Syed Hamid: NGOs involved in Hindraf activities face action

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 24 - Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar today warned that any non-governmental organisation (NGO) found to be involved in Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) activities would face the law.

He said this was because Hindraf was declared illegal by the government on Oct 15 for its militant activities, and that its actions contravened Section 5 (1) of the Societies Act 1996 and were a threat to public order, peace, civility and moral values.

“It doesn't matter what name they use, action will be taken...it's not an action against Indians or Hindus. This is action against groups that associate themselves with militancy and have extremist views,” he told reporters at the ministry's Aidilfitri open house, here.

The Kajang Magistrate's Court today ordered the remand for three days of 10 Hindraf followers arrested yesterday under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code and investigated under Section 48 of the Societies Act 1996 over an alleged illegal assembly to submit a memorandum to the prime minister.

On Hindraf leader P. Waythamoorthy who is now in Britain and claiming that the Malaysian government had cancelled his passport, Syed Hamid said Waythamoorthy could take back his passport at the Malaysian High Commission there.

The minister said Waythamoorthy's passport was taken by the British police when he entered the country due to the police-to-police networking as he had a case at that time.

Asked about the status of the Hindraf leader for staying in Britain without a passport, he said it was up to the British government to deal with him.

In another development, Syed Hamid said the cabinet meeting today was informed of the setting up of a task force under his ministry to look into delays in handling citizenship and identity card applications and problems involving birth certificates.

He said to date, there was a backlog of about 30,000 applications for citizenship and the cabinet was keen to see the problem resolved as soon as possible.

“I've already made a visit to Sabah and will be visiting Sarawak to look at the problems there. And I've ordered the formation of a mobile team to process the applications and I hope that we can buy a few vehicles for the purpose,” he added. - Bernama