Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Shahrir defends UMNO's Ketuanan Melayu

Taken from Malaysian_Indian@yahoogroups posting

20 yrs a long time shahrir, your vision blurred, don't confuse yourself with old ideologies, no race is supreme under the constitution, malay privilege is no malay rights and this privilege is limited to the hardcore poor and not the rich malays.stop harping ketuanan melayu and concentrate on ministerial job.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2008

Shahrir defends Umno's 'Ketuanan Melayu'
Kong See Hoh, The SunPETALING JAYA (April 29, 2008): Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad has poured cold water on Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR)'s rally cry of "Ketuanan Rakyat" (people's supremacy), saying "Ketuanan Melayu" (Malay supremacy) cannot be done away with unless the Federal Constitution, which accords the natives their special rights, is amended.Said Shahrir: "In fact, it depends on how people interpret it (Ketuanan Melayu). To me, Ketuanan Melayu is linked to the survival of the sultanate system. To abolish "Ketuanan Melayu" means to change the constitution to do away with the sultanate system in favour of the presidential system."Shahrir, who was appointed Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister recently after an absence of 20 years from the cabinet, told Sin Chew Daily this when asked to comment on PKR president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail's remark that if her party comes to power at the federal level, party adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will champion "Ketuanan Rakyat" and not "Ketuanan Melayu".Shahrir said he is not of the view that the sultanate system can be maintained as part of the "Hak Istimewa Melayu" (Malay special rights) (if Ketuanan Melayu) is replaced with Ketuanan Rakyat.He said Ketuanan Melayu determines the present facets of the country and keeping the sultanate system is part of Ketuanan Melayu as prescribed under Article 153 of the constitution.Shahrir said only by reforming the present government system, to one of presidential system, can Ketuanan Rakyat be practiced. Otherwise Ketuanan Melayu is not to be denied.Ketuanan Melayu cannot be denied, because the constitution has institutionalised a system of Constitutional Monarchy for Malaysia. If the Ketuanan Rakyat as espoused by PKR is implemented, where will the sultans be?" he asked.He felt that Ketuanan Rakyat that is being bandied about by PKR is just a political catchphrase.He said Ketuanan Melayu is something that exists under the constitution. What Umno is doing – in shouting for Ketuanan Melayu – is just defending the concept of Malay special rights as enshrined in the constitution.He said although the sultans do not have executive power, they still have power (over their territories) as indicated by the flexing of power by state rulers in the selection of mentris besar in some states recently."This shows that sultans have their power and role under the system of constitutional monarchy, otherwise why should Pakatan Rakyat (PR) compromise (on the selection of mentris besar?"If Pakatan is championing Ketuanan Rakyat, it would not have compromised, " he said.Meanwhile, Wan Azizah begged to differ, saying the so-called "Ketuanan Melayu" is a phrase coined by Umno, and has nothing to do with the special rights the constitution accords the Malays in language, religion and land matters.She said Ketuanan Melayu is just a concept and when Pakatan Rakyat proposed to replace it with Ketuanan Rakyat, the coalition did not intend to abolish the system of constitutional monarchy – in other words, there is no change to the position of the Malay rulers.Speaking to Sin Chew, the parliamentary opposition leader said: "We did not ask that Article 153 of the Federal Constitution, which guarantees the special position of the Malays, be abolished."When we talk about Ketuanan Rakyat, apart from the special rights enjoyed by the Malays, we want all the people to enjoy equal rights."We reject Ketuanan Melayu because PR wants to be a government which looks after all the people, and not for a particular race to reign supreme."Wan Azizah stressed that as a Malay and a Muslim, it would be wrong under Islam for her to ignore non-Muslims who need help.She said she believed Shahrir said what he said to defend Umno.

No quick end in sight for ISA-Syed Hamid

No quick end in sight for ISA, PPPA

http://malaysiakini .com/news/ 82149

Apr 30, 08 12:58pm

Newly-appointed Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar quashed any hopes of a quick end to restrictive media laws when he told RTM1's 'Bersemuka Bersama Media' programme that the Printing Presses and Publications Act was still valid.

The former foreign minister also extinguished any hopes for quick changes to the Internal Security Act, arguing that "the preventive law was more effective in pre-empting unrest in the country than normal measures".

During the hour-long programme, which was broadcasted live last night, Syed Hamid said that in a multi-racial and multi-religious country, such laws were necessary to ensure peace and harmony.

"We are not against people's freedoms but at the same time, we need the ISA to stop people who incite others before any damage is done," he said.

"Freedom is not just about rights but also about responsibilities too. And as the government, we've to ensure there is balance in the two matters.

"During Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's administration, a lot of leeway is given to people, be it media, rallies or public forums, but many still perceive that it is not enough."

Room for improvement

While he admitted there was still room to improve the system, the minister stressed that the ISA is still necessary to ensure that peace and harmony remains in the country.

Asked why ISA detainees were not brought to court, Syed Hamid said this was done to protect the government's intelligence gathering units and secrets.

It was also pointed out to the minister that some detainees have be held for as long as six years without trial.

"Besides protecting certain information the government has acquired, the objective of ISA is to re-habilitate people and not treat them as criminals. Once they are no longer deemed dangerous, we release them.

"And because this is not under the Penal Code, they go back to society without any criminal records," Syed Hamid explained.

Asked if the re-emergence of such laws in United Kingdom and the United States after the Sept 11 attacks has encouraged the government to keep the ISA, Syed Hamid answered, "There will be a time for that (to dismantle the ISA) but not now".

He also dismissed suggestions that the government uses the ISA as a tool to clamp down on its political rivals as "nonsensical" .

"If you look at the recent elections, there was a lot of freedom given everywhere. Furthermore, the ministry does not issue instructions for the use of ISA, it is the police who do that," said Syed Hamid.

Sufficient freedom

On media freedom, he said that there was sufficient freedom in the country with some 31 newspaper licences issued.

"Furthermore, if you look at the recent elections, dissemination of news is no longer restricted to traditional avenues like newspapers and television. Information sharing is now very rampant on blogs and alternative news websites such as Malaysiakini.

"As such, we don't see any restrictions placed on the media in Malaysia," said Syed Hamid.

Asked whether the government has from time to time instructed mainstream news editors to not publish certain news, he told the panelists to look to the future and not the past.

"While, yes, the government has sometimes told the mainstream media not to highlight crimes or even the haze issues, but this is something of the past.

"And when we did that, it was done with the intention of not frightening tourists," he added.

The weekly programme is hosted by RTM with panelists from other media organisations.

Besides its host Sabarudin Ahmad Sabri, yesterday's interview saw the participation of The Sun's political editor Zainon Ahmad and Malaysiakini editor K Kabilan.

Friday, April 25, 2008

MIC Youth: Review Hindraf 5's detention

Mkini - Apr 24, 08 5:49pm

MIC Youth has called on the government to review the Internal Security Act (ISA) detention of the five Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders.
In a statement today, MIC Youth chief SA Vigneswaran said the five should be freed if they are no longer considered a security threat.
'At that material time, the decision (to arrest) was warranted for if every demand is taken to the street then the democratic process will be in jeopardy and this will lead to chaos.
'But now when we go down (to the ground), the true sentiment is that they feel that these people were punished for asking for their rights.
'And because this was reflected in the general election result, they feel that the government is not adhering to their sentiments,' he added.
Vigneswaran said if the five are still considered a threat then it is incumbent on the home minister to be transparent and explain the reasons for their continued detention.
He also suggested that the five could be released with conditions if there is a need for this.
The five leaders were detained on Dec 13, shortly after Hindraf had organised a mammoth rally which drew some 30,000 people to the streets in Kuala Lumpur.
Those detained are P Uthayakumar, V Ganabatirau, R Kenghadharan, M Manoharan and T Vasantha Kumar.
Manoharan had also won the Kota Alam Shah state seat in the March 8 elections which he contested from behind bars under a DAP ticket.

