Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email Well, if earlier there was discontent due to selection of councillors in Perak (only 48 Indians were selected), now HINDRAF outrightly declares that it will support only to those parties that is able to improve the Indian community’s standing. So say its national information coordinator S. Jayathas who foresee a time when Hindraf would have to split ranks and support Barisan Nasional instead, if Barisan proved it could do better:
It would be up to the Hindraf chairman to decide whether to split from Pakatan. The challenge now is for Pakatan and Barisan to prove who can do better. We will wait and see. Until then, we will keep on demanding that Pakatan work for the betterment of the Indians.
Jayathas said Hindraf sought support from the Opposition because MIC had failed to address the community’s issues in Parliament. Jayathas stressed that Hindraf was a group that also wanted better job opportunities, respect and dignity for the Indian community. He added that Hindraf’s allegiance with the Opposition parties did not mean that the group had given up on MIC.
Now, this can be read in many ways –
1. HINDRAF may realise that Pakatan Rakyat is not able to help in its quest as fast as it wanted too.
2. Government is beginning to introduce policies and goodies for the community.
3. MIC is trying to change itself to be better.
Even though the above three are all “work in progress”, I’ll say that groups like HINDRAF are not political parties. They are civil rights or pressure groups who fight for a particular issue – in this case Indian community rights vis-a-vis equal rights for Malaysian citizens.
So, they will see who will best support their ideals. Earlier, Waytha asked the community to support opposition and we saw the effect in last General Elections. Many of the safe seats fell.
If now Waytha says don’t support Pakatan Rakyat coalition in Perak, what will happen? Can we see the assemblymen like Sivanesan, Keshvinder, Sivakumar etc. jump to BN or at least be independent? Will this help BN to gain back Perak by August 31st?
Poobalan
I am sorry to say this but I think you are out of touch with what’s happening with HINDRAF. Though I despise these goondas I have good information on them through my friends.
First of all, HINDRAF is in a mess. There is no one leader but many people claiming the leadership. Wathya has lost control of the situation as he never had the credibility or influence to begin with. Unless it is Uthaya, there is nothing much anyone who can unite the various groups and opportunists who claiming to represent HINDRAF.
Secondly, no one is taking HINDRAF seriously anymore (as I had predicted before the GE). They are like toothless tigers, big on sound but with no bite. The support has dwindled and people are not as supportive or interested anymore. Day by day they are getting weak. Even the newspapers have become lukewarm to their struggle.
Thirdly, if you read the Tamil papers, there is an open conflict between HINDRAF/MS and the PR parties. Many of the Indian reps who rode on MS to win now have turned their back. Just look at Sivanesan’s comment on Perak HINDRAF’s demand. I think HINDRAF now realise that these PR parties merely used them. And they also realise that once become MPs and ADUNs these Indian reps have forgotten MS.
I am of the opinion that even if HINDRAF pull out their support for PR, none of the Indian exco / DCM will leave their post. It is possible that some ordinary ADUNs / MPs will switch over to BN for some personal gain though I doubt it.
We need to remember that PR is not worried about losing HINDRAF’s support and they are not going to entertain them either. Because most of the Indian MPs/ADUNs are Oppo party members who merely used MS to get their ticket. Most were never independent NGOs fighting for Indian’s welfare. Though I must say Dr Micheal Jeyaraj and Charles Santiago were from grassroot NGOs. But then both never started off as HINDRAF activists but for other causes. In any case I doubt they will leave PR if HINDRAF withdraw its support.
Well Killer, for someone who despise HINDRAF, you seem to be very well in touch with them! I can guess that most of the Indians have friends who are friends with someone in HINDRAF.
HINDRAF’s leadership is clear. Now there are coordinators at state levels while before ISA, instructions came from 4-5 people.
Secondly, no one ever took HINDRAF seriously other than the community and the police.
The conflict between HINDRAF and PR is expected. HINDRAF thought that the community will get better deal after PR wins, but PR leaders not able to do something clear. They are doing things which benefit all poor people, instead of racial based incentives. Only in Penang there have been a committee set up similar like the cabinet committee.
