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Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email Since the poll was launched on 18th January 8.15pm, there have been 17 votes with the following results:
Yes – 14 (82%)
No – 2 (12%)
Unsure – 1 (6%)
you can have your say at:
http://poobalan.com/blog/borninmalaysia/2008/01/18/to-boycott-or-not-what-say-you/
the poll is on the left side menu at
| Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email Hmmm…government giving 20 million, and these guys have not sent a proposal yet? I’m more than willing to step in if these guys have other better things to do. I’m sure the Indian community feels the same as well.
And Nadarajah’s response – “was unwell”.
Perhaps this is a chance for MHS to come back from death?
The so-called proposal was submitted during the meeting between Khir Toyo and Selangor temples representatives held on Jan 4. Extract from the article:
At yesterday’s dialogue, Malay- sian Hindu Council chairman Datuk R. Nadarajah also submitted to Dr Khir a proposal for the setting up of a Malaysian Indian Cultural Centre in Batu Caves. This is following an announcement by Dr Khir that there was a RM20 million state allocation for the purpose of building a cultural centre for the Indian community.
read it here.
to be fair, MHC can claim that it has only been 2 weeks since Toyo announced the allocation and they need more time to come out with comprehensive plan. But if I’m not mistaken, the plan for Hindu Cultural Centre was announced quite sometime back by Selangor govt.
Khir in dark over cultural centre proposal
http://malaysiakini.com/news/77213
Syed Jaymal Zahiid | Jan 19, 08 11:54am
The Selangor state government has blamed the Indian community’s lack of initiative for the delay in implementing the Hindu Cultural Centre project in Batu Caves.
Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo said that his government has allocated RM20 million for the project but has yet to receive any feed back from community leaders or the Batu Caves temple committee, headed by R Nadarajah. “I have given them the freedom to decide on how they wish to conceive the cultural centre, according to their needs and the state government has allocated RM 20 million for the project. “If the state government is to implement the project without consulting the Indian-Malaysian community, they would say the government is unfair,” said Khir when contacted by Malaysiakini.
He was commenting to a recent protest by some 100 Indian-Malaysians from the Batu Caves area over the delay in the project. These protesters claimed that Khir and his government’s three-year-old promise to build the Hindu Cultural Centre (said to be built within the vicinity of the Batu Cave temple on a 20 acre land) has not been fulfilled.
Khir explained that the reason why the project was yet to be implemented was because he has not received any proposals regarding the cultural centre from the Indian-Malaysian community. He denied press reports which quoted Nadarajah as saying that the temple had submitted a blueprint and proposal to Khir on Jan 4.
Khir said he was shocked to discover that the proposal submitted by Nadarajah was actually a proposal of merely landscape alterations for the Batu Caves temple and not the blueprint for the cultural centre. “So why accuse me of lying? You ( Selangor Indian-Malaysian community) give the proposal, we will study it and if approved, it will be implemented immediately,” said Khir.
Nadarajah, when contacted, said that he was unwell and could not comment on the matter.
As for the 100 local residents who protested over the delay in the project, Khir believed the event did not reflect the opinions of majority of the Selangor residents. “Most of the protesters were PKR supporters. They are just desperately trying to manipulate the situation to gain support. I suggest they get their facts right,” he said.
To counter allegations that the delay in the project was racially motivated, Khir argued that his government has implemented the Chinese and Malay cultural centres respectively. Khir said both the Chinese and Malay cultural centres are currently undergoing development though he could not elaborate on the details.
| Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email few things caught my eye in this article:
– gang leader talking about how these fights spoil community and religion name. talk about repenting!
– sale of alcohol (presumably with knowledge of everyone from MIC leaders, temple committee, PHEB, local council, opposition parties, police, local council, penangites)
– Hindraf rally said to be reason that is uniting the community.
– fights are normal in penang during thaipusam
http://malaysiakini.com/news/77214
Penang gears up for a trouble-free Thaipusam
Athi Veeranggan | Jan 19, 08 12:27pm
There is hope in the air that the Thaipusam festival next week will be celebrated in Penang without the usual gang fights between rival Hindu youths. A ‘ceasefire’ talk organised by a local Hindu organisation – the Penang Hindu Sabah (PHS) – last week managed to extract pledges from people with links with Indian gangs in the state to ensure there are no bloody street fights during the festival which will be celebrated next Wednesday. Also present at the meeting were local community leaders.