Religious conversion
Meanwhile, MIC Youth also recorded its appreciation to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi over his recent decision concerning the issue of religious conversion.
The premier had said that those seeking to convert to Islam must inform their family beforehand.
Apart from this, Vigneswaran appealed to the premier to also enforce a rule for prospective converts to obtain a 'release certificate' from recognised religious bodies such as the Hindu Sangam.
'When a convert chooses to convert out of the religion, the decision should also be left to his right without any restrictions, ' he added.
Vigneswaran’s statement comes following a two-day MIC brainstorming session held in Penang which ended today.
Elaborating on the session, the Youth chief said numerous issues were discussed in depth, including those raised during the recent general election.
In a nutshell, Vigneswaran said the dismal performance of MIC members in the polls is a result of their failure to resolve sensitive issues pertaining to the Indian community.
'The issues involve religious rights, educational issues, government contracts, business opportunities and employment in the civil service,' he added.
He also said the government appeared to be uncommitted in resolving issues affecting the community and this allowed certain groups to take advantage of the situation and influence the community to turn its back on MIC and the BN government.
'It seems that the efforts of the BN for the past 50 years are no longer something to be proud of,' he added.
Silent no more
Vigneswaran said this allowed movements like Hindraf and Makkal Sakthi to flourish and they received support from the opposition which exploited the sentiment for political mileage.
'In view of this, MIC Youth has decided not to keep silent any longer or blindly follow protocol when there is a need to voice out sensitive issues.
'This does not mean that we will ignore or not adhere to the existing directive as a BN component party,' he added.
Among the strategies devised during the session, Vigneswaran said it includes the immediate setting up of a toll-free line for the community, especially the youngsters, to channel their grouses in a more effective manner.
MIC Youth will also form a ‘task force’ to receive complaints directly without delegating it to other quarters.
Another move will be the immediate creation of an electronic media team called ‘E-Team’ to counter the allegations raised by the opposition in cyberspace.
Vigneswaran also said that MIC Youth will look into education issues as well in an aggressive manner.

Letter from MADPT abt Suhakam report on Uthaya

Charles Hector Apr 25, 08 3:48pm
I refer to the Malaysiakini report Suhakam: Uthaya wasn't denied treatment.
Madpet (Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture) is disappointed by the fact that the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) made and pronounced conclusions about complaints about detention conditions and health care of an Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee in Kamunting Detention Centre without even meeting with the said P Uthayakumar.
The Malaysian Human Rights Commission should never come to any conclusion or finding without at least meeting and talking to both sides.
In this case, it was reported that the Suhakam team, led by Human Rights Commissioner Siva Subramaniam, had meetings with `…senior officials, the doctor and police personnel at the camp, as well as medical personnel in Taiping hospital'.
It was also reported that `Uthayakumar was neither present during the four-hour probe, nor interviewed by the team'. When Siva Subramaniam was asked why Uthayakumar' s side of the story was not heard it was reported, `He pointed out that media reports were also sufficient to highlight Uthayakumar' s plight'.
The manner in which this `inquiry' was done and the conclusions reached are very wrong, and is a deprivation of Uthayakumar and his family's fundamental right to be heard and participate in any inquiry and/or investigation.
Uthayakumar is already a victim of a draconian law that allows for detention without trial - where there is no right to defend oneself; no right to a fair and open trial and no right to even go for judicial review of the alleged reasons for detaining him.
As such, the manner in which Suhakam conducted themselves in this case makes it even more deplorable and is certainly unacceptable behaviour for a national human rights commission.
Madpet seriously hopes that the making of such speedy `conclusions - in this case by Commissioner Siva Subramanian - was not affected by the fact that his current term expires in July 2008, and a belief that a `pro-government' positioning now may assist chances of a re-appointment for another two-year term.
Human rights commissioners and Suhakam must at all times be independent and be seen to be independent and fearless and should only be driven by human rights and justice considerations. If a human rights commissioner cannot do this by reason of fear or some other reason, then the proper and ethical thing to do is to resign.
Madpet urges Suhakam to immediately retract its conclusions about the complaints by Uthayakumar, his family and/or his friends as reported in the media, and conduct a proper inquiry into these complaints in the proper manner – which would necessarily include that the fundamental rights to be heard and to participate be accorded to the alleged victim and the complainants.
Madpet also calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Uthayakumar and all those currently detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) and other laws that allow for detention without trial and that all laws that allow for detention without trial be repealed.
The writer represents Madpet.

Open letter - Suhakam’s probe “UNTRUE”

By. G Kanchana

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) as a supposed independent vanguard of human rights in Malaysia should be the first to come into the defense of victims of abuse, in this case P.Uthayakumar, or at least take the initiative to ensure the truth is unveiled through an appropriate and accurate probe that includes both sides being heard. After all wasn’t Uthayakumar the very person in the centre of the issue? Wasn’t it he who made the complaints?
If a one sided probe is sufficient, than from my very own probe it seems Suhakam deliberately refrained from interviewing Utayakumar. Had they done so, they may well have had to throw accusations at the prison officials and police officers. We know from past history this is something Suhakam abstains from doing. Perhaps that’s why time after time it has earned itself the name of “ toothless tiger ”. If this is the manner in which Suhakam conducted its previous inquiries into other human rights issues than, I fear for the preservation of “truth”.
Suhakam has decided, or perhaps been coached to portrait P.Uthayakumar as a liar. Are they now saying that his sugar level did not rise to three times the normal level and that he had not been admitted to the hospital for this reason, that from the blood test done at the hospital, urea, protein and cholesterol were above the limit and this condition had led to some blurring of his eyesight, that infact there is fear there may be minimal damage to his heart for which he is scheduled to undergo some test’s.
Aren’t these symptoms that a diabetic would suffer if medication was not taken, in this case medication denied? Is Suhakam saying none of the above things took place?
What prove does Suhakam have that he Uthayakumar only received salt and sugar-free food and drinks. Can rice and Malay style foods which are constantly sweet in nature be construed as ‘diabetic diet? Is mere assurance by the party which would otherwise be guilty, sufficient? Uthayakumar has repeatedly conveyed his problems of not obtaining diabetic diet and medication to his family and lawyers. He made similar complaints for his friend Mr. Kengatharan who is a vegetarian. Infact it was claimed by his lawyer, that on a recent visit and upon requesting for hot drinks (with no sugar) for both of them, she had been shocked to find that the drinks came extremely and unnecessarily sweet, that they had to put it away. Uthayakumar has been consistent with his claims. How can Suhakam carelessly or maliciously doubt the victim and not the perpetrator.
As to his medication it is my contention that Suhakam has misled and twisted the issue once again. The statement that Utayakumar had expressed satisfaction with the medication he received (if made at all) would have been while he was admitted at Taiping Hospital and receiving treatment there. Being a well established hospital with dedicated and meticulous doctors they would certainly uphold the need for medical treatment. At all times Uthayakumar was referring to not having been given medication at the Kamunting prison.
Uthayakumar’s contention was that for one month he was not given his diabetic medication by the prison officials and this despite his 6 written requests to see the Director of the prison. The prison authorities can claim or even demonstrate to Suhakam the ample stock of diabetic medication in their possession but that does not mean nor prove that they had given him those medicines.
Medication was brought by his family and lawyers only because he had not received the same from the prison. He was beginning to feel very weak and tired. Despite this he exercised daily in a desperate hope that the sugar level would be lowered. If not for the exercise his sugar level could have been at the most dangerous level. Knowing, that without medication and consumption of non-diabetic meals he was going to be very ill, he requested for medication to be brought by his family. It was not to substantiate the medicine supplied by the prison (as indicated by Suhakam) but rather it was the only medication that he could have had. What was the motive behind refusing Uthayakumar his medication?
Suhakam has further ridiculed itself by claiming medical confidentiality and media reports being sufficient to highlight Uthayakumars plight. Did Suhakam also conduct a similar fact-finding probe on others who claimed medical neglect at Kamunting, namely of a detainee by the name of Sanjay Kumar who apparently made more than 30 request for treatment. He was admitted only after his situation got critical. He is now suspected of being paralysed on one side. Did Suhakam attend to him or his problems ?????

As to the fact that Uthayakumar’s family did not approach Suhakam – can you really blame them? Can you really blame how people feel about Suhakam, a body created by the government for the government. Thus far, apart from preparation of reports and recommendations Suhakam has not played an active role in upholding the rights of the people in this country. Its probe’s and inquiries should not be seen as eyewash for the government.
The very same people came to you as a Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC), lodging a complaint about the incident in Batu Caves that took place on the day before the Hindraf rally. Their allegations encompassed alleged use of excessive force by the police to disperse the crowd that had gathered there. A series of photographs were shown on how the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) had fired tear gas and used water cannon against those caught within the temple compound. One photograph depicted several FRU members inside the compound - the site of one of the holiest Hindu shrines in Malaysia.” After that, they just kept on pumping tear gas inside.

Where is Suhakam’s public inquiry or at least a ‘fact-finding’ probe into the Batu Caves issue and of course the November 25th 2007 Hindraf Rally itself. A rally that claimed denial of human rights , discrimination and marginalisation. Shouldn’t Suhakam be seen to be acting without fear or favour?

