KUALA LUMPUR: MIC's love-hate relationship with the Hindu Rights Action Force continues with the party maintaining that it is the sole voice of the Indian community.
Speaking after chairing the party's central working committee meeting, Samy Vellu took a cautious approach when asked his views on the Home Ministry's decision to ban Hindraf.
However, it did not take long for the party supremo to respond after it was pointed out that several Indian-based groups were lamenting that the community had now lost its voice. An agitated Samy Vellu then went on to speak at length on how it was the MIC, and not Hindraf, which had been successfully championing issues affecting the community.
"Oh, now they are saying the voice is from over there? What exactly are these voices? It is the MIC's voice on requests, plans, funds, committees on Indian welfare and representation that is being heard."
He stressed that it was MIC's representatives in the cabinet who raised the community's interests almost every week.
"Its not difficult to make noise but, in the end, it is the voice that can deliver results that counts."
On the party's role to seek the release of Hindraf leaders in detention under the ISA, Samy Vellu said: "This is being done on humanitarian grounds as their families have sought our help."
He said talks with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on the matter were ongoing, but he declined to elaborate. Samy Vellu also disagreed that the party would continue to lose support from the community as a result of the ban.
"We are, in fact, opening up more than 50 new branches in Penang, Kedah and Selangor, and other states, besides roping in more youths into the party."
He also announced that the party's Deepavali open house will be on Oct 27 at the Putra World Trade Centre from 10am to1pm.
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IGP: Hindraf akin to secret society
KUALA TERENGGANU: Hindraf had been likened to a secret society whose members are now on the police radar.
Musa warned the group that it would be monitored, while members would be arrested if they proceeded to organise any activities.
"They are illegal, so they cannot do anything.
"Their status is akin to a secret society," he told reporters here after attending the Conference of Rulers meeting at Istana Maziah, here, yesterday.
Musa also said police had identified several members who had "gate crashed" the prime minister and Muslim ministers' Hari Raya open house.
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We will prevail, says defiant Hindraf chief
KUALA LUMPUR: A defiant Hindraf chairman, P. Waythamoorthy, said their spirit would not be broken despite the movement being declared illegal and outlawed by the government.
"Hindraf is embedded in the hearts and souls of millions of Indians, whether in this country or overseas. That fire will not be extinguished despite Hindraf being declared unlawful," he said in a statement yesterday.
The organisation submitted an application to the Registrar of Societies in October last year but proceeded to hold gatherings before their application was approved. Waythamoorthy also labelled the detention of the Hindraf leaders as incomprehensible.
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Ban draws mixed reaction
KUALA LUMPUR: While not really being surprised, Hindraf leaders, however, expressed regret that their hopes to continue fighting for Indians community have been dashed.
"Our struggle has brought some good to the community."
He said during his recent visit to the Kamunting detention centre, he was told by the Hindraf 5 that there was a move to outlaw their movement.
"Vasantha Kumar told me that there were some within the movement who had used Hindraf for their own ends."
He was referring to the gathering at the cabinet ministers' Hari Raya open house on Oct 1 where some 300 Hindraf members caused a stir when they turned up, clad in orange T-shirts.
Hindraf national coordinator, R.S. Thanenthiran did not want to comment on the ban. He said their leader, London-based P. Waythamoorthy would be issuing a full statement today.
The following are more reactions:
* Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Khoo Kay Kim, Historian: “It’s a difficult situation. In the first place, they are not legal and as such, shouldn’t be making so much noise. Secondly, they are not clear what they are fighting for. When historians study them in the future, they will be able to better judge the truth behind Hindraf’s many statements.”
* Ragunath Kesavan, Bar Council Malaysia vice-chairman: “Making them illegal will not make the problem go away. It’s important to address the issues raised by Hindraf, not Hindraf itself. Hindraf only became prominent because it championed the issues facing Indians. The MIC has been registered for over 50 years and Hindraf has been around for only two, but they took up the Indians’ problems.”
* Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam, Transparency International Malaysia president: “You can ban an organisation but not an idea. It’s a step backwards for the country because it will discourage thinking and open debate, both of which are crucial to sustainable democracy. This strikes at the heart of the increased democracy the government has championed over the last few years.”
* Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang, President Council of Former People’s Representatives: “Their activities all this while have not been in accordance with the rule of law. They should not take the law into their own hands as it is not good for harmony in the country. “I’m afraid for our future generations and just want to see everybody living in peace and tolerance. Let’s look at things with more wisdom and not so narrow an angle. Live and let live.”
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OUTLAWED: Hindraf is 'detrimental to peace and security'
By : Marc Lourdes and R. Sittamparam NSTKUALA LUMPUR: Labelled a threat to national security, the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) has been banned by the government.
