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I doubt if the new PM wants to meet a group that continuously blames UMNO for the discrimination that’s happening in the country. Perhaps he just might do that, and score another point with the community. Everyone would remember when PM Badawi said “who is HINDRAF” because the sole representative of the Indian community is MIC. Now that MIC has lost much ground and support, it remains to see if the new administration is willing to engage other groups as well.
With a stroke of brilliance, the administration can close the chapter on HINDRAF by promising to look into the problems raised by them – temple demolition, IC/birth cert problem, tamil school status, lock-up deaths, etc. In fact, there’s been no news of temple demolition in last two months, and schools have been promised RM130 million for renovation works. If the administration can show that steps are actually being taken instead of merely promises, there won’t be a reason for HINDRAF to exist anymore. It can transform into a social service body instead of political pressure group.
Hindraf leader P. Waythamoorthy wants Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to consider having a dialogue with the organisation.
The chairman of the outlawed group, who is in self-exile in London, says he was prepared to meet Najib to highlight the grouses that had pushed Hindraf to mobilise members of the Indian community to the rally on Nov 25, 2007.
“It is timely for the prime minister and the government of the day to engage Hindraf and the Makkal Sakthi movement in a dialogue to discuss ways and means to tackle the various problems afflicting the Indian community in Malaysia,” said Waythamoorthy.
He added that Hindraf and the Makkal Sakthi movement had always been open to initiating an open and honest discussion with the relevant authorities to help solve the socio-economic ills plaguing the Indian community.
“Given that Najib is propagating his 1Malaysia philosophy, solving the Malaysian Indian problem must be made a top priority,” said Waythamoorthy who is recovering from heart surgery.
He added that he was keen to put forward to Najib the movement’s 18-point demand that was self-explanatory.
Among the points is the need for all Tamil schools in the country to be made fully-aided entities.
Currently, Tamil schools are only partially-aided and this has resulted in students having to make do with ramshackle structures for classrooms.
“We are willing to work with the current government to ensure that the interests of the Indian community is taken care off,” said Waythamoorthy.
Waythamoorthy, who spearheaded the movement with his elder brother Uthayakumar –, now detained under the Internal Security Act – recently reshaped Hindraf into a non-governmental organisation to tackle the various socio-economic problems faced by Indians.
He had also insisted in maintaining Hindraf as a non-political entity.
One party that agrees with Waytha’s move is Gerakan, well the Penang branch at least. No news from others.
Penang Gerakan has welcomed Hindraf chairman P. Waythamoorthy’s request for a dialogue with the Government, saying it is a “positive step”.
State party chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan said social and economic problems affecting the Indian community raised by the outlawed group must be solved urgently.
In a press statement he said the problems could be solved through consultations and discussions instead of confrontations.
“Waythamoorthy’s overture to have a dialogue with the Government is a positive step and Gerakan welcomes it,” he said.