It was once said by Mr. P Ramakrishnan
“……..that the protection of human rights and the preservation of civil liberties in this country will always require the active participation of conscious citizens.”
Uthayakumar and all those we consider as true and active human right advocates personify this statement.

However as concerns Suhakam, I quote Mr. P.Ramakrishnan again :
“ Accordingly, I had always thought that a fundamental assessment of Suhakam’s role and work must determine whether Suhakam is a creature of the BN government, or an ally of the national movement for justice, whether, in other words, Suhakam sides with those who abuse human rights and violate civil liberties or gives true assistance and solidarity to the victims of the same abuses and violations.

Personally, I wouldn’t blame Mr. P.Uthayakumar if he had refused to see you had he even been invited.
He was merely fighting for his rights under Article 5 (1) of the Federal Constitution i.e. his right to life which includes right to proper medical attention.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

1st Msian Indian appointed as Speaker in State Assembly

First Malaysian Indian, appointed as a speaker for Perak state assembly. Reliable informer said, Y.B.Sivakumar, Tronoh state asemblyman is the candidate for the state speaker. The history will named him as a first Malaysian Indians who has been appointed as a state speaker. This is a history for Indians and Malaysians. State speaker is a second highest position's after the Menteri Besar. This is a good move from "Pakatan Rakyat" since they promised the new Malaysia for all Malaysian and of course this is bad information for Semi Value's party. They are still begging to Pahang MB to appoint MIC man as an EXCO yet MB are not bothered about the appeal. MIC was so loyal to umno yet umno has never give a due respect to this party. With more appointment' s from Indian community in Pakatan Rakyat's government, I'm dare to say, the chances for MIC to regain the lost ground is getting slimmer.

Valga Makkal Sakthi

source: http://doi-moi. blogspot. com/ [write your comment in blog]

Reply to Suhakam's Dato Siva

Hi all,

It is clear evidence tht the government is under pressure to immediatally close the case of illtreatment to Uthaya.
There are many Amnesty, Human Right and even International red Cross have condemn the the ill treatment by the camp warden. They have personally wrote letters to Msian government and cc to Suhakam ( as there is only this body claim representing Human Rights in Msia).
Tht is why the Suhakam step in so fast even there was no official request by HINDRAF neither the family to Suhakam over the condition of Uthaya.
Hindraf have deal with Suhakam many times before and Suhakam repeatly telling that they are working within scope given and they are not activist, they can only advise, they are bound to Parliament and many more of this and that restriction to themselves.

They spent tonnes of money on printing the annual report on human right in Msia, ( u can see hundreds of reports) for many recent years in their office at Jalan Raja Laut. They say they only visit and write report and cant do anything beyond that. They are expecting Parliament to talk abt this !!!
Aiyoo aiyoo which "not so smart" rulling government will open this report and condemn themselves in the Parliament ???
There was an government officer told to media tht Suhakam is toothless tiger, but I think he was wrong by using "tiger", he should instead use "cat".

Mr Siva had made it twice !! He is popular in giving statements that is half true and favor to his ex-employer ( the government). He was chase out from a human right meeting by various NGO groups few months ago for giving a "not smart" statement about BERSIH gathering. He said tht the police have act wisely by using tear gas and water cannon in dispreasing the crowd !!! This is still in the mind of many ppl. He is not fit to be in the commission if he failed to understand what is human right !

Mr Siva is not a medical expert nor pharmist to understand the medical need of a diabetic patient. He is a ex cikgu whom most of the time attending meetings for union.

If Uthaya's diabetics have rose up to 18.8 which is 3 times higher than normal person, there is a serious medicine consumption or a serious uncontrolled non diabetic food consumption. Any normal person would understand this.

So what went wrong?
Why was the medicine not given for 1 month ? Proven thru medical report tht says his pottasium level drop below normal and his uric acid rose up.
Uthaya was very ill as his sugar level rose high as his family and lawyers visited him, after several complaints then only the camp sent him to hospital.

Being detained in a camp with control food supply, theoritically a diabetic person should get better as he will have control food and proper medication BUT it was reverse in Uthaya's case !! So what is so mystery here.
Are there any attempt by the camp to "kill" Uthaya systematically inside ??
If his uric acid rose high, his eye sight have problem and his heart muscle function irregularly as all these were mentioned in his medical report and due to that he was approved for further check up thru ECO than Uthaya is really in serious health condition due to improper diabetic control.

Mr Siva of Suhakam and others whom delaying proper medical treatment to Uthaya are just doing more damage to his health and life !!
HINDRAF wont wait long to react.

Thx
Kannan R
Hindraf Makkal Sakthi Event Coordinator.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Abolish ISA Seminar in Penang






Taken from a blog on the recent Hindraf organised "Abolish ISA Seminar" in Penang.


Some 3,000 Hindraf Makkal Sakthisupporters call for release of ISA detainees in Penang recently organise seminar call for Abolish ISA.


For one moment, it looked as if the general election campaign was not yet over. The orange shirts were back in numbers. A similar crowd had packed the Penang Chinese Town Hall in the run-up to the general election.
Makkal Sakthi is still alive and kicking - and the newfound sense of solidarity has not abated one bit.
But how was Hindraf, the organiser, able to get a permit so easily for this gathering? Well, I suppose it helps if your star speaker is the Penang Chief Minister! Not that permits should be required for such gatherings. A couple of uniformed cops sat in the audience, a couple more outside the hall.
Syed Ibrahim, the coordinator of the Abolish ISA Movement (GMI), gave a run-down on why the ISA had to be abolished. Also on stage was human rights lawyer Latheefa Koya. It has been a long time since I had seen such a huge crowd enthusiastically calling for the release of ISA detainees. In between, cries of Makkal Sakthi! and Valga! (Long live people power!) pierced the air.

How times have changed. If we want to look at it from a racial point of view, you had a Malay activist addressing a largely Indian crowd at the Chinese Town Hall!

The fear is gone as we can see some young girls sign a petition calling for the release of ISA detainees as Fadiah from the GMI/Bar Council Human Rights Sub-committee beams
I don’t think I have seen so many people queuing up to sign petitions calling for the release of ISA detainees. (Some of these detainees have been held for more than six years!) Where previously people would have been afraid or reluctant to sign such petitions, tonight there was no such fear. People were distributing all sorts of anti-ISA literature. Volunteers collected donations for the ISA detainees’ families. Amazing! Surely, it can’t be too long before the ISA is totally abolished.

Penang CM YB Guan Eng is mobbed outside the hall by Hindraf supporters after giving the five state governments’ backing for the release of ISA detainees
It was an especially meaningful occasion for Guan Eng. Tonight was exactly 19 years to the day since he was released from ISA detention in 1989.
Guan Eng delighted the audience in the packed hall when he told them, “You are not alone in your call for the release of ISA detainees. You have five state governments backing this call and I will take this message to Parliament!” he said to loud applause. He told the crowd that the huge swing in their votes had made a big difference in the general election this time.
The entire gathering rose to their feet to cheer when a petition calling for the release of the ISA detainees was later handed over to the Chief Minister.
Later, after the event, I ran into a few pals, J, M and S, at a hawker centre. Politics was the hot topic. J wanted to take a bet (beers and kacang!) that Anwar would be Prime Minister by 1 Sept while S and M looked sceptical.
All three of them wanted the ISA abolished. But M and S said they would first like Mahathir to experience what it felt like to be unjustly detained in Kamunting and cut off from loved ones. “Just for six months and then we can abolish the ISA!” said S.
I looked at S. He was serious.
J and I, however, felt that this would be wrong. No one deserves to be detained without trial, not even Mahathir or whoever else has used this harsh and evil law. Everyone has the right to a fair trial.

