Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email “All of them received the explanation well, with the exception of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. He has already made up his mind that whatever Hindraf said was right,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas here Wednesday.
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M’sia-India ties not affected by Hindraf, says Samy
By A. LETCHUMANAN
NEW DELHI: The bilateral relationship between Malaysia and India will not be affected by allegations made by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) in November last year. Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said this was based on the positive response of various Indian leaders to his explanation on Hindraf’s allegations.
“All of them received the explanation well, with the exception of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. He has already made up his mind that whatever Hindraf said was right,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas here Wednesday. Samy Vellu, who made three attempts for an appointment to see the Tamil Nadu chief minister, said he was unhappy with Karunanidhi’s attitude.
“I believe he felt slighted that I did not defend him when Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz told him off and asked him not to interfere in the internal affairs of Malaysia in the aftermath of Hindraf’s illegal demonstration,” he said. Samy Vellu said he was not present to defend at the time and what Nazri said was to safeguard the good name of the country.
He said Hindraf had planted many sensitive issues in the minds of the Indian people with the intention to poison Malaysia’s name. “I have been explaining over and over again but the Indian press seems to have made up its mind that there is an unrest amongst the Indian community in the country,” Samy Vellu said.
He said that a member of the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) has been giving interviews to the Indian and international media, giving credence to the allegations made by Hindraf. “The statement by the PPP member as well as the wire agency story on the freeze on Indian workers in Malaysia has created a big wave in the media here,” he said.
He said more Malaysian ministers must make trips to India to provide explanations, and to explore the vast opportunities for investment from India as well as for Malaysian investments in India.
He added that he would explain the situation to Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee when he meets them separately later. Samy Vellu said he would submit a detailed report to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi upon his return on Saturday.
