Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email The community would not be forgetting the HINDRAF ISA detainees, and constantly remind the government to release them. The longer they are detained, the more resentment against the government. So far, the MIC camp has been silent on this. One way for them to butter the Indian community is to join in and ask for the release of the detainees. Once the parliment is convened, or whenever MIC has the chance to meet the PM, it should put forth the request. MHS has done it, now MIBA also asking for release.
Free Hindraf 5: Indian business group
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The Malaysian Indian Business Association (Miba) has appealed to the government to release the five Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders held under the Internal Security Act (ISA). Miba president P Sivakumar told Malaysiakini today that the five had to “shoulder the burden of certain sensitive issues” that others in the community, including the leaders, had failed to make a bold stand on.
“Though these leaders were in power, they had either sidelined these issues or were not effective in addressing them,” he said. “The five put their necks on the line, the world must know that they are professionals with families and loved ones,” he added.
Sivakumar also stressed that the five – P Uthayakumar, M Manoharan, R Kenghadharan, V Ganabatirau and T Vasantha Kumar – did not take up these issues for ‘cheap publicity’. “They did it because it was a soul searching call to stand up. If their action was wrong, then the voters of all races who cast their ballots for change are also wrong,” he said.
Support for PM
Meanwhile, Miba also expressed support to the Barisan Nasional (BN) government and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s leadership. “We cannot really blame the PM (for the election outcome). He had inherited a government from the old administration which had lingering issues that went against international norms, issues that were not acceptable by many Malaysians,” said Sivakumar.
“With the shocking results, Abdullah will be extra careful and will take bold steps and measures to rectify the shortcomings. I am sure he will be able to support and bring progress to the nation,” he added.
The 2008 polls witnessed the ruling coalition’s worst ever electoral performance with BN failing to secure a two-thirds majority in Parliament and losing control over an additional four states. Following this, there were calls – including from former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad – on Abdullah to accept responsibility and resign.
Sivakumar also recorded Miba’s appreciation to Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Musa Hassan for the police’s neutrality and his pledge to maintain peace and order in the country.
