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HRP aims to be third political platform

August 13th, 2010
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I can’t say much of the “dreaming of numbers” as it sounds melodramatic, but hey, great things start with one man’s dream, don’t they? Only time will tell how HRP’s ambitions will turn out.

The one problem I envision, with targeting Indian majority seats is that it will most likely be a direct assault on other Indian candidates from either BN or PR. I agree that PR will be most affected as compared to BN if HRP does enter the fray.

Anyway, for long term success, HRP should extend their manifesto beyond Indian community uplifting. They should insert issues that benefit everyone such as housing for the poor, equal education.

Good luck to HRP! Unggal vottu, Uthayavukku?

In the next general election, the Human Rights Party Malaysia (HRP) is aiming to become the third political platform to uplift the socio-economic status of the Indian community in the country.

The party is planning to go for 15 out of the total of 222 parliamentary seats in the nation and 38 out of the total of 576 state seats in the country.

Party pro-tem secretary-general P Uthayakumar (left) said. “I dreamt of the magical number ‘1538’ while I was in detention under ISA in the Kamunting Detention Camp in Taiping and we hope to realise this dream in the coming general election. This will give us the political power to voice out the concerns of the Indian community both in the state assemblies and in Parliament.”

The Indian community had first put their faith in the Umno-BN government but he was disappointed to note that it had denied the Indian community their basic rights to a better socio-economic environment for the past 53 years.

“Then the community opted for the Pakatan Rakyat as a second platform during the last general election, hoping for a change in the political climate of the country.

“They (Pakatan) sailed through the elections by taking four states by politicising our ‘Makkal Sakthi’ theme and benefiting from our labour and even imprisonment,” said the former ISA detainee.

According to him, Pakatan did not measure up to the Indian community’s expectations in solving their economic woes and improving their standard of living.

Pakatan Indian politicians who were elected in constituencies with a large Indian presence failed to highlight the plight of the community both in the state assemblies and in Parliament he charged.

Uthayakumar claimed they were not action-oriented but only gave media statements and lip service and did not bother to go the ground to solve the woes of the marginalised community.

“These elected representatives only played second fiddle to their masters and did not want to offend the Chinese and Malay voters by aggressively campaigning for the rights of their community,” he alleged.

So, HRP has decided to go on the warpath against Pakatan and BN by forming the third platform and this move may put the spanner in the works of Pakatan’s ambition to take over Putrajaya in the next general election.

He accused both BN and Pakatan of harping on Malay and Chinese issues and problems but conveniently forgetting the Indian community.

When asked about allegations that he was attacking Pakatan publicly with the aim of getting his party registered by the Registrar of Societies (ROS), an angry Uthyakumar said, “Our enemy is Umno-BN who had taken away our rights as citizens of this country.”

As the ROS has not approved the application to register HRP, the party will field its candidates as independents under the banner heading of Uthayakumar.

When asked if HRP would work with Pakatan in the coming general election, he said it was possible but with the condition that Pakatan must surrender some of its state and parliamentary seats for HRP.

“We are not going to give a blank cheque to Pakatan but expect seats in return,” said Uthayakumar.

At the moment, Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) wants DAP to cede the Jelapang state seat to it or else their candidate will stand as an independent.

Uthayakumar said HRP will also take the same stand if its demand for some of the state and parliamentary seats from Pakatan is unsuccessful.

When told that HRP is seen by some as a racist party, Uthayakumar said the it was formed to help the marginalised Indian community uplift their socio-economic status in the country.

But he quickly added that the spin-off from helping the Indian community would help make all Malaysians equal partners in the economic cake.

HRP has started their preparation for the next general election by targeting the Buntong state seat, which has the highest proportion of Indian voters in the country at 46 percent, and next the parliamentary seat of Ipoh Barat which has 22 percent Indian voters.

The party leader hopes to increase the number of Indian voters in Buntong from 46 percent to 54 percent to make possible a win for HRP.

Then it will go into constituencies with a large Indian presence and increase the Indian voter populations to ensure that they win their seats.

HRP is now highlighting several social problems in the Indian community, including conversion cases involving Indian women, Malaysian born Indians being denied birth certificates and identity cards and the increase in Indian youths turning to crime.

The party also wants Tamil schools, Hindu temples and Hindu cemeteries to be given permanent state land titles and gazetted accordingly.

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Sinthamani Ashramam to be demolished?

June 29th, 2010
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I was surprised to read this letter from HRP to PM Najib (who else?):

Extract from the letter:

We have been instructed to write on behalf of the Sintamany Orphanage, Jinjang Kuala Lumpur who has been served with a notice to demolish this seven year old Sintamany orphanage and the adjoining Hindu temple.

This home was founded by a 26 year old youth Praveendran a/l Balasamy who was moved to do so when he found a 13 year old Indian boy loitering by a rubbish dumpsite.

Today this home has 65 children with the youngest being an eight month old baby, thirty-five of these children are in primary school, 5 in secondary school, 2 old folks, three single parents and the rest being baby sitted at the home. This Sintamany home is also an orphanage to the abandoned, distressed, single mothers elderly and sickly Indians who have no where else to go.