I too don’t think that the Indian MPs/EXCOs will quit their positions if HINDRAF pull out their support. But we have to remember that HINDRAF is not obliged to support anyone. Their objective is to ensure rights of the community are protected. Being pressure group they need not go and “ampu” anyone. Just like those people in FOMCA, CAP, WWF, MNS, etc who champion a cause.
HINDRAF’s job is to voice out against both ruling and opposition party if there is any discrimination. You can say that HINDRAF made mistake by asking people to vote for opposition in the last elections. But the alternative is to maintain status quo and see another 5 year of misery for the community. In a way, this is an eye-opening experience for the community. Now our community – from the most educated to the least, the richest to the poorest have more information and experience to guide them in next elections. Maybe community will realise that they cannot trust both BN and PR. Maybe some will plan to migrate while others find other means to improve their lives.
Other than HINDRAF, most of the Indian MPs got voted due to PR alliance. If not, I doubt Pak Lebai would have voted for Keshvinder Singh.
Whatever it is, I think HINDRAF was a good thing that happened to the community. Many Indians agree – MIC top leaders included. It woke people up from deep slumber. It made MIC go running helter skelter and try rebranding itself. It made the federal goverment hand out more goodies. It created a never seen before sense of brotherhood among many indians, even though it was for a short while (well, which motivation session impact last forever?). The downside? At worse HINDRAF helped to get PR elected into power in 5 states. I see that the winners are the community since federal government is giving out more now which MIC takes credit. Even if government does give, people voice out their anger and unhappiness. Now the community have the third channel (HINDRAF) when before this only had two MIC and opposition.
HINDRAF may die a natural death as predicted by its leaders (even before you did) but it gave something to the community.
Whatever it is Hindraf or not Hindraf , I urge the Indian community to think carefully before you decide to choose to do something or support someone. I think those who really want to do something for our Indian community should not only” talk the talk but walk the walk”. I mean really think of a good way to guide the Indian community in the right direction not by asking them to take part in rioting or using violance. This will only spoil our reputation and please be reasonable don’t do something based on your emotions. I think the results are quiet clear that after GE there are no leaders who are really capable of doing much. This are the people that Makkal Shakti CHOOSED. Now tell me did you guys made the right choice? We are doing worse than before thanks to all of you.
Even though Hindraf is not a full fledged political party,it surely meddles alot with politics and behaves like one too.
Why am i stressing this point,is because in politics anything can happen. Maybe Hindraf one day will support MIC! Who knows! Anything can happen man 🙂
Remember , in politics there are no permanent friends nor enemies.
ya..ya.. juz becoz u r in putera mic now, u say hindraf will support mic one day. well, like u said, anything can happen. who knows, mic mite support hindraf one day. possible rite? 🙂
Maya
Nothing is impossible…who knows one day VJ and Killi will also join MIC hahahahahahahaha…
sorry lar…. unlike you i have ‘brain’ to assess right and wrong rather than knock my head on walls …..
Novin
I predict that eventually HINDRAF will end up working with MIC though it will take some time as they don’t have the “face” to go back to MIC now after the havoc they created.
It will happen sooner if Utaya still in jail. They will break up with PR sooner or later. I think the only thing keeping them from doing it is the political situation. If DSAI was charged with sodomy then there is no way PR will ever form the Federal govt. After that HINDRAF will break off. HINDRAF is now just waiting and seeing.
But HINDRAF is already a toothless tiger and becoming weaker by day while MIC is gaining strength. By the time they want to work with MIC, it will be too late. MIC will reject them.
PR is not stupid, they know HINDRAF is weak now. As such they will not entertain the requests and demands.
Things might change if HINDRAF 5 are released but then it won’t happen so soon. Do you know why PR is silent on the HINDRAF 5 release ? This would result in HINDRAF putting more pressure on the PR state govts and carrying out more demo. As such it is in the interest of PR to keep the HINDRAF 5 in.