By Melissa Loovi - The Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, May 28 – Self-exiled Hindraf leader P. Waythamoorthy today strongly condemned the prime minister calling the movement’s statements extreme, accusing him of being callous and playing to racialism.
“In what way were the statements made by Hindraf leaders extreme in nature?” Waythamoorthy asked in a statement released from London, where he has been staying since other Hindraf leaders were held under the ISA for organising a street rally in November 2007.
He was responding to Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s comments on Sunday that Hindraf leaders should not overstep boundaries in making comments after their release from Kamunting.
“How can the call by the Hindraf leaders against the review on the release of the Hindraf detainees and accordingly equal & fairer treatment towards all Malaysian are construed as extreme in nature when the prime minister shouts out for 1 Malaysia,” he said.
Waythamoorty, who has vowed to return to Malaysia following the release of all Hindraf leaders from detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA), including his brother P. Uthayakumar, accused Najib of ignoring the grievances of the Indian community in Malaysia.
“Instead of looking into the genuine grievances raised by Hindraf and addressing them objectively, the government plays to the tune and sentiment of racialism as capitalised by certain elements,” added Waythamoorthy.
The government has outlawed Hindraf, accusing the unofficial organisation of inciting racial sentiments after the rally but the Hindraf leader said the movement has created awareness with the objective “ to ensure an equal and fair treatment in a nation that we call Malaysia”
He also asked the Najib Administration to engage with all parties to deepen the solidarity, respect history, culture and traditions “rather than abusing its power by threatening and intimidating through its machinery, which is more in line with authoritarianism, intolerance, and a police state”.
“The warning issued by the PM is one that is callous in nature, without regard for the suffering of the minorities, in particular the poor and neglected ones across the board, and their sentiments to create a better Malaysia for all,” Waythamoorty said.
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