This home is currently occupying an almost one acre unused land in Jinjang Utara belonging to the UMNO led Government of Malay-sia.

Last month some 50 UMNO policemen and welfare officers stormed this home bullied and harassed the occupants there to move out. Two children aged three and five become ill and were hospitalized as a result of this.

Other children sent to the government welfare homes are being forcibly converted to Islam like in the latest cases of Darshini and Banggarama (The Sun 25/11/2009 at page 4) .

Many of these orphans have been denied even their rightful birth certificates and this home is applying for the same for them.

It is the duty and responsibility of any government in any part of the world to take care of or orphans and One Malay-sia seems to be the exception in so far as the poor ethnic minority Malaysian Indians are concerned.

This home has never been assisted with a single cent or even a single cup of rice by the UMNO led Malay-sian government despite the RM 850 Million 2010 national budget as social safety net for the poor, disabled and senior citizens (News Straits Time 18/10/2009 at page 23). The pre existing poor local working class Rumah Panjang Indian community and other well wishers help maintain this orphanage. Why should the pre existing poor help this orphanage out financially when it is the duty and responsibility of the government.

This is a Tamil saying Mr . Prime Minister that if one cannot help the least one could do is not to do damage.

So please do not damage and demolish this Sintamany Orphanage on 30/06/2010 at 9.00 a.m.

Instead we urge your goodselves as not only the Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on the Indians but also the Prime Minister for all Malaysians not including and segregating the Malaysian Indians to grant this home RM 200, 000.00 per annum and also the land this orphanage is  sitting on to be alienated to this orphanage in order for the poor, powerless and politically voiceless up to sixth generation Malaysian born Indians a shelter and a roof they need over their heads.

IF we remember food, shelter and clothing are the basic necessities in the life of a any human being and is about the most basic economic theory.

I remember reading that the home was indeed on public land, but all this while there was no interference or indication of the land going to be used for other purposes. I think its only wise to relocate the home to another location. It will look very very bad on government, DBKL, FT Minister Nong Chik, FT Deputy Minister Saravanan, PM Najib, and 1Malaysia concept if such noble efforts are just brushed aside in the name of development or progress. It may well drag down the Indian community support (82% in mid May according to Merdeka Center) towards PM and 1Malaysia when news goes around that government is going around demolishing ashramam nowadays.

The ashramam has been benefactor of few charity drives. Even announced in THR Raaga, appeared in Star news paper, and got donations from big companies.

Oh, they are on Facebook as well.

I guess it will need intervention of MIC folks since the authorities won’t be listening to HRP any time soon (what a shame though).

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HRP memo to abolish STPM

June 17th, 2010
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HRP handed over a memo to a representative of PM Najib at the parliament yesterday to call for the abolishment of STPM in favor of single program (matriculation) for all.

Abolishing a tougher program for the lesser one doesn’t seem to be a wise move, but maybe HRP is just trying to create some heat to force reaction from the authorities.

Its only fair that a single point of entry is provided, or if there’s multiple entry points, then every rakyat is given equal and fair opportunity to make use of the entry point. Any attempts to defend or justify otherwise is just excuse to practice discrimination.

So, for me, make only one way to enter IPTA – STPM (UEC also should not be used to enter IPTA). Other routes must be removed. OR, open matriculation to all and close down STPM. Not enough places, well, convert all STPM classes into matriculation classes, just need to retrain teachers and change the syllabus.

They also handed over a list of 48 names of students who did not get any offers:

NO NAME IC ADDRESS RESULT
1 Deborah Anne a/p John Philip 920608-14-5120 SMK Covent Bukit Nanas 13 As
2 Mohana Priya a/p Kasanathan 920122-14-5390 SMK Ibrahim 13 As
3 Shobanaa Rubini a/p Ganesarao 920305-08-6522 SMK Perempuan Methodist, Ipoh 12 As
4 Elwinder Singh a/l Jasvir Singh 920121-14-6017 SMK Sri Dasmesh KL 12 As
4 Sasvin a/l Manimaran 920816-10-5717 SMK Taman Sea 11 As
5 Sharmalla a/p Subramaniam 921218-05-5124 SMK Senawang Seremban 11 As
6 Gomalah a/p Ganeswaran 920728-05-5082 SMK Tuanku Jaafar Seremban 11 As
7 Sangitha a/p Elango 921218-05-5474 SMK King George V Seremban 11 As
8 Thenmoli Hanbrasi a/p Jothy 920520-08-5180 SMK Tawar 11 As
9 Deepashini a/p Rajindran 921106-08-5580 SMK Methodist (ACS), Sitiawan 11 As
10 Arvind a/l Rajan 920605-14-5045 SMK Kepong 11 As
11 Santhini a/p Ramani 921012-10-6096 SMK Pusat Bandar Puchong 1 11 As
12 Shivanashini a/p Mathiyalagan 920428-02-5914 SMK Covent Father Barre 11 As
13 Prabagaran a/l Kanapathy 920829-08-5539 SMK Anderson Ipoh 10 As
14 Santhira a/p Vijaya Kumar 920814-14-5156 SMK Tengku Ampuan Rahimah 10 As
15 Divya Mala a/p Shanmugam 921118-10-5358 SMK Tawau 10 As
16 Serena Susan a/p Peter Manickom 920528-01-5078 SMK Iskandar Shah 10 As
17 Eiswaran a/l Ramasamy 920125-05-5227 SMK King Gedage V Seremban 10 As
18 Komathi a/p Muniandy 920719-02-5094 SMK Kulim 10 As
19 Pavithiraen a/l Segeranazan 921225-08-5903 SMK Dato’ Haji Hussein 10 As
20 Jayasri Nair a/p Janardanan 921219-07-5338 SMK Bedong 10 As
21 Ravind a/l Amaresan 920928-14-5867 SMK Ibrahim 10 As
22 Prabagaran a/l Kanapathy 920829-08-5539 SMK Anderson, Ipoh 10 As
23 Mogan a/l Mahadevan 921022-07-5641 SMK Datuk Haji Abd Kadir P.Png 10 As
24 Yuana Rooja a/p Murugah 921002-02-6092 SMK Ibrahim 10 As
25 Moganpriya a/p Thillamuthu 920924-02-5868 SMK Covent Fat