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Forget not your ideal, HINDRAF

Forget not your ideal, Hindraf
Naragan Apr 16, 08 4:11pm

Hindraf has had some major successes in the very recent past and has created a major impact on the politics of Malaysia. Hindraf has contributed to a change of the whole political landscape.
It was when the people started responding in a large way to Hindraf’s initiatives from Nov 25 that these major events started to happen. Even as the momentum was gathering in the days prior, Hindraf was just another organisation. In fact, many were only marginally involved with Hindraf prior to that. They were galvanised into action only from Nov 25. Hindraf had existed for several years prior to that and had been struggling (and very hard at that) as just another organisation till the Nov 25. Then the big things started to happen.
What all of this says is that the major successes of Hindraf have been possible only because of the ‘Great Wave’ that was created beginning the Nov 25. Without the wave, there would be nothing significantly different today.
Hindraf must never forget this. Any time Hindraf forgets this, it is surely on its way out from the influential position it finds itself in now.
The people rallied behind Hindraf because of an ideal. The ideal is this – confront injustice without fear. Confront the injustices of police brutality, the injustices of mindless demolition of temples, the injustices of a careless government, and the injustices of an apartheid type of system.
This fearless confrontation touched the people at the core of their souls and created a ground swell of support of tsunami proportions. This unexpectedly provided a significant basis for almost complete unity among the Indians in the country.
The unity the Indians needed as a minority ethnic group to be able to have more say over their own destinies. The kind of unity the Indian minority group needs to stop the destruction of their places of worship, to stop their continuing impoverishment, to stop the denial of access to quality education, to end a system that marginalises them as policy, to stop the continuing bullying both by thugs from within and without and to begin the process towards winning their rightful place under the sun, here in Malaysia.
That is the ideal Hindraf needs to continue to stand for. It is that ideal that P Uthayakumar stood for in those years that Hindraf was seen as a maverick organisation, and which today resonates in the hearts of millions of people. Hindraf has created such a resonance within the hearts of our people. When we have the courage to stand up and speak up for the people, the people respond with their hearts and souls. Only possible, only possible, I repeat, because of the ideal Hindraf was created on.
As long as Hindraf does not abandon the path towards this ideal, Hindraf will get continuing support from the people. The day Hindraf deviates from this ideal, Hindraf will lose their reason to be and the support from the people will dry up and it will only be a matter of time before Hindraf also will fade into oblivion.
No ideal – no Hindraf.
So, what all of this in my opinion says is that Hindraf cannot expect to lead the Indian people in Malaysia without really standing for this ideal. Hindraf’s focus must be to continue to confront injustice wherever and whenever it occurs, courageously and consistently. Hindraf must use the position they have created now to take this on to more, larger and substantial issues of injustice.
Indians cannot win in a straight forward numbers game, they are too small to count – 7- 8% of the total population. But experience also shows, that effects of a colossal proportion far beyond what these numbers suggest can be created just by being united and by synchronising the energies of this small number.
This, then, should become Hindraf’s central strategy. Continue to confront injustice, continue to build unity and continue to build synergy. Continue to have the people solidly behind Hindraf and push against the injustices in the system and create national change in the process.
The inertia of the system, however ,is great. So one must not be deluded into thinking that the next initiatives will easily bear fruit. There are many challenges and obstacles ahead. There is much work to be done. Only by having the people solidly behind Hindraf can Hindraf yet move ahead.
Confrontation against injustice and creating of unity and synergy are Hindraf’s central missions. All else will follow, I say.

Email Campaign to lift ban on Makkal Osai

,“Merdeka News Center” hari ini menyuruh agar orang ramai menghantar email kepada Datuk Syed Hamid Albar, Supaya keputusan mangharamkan surat khabar tamil “Makkal Osai” dapat dikaji semula,“Merdeka News Center” merupakan satu pertubuhan untuk memelihara kebebasan dalam surat khabar,(V. Gayathry)Pengerusinya, V. Gayathry hari ini berkata,“Marilah kita menghantar email kepada Menteri Keselamatan Dalam Negeri, Datuk Syed Hamid Albar, menyuruh beliau supaya tidak mengharamkan Makkal Osai, dan menyatakan Makkal Osai telah melanggar mana-mana syarat kementerian.
Kami mahu menahan mereka daripada menggunakan kuasa untuk mengharamkan kebebasan surat khabar dan kebebasan rakyat untuk menperolehi maklumat. “Explain why you denied the permit and lift the ban on Makkal Osai” V. Gayathry mencadangkan agar subjek email yang dihantar kepada pembantu Datuk Syed Hamid Albar iaitu Intan diletakkan sebagai “Explain why you denied the permit and lift the ban on Makkal Osai”, dan menghantar satu salinan kepada “Merdeka News Center” supaya “Merdeka News Center” dapat sentiasa mendapatkan penjelasan seterusnya

Email Address pembantu Syed Hamid Albar - Intan
intan@moha.gov.my

Email Address Merdeka News Center:
gayathry@cijmalaysia.org

GOPIO writes to new Msian Govt

Friday, April 18, 2008

GOPIO WRITES TO THE NEW MALAYSIAN GOVERNMENT


In the letter to Minister Subramanian, GOPIO President Inder Singh said, "although your own party did not achieve the margin of seats you may have expected in the recent election, your elevation to the highly respectable and responsible ministry provides you a unique opportunity to woo back 2.5 million Malaysians of Indian Origin, the majority of whom have lost faith in the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) party.""As you very well know, Malaysians of Indian Origin and their ancestors have been contributing to the economic growth and prosperity of Malaysia. But they are deprived of fair and equal treatment in educational resources and job opportunities. As a result, a significant number of them work as plantation and/or urban underpaid laborers, and hence majority of them are poor and continue to face undue social and economic
hardships.""Your party, Malaysian Indian Congress, has been an integral part of your country's ruling coalition and at one time represented the interests and aspirations of Malaysians of Indian Origin.

However, MIC as a partner of the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN), has not been able to get fair share for the minority Indian community as their role as coalition partner either has been rendered ineffective or considered irrelevant." "The Malaysians of Indian Origin are your country's third largest ethnic group and the majority of them are considered to be at the bottom of the social and political ladder. A significant majority of Malaysian Indians continue to be economically marginalized and are generally seen as providers of cheap labor in plantations and construction sites. Thus they occupy the bottom rung of the Malaysian modern society, primarily due to lack of educational and economic opportunities." "The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) urges you to use your human resource development (HRD) portfolio to provide needed equity, skills training and equal employment opportunities to the Malaysian Indian community."

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Makkal Sakthi Song from a Hindraf Supporter

makkal sakthi valgae....
im proudly call this song .... "song of makkal sakthi'...

also with lyrics...

raajaavai toondiyataal...

padaigal tirandhathu...
roojaavai tuundiyathal...
mutkal elunthathu...
mani oasi kethathal

kangal vizhithathe
malai charal tindiyal
maunam kalainthathe
itutaanee aarambam..

iniyellam perinbam...
varunggalam vaalthidhum..
ini varum puthumai
tamilanaaga pirantha pirapeenamkkul irukkum

sirappunamakkul irukkum ootrumaiyea...
niiyum naanum karuppu

raajaavai toondiyataal...
padai tirandhathu...
roojaavai tuundiyathal...
mutkal elunthathu...
music

Kaiyodu Kai Korthe Vetriyai Yetti Toduvomey
Tholode Tholl serntheVelichaithai Nooki Nadapomey
poorkalam namakkul vendhaame

yorukulam namakkul vendhumey
kalavaram namakkul vendhammey
samarasam namakkul vendhumey
tamilanaaga pirantha pirapeenamkkul irukkum

sirappunamakkul irukkum ootrumaiyea...
niiyum naanum karuppu

raajaavai toondiyataal...
padai tirandhathu...
roojaavai tuundiyathal...
mutkal elunthathu...
music

Vali Mithe Vilzhi Veithe
Muyarchi Pathaiyil Nadapomey
Adi mithe Adi ThangiImaiyam Sendre Servomey
Tholviyai Kande Kalanggathey

Tunbanggal Neringgidea Varunthathey
Sathanai Purinthida Yelunthode
Saritham Pesidum UnPere
tamilanaaga pirantha pirapeenamkkul irukkum

sirappunamakkul irukkum ootrumaiyea...
niiyum naanum karuppu

raajaavai toondiyataal...
padai tirandhathu...
roojaavai tuundiyathal...
mutkal elunthathu...
mani oasi kethathalkangal vizhithathe

malai charal tindiyalmaunam kalainthathe
itutaanee aarambam..iniyellam perinbam...

varunggalam vaalthidhum..
tamilanaaga pirantha pirapeenamkkul irukkum

sirappunamakkul irukkum ootrumaiyea...
niiyum naanum karuppu

raajaavai toondiyataal...padai tirandhathu...
roojaavai tuundiyathal...mutkal elunthathu...


Download via this link.http://www.mediafire.com/?zyvddbamx9n

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Uthaya's Mother lodges report today.


Detainee’s mum lodges report alleging plot to harm her son


SEREMBAN: The mother of ISA detainee P. Uthayakumar lodged a police report yesterday alleging that her diabetic son had been denied proper medical treatment and that there was a “silent agenda” to inflict harm on his health.


