my respected HMSM colleagues decided to pick up the cause. What I discovered left my eyes opened wide.

This issue of Interlok goes way beyond HINDRAF’s anger over the word “pariah”. It even goes beyond the negative stereotyping of Chinese and Indian immigrants. And it is absolutely NOT about the present generation of Chinese and Indians being “too sensitive”.

So what IS the real issue then?

It’s the dangerous indoctrination of our children with BTN-style racial prejudice.

Some people might say “Aiya…really meh? Sure or not?”

So far, HartalMSM has been exposing the themes of the book. But now, let’s look at what will be actually taught to our children in school.

Below are some excerpts from the Cemerlang Bahasa Malaysia website (written by BM teacher who is obviously very passionate about his job). It contains very comprehensive synopsis and lessons to be taught from the novel.

Tema

Novel Interlok bertemakan integrasi tiga kaum utama di Malaysia, iaitu Melayu, Cina, dan India yang terpaksa melalui pelbagai cabaran untuk hidup bersama-sama dalam sebuah negara yang bebas dan bermaruah.

- So far, so good. But then it all goes downhill from there.

Persoalan

4. Persoalan semangat patriotisme yang kuat dalam kalangan masyarakat imigran

Kim Lock dan Maniam masing-masing berusaha dengan cara sendiri untuk membina sekolah di kawasan tempat tinggal mereka bagi memastikan anak-anak mereka tidak lupa akan asal-usul bahasa ibunda mereka.

5. Persoalan kesedaran politik masyarakat berbilang kaum

Lazim dan rakan-rakannya membentuk kumpulan menentang Malayan Union demi menjaga maruah orang Melayu. Kim Lock juga menyertai persatuan untuk menjaga kepentingan kaum Cina, manakala Ramanjuga berusaha untuk menyatukan kaum India di negara yang baru merdeka itu.

- So the Malays, Chinese and Indians are portrayed as only loyal to their own countries and their own race. And they need to be organised along ethnic lines to champion their own ethnic causes. Is this all starting to sound a little too familiar yet?

Watak

5. Watak Pak Musa

Seorang yang tidak berpandangan jauh / tidak mementingkan pendidikan anak-anak. 
Seorang yang pandai menyimpan rahsia 
Seorang yang suka berhutang 
Seorang yang suka menolong orang

- The Malay characters are characterised very simply as can be seen above. Pak Musa is analysed in 4 points. Seman (main character in the novel) has 9 points. Characterisation of the Indian characters are similarly shallow, with the main Maniam character summarised in 7 points.

Contrast with the Chinese characters: Kim Lock (supporting character) has 7 points (equal to the main Indian character and almost on par with the main Malay character). And Cing Huat (main Chinese character) has awhopping 17 POINTS. Among the characteristics of Cing Huat that students will learn are:

3. Watak Cing Huat

Watak yang penting kerana beberapa peristiwa penting yang menimpa watak utama, iaitu Seman berpunca daripada tindakannya. 
Seorang yang mementingkan pelajaran 
Seorang yang suka menderma 
Cing Huat sangat setuju jika didirikan sekolah untuk anak-anak kaum Cina agar mereka tidak melupakan asal-usul mereka. 
Seorang yang mementingkan keuntungan / mementingkan diri 
Cing Huat sanggup meminjamkan wang kepada Pak Musa dengan cagaran tanah. Jika gagal membayar hutang tersebut, tanah Pak Musa akan dirampas oleh Cing Huat atau Cina Panjang. 
Bersikap Prejudis 
Cing Huat tidak membenarkan anaknya Yew Seng berkawan dengan orang Melayu, khususnya Lazim kerana pada sangkaannya mereka akan menjadi malas seperti orang Melayu. 
Melebih-lebihkan anak lelaki 
Cara berfikir Cing Huat masih terpengaruh dengan ayahnya yang tidak menghargai kelahiran anak perempuan. Akhirnya Cing Huat sedar akan kesilapannya apabila dia sanggup bekerjasama dengan orang Melayu dan India.

- So the BTN’s propaganda themes of the Chinese robbing and cheating the Malay of their wealth, the Chinese are not loyal to Malaya, the Chinese are only loyal to China, the Chinese stubbornly demand to be separate from the Malays, the Chinese hate the Malays, the Chinese look down on the Malays, yada yada yada are repated ad nauseam in the novel and being lectured to hundreds of thousands of SPM students – EVERY YEAR!.

