Monday, March 24, 2008

Malaysia’s Hindraf leader opposes ‘only Indians’ deal [IANS]
Malaysia's Hindraf leader opposes 'only Indians' deal [IANS]Malaysia's interest in signing an agreement with India to protect Indian workers is a diversionary tactic intended to keep the latter quiet on the rights of Malaysians of Indian origin, a leader of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) said here Monday. "Such an MoU (memorandum of understanding) protecting just the Indian workers' rights will effectively silence the government of India on the issue of rights of Malaysians of Indian origin," said Hindraf leader P. Waytha Moorthy. "There are workers of all nationalities in Malaysia and the country has enough laws to protect foreign workers. An MoU with India will only create discrimination between foreign workers in Malaysia."Moorthy, who frequently visits Tamil Nadu, also called for immediate release of five Hindraf leaders being held for over 100 days in Malaysian jails under the draconian Internal Securities Act (ISA) of that country. He said: "Hindraf will continue to fight for the abrogation of this Act." Hindraf has demanded that Malaysian Prime Minister Dato Seri A.A. Badawi "table an act (in parliament) to repeal the ISA in the forthcoming session due to be held in May". The Hindraf leader, against whom an arrest warrant has been issued in Malaysia, also appealed to the Indian prime minister and the Tamil Nadu chief minister to intervene to secure the release of the Hindraf leaders.Hindraf, which claims to speak for the two million Malaysians of Indian origin, has courted controversy since last November when it held a rally that was forcibly dispersed.Five of its top leaders, who organised the rally, have been accused of trying to destabilise the state and detained for two years under the ISA.Moorthy also claimed that Hindraf was the "new voice of Malaysian Indians"."The fact that in the March 8 elections, most of the candidates of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) including (its chief) Samy Velu lost shows that Hindraf is the new voice of Malaysian Indians," he said."The election result shows people no longer believe Velu," Moorthy told IANS."We now hope that the Badawi government will now at least stop denying the marginalisation of Malaysians of Indian origin and undo the 50 years of violation of their rights," he said."We have proved people's power (Makkal Shakthi). The Muslim Malaysians and Malaysians of Chinese origin are now taking inspiration from the Hindraf movement and are demanding their rights," Moorthy said.The Hindraf leader urged the new Malyasian government to "seriously consider Hindraf's 18-point demand", and "initiate the mechanism to come out with and implement concrete plans to correct the economic and opportunityviolations against Malaysians of Indian origin". [THE END]

Posted by Hindraf Supporter at 1:01 PM
Saturday, March 22, 2008




RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED AT NATIONWIDE FORUM

1. HINDRAF through its MAKKAL SAKTI power has sent a clear message to the Government of the 50 years of marginalisation, suppression and oppression of the Indian community in Malaysia and calls upon the Government to adopt and implement all 18 demands made via a memorandum sent to the Prime Minister on 12th August 2007.

2. THIS FORUM does not believe that the 5 linked to HINDRAF detained under the ISA are a threat to National Security. The Government have maliciously linked them to terrorist organisation in December 2007, being extremist ect to justify their arrest under ISA.

THIS FORUM recognises that the Government felt threatened of losing the traditional Indian voters support as a result of the mass gathering organized by HINDRAF and show of MAKKAL SAKTI (PEOPLE POWER) ON 25TH November 2007 and hence the decision to detain under ISA.THIS FORUM calls upon the Government to immediately release all 5 detained persons unconditionally and compensate them for their unlawful incarceration.

3. THIS FORUM reminds DAP, KEADILAN and PAS that the spirit of multi racial politics shown and advocated by HINDRAF during the General Elections are a commitment given by HINDRAF on behalf of the Malaysian Indians which is a total shift from previous voting trends. HINDRAF now calls upon the above mentioned political parties to recognize the contributions of HINDRAF by appointing a minimum of 5 HINDRAF leaders in the Senate (DEWAN NEGARA), a Deputy Menteri Besar position in each of the states in Penang, Perak and Selangor and equitable numbers of Timbalan Yang Dipertua’s and councillors from amongst HINDRAF.

4. THIS FORUM calls on the Government to recognize the legitimate existence and contributions of HINDRAF to the country and calls upon the Government to immediately approve the registration of HINDRAF as a Civil Rights and Political Pressure group/organization.

5. THIS FORUM recognises that the ISA is an obsolete act of Parliament and the detention under ISA is cruel, inhumane and against all International Human Rights standards.THIS FORUM calls on the Prime Minister to table as the first act of Parliament, an act to repeal the ISA in the forthcoming new Parliamentary session.

6. THIS FORUM calls on the Government to heed calls made by all concerned citizens and Human Rights organisations to immediately release all detained persons unlawfully held under the ISA and compensate each individual for the loss of years and sufferings they and their families underwent.

7. THIS FORUM urges all Political Parties and the Government to accept the reality that HINDRAF IS THE NEW VOICE OF MALAYSIAN INDIANS.

8. HINDRAF declares and vows to vigorously campaign for the repeal of INTERNAL SECURITY ACT even upon the release of the 5 linked to HINDRAF.

Posted by Hindraf Supporter at 12:48 AM