PHS chairman P Muniandy, who organised and presided the meeting, believed that Hindu youths would refrain themselves from any untoward trouble during the mammoth festival. “Public response to the issue was encouraging and we believe these influential people would be able to control these fights,” Muniandy told Malaysiakini.
During the meeting, which was also attended by a state police team, Muniandy told those present that street battles among Hindu youths were causing embarrassment to the whole community. “This undermines our religion and give room to others to intervene and control our festival,” he said.
A 36-year-old gang leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the meeting was a timely reminder to Hindu youths that there was a greater “fight for survival” facing the community in the country than infighting among them. He said the youths should realise that streets fights during Hindu festivals had only tarnished the religion’s image and turned Hindu festival into laughing stock of other communities. “It’s a self-inflicted insult and injury to our own religion. It’s time to correct the wrongs. It’s in our hands,” he added.
Calls to stop selling alcohol
Those present also called on relevant authorities to stop the sales of alcohol during the festival within the vicinity of Waterfall area., the centre of Thaipusam celebration in Penang. “Alcohol has been the main cause of disruptions and flaring up of street fights during Thaipusam,” said another gang leader, who wanted to be called only as Mani, 46.
Whether one was prepared to accept it or not, a NGO person said the spirit of unity spread by Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) have began to reap fruitful results to the community. “Bringing together these warring groups was a difficult task previously. But now Hindraf spirit has spurred the Hindus to unite and stop internal squabbling,” he said.
Several gang leaders said that the unwarranted street fights during Thaipusam and other festivals had in the past paved way to the police to flex their muscles, harass and arrest Hindu youths and undermine Hindu religious activities. “Many police officers of Indian origins tend to use these festivals as a ground to show their power and authority. “Due to irresponsible attitudes of these warring gangs, who are only a minority, vast majority of Hindus youths were being affected,” concurred the leaders. They have now pledged to stop the fights and conduct the festival in a peaceful and religious manner.
Thaipusam in Penang has always been celebrated in a carnival-like atmosphere. At least a million people, pre-dominantly Hindu devotees , are expected to throng the Waterfall area during the three-day festival which begins with a silver chariot procession on Tuesday, Jan 22.
However, street battles have somewhat become permanent unwanted black features of all major Hindu festivals in the state.
| Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email NST today specifies that one of the detainees is the one that made the report. It was first highlighted by MK but unverified since the police did not confirm nor did the detainees or their lawyers acknowledged it. NST published the news but without any details on the report lodger. Read the reports from NST, Star and MK below. For earlier articles visit:
http://poobalan.com/blog/indian/2008/01/18/polic-confirm-probe-on-hindraf-funds/
http://poobalan.com/blog/borninmalaysia/2008/01/14/vasantha-makes-police-report-against-uthaya/
Probe into misuse of Hindraf funds
By : Alang Bendahara
KUALA LUMPUR: Several people have allegedly embezzled funds collected by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) for charity and to support the families of the five leaders held under the Internal Security Act.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Ismail Omar said yesterday police had launched an investigation into a police report concerning the alleged embezzlement. He said the report claimed several people had been embezzling the funds, which now stands at RM700,000.
“The report lodged recently stated that several individuals entrusted to receive and manage the funds collected from the public had abused the money for their personal use. “We are now investigating the claims,” Ismail said.
He said the funds were collected during talks, forums, special prayers and also from individuals.”The funds were supposed to be used for charity works and to support the families of the five Hindraf leaders detained on Dec 13.” The police report was lodged at the Kamunting detention centre last week by one of the five Hindraf detainees.
Police probe alleged misuse of Hindraf funds
http://malaysiakini.com/news/77215
AFP | Jan 19, 08 11:39am
The police are investigating supporters of Indian rights group Hindraf for allegedly misusing several hundred thousand ringgit in donation funds, a report said today. The investigation follows the arrest of five Hindraf leaders last month under tough internal security laws after they enraged the government by holding an unprecedented mass rally against ethnic discrimination.