And could this obssession with demonising the Chinese have anything to do with the fact that Abdullah Hussain was at one time a government servant for both the Japanese and Indonesian governments – both famous for rabid anti-Chinese sentiments? Too much of an assumption? Well…

And then there may be some who might say: “The Chinese last time really like that ma. The book is about integration, take it positively that the moral of the story must be good la!”

If only.

Nilai

7. Nilai Cinta akan tanah air
Cing Huat berusaha dengan cara sendiri untuk membina sekolah di kawasan tempat tinggal mereka bagimemastikan anak-anak kaum Cina tidak lupa akan asal-usul dan bahasa ibunda mereka.

Kaum India yang diwakili oleh Cikgu Raman juga mendirikan sekolah Tamil agar anak-anak India tidak lupa akan asal-usulnya.

8. Nilai prihatin
Cing Huat berusaha dengan cara sendiri untuk membina sekolah di kawasan tempat tinggal mereka bagimemastikan anak-anak kaum Cina tidak lupa akan asal-usul dan bahasa ibunda mereka.

- For a novel that is supposed to teach racial unity, it is surprising that our young minds are taught again and again that Chinese and Indians really, really love their “tanah air” – China and India.

And here is the final slap in the non-Malay face. The lessons to be taken from the novel are:

Pengajaran

5. Kita hendaklah gigih berusaha untuk mencapai kejayaan dalam hidup.
Di Tanah Melayu, orang Cina dan India berhijrah dari satu tempat ke tempat yang lain untuk memperbaiki kehidupan mereka. Contohnya, hasil kegigihannya, Kim Lock berjaya membuka kedai yang menjual pelbagai barangan.

6. Kita tidak seharusnya mudah putus asa terhadap sebarang kegagalan.
Gagal di satu-satu tempat, tidak mematikan semangat Kim Lock, sebaliknya dia berpindah dari satu tempat ke satu tempat sehinggalah dia bertapak kukuh di Simpang Empat sebagai pekedai runcit dan menjual pelbagai barangan lain.

- This falls neatly in line with the BTN propaganda that the Chinese & Indians came to Tanah Melayu to suck its wealth and escape the shithole of a homeland they had. The Chinese especially is emphasised as having completely taken over the Malays’ wealth through their incessant, ruthless cheating and lying, so “apa lagi Cina mau” right?

7. Kita hendaklah mencintai tanah air sendiri.
Cing Huat berusaha dengan cara sendiri untuk membina sekolah di kawasan tempat tinggal mereka bagimemastikan anak-anak kaum Cina tidak lupa akan asal-usul dan bahasa ibunda mereka.
Kaum India yang diwakili oleh Cikgu Raman juga mendirikan sekolah Tamil agar anak-anak India tidak lupa akan asal-usulnya.

8. Kita hendaklah menderma kepada orang yang memerlukan sekiranya kita mampu.
Cing Huat berusaha dengan cara sendiri untuk membina sekolah di kawasan tempat tinggal mereka bagimemastikan anak-anak kaum Cina tidak lupa akan asal-usul dan bahasa ibunda mereka.

Again and again and again, the message is reinforced that the Chinese and Indians are separate and not really a part of Tanah Melayu. Instead their loyalty is to their homelands – China and India. The evidence of this are the vernacular schools that the immigrants established that teach the Chinese and Indian students to love China and India. (Remember that this is not any speculation on HartalMSM’s part, but it is a lesson breakdown done by an accomplished BM teacher!)

Imagine what the Malay students will think of their Chinese & Indian fellow students who studied at vernacular primary schools? Then imagine 4 years of public uni where the same message is reinforced by the BTN. Then imagine those going into govt service where re-auditing the BTN courses is a compulsory criteria for promotion.

The westernised liberal adults need to realise that the target market of this book are not the affluent, western-educated liberal adults who hold on to “live and let live” attitudes. The target market is the hundreds of thousands of young Malay kids who will form UMNO’s vote bank in GE14.

So the powers-that-be really couldn’t care less what the non-Malays think. In fact, if more non-Malays have this “live and let live” attitude and convinces others to be the same, it helps their cause incredibly!

So forget about voting to show your displeasure when GE13 comes – you may just find that in GE14 your one vote has been tsunami-ed by the 500,000 other pro-BTN votes because you didn’t think that Interlok was an issue to be taken seriously today.

Interlok Arrests: Najib Should Walk the Talk

A protester was pushed down, his face rubbed against the road, kicked and then arrested.

