As Samy Vellu mentioned earlier, he planned to meet PM and so he did. Malaysiakini reports that together with Dr S.Subramaniam, they tried to convince PM for 30 minutes to release the Hindraf 5. Prime Minister Badawi apparently told them that he will consider their appeal. Quoting Samy Vellu:
The prime minister promised to discuss the matter with Home Minister (Syed Hamid Albar) and come to a decision.
He said Abdullah told him that he will “study the situation and recommend appropriate action.
“We have full faith and trust in the prime minister, and we believe that he will do something (positive) on this matter,” he added.
Among the arguments put forward by Samy were:
1. Its been nine months since the five were detained (actually its 10 over months).
2. Some of them need medical attention
3. Their families have suffered and the detainees should be allowed to return home to look after their families
4. They pose no danger to the security of the country
5. By releasing them, it would “reduce the tension” within the Indian community.
I guess this is in addition to the original reason, which is to win back the support of the community.
“I am also being heavily pressured by MIC leaders and members to secure their release. Today, I have spoken to the prime minister and I can assure the MIC members that something good will prevail,” he said.
Next step is to raise the matter again in the BN supreme council meeting says Samy.
“We will seek the backing of all the BN leaders to secure their release,” he added.
If successful, this will be feather in the cap for MIC and Samy Vellu, and surely a certain percentage of the community will sway back to MIC. Or it could be that the community is just making use of MIC and Samy Vellu as they have the means to reach the government of the moment. Whatever it is, let’s not jump the gun. the PM have other pressing matters at hand, namely his political survival, to worry about the Indian community, MIC, and least of all, HINDRAF.
Let’s hope that this Deepavali will see the children happily in the arms of their fathers. But RPK have to sit it out alone, I guess.