Deputy police chief Ismail Omar said police had received a report that the money, about RM700,000, meant for the families of those arrested, had been misused, according to a report in the Star daily. “The report lodged alleged that several people entrusted with managing the money had allegedly misused the money for personal gain,” Ismail said. “We are investigating the matter and have classified the case as a criminal breach of trust,” he told the paper.
Hindraf coordinator RS Thanenthiran said the report had inflated the amount of funds allegedly misused but declined to name the exact amount. “The police and government are very welcome to investigate Hindraf and what we have done,” he told AFP. “This is yet another attempt by the government to divert people from the real issue of the marginalisation of Indians by trying to discredit us through the use of such investigations.” He said the funds were donated by supporters at the various talks and prayer sessions organised by Hindraf in the last few months.
Probe on Hindraf supporters
By LOURDES CHARLES
KUALA LUMPUR: Several Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) supporters who had been entrusted to receive and manage an estimated RM700,000 are under investigation for allegedly misusing the funds. The money, collected during special prayers, forums and from donations, was meant to finance charity work as well as aid the families of the five Hindraf leaders who have been detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Ismail Omar said police received a report that alleged the funds were being misused. “The report lodged alleged that several people entrusted with managing the money had allegedly misused the money for personal gain. “We are investigating the matter and have classified the case as criminal breach of trust,” he said.
Ismail said police would seek to find who had been entrusted with managing the cash, how much had been collected, how many bank accounts had been opened and what had been done with the money. “I have directed the commercial crimes investigations department to conduct the investigations and hope to find the truth. “We also hope the public will cooperate with us and provide us with information on any irregularities allegedly committed by any member or supporters of Hindraf,” he added.
| Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email The MIC gathering announced early of the year by SV will be held tomorrow. If anyone is going, I hope can provide some feedback and photos.
Venue: Cheras Badminton Stadium
Time: was mentioned as 4pm, but not sure.
BERNAMA
PUTRAJAYA, Sat:
The gathering of 15,000 MIC members at a meeting with the prime minister in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow evening is not a show of strength by the party but a demonstration of support for Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and the government, MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said today.
Organised by the Federal Territory MIC and dubbed “An Evening with the Prime Minister”, the event at the Cheras Badminton Stadium will gather the largest ever number of MIC members at one location in recent times.
“The gathering will pledge support for the Barisan Nasional (BN) and the prime minister. This is the start of a series of such gatherings throughout the country aimed at bolstering the party’s strength and support for the BN ahead of the next general election,” the MIC chief told Bernama, when contacted.
Carrying the theme “Unity and Solidarity with the BN”, the event would set the stage for a more cohesive and coordinated effort to unite the Malaysian Indian community. Samy Vellu is expected to use the gathering to speak on the need for the country’s 1.8 million Indians to continue to lend their support to the ruling BN government and why they should be wary of tactics employed by the opposition parties to hoodwink Malaysian Indians at large.
“Indians can judge the MIC and BN through our track records. They know we are here to help and assist them in uplifting their standing. We have done that all along and we would not abandon our aim,” said Samy Vellu, who is also Works Minister.
The MIC president is also expected to emphasise the importance for the community to give attention to gaining a proper education so as to uplift its socio-economic status.
Recently, Samy Vellu announced various changes to the way the MIC would operate, including adopting new and more practical methods, in dealing with problems of the community. He has also promised to introduce new and younger MIC candidates to contest under the BN banner in the next general election, likely to be held in March.
“The Jan 20 gathering is not a show of strength but (a meeting) to send a loud and clear message that Malaysian Indians are united,” he added.
The senior Cabinet minister also had a word of caution for the opposition, saying that “they should not play with fire”. “The opposition should stop giving the community false hopes and promise the sky. They should also stop the lies and baseless allegations against the MIC and the government,” Samy Vellu said.
“The MIC will never let the community down and will fight till the last breath to ensure that their grievances are addressed. “We have been doing it for the past 62 years (since the formation of the party). Nothing will stop us from fighting for our community. We will do the right things the right way at the right time,” he said. — BERNAMA
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