UPDATED
By Shannon Teoh and Debra Chong
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 - The federal government today denied any racial or religious bias in banning the Hindu Rights Action Force yesterday.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said this today in response to the outcry from opposition parties over the outlawing of Hindraf.
He said it is now up to the police to take action against those who continue to associate with the local pro-Indian rights movement.
"The government's priority is to protect the security of Malaysians," he told reporters at his office, here.
He reiterated that Hindraf activities had consistently broken laws, and their illegal demonstrations turned violent and incited racial hatred.
Pakatan Rakyat MPs are, however, baffled by the Federal government's move. In a joint statement at Parliament today, the opposition coalition condemned the Home Ministry decision and its use of public order and national security as its rationale.
The statement read by Pas secretary-general Datuk Kamaruddin Jaafar commented that there were "hundreds of other civil rights movements in the country", many of which were also unregistered including supporters of Internal Security Act detainee Raja Petra Kamarudin who attended the Cabinet Hari Raya open house.
"We are puzzled as to why only Hindraf was singled out?" he queried, referring to Tuesday's questioning of Hindraf leaders by police concerning their presence at the open house.
"We urge the government to stop oppressing any civil rights movements. We also urge the government to release all ISA detainees and abolish the ISA," the Tumpat MP said.
PKR information chief Tian Chua echoed this call.
"Following this action, we might see more people and civil activists targetted and detained under the ISA," the Batu MP said.
Ipoh Timur MP Lim Kit Siang told The Malaysian Insider that the step is "counter-productive as the organisation is already not registered" in the country.
"It only sends out a message to Malaysian Indians that the government is completely unsympathetic and hostile towards you.
"It is utter folly. It shows how the government is completely clueless as to how to deal with a very real problem," the DAP parliamentary leader said.
R. Sivarasa, the MP for Subang, called it a "big mistake on the part of the government."
"Totally unwarranted, complete over-reaction," he emphasised.
The PKR vice-president stressed that the ban would only worsen the already vulnerable racial ties among the different ethnic groups.
"As Anwar says, the way to deal with Hindraf is to sit down and listen to them," he said, referring to opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's advice.
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng also released a statement condemning the ban as vengeful and politically motivated "for contributing towards BN's loss of Indian votes in the last general
elections."
The Penang Chief Minister added that Syed Hamid's logic that Hindraf exploited racial issues is "perverse."
"Would Syed Hamid apply his own reasoning by banning UMNO, MCA or MIC?
"The government should act consistently by outlawing all racist organisations since promoting the interests of only one ethnic group is by its nature and character anti-Malaysian and not contribute to racial harmony," he concluded.
Ipoh Barat MP M. Kula Segaran has also submitted an emergency motion "over the unjust, unwarranted and ham-fisted ban of Hindraf" to the Speaker under Standing Order 18 (1) and hopes it will be debated on Monday.
In a press conference, Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon took a softer stance on the issue.
He noted that as Hindraf's application to be registered had been rejected, the organisation was now "illegal" in the context of the Societies Act but that the issues brought up by Hindraf should and are
being addressed.
He explained that issues facing Indians are being addressed by a special Cabinet committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak that has implemented important measures although the results have not been immediate.
"I hope this will not stifle the freedom of expression by individuals and groups and legally registered organisations in voicing out their grievances as this is a hallmark of a democratic society," he added.
By Shannon Teoh and Debra Chong
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 - The federal government today denied any racial or religious bias in banning the Hindu Rights Action Force yesterday.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said this today in response to the outcry from opposition parties over the outlawing of Hindraf.
He said it is now up to the police to take action against those who continue to associate with the local pro-Indian rights movement.
"The government's priority is to protect the security of Malaysians," he told reporters at his office, here.
He reiterated that Hindraf activities had consistently broken laws, and their illegal demonstrations turned violent and incited racial hatred.
Pakatan Rakyat MPs are, however, baffled by the Federal government's move. In a joint statement at Parliament today, the opposition coalition condemned the Home Ministry decision and its use of public order and national security as its rationale.
The statement read by Pas secretary-general Datuk Kamaruddin Jaafar commented that there were "hundreds of other civil rights movements in the country", many of which were also unregistered including supporters of Internal Security Act detainee Raja Petra Kamarudin who attended the Cabinet Hari Raya open house.
"We are puzzled as to why only Hindraf was singled out?" he queried, referring to Tuesday's questioning of Hindraf leaders by police concerning their presence at the open house.
"We urge the government to stop oppressing any civil rights movements. We also urge the government to release all ISA detainees and abolish the ISA," the Tumpat MP said.
PKR information chief Tian Chua echoed this call.
"Following this action, we might see more people and civil activists targetted and detained under the ISA," the Batu MP said.
Ipoh Timur MP Lim Kit Siang told The Malaysian Insider that the step is "counter-productive as the organisation is already not registered" in the country.
"It only sends out a message to Malaysian Indians that the government is completely unsympathetic and hostile towards you.
"It is utter folly. It shows how the government is completely clueless as to how to deal with a very real problem," the DAP parliamentary leader said.
R. Sivarasa, the MP for Subang, called it a "big mistake on the part of the government."
"Totally unwarranted, complete over-reaction," he emphasised.
The PKR vice-president stressed that the ban would only worsen the already vulnerable racial ties among the different ethnic groups.
"As Anwar says, the way to deal with Hindraf is to sit down and listen to them," he said, referring to opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's advice.
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng also released a statement condemning the ban as vengeful and politically motivated "for contributing towards BN's loss of Indian votes in the last general
elections."
The Penang Chief Minister added that Syed Hamid's logic that Hindraf exploited racial issues is "perverse."
"Would Syed Hamid apply his own reasoning by banning UMNO, MCA or MIC?
"The government should act consistently by outlawing all racist organisations since promoting the interests of only one ethnic group is by its nature and character anti-Malaysian and not contribute to racial harmony," he concluded.
Ipoh Barat MP M. Kula Segaran has also submitted an emergency motion "over the unjust, unwarranted and ham-fisted ban of Hindraf" to the Speaker under Standing Order 18 (1) and hopes it will be debated on Monday.
In a press conference, Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon took a softer stance on the issue.
He noted that as Hindraf's application to be registered had been rejected, the organisation was now "illegal" in the context of the Societies Act but that the issues brought up by Hindraf should and are
being addressed.
He explained that issues facing Indians are being addressed by a special Cabinet committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak that has implemented important measures although the results have not been immediate.
"I hope this will not stifle the freedom of expression by individuals and groups and legally registered organisations in voicing out their grievances as this is a hallmark of a democratic society," he added.
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