The declaration, he said, was a result of monitoring and investigations by the Registrar of Societies (RoS) since Hindraf was formed.
"As a result of the investigations, the Home Ministry, as per its authority under sections 3 and 5 of the Societies Act 1966, has declared Hindraf unlawful and detrimental to peace, public order, security and the moral values of Malaysia," he said in the statement.
"I feel that if we don't rein in their activities, they will continue to jeopardise security and public order, and our country's sovereignty, as well as upset the harmony among races."
Syed Hamid said the decision to ban the movement was not made based on only one or two misdemeanours committed by Hindraf, but covered the entire gamut of activities the group had been involved in since its organisation.
"Hindraf submitted a registration application to the RoS on October 16 last year.
"The application had not been approved, but it went ahead and organised several public gatherings and demonstrations without a permit," he said.
"They exploited racial issues which caused an uprising against the government and created hatred between them and the Malays."
He added that Hindraf had also tried to get international support in their attempts to get the government to bow to their demands, an action which tarnished the country's image.
"Considering all the facts and evidence we have, I am satisfied that Hindraf was and is being used in a manner detrimental to public order and national security.
"We advise the public not to involve themselves in any way with the activities of this unlawful organisation."
TIMELINE:
July 28, 2007: The movement begin to register on the police’s radar after some of their leaders held talks and gatherings in several states.
Aug 30, 2007: Hindraf files a class-action suit against the British government for allegedly bringing Indians to Malaysia as indentured labourers and exploiting them for 150 years and thereafter failing to protect their rights in the Federal Constitution when independence was granted. Seeks US$1 million for every Indian currently residing in Malaysia. Announces that 10,000 Indians are expected to go to British High Commission on Nov 25 to petition the Queen of England to support their suit.
Nov 25, 2007: Thousands of Indians gather at Jalan Ampang and Jalan Tun Razak. Police fire water cannons and tear gas to disperse crowds. Four officers are injured in the fracas, one sustaining a severe head wound. 136 supporters are arrested while another 105 detained. Damage to public amenities estimated at RM100,000.
Nov 28, 2007: Hindraf denies links to political parties.
Dec 3, 2007: Hindraf legal adviser P. Uthayakumar tells Singapore’s The New Paper violence is a possibility that the Indian community would consider in order to push their agenda. The movement also previously sent an email to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown alleging “ethnic cleansing” of Indians in Malaysia.
Dec 4, 2007: Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail claims he has proof that Hindraf is linked to Sri Lankan terrorist movement Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE) during a court proceeding. The statement is, however, expunged from the court recordings.
Dec 9, 2007: Hindraf denies links to terrorist movements. Uthayakumar says claims were a ploy to prevent them from seeking help from foreign governments and NGOs. Dec 11, 2007: Prominent members, V. Ganabatirau and M. Manoharan, are confirmed to be DAP members. This despite the movement earlier stating that they are not linked to any political party.
Dec 13, 2007: Described as a threat to national security and public order, five Hindraf leaders are detained under the Internal Security Act. The five are lawyers P. Uthayakumar, R. Kengadharan, V. Ganabatirau, M. Manoharan and a senior executive with Malaysia Building Society Bhd, K. Vasantha Kumar. The detainees are subsequently dubbed the Hindraf 5. Leader P. Waytha Moorthy flees to London.
Dec 16, 2007: Accompanied by about 2,000 supporters, the families of the Hindraf leaders detained under the ISA hold a prayer ceremony amid tight security at a temple in Kamunting.
Feb 16, 2008: Police use tear gas and water cannons to disperse several hundred Hindraf supporters who defy orders to hold an illegal rally at Parliament house to deliver roses to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and a petition for the release of the Hindraf 5.
Feb 26, 2008: High court dismisses Hindraf 5’s habeas corpus application, ruling their detention lawful. Dismissal later affirmed by Federal Court.
May 20, 2008: Hindraf 5 apply for a judicial review of the Federal Court decision which rejected their habeas corpus appeal.
Aug 25, 2008: In-fighting within the movement. Hindraf chairman P. Waytha Moorthy accuses K. Vasantha Kumar of being a government plant, alleging he was planted by the Special Branch to infiltrate Hindraf. Vasantha Kumar’s wife K. Vickneswary dismisses allegations as “nonsense”.
Oct 1, 2008: More than 100 Hindraf supporters turn up at Abdullah’s Hari Raya open house seeking the release of the Hindraf 5. Refusing to eat, they submit a teddy bear and Hari Raya card with their request to Abdullah. They subsequently come under fire from several government leaders for their “disrespect”.
Oct 7, 2008: Home Ministry secretary-general Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof calls for the movement to be banned.
Oct 15, 2008: Hindraf is banned.
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