K. Kalaivaniy, 64, a widow who lives in Jalan Rasah, lodged the report at the district police station in Seremban Two at 12.10pm, accompanied by a group of Hindraf supporters.
Uthayakumar’s sister-in-law K. Shanti said the last time she saw him on Thursday at the Kamunting detention centre, Uthayakumar was weak and was denied his medication after being prematurely discharged from the Taiping hospital the day before.

Shanti, the wife of Hindraf chairman P. Waythamoorthy, who is now in London, added that Uthayakumar was also suffering from poor vision and alleged that his meals had excessive sugar.
Mother’s effort: Kalaivani arriving at the Seremban Two police station accompanied by Hindraf supporters to lodge the police report on Saturday.
Uthayakumar’s fiancee S. Indradevi also lodged a police report in Kuala Lumpur alleging that had been deprived of his diabetic medication.
Lawyer Uthayakumar, 46, was arrested with four other Hindraf leaders on Dec 13 for allegedly making speeches to incite hatred at a gathering in Batang Berjuntai on Nov 16.
They are being detained for two years under the Internal Security Act.

Meanwhile, Penang PKR called on the Prime Minister to ensure Uthayakumar received proper medical attention before his condition deteriorated further.

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Aliran : Uthayakumar - Callous treatment to a human being !

P Uthayakumar - Callous treatment of a human being

Friday, 11 April 2008
Aliran is shocked to learn that Hindraf leader P Uthayakumar who is under ISA detention is being treated inhumanely. We find it difficult to believe that a country that has exalted the virtues of Islam Hadari could be so callous in the treatment of a human being - which is hard to believe or accept.
Uthayakumar, who is diabeti,c has been wickedly denied his daily medication even though the Kamunting detention authorities had been informed of his health problems. His fiancee S Indradevi had also handed Uthayakumar' s medication to the Kamunting Detention Centre's administration in the belief that it would be handed over to him. But this had not happened. She reportedly said that he had written six letters previously to the prison's director but the director did not respond in any way. The medicines were prescribed by a doctor in January.
As a result of this gross negligence and wanton cruelty, Uthayakumar had fallen ill and had to be hospitalised. His diabetic reading was 18.8 - something that is worrying. If he does not receive his regular medication, he can be subjected to various related illnesses associated with diabetes. His kidneys may be affected and his eye sight may be in danger - just to mention a few ailments related to diabetes. We also understand that his protein and uric levels are dangerously high.
His medical condition would require him to go on a strict diet but this doesn't seem to be the concern of the Kamunting authorities. They do not seem to take responsibility for the welfare of a detainee under their care. His younger brother was reported as saying that despite his condition he was forced to consume food which was high in sugar and starch.
Aliran wishes to emphasise that a detainee does not forfeit his right to medical care under whatever circumstance. As a human being, he is entitled to receive medical attention like any other Malaysian. And his family has a right to be notified when a detainee is hospitalised. This is something very basic in a civilised society.
Kamunting authorities need to be given an urgent course on human decency so that they will react as human beings and treat others under their care with dignity and compassion. So far their conduct has been disgraceful, deserving condemnation from the civilised international community.

P Ramakrishnan
President
11 April 2008
http://www.aliran. com/content/ view/535/ 11/

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Open Letter to PM- Hindraf is NOT a National Threat

HINDRAF 5 ARE NOT “A NATIONAL THREAT”
by Santha

So what is their crime? Both the Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (the then Internal Security Minister) who signed the detention order and the AG Abdul Ghani Patail state that, “thorough police investigation has deemed them a treat to national security”. At the Federal Court , Abdul Ghani argued that the PM had gone through the detailed facts raised during police investigations and that these include the claims,
1) that the appellants had through their past activities raised racial sentiments,
2) hatred for the government
3) had links with terrorist organization such as Sri Lanka’s Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)….. that “ In pursuing their cause, Hindraf had tried to get international acknowledgement and help from the terrorist organisation LTTE with the intention of further inciting riots in this country which has and will threaten peace and national security,”. Mr. AG if you have “detailed facts” be out with it. People are fully aware of the movements of the 5 detainees and their activities. They have been been transparent and accountable. There are no secrets involved here unlike the practices of the Government and its bodies. What is holding you, show us evidence as opposed to mere “claims” , or perhaps there is none or not enough to evoke the ISA.
I wish now to inform the PM, the AG, and the entire Government that the appellants did not through their activities raise racial sentiments. Rather racial sentiments were activated the moment the government and Islamic religious bodies started practicing religious extremism in Malaysia .
M.Moorthy was buried a Muslim although he had died a practicing Hindu. This was followed by other “body snatching” and conversion matters such as Lina Joy and M.Revathi. Tension had already been brewing amongst non-Muslims in similar matters. Racial sentiments that you speak of came about when the government, its bodies/authorities, officers or agents lowered the axe on our sacred statues of Lord Siva , Lord Ganesha and many others, demolishing ruthlessly our temples.
Sentiments and more sentiments when you confiscated Christian bibles, preached and practiced Muslim religion and policies to non-Muslims, when you insulted and humiliated non-Muslim for their believes, when matters that required urgent investigation and inquiries such as Kg.Medan incident, Francis Udayappan’s death etc. were ignored or swept under the carpet. The hatred towards the government transpired the moment the government turned a blind eye towards equality and equal opportunities for all. Such hatred amongst the poor, oppressed, marginalised and discriminated came into the picture when the government - failed to recognise this country as a secular nation with different races and religions and did not resolve sensitive issues in a likewise sensitive manner.
This is the true reason for the disintegration of the people in this country. - curtailed the people’s constitutional rights to freedom of religion, assembly, speech, and media - amended and manipulated the Constitution more than 600 times in the past 50 years. Amendments like this, often made for the benefit of the Malay Muslim and to create an Islamic nation erasing the secular state.
- failed to recognise every citizen of this country as the “son of the soil”.
- failed to activate proper and principled teaching standards, to judge on merit based performance and not quota’s in schools and universities.
- practiced the divide and rule racist policies and schemes such as the NEP, and unfair in issuing business licenses, opportunities, and financial support to all races without favouring a certain group.
- did not take serious measures to eliminate the contamination of corruption, scandalous judiciary, dishonest and inefficient police force that has lost the respect of the people it serves.
- Ministers and their ministries refusing to be transparent and accountable in their dealings, thus unlawful enrichment of some and the constant obvious conflict of interest.- Ministers openly uttering seditious, racist and sexist remarks, behaving in an unruly and unprofessional manner (even in Parliament)and getting away with it.
The hatred exploded when the government refused to listen to the people and their grievances, the hundreds of letters, and appeals that fell into deaf ears only to be told correct channels and procedures were not followed.
5000 Indians came to Putrajaya in July 2007 for their ‘18 point Demands’,
Lawyers ‘Walked for Justice’,
Bersih argued for ‘Free and Fair Elections’,
Hindraf , rallied for ‘Indian minority rights’,
a little girl of five came to give ‘Roses for the PM’ as symbol of love.
In all events, people were treated as common criminals, some more harshly than others. The arrogant governance is what caused the hatred NOT the Hindraf 5. It would only be rightful to say, that in all issues of arousing “racial sentiments and hatred towards the government”, the government, its bodies, authorities, leaders, officers and agents first conducted the offensive acts. They are the true perpetrators , running about freely. The prison in Kamunting should have been filled up with these people who committed these crimes of racial tension, anger and hatred. These are truly the people who “have and will threaten the peace and national security of this country”. The Prime Minister should have signed detention orders for the above perpetrators long before the Dec 13th 2007 arrest of Hindraf 5. As to the connection with terrorist such as LTTE, just like P.Uthayakumar challenged you, we now challenge you to show us one piece of evidence –we know there is none. Interpol would definitely have come into the picture if what you claimed was true.
The United Kingdom would not accommodate P.Waytha Moorthy had there been such links, for they too take matters of terrorism very seriously. Nor would they have allowed Hindraf to be legally registered in the UK if such links existed . P.Waytha Moorthy has no choice but to lead Hindraf from the United Kingdom .
Being a nation that practices true democracy they would never brand a human rights barrister, fighting peacefully for justice, as terrorists. Perhaps the AG’s office could get some guidance first, when investigating what amounts to “terrorism”.
So Mr. Prime Minister, with all due respect people have lost faith and trust in your governance and government. With the findings and investigations of the newly formed Pakatan Rakyat already a lot of filth is coming out (it’s only the beginning) about the way this country has been running under your governance and the previous. You have an enormous burden to rectify the huge damage already done to our beloved nation. It is unbelievable how things got so out of hand and even more, how we allowed these sorts of practices all these years. We had been both complacent and ignorant, but are out of our shells now. Because of Hindraf 5, P Waytha Moorthy and many others who fought for justice, Malaysians today have a chance of seeing true democracy. The accusation’s of raising racial sentiments and creating hatred towards the government was self-inflicted.
The Hindraf 5 is not the cause. Shed your arrogance and listen to what the people of this nation , the civil societies, the NGO’s , the political parties and international bodies have to say on this matter and do the right thing - release the Hindraf 5 and assure the safe return of P.Waytha Moorthy. People finally found a group of respected and credible lawyers fully committed to the cause of the poor and oppressed, fighting a genuine war on their behalf.
It was not the money they wanted .Not the Glory. They fought for the people sacrificing their own lives, families and freedom, they had nothing to gain for themselves.

