Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email On this day last year, a sort of miracle happened. It was not Thaipusam, nor was there any concert by South Indian artistes. Yet tens of thousands of Indians converged, along with other Malaysians, at KL city centre. Quite a number were blocked by the police, while some were stuck at Batu Caves. Some did not even make it to KL.
More than 30,000 people braved the threats to stand up for their rights. 69 were later arrested -some in restaurants, some just passerby. 5 leaders ended up in Kamunting. Many were treated with tear gas and chemical water. Photos from Jeff Ooi on police attacking people in Batu Caves made it around the world.
It was a defining moment. It changed the general elections results. It wiped out MIC. It revealed the deep-grained injustice. It profited the opposition.
After elections, MIC have benefited tremendously. Their voices are being heard a bit more often. They managed to get some allocations here and there. Promises are made on civil service intake, conversion of Tamil schools, mechanism for equity increase, skills training, entrepreneurship fundings etc. Cabinet committee is established. Dare anyone say this is not due to the rally? Deep in their hearts, they know its true.
One year down the lane, what have the rally achieved? What is direct benefit to you – the man in the street? I hear from friends and contacts that more Indians are voicing out if they were treated unjustly – especially in government departments. More complaints. More arguments. More claims of injustice or discrimination.
Now the focus of HINDRAF is to release the 5 detainees and to follow up on the 18 point memorandum. It has been outlawed, but Makkal Sakthi lives on. So, what have you done as a makkal?
Are our youths more aware? Any changes in the community? Less drunkards around? More people helping the poor section of the community?
I end this post with collection of photos, videos, and articles featured in this blog and others that cover the fateful day in the history of Malaysia. Will our history books ever mention this rally?
- the Star (Nov 25 2007)
- Malaysiakini (Nov 26 2007)
- Rally photos from poobalan.com
- Live report form Malaysiakini (Nov 25 2007)
- Malaysiakini (Nov 25 2007)
- Malaysiakini 2 (Nov 25 2007)
- Collection of HINDRAF news from Malaysiakini
- Article “Why I walked” by Geetha K
- Map of rally location and movement
- Photos by Murali
- Powerpresent
- Bangsa Malaysia
Few other blogs also write on the anniversary. Read (and see more) at:
Poobalan
Let’s look at the big picture instead of micro issues that has no relevance or impact.
The fundamental issue that HINDRAF fought for was the alleged injustice and discrimination meted out to and the poor socio-economic condition of the Indians.
I think the biggest impact of HINDRAF is the destruction of MIC as a political and social organisation, and this is not just politically but also in terms of reputation and their position as the de facto representative of the Malaysian Indians. The political career of Dr Samy Vellu was also terminated and his image suffered an irreversible damage.
However, to credit HINDRAF for the set back suffered by BN would be erronous since the swing of the votes was across the board among the major races (in the Peninsular Malaysia).
Apart from that I think HINDRAF succeeded in implanting a more assertive and aggressive mindset among the Indians in demanding their perceived rights.
But apart from these 2 changes, I don’t think there were any major other impact. In fact the socio economic and political situation of the Indians has not changed for better at all.
In fact, if you assess the situation carefully and objectively, I would say HINDRAF has failed to achieve the objectives that they fought for. You might argue they had brought changes in the minds, but what’s the point of all the talk, demos and changing of mindset if nothing concrete is resulted.
As for MIC, they had been making their requests to the govt long before HINDRAF came and these demands were more than 18 points. These points were very specific and nothing much had changed after the HINDRAF demo. Perhaps they are more vocal now but I think MCA and Gerakan are far more vocal in comparison.
As for the govt, they did not even entertain HINDRAF and their actions too did not change much after the HINDRAF demo. The cabinet committee was formed before the GE/HINDRAF.
As for PR, they have also failed miserably after using and abusing HINDRAF and Indians. Like banana leaf after a meal, HINDRAF was discarded. RS Thanendran was promised a post of MPSP (Seberang Prai) council member but internal politics in DAP and PKR put paid to that.
Even the Indian ADUNs and MPs have now distancing themselves from HINDRAF and suddenly wearing “multi-ethnic” mask. The worse of them is the fake Prof Rama, who within days of becoming DCM2 transformed from a Tamil activist to a multi-cultural Minister. And in Selangor, Xavier who wanted to be the next Samy Vellu, quickly lost his credibility after his inability to solve even the simplest problems.
HINDRAF itself is broken and dispirited. Day by day their support is declining and their key supporters are leaving them. The govt ban is the final nail in their coffin. Tonight the gathering will show what one year has done to HINDRAF and Makkal Sakthi…
Hi Killer, welcome back. its been a while.I think the big picture need to consider the micro issues which is the individual and locality. the big picture is being debated often, but not the micro issues.Yes, HINDRAF is not the sole cause for change in the election results. Its one of the factors – especially among the Indian community.you mentioned the same things as i did – MIC deposed, and Indians being more vocal (assertive and aggresive mindset). so far the socio-economic situation has not changed much. in fairness, how long would you expect for some sort of change to happen and the results to materialise? how do we monitor and measure the change? do we factor in the economic downturn while analysing the figures? I’m pretty sure the cabinet committee was formed AFTER the GE election. It had the first meeting in July 2008, 5 months after the election. PM Badawi announced the committee formation in 26 or 27 June 2008. (it seems that a similar proposal was made by GCC way back in 2004). If we base our evaluation on the 18 points memorandum, we can say that HINDRAF is yet to achieve its objectives. However, my contention is the benefit to the community by giving them faith and self confidence. I’m not judging HINDRAF, but the impact of the rally.As for MIC making requests, well, anyone can make request. Hindraf can, DAP can, MHS can, I can and you also can. Why not MIC publish a list of all its requests and put a tick mark on those that have been implemented. Take a 4 (or as many needed) page pullout in Tamil papers. In this way, the Indian community will run back to MIC, no questions about it. Surely MIC will beat Hindraf easily. Thousands of successful requests against 0 by Hindraf? Surely we can judge the winner?Come on Killer, we have seen MIC leaders grumble and complain that their requests were not entertained, still under discussion, taking a long time, etc. I can’t wait to read the memoirs of Samy Vellu (if he intends to write one truthfully) of the problems he had while in cabinet. People tend to speak freely once they are out of power and position.yup, the government did not bother about HINDRAF. but they went on to ban it.as for PR states, its time to do a study on the well-being of Indians and other communities since PR took over.
well, the gatherings yesterday was a flop…basing on individual accounts and also press reports….
Penang only saw abt 30 to 40 ppl at Waterfall temple and another 300 to 400 at Mariamman temple. At Batu Caves it was less than 1000…
Yes, HINDRAF is dying and more than anyone PR is the biggest cause. PR has stabbed on HINDRAF’s and Indians backs after using and abusing them. Unless Utahya is released (very remote possibility), HINDRAF will die and by 25th Nov 2009, they will cease to exist.
Some figures of the attendance, photos and reports from Anil Netto and Malaysiakini is at:
http://poobalan.com/blog/indian/2008/11/26/hindraf-rally-1st-anniversary/