I am not writing about what happened in Libya. This scene took place in Kuala Lumpur, a couple of minutes away from KLCC, Malaysia’s symbol of growth and prosperity.

Ahead of time, the police had locked-down Kuala Lumpur to prevent members of Human Rights Party  and supporters from gathering to stage a protest, calling for the ban of Interlok.

Friends who were on location around the KLCC said that the police verbally abused the protesters including media workers.

Indians sighted around the Shangri-La Hotel and KLCC area were stopped, interrogated and even had their identity cards scrutinized.

Journalists were asked to show their media passes and shouted at for filming the violent arrests.

A few days back Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak slammed Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi for unleashing violence on his people who were opposed to his rule.

“We believe he should not use violence. What is important for us is to take into account the aspirations of people…The system should be legitimate, it has to be based on support of people” –

These are Najib’s words.

His deputy, Muhyiddin Yassin, called on Gaddafi to allow the people to demonstrate peacefully.

Therefore, what happened on the streets of Kuala Lumpur today clearly shows that the UMNO-led Barisan Nasional government practices double standards.

Interlok contains racial slurs against the Indians.

It is a slap on the face of Malaysian Indians and clearly a play of racial politics, crafted to please the ultra-Malays.

It’s me or chaos – this the mantra of Gaddafi. Toe the government line or face abuse is the slogan of Barisan Nasional and particularly UMNO leaders.

And if Ghaddafi says that the Al-Qaeda instigated his people to take to the streets, UMNO says that issues raised against Interlok were carved out by the opposition.

This is a joke.

In Northern Africa and the Middle-East, we are seeing an uprising as people stand up to re-claim their rights.

Here, Malaysian Indians are fighting to retain their dignity against a piece of literature which is derogatory. And if UMNO cares about democracy, the leaders would allow for legitimate dissent instead of trying to keep a lid on it.

As I write this, the whereabouts of the 109 protestors who have been arrested are unknown.

This further caricatures the abuse of power by the police force. And bins Najib’s 1Malaysia policy which zeroes in on national integration through racial unity.

Opposition politicians and non-governmental organizations have repeated calls for the setting-up of an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).

The recent high-handed behaviour of the police at peaceful protests signals the crucial need for an independent body to act as a check and balance on the force.

I, therefore, call on the government to immediately set-up the IPCMC and release all those detained at the protest.

Charles Santiago

Member of Parliament, Klang.

P.Uthayakumar finally released

Uthaya, 108 others arrested to quash HRP rally

Indian Uprising

Hindraf protesters play cat-and-mouse game

KUALA LUMPUR: Hindraf protesters today played a cat-and-mouse game with the police as they attempted to assemble sporadically at various spots around the city.

Their attempts were thwarted after police arrested 109 people, including Human Rights Party (HRP) pro tem secretary-general P Uthayakumar, HRP president and Hindraf coordinator W Sambulingan, Hindraf and HRP national adviser N Ganesan, information chief S Jayathas, Selangor chief K Selvam, Perak head P Ramesh and Kedah HRP chairman R Ramu.

However, police have released all of them in the late night.

City police chief Deputy Commissioner of Police Zulkifli Abdullah told FMT that they have been released in staggered stages.

He also denied that the number of supporters arrested was between 120 and 380 as claimed by Hindraf. “Do you believe our figures or theirs (Hindraf’s)?” he asked.

Meanwhile, despite the setback, Hindraf has claimed the protest was a “victory”.

“We are proud about our arrests. We don’t feel guilty. We just want justice, for the Interlok novel to be banned and racism to be stopped,” Sambulingam said, adding that he was assaulted by the police.
“We are innocent civilians without arms and we are gathering peacefully. Why do the police need to show their might?” he asked, adding that he was punched, pushed to the ground, kicked and stepped
on before he was hauled in.

The protesters were supposed to have gathered at Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) at 9am this
morning and march to the Dang Wangi police headquarters to lodge a police report against the government for Umno racism.

The demonstrators were also targeting the controversial Interlok novel for its derogatory remarks about the Indian community.

Earlier, reporters ran helter-skelter to capture the moments of drama as Indians, suspected to be protesters, were detained around the heavily guarded KLCC vicinity.

No one knew the actual number of Indians participating in the rally, but police said they were did not reach 500, contrary to the organisers estimation of over 2,000.

Many were arrested at the bus, taxi and railway stations before they could begin to organise themselves.