They are not extremist, fanatics or terrorist but true to their profession as lawyers and barristers, merely upholding peace and justice.

Open Letter to PM to release H5

Release the ISA detainees for the sake of democracy, justice and freedom.

It is very disheartening to know that Prime Minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is still holding the innocent five HINDRAF members in prison under the name of “national security”. In a true sense, the police until now, unable to provide any evidence that these people are threat to national security. The detainment actually got nothing to do with so call national security it is more looks like they (Badawi and the gang) cannot accept the mistakes they have done to Indians for past 50 years. In other words, they prefer to be in the state of denial rather than accepting the truth that the Indians were marginalized in this country under the BN’S rule. Home Minister, Syed Hamid Albar stated that these five detainees has political motive behind their actions. What is wrong if they have political motive especially if it is a genuine one. What is wrong for them to voice out the Indians’ grievances whether you call it with political motive or not. How could you become a Home Minister without a political motive? If those who have political motives need to be thrown in jail, you deserve that too. Abdullah Badawi must realize that detaining the five HINDRAF members who represents the community is similar to detaining all the Indians in the country. Disrespecting them is equivalent to disrespecting the community, disrespecting the democracy and disrespecting the justice. What they did was to request justice for the marginalized Indian minority group and they were practicing their constitutional right of freedom of speech by organizing a peaceful gathering to hand over a memorandum to the British Embassy on 25th November, 08. Ahmad Badawi, if you are unable to provide solutions to their demands than you can choose not to respond. But what is the necessity for you to give them such a harsh punishment?

If you have truly repented on your past mistakes, if you had learned your lessons from the 8th March election, if you are really listening to rakyat, then you must release the ISA detainees immediately without any conditions attached. In fact, you should also apologies for your irresponsible action of arresting them and the way you treated the innocents during the peaceful gathering on 25th November, 2008. But unfortunately, you are not showing any signs of repentance. You are just adding salt to the wound. By doing this, you are just accumulating more hatred against you and your UMNO led government. Now, not only Indians hates you, in fact Malays, Chinese and others too. You can clearly see this happening around you. The respect many Indians have on you is fading away or maybe faded already. Surprisingly, even your loyalist Samy Vellu is advising you to release them. The Malays, Chinese and Indians have clearly sent their protest vote (voice) and message during the 8th March election. What type of other messages are you looking for to release them? Why delay further. This is rakyat’s voice, release them immediately. I wonder what you meant when you said that you have learned from your mistakes during the post election announcement. The five poor fellows are allowed to get rotten in the prison for unjustified reasons and so far no action has been taken to release them. Ahmad Badaw, if you are a genuine leader, then at least give them a fair trial in the court of law. Don’t treat them like this. I really wish the people, the public, the opposition and even UMNO will throw you out from all the government positions as soon as possible for the sake of democracy, justice and freedom. Thanks to those who are working towards it. As a Malaysian, I am definitely one of them.

From A True Malaysian seeking democracy.
Dated : 10th April 2004

Hindaf 5 is not a threat to Nation ( in Tamil)

5 இந்து உரிமைக்குழு நடவடிக்கை வீரர்கள் நாட்டின் பாதுகாப்புக்கு “மிரட்டல்ல”
தமிழன் 08
[posted by a Supporter]

இவர்களின் குற்றம்தான் என்ன? மலேசியாவில் வாழும் இந்தியர்களின் மறுக்கப்பட்ட ஒடுக்கப்பட்ட உரிமைகளுக்காகப் போராடிய இந்த 5 வீரர்களின் நிலமையை சற்று நினைத்துபாருங்கள். தற்போதைய பிரதமரும் அப்போதைய உள்நாட்டுப் பாதுகாப்பு அமைச்சருமான அப்துல்லா அகமட் படாவி இந்த 5 வீரர்களின் கைதுகளுக்கான விண்ணப்பத்தில் கைச்சாத்திட்டார். முளுமையான பொலிஸ் தீரவிசாரணைகளுக்குப்பின் கையெழுத்திட்டார் எனவும் இவ்வைவரும் இந்த நாட்டின் பாதுகாப்புக்கு ஒரு மிரட்டலாக உள்ளது என சட்டத்துறைத் தலைவர் கானி பட்டில் கூறியிருக்கின்றார். இவர் தனது உயர் நீதி மன்ற வாதத்தில்
(1) இவ்வைவரின் கடந்த கால நடவெடிக்கைகள் நாட்டின் இனவெறியும்
(2) அரசாங்கத்தின் மேலுள்ள வெறுப்பையும் தூண்டுவதாகவும்
(3) இவ்வைவரும் இலங்கையிலுள்ள பயங்கரவாத இயக்கமான விடுதலைப் புலிகளுடன் (LTTE) தொடர்பு வைத்திருப்பதாகவும் இவர்கள் மூலம் கலவரத்தை இந்நாட்டில் தூண்டி விடுவதற்கும் வழிவுக்கின்றார்கள் எனக் குறிப்பிட்டிருந்தார்.

