Ex-Hindraf leader set to join Anwar’s PKR

By Baradan Kuppusamy

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 18 — Former Hindraf leader and ISA detainee Vasantha Kumar is expected to join the PKR on Nov 25, the 2nd anniversary of the protest by thousands of working-class Indians.

Vasantha, the least known of the five Hindraf leaders, has been touring the country since his release from Internal Security Act (ISA) detention in March and whipping up support for the NGO that he heads but without much success.

He was also courted by the DAP but is understood to have decided to instead to join PKR.

The Malaysian Insider understands his decision was made after he and other senior PKR leaders met Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim Anwar recently.

Anwar is expected to be the VVIP at Vasantha’s Hindraf 2nd anniversary celebration in Klang on Nov 25 where about 5,000 people from across the country are expected to attend.

In return Vasantha is expected to be fielded by the PKR in a seat in Kedah in the next general election.

When contacted today, Vasantha confirmed a “VVIP” will attend the Klang celebration but declined to confirm or deny whether he has joined the PKR.

“All in good time,” he told The Malaysian Insider. He said the Klang event is significant and would reconnect Pakatan Rakyat (PR) with the Hindraf movement.

Vasantha was the leader closest to lawyer and Hindraf founder P. Waythamoorthy, now in exile, and his brother P. Uthayakumar. He handled the movement's finances.

But the brothers had a massive falling out with Vasantha, who also lodged police reports against them, over numerous issues including money matters.

The brothers later accused Vasantha of being a “Special Branch agent”.

After his release Vasantha went into business.

He also tried to help in PR's campaign in the recent Bagan Pinang by-election.

But nearly 70 per cent of Indian voters who had voted for PR in 2008 chose Barisan Nasional (BN) instead.

Senior PKR sources said Anwar’s readiness to accept Vasantha has to do with the party’s need to re-connect with the Tamil masses which had supported PR in 2008.

BN has been giving the community greater attention by resolving numerous issues they faced and winning their hearts and minds.

Anwar’s attendance at the Klang event will be significant step in PR's attempt to win back the Indians.

“He will recognise Hindraf and pay tribute to the sacrifices of the Hindraf leaders,” said a senior PKR source.

“He will urge it to continue to speak up for the Indian community and support the Pakatan Rakyat.”

Uthayakumar, the leading light behind Hindraf, has formed his own Human Rights Party while Waythamoorthy remains as nominal head of Hindraf, a movement banned by the government as an extremist organisation.

Other Hindraf leaders have either joined the DAP or gone apolitical.