Roads sealed
Roads leading to KLCC were all sealed and roadblocks were erected in Jalan Ampang, Jalan Kepong, Jalan Cheras, Jalan Tun Razak and Jalan Duta-Sungai Buloh Highway.


One of the protesters, Chandran, 45, from Klang, told reporters at the KLCC that several supporters have arrived but were unable to gather.

“Why is it so difficult to move around? We just want to be the voice of the Indian community,” he said, before being hauled away.

Uthayakumar himself was picked up at his residence at Pantai Hill Park Condominium at about 7.50am while the others were picked up later.

Malaysia Makkal Sakti Party (MMSP) president Kannan Ramasamy and several MMSP members were also detained.

However, a group of 30 people managed to assemble in front of the Australian High Commission at 10.15 am to protest against Interlok.

They were led by PKR members MS Arjunan (former Chenderiang PKR candidate), S Murali (Puchong division) and A Ponnusamy (Pahang deputy chief).

The protest march that did not take place in KLCC eventually took shape at Sri Kortumalai Pillaiyar temple, near Jalan Pudu, where about 300 gathered there at about 10.30am.

“To hell with (Deputy Federal Territories and Wellbeing Minister) M Saravanan,” said one protester, S Ramachandran, 36, who was referring to the MIC vice-president’s press statement in a Tamil daily asking police to arrest the protesters.

Among others, the protesters chanted slogans “Hapuskan Interlok” and “Jangan hina kaum India”.

‘Hounded like dogs’

Meanwhile, before Ganesan was arrested, he lambasted the authorities for cracking down on a peaceful protest. “We are hounded like dogs. We are not a threat to national security. Umno is the threat,” he said.

Ganesan also listed four demands: release all those detained, ban the Interlok novel, rescind the ban on Hindraf and abolish all racist policies.

There was also a small argument among the protesters at the temple as the organisers did not allow other protesters to put up their banners.

The protesters then marched to the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters off Jalan Hang Tuah.
A stand-off took place as the Federal Reserve Unit was ready to charge but spokesman A Thiruvenggadam negotiated with the city police deputy chief Amar Singh, who allowed them to sit down at the parking area.

The crowd then left for Jinjang to show support for Hindraf Makkal Sakti leaders detained there.

‘No respect for law’

Meanwhile, Zulkifli expressed disappointment over the conduct of the protesters.
“I am disappointed that they have been stubborn and have acted in this manner despite our advice to them to call off the protest,” said Zulkifli.

“This shows that they do not respect the law,” he added.

Zulkifli also said that police were aided by 13 Indian NGOs which helped dissuade many Indians from participating in the rally.

While under detention, the protesters were being investigated under Section 27(5) of the Police Act for illegal assembly and the leaders under Section 45(1) of the Societies Act 1966 for inciting people to become a member of an unlawful society. A reporter and a citizen journalist were investigated under Section 186 of the Penal Code for obstructing police.

Meanwhile, Hindraf legal adviser M Manoharan claimed that Jayathas was badly injured and unconscious when he last saw him.

“Jayathas and I were driving past the British Consulate and the police came and arrested him when he was speaking to some disabled protesters. There was a scuffle and I saw Jayathas falling to the
ground and assaulted,” he said.

Manoharan said he also witnessed Uthayakumar’s arrest, adding that police had no grounds to arrest him.

Report by: K Pragalath, Teoh El Sen and B Nantha Kumar

'Anti-racism' rally: Over 100 arrested

By Anil Netto,

Over a hundred demonstrators unhappy over the controversial Interlok book have been arrested and detained all over Kuala Lumpur ahead of and during a Hindraf/Human Rights Party rally to protest at what they perceive to be racism.

According to a tweet by a Hasbeemasputra, six were held in IPD Sentul, 120 at PULAPOL (they are now believed to have been released), and an unknown number in Dang Wangi and IPK KL.

Among those arrested or detained were Human Rights Party leader P Uthayakumar, who is being held at Jinjang police station, where a crowd of about 300 has gathered. Other Hindraf supporters are believed to have gathered at IPD Sentul.

“Allow legitimate protests, stop the repression. Release all detained,” said opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim in a tweet.

An interesting detail has emerged: a Pakatan MP told me he heard that Hindraf/Human Rights Party sources had told certain Pakatan leaders and their supporters not to get involved in or to hijack or take advantage of today’s event, as this is something the latter has organised. Thus, Pakatan representation or involvement in today’s rally is minimal, if at all.