இது உண்மையாக இருந்தால், சட்டத்துறைத் தலைவர் கானி பட்டில் இந்த உண்மையை இதுவரை காலமும் வெளியிட ஏன் முன்வரவில்லை. ஏனெனில் இந்த குற்றச்சாட்டில் எதுவித உண்மைமையோ ஆதாரங்களோ இல்லை. இந்நாட்டு மக்களுக்கு தெரியும் இந்த 5 வீரர்கள் நடவெடிக்கைகளில் எந்த ஒரு ஒளிவு மறைவோ சூழ்ச்சியோ இல்லை. இந்த குற்றச்சாட்டுக்கள் மிகவும் பாரதூரமானவை. வாய்பேச்சு மூலம் எவரையும் குற்றவாளியாக்கமுடியாது. உண்மையான, உறுதியான, உரமான ஆதாரங்கள் சமர்பிக்கப்படவேண்டும். இந்த மாதிரியான ஆதாரங்கள் இல்லாததால் இந்த அரசாங்கம் இசா (ISA) சட்டத்தை இவ்வைவரின் மேல் சுமர்தியுள்ளது. இதே குற்றச்சாட்டுகள் நீதிமன்றத்திற்கு வருமானால் அரசாங்கம் உண்மையான ஆதாரங்களை நீதிமன்றத்தில் சமர்ப்பிக்கவேண்டும். அப்படியாயின் இவ்வைவர் மீது சுமத்தப்பட்ட குற்றங்கள் எப்போதே நீதிமன்றத்தால் நிராகரிக்கப்பட்டிருக்கும். ஏனெனில் இது ஒரு பொய்க்குற்றச்சாட்டு என்பதே உண்மை.
இனவெறி நான் ஆணித்தரமாக பிடதமருக்கும், சட்டத்துறைத்தலைவருக்கும் மற்றும் சகல அரசாங்கத்திற்கும் கூறுவது என்னவென்றால் இனவாதத்தை தூண்டிவது இவ்வைவரும் காரணம் இல்லை. முழுக்காரணகர்த்தாக்கள் இந்த அரசாங்கமும், அவர்களின் இஸ்லாமிய முற்போக்குக் கொள்கைகளும் தான் இந்த இனவெறிக்கும் நம் நாட்டு மக்களின் பிரிவுக்கும் காரணமானவர்கள் என்பதுதான் உண்மை.
M மூர்த்தி முஸ்லீமாக புதைக்கப்பட்டார், ஆனால் வாழும்போது முழு இந்துவாக வாழ்ந்தார். இச்சம்பவம் மட்டுமல்ல மற்றய இஸ்லாம் அல்லாத மதத்தினரின் சடலங்களைப் பறிப்பதும் மதமாற்றங்களின் குள்றுபடிகளான லீனா யோய், M இரேவதி, சுபாஷினி போன்றவர்களின் உரிமைகள் பறிக்கப்படுவதும் தான் இந்த நாட்டில் இனவாதம் உருவாகுதற்கு முக்கிய காரணங்களும் மூலகர்த்தாவுமாகும். மலேசியாவில் வாழும் இந்தியர்களின் மறுக்கப்பட்ட ஒடுக்கப்பட்ட உரிமைகளுக்காகப் போராடிய இந்த 5 வீரர்களுமல்ல.
இன்றைய காலகட்டத்தில் பேசப்படும் இனவாதம், மதவாதம் இந்த அரசாங்கத்தால் அல்லது அரசாங்கம் சார்ந்த இயக்கங்களால் இந்தியர்களின் வழிபாட்டுத்தளங்கள் மீதும் சிலைகள் மீதும் பயங்கர இயந்திரங்கள் கொண்டு கண்மூடித்தனமான தாக்குதல்கள் நடத்தப்பட்ட நாளில் இருந்து நமது இதயத்திலிருந்து உதிரம் சொட்டத்தொடங்கியது. அத்துடன் இந்த அரசாங்கதின் மேலுள்ள வெறுப்புணர்ச்சியும் வேரூண்டத்தொடங்கியது. இது நம்மவர் குற்றமா? இது மட்டுமா, கிறிஸ்தவர்களின் பைபிள்கள் பறிமுதல் செய்வதும் மறு மதத்தவர்களிடையே இஸ்லாமிய கொள்கைகளைத் திணிப்பதும் இஸ்லாமிய மதத்தைத் தவிர்த்த மற்ற மதங்களின் நம்பிக்கைகளைக் கேலி கிண்டல் செய்வதும் இவர்களிடையே சர்வசாதரணமாகிய ஒரு நிலமையாகிவிட்டது. கம்போங் மேடானில் நடந்த இனப்படு கொலைகளுக்கும் பிரான்சிஸ் உடையப்பன் மரணத்திற்கும் இது போன்ற சம்பவங்களுக்குமான பொலிஸ் விசாரணைகள் இந்த அரசாங்கத்தால் மறுக்கப்பட்டதும் மறைக்கப்பட்டதும் தான் உண்மை. அரசாங்கத்தின் மேலுள்ள வெறுப்புஇவ்வரசாங்கத்தால் எங்களது சம உரிமைகளும் சம வாய்ப்புக்களும் மறுக்கப்பட்டதும் அதை கண்மூடித்தனமாக மறைத்ததும் தான் இந்த அரசாங்கத்தின் மீது எமது வெறுப்புனர்ச்சியைத் தூண்டுவதற்கு மூல கர்த்தாவாகும். இதற்கெல்லாம் இந்த இன, மதவாத அரசாங்கமே முளுக்காரணம். மலேசியாவில் வாழும் இந்தியர்களின் மறுக்கப்பட்ட ஒடுக்கப்பட்ட உரிமைகளுக்காகப் போராடிய இந்த 5 வீரர்களுமல்ல.
இவ்வரசாங்கம் இந்நாட்டை ஒரு முஸ்லீம் நாடாக மாற்ற மும்மரமாக முயற்ச்சி செய்து வருகின்றது. ஆனால் இது ஒரு பல்லின மக்கள் வாழும் நாடு. இந்த மாதிரியான உணர்ச்சியற்ற செயல்களால் ஒற்றுமையாக இருந்த சமுதாயம் இன்று பிளவுபட்டுள்ளது. இதுதான் இன்றைய உண்மை நிலை. அவரவர் சமைய வழிபாடுகள், பேச்சுரிமைகள், பத்திரிகைச் சுதந்திரம் போன்றவை எமது அரசியல் அமைப்புச்சட்டத்தில் உள்ள நமது உரிமைகள், ஆனால் இவைகள் எல்லாம் எமது கண்முன்னால் பறிக்கப்படுகின்றது. கடந்த 50 வருடங்களில் நமது அரசியல் அமைப்புச்சட்டம் 600 தடவைகளுக்கு மேல் மாற்றியமைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. இந்த மாற்றத்தால் நன்மையடைந்தவர்கள் அதிக மலேகாரர்களே தவிர வேறொருவர்களும் அல்ல. இம்மாற்றங்கள் இந்த நாட்டை ஒரு முஸ்லீம் நாடாக மாற்ற அரசாங்கம் எடுத்த கண்மூடித்தனமான முடிவு. மலேசியர்கள் எல்லோரும் இந்த நாட்டின் மைந்தர்கள் என்பதை ஏற்றுக்கொள்ள இந்த அரசாங்கம் தனது ஆணவப்போக்கால் மறுத்துவிட்டது.
ஏன் இந்த இன, மத வெறிப்போக்கு? பாடசாலைகளில்லுள்ள தகுதியற்ற கல்வி முறைகள், தகுதி அடிப்படையில் பல்கலைகூடங்களின் தேர்வுகள் இல்லாமல் இனவாரியான கோட்டா முறையில் வழங்குதல் போன்ற காரணங்களால் நம் சமுதாயத்தில் பல திறமையான மாணவர்களின் திறமைகள் இவ்வரசாங்கத்தால் புதைக்கப்படுகின்றது. மேலும் இவ்வரசாங்கத்தால் கையாளப்படும் இன, மதவெறிக்கொள்கைகளாலும், தேசியப் பொருளாதாரக் கொள்கைகளாலும் முஸ்லீம் அல்லாதவர்களுக்கான வேலை வாய்ப்புக்கள், சிறு அல்லது நடுத்தர வர்த்தகங்கள் செய்வதற்கான அதிகாரங்கள், சமவேலை வாய்ப்புக்கள் மற்றும் வங்கிக்கடன் வசதிகள் போன்ற இந்தச் சலுகைகள் பெரும்பான்மை இனத்திற்கே சாதகமாக பயன்படுத்தப்படுகின்றது. அமைச்சர்களினதும் அவர்களது அமைச்சுக்களினதும் நடத்தைகளை மறைப்பதும் தங்களுடைய தனிப்பட்ட சொந்த விடயங்களில் அதிகாரத்தை துஷ்பிரயோகம் செய்வதும் சாதாரண விடையமாகி விட்ட ஒன்று.
ஒளிவுமறைவு இல்லாமல் இந்த அமைச்சுக்கள் இயங்கி இருக்கவேண்டும். ஆனால் அப்படி நடந்து கொள்ளத் தவறிவிட்டார்கள். அமைச்சர்கள் குழப்பமுள்ள பேச்சுக்களும், இனவாத மதவாத, பாலியல் பேச்சுக்கள் பொது இடங்களிலும் பாராளுமன்றத்திலும் பேசுவது அவர்களது மிதமான போக்கைக் காட்டுகின்றது. ஆனால் இவர்கள் எல்லா விதிமுறைகளை மீறியும் அவர்கள் மீது எந்த ஒரு நடவெடிக்கைகளும் எடுக்க இந்த அரசாங்கம் தவறிவிட்டது. சிறுபாண்மை இனத்தினரின் கோரிக்கைகள், மனுக்கள், கடிதங்கள், மேல் முறையீடுகள், மேலும் மனக்குறைகளை இவ்வரசாங்கம் செவிசாய்க்க மறுத்ததால் அதன் மேலுள்ள வெறுப்பு எரிமலையாக வெடித்தது. ஆனால் சரியான வழிமுறைகள் பின்பற்றவில்லை என இந்த அரசாங்கம் கூறியது. ஏன் இந்த நாடகம்? 2007 ஆடி மாதம் 5000 இந்தியர்களுக்கு மேல் புத்திரா ஜெயாவில் திரண்டு தமது 18 கோரிக்கைகளை நமது பிரதமரின் அலுவலகத்தில் சமர்ப்பித்தனர். வழக்கறிச்சர்கள் நியாயத்திற்காகப் போராடினார்கள். நேர்மையான நியாயமான தேர்தல்கள் நடத்தப்படவேண்டும் என பெர்சே போராடியது. இந்து உரிமைக்குழு சிறுபாண்மை இந்தியர்களின் உரிமைக்காக போராடினார்கள். 5 வயது வைஷ்ணவி நமது பிரதமருக்கு பூ கொடுத்து தனது அன்பைத் தெருவிக்க வந்தார். ஆனால் நடந்தது என்ன? பொலிஸின் அஜாரகமும் ஆதிக்கமும் தான் தலைதூக்கியது. கண்ணிலடங்காத கைதுகள், அடி, உதை, கண்ணீர் புகை, அமில நீர் பாய்ச்சல் போன்றவற்றால் நாம் தாக்கப்பட்டோம். இது தான் ஜனநாயகமா? இந்த அரசாங்கம்தான் இந்த காழ்ப்புணர்ச்சியையும் வெறுப்புணர்ச்சியையும் தூண்டியது. இந்தியர்களின் மறுக்கப்பட்ட ஒடுக்கப்பட்ட உரிமைகளுக்காகப் போராடிய இந்த 5 வீரர்களுமல்ல. முறையான வழியில் கூறப்படுமானால் இந்த எல்லா அழிவுகளுக்கும் இந்த அரசாங்கமும் அதன் பிரதிநிதிகளும் தான் முழு காரணகர்தாக்கள். இவர்கள் நடத்திய நாடகம் தான் இந்த நாட்டுக்கு செய்த மிகப் பெரிய இராஜ துரோகம். இவர்கள்தான் உண்மையில் கமுந்திங் தடுப்புக்காவலில் தடுத்துவைத்திருக்கப் படவேண்டியவர்கள். இவர்கள்தான் இந்த நாட்டின் சுபீட்சத்தையும் சமாதானத்தையும் கெடுப்பவர்கள். இந்த 5 வீரர்களுமல்ல. மார்கழி 13ம் திகதி இந்த 5 வீரர்களின் கைதுகளுக்கு முன்னர் இவர்களைக் கைது செய்ய நமது பிரதமர் (இசா) முயற்ச்சி செய்திருக்கவேண்டும். அதுதான் சரியான வழிமுறையும் கூட. விடுதலைப் புலிகளுடன் தொடர்புமேலும் பயங்கரவாத இயக்கமான LTTEயுடன் தொடர்புடையதாக இந்த அரசாங்கம் பொய்க்குற்றச்சாட்டு சுமத்தியபோது திரு. உதயகுமார் இவ்வரசாங்கத்திடம் ஒரு துளி ஆதாரம் காட்டும்படி கடுமையான சவால் விட்டார். ஆனால் எல்லோருக்கும் தெரிந்த உண்மை என்னவென்றால் இந்தக் குற்றச்சாட்டில் எதுவித உண்மையும் இல்லை என்பதுதான். இப்படி ஏதும் பயங்கரவாத தொடர்பு இருப்பின் திரு. வேதமூர்த்தியின் வரவைப் பிரித்தானிய அரசாங்கம் அங்கீகரிப்பதோடு எவ்வாறு புகழிடம் வழங்கியிருப்பார்கள். எல்லோரும் சற்று சிந்தித்துப்பார்க்க வேண்டிய விஷயம். ஏனெனில் பிரித்தானிய அரசாங்கம் பயங்கரவாதத்தை கடுமையாக எதிர்ப்பதோடு அதை அடியோடு ஒழிப்பதற்கு சகல முயற்சிகளை எடுத்துவருகின்றது. அத்துடன் மலேசிய அரசாங்கத்த்தின் அறிக்கையில் உண்மையிருப்பின் சர்வதேச பொலிஸ் படை (Interpol) தனது விசாரணைகளைத் தொடங்கியிருக்கும். திரு. வேதமூர்த்தி இலண்டனில் இருந்து இந்து உரிமைக்குழுவை நடத்தவேண்டிய நிர்ப்பந்தத்திற்கு ஆழாக்கப்பட்டார். உண்மையான ஜனநாயக நாடு எந்த ஒரு நபர் உரிமைக்காகப் போராடுகின்றாரோ அவரை பயங்கரவாதி என பெயர் சூட்டமாட்டார்கள். ஆனால் சட்டத்தரணி போராடுகின்றார் என்றால் அவரை பயங்கரவாதி என்கிறது நமது மலேசியா. முதலில் சட்டத்துறைத் தலைவர் கானி பட்டில் பயங்கரவாதத்தைப் பற்றி தெளிவாகவும் விபரமாகவும் கற்றுக்கொள்ள வேண்டும். மேன்மை தங்கிய பிரதம மந்திரி அவர்களே, தங்கள் மீதும் தங்கள் அரசாங்கத்தின் மீதும் நாட்டுமக்கள் நம்பிக்கையை முற்றாக இழந்துவிட்டார்கள். தற்போது ஆட்சி அமைத்திருக்கும் எதிகட்சிகள் மூலம் பல உண்மைகளும் தில்லு முல்லுகளும் அம்பலத்திற்கு வரத்தொடங்கியுள்ளது. இது ஆரம்பம்தான். அம்னோ அரசால் மலேசிய திருநாட்டிற்கு இழைத்த இப்பெரும் சுமைகளைச் சுமக்க வேண்டிய நிர்ப்பந்தத்தில் இன்றைய எதிர்கட்சிகள் உள்ளனர். எவ்வாறு இத்திருநாட்டிற்கு இவ்வளவு தீங்கு செய்ய நாம் அனுமதித்தோம் என்பதை நம்மால் நம்பமுடியவில்லை. ஏனெனில் எல்லாத்திசைகளாலும் எமது உரிமைகள் மறைக்கப்பட்டதும் மறுக்கப்பட்டதும் தான் காரணம். நாம் இப்போது அந்தக் கூட்டில் இருந்து வெளியே வந்துவிட்டோம். நமது மறைக்கப்பட்ட மறுக்கப்பட்ட உரிமைகளுக்காகப் பாடுபட்டு இதற்கு இன்று சிறையிலும் தனிமையில் வாடும் நமது அந்த 5 வீரர்களும் மற்றும் திரு. வேதமூர்த்தியும் தான் காரணகர்த்தாக்கள். இவர்கள் பயங்கரவாதிகள் அல்ல, நமது உரிமைக்காகப் போராடிய தியாகிகள். இந்த அரசாங்கம் தாங்களால் தங்களுக்கு ஏற்படுத்திய ஆயாத வடுக்கள் தான். மலேசியாவில் வாழும் இந்தியர்களின் மறுக்கப்பட்ட ஒடுக்கப்பட்ட உரிமைகளுக்காகப் போராடிய இந்த 5 வீரர்களுமல்ல. அகந்தையான கொள்கையயும் மிடுக்கான செயல்களையும் தவிர்த்து நாட்டு மக்கள், அரசசார்பற்ற நிறுவனங்கள், அரசியல் கட்சிகள், வெளிநாட்டு இயக்கங்கள் போன்றவற்றின் கோரிக்கைகளைத் தயவுசெய்து செவிமடுக்குமாறு வேண்டிக்கொள்வதுடன் ஒடுக்கப்பட்ட உரிமைகளுக்காகப் போராடிய இந்த 5 வீரர்களையும் உடனடியாக விடுதலை செய்யவும். அத்துடன் திரு. வேதமூர்த்தியின் வருகைக்கு எந்தவிதமான பாதகம் விளைவிக்காமலும் அவரது குடும்பதுடன் சேர அனுமதி அளிக்க இந்த அரசாங்கம் உறுதியளிக்கவேண்டும். இவ்வளவு கால அடக்குமுறைகளின் பின்னர் நம்பத்தக்க உண்மையாக நமது உரிமைக்காக போராடக்கூடிய இந்த இந்து உரிமைக்குழு இயக்கத்தின் சட்டத்தரணிகள் மூலம் அடக்கப்பட்ட ஒடுக்கப்பட்ட சமுதாயத்திற்கு இவர்கள் எந்த ஒரு புகழுக்கோ பணத்திற்கோ ஆசைப்படாமல் நமது வருங்கால சமுதாயத்திற்காக போராட தங்களையே அர்ப்பணித்தவர்கள். இவர்கள் பயங்கரவாதிகளோ, முற்போக்குவாதிகளோ, தீவிரவாதிகளோ அல்லர், சட்டத்தை மதிக்கும் இந்த சட்டத்தரணிகள் அவர்களது கடமைகளை அமைதியும் சுபீட்சமும் நிலைக்க போராடுகின்றார்கள். மலேசியச் சட்டவியல் கோர்ப்பு(Legal Professional Act) 1976 பகுதி(section) 46ன் கீழ் கூறப்படுவது யாதெனில்: “பயமோ பாரபட்சம் இல்லாமலும் (without fear or favour) உரிமைகளைப் பாதுகாப்பதும்தான் ஒரு சட்டத்தரணியின் கடமை”