.+her Barre

 10 As
26 Thulasi a/p Palakrisnan 920310-08-6412 SMK Sains Raja Tun Azlan, Taiping 9 As
27 Uneshddarann a/l Nagandran 921125-01-5123 SMK Buloh Kasap 9 As
28 Nageeshvari a/p Tachinamurti 920129-14-6142 SMK Damansara Damai 1 9 As
29 Kesevaan a/l Morgan 920717-14-5947 SMK Raja Abdullah KL 9 As
30 Ghaithrie a/p Subramaniam 920312-01-5140 SMK Tinggi Kluang 9 As
31 Pavitra a/p Sehalinggam 920926-07-5658 SMK Convent Pulau Tikus Pinang 9 As
32 Priyatharisan a/l Balaraman 920609-05-5153 SMK Bukit Mewah Seremban 9 As
33 Yogeswary a/p Gunasegaran 920808-14-5416 SMK Convent Jalan Peel KL 9 As
34 Nandarcobini a/p Rajendran 920917-01-5662 SMK Dato Penggama Timur 9 As
35 Tarashini a/p Suthesan 920228-14-6682 SMK Convent Kajang 9 As
36 Lingeswaran a/p Ratnam 921110-01-6027 SMK Dato’ Penggama Timur 9 As
37 Rupini a/p Manoharan 920418-04-5428 SMK Undang Rembau N. Sembilan 9 As
38 Narmatha Darshini Nanthini Subramaniam 920903-14-5238 SMK (P) Sri Aman 9 As
39 Pavitra Sri a/p Ramaya 920202-02-5866 SMK Taman Ria Jaya 9 As
40 Parthiban a/l Perumal 920520-07-5105 SMK Kulim 9 As
41 Yasheera a/p Vasudevan 920103-14-5950 MAKTAB 8 As
42 Thennarasei a/p Pannir Selvam 920373-07-5018 SMK Tinggi Bkt Mertajam P. Pinang 8 As
43 Saraniah a/p Kalidasan 920624-08-5324 SMK Covent Father Barre 8 As
44 Kogulavarman a/l Asokan 920302-14-5195 SMK (L) Bukit Bintang 7 As
45 Dineshwary a/p Nadthan 920121-10-5370 SMK Subang Jaya 7 As
46 Kalaimalar a/p Perumal 921113-14-5502 SMK Seri Garing 7 As
47 Gadura Kishdra a/l Viswenaden 921103-14-5015 SMK Hillcrest 7 As
48 Navindren a/l Murugasen 920614-14-5135 SMK (L) Bukit Bintang 7 As

So, what do you think?

I doubt 7As can be considered as excellent results due to number of As easily accumulated by students. However it would be a good achievement for students coming from challenging backgrounds. While we can argue that only the best should given scholarship or only deserving ones given place in matriculation, it should be true for all, and not applied selectively. That’s the contention point, not because we are jealous or want to grab other people’s opportunities.

Thought of uploading the photos of the memo submission, but since its at HRP website, view it there:

http://www.hrp-my.org/2010/06/15/photos-memo-to-pm-najib-razak-at-parliament-15610/

http://www.hrp-my.org/2010/06/16/photos-2-memo-to-pm-najib-razak-at-parliament-15610-abolish-stpm/

Here’s a video from Youtube:

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Form 6 still same after 15 years…

June 8th, 2010
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I remember entering Form 6 15 years ago. Within weeks, the class become about half the population as the Malay students “vanished”.  At that time, I had no idea of matriculation or UiTM, so couldn’t really understand why some of my friends or classmates went away. And now, my relatives in the next generation also faced the same thing.  Where the students disappeared too? Kidnapped by aliens? Can’t afford to study in Form 6? Went to work? Went to IPTS? Recently, HRP had their gathering of SPM leavers who didn’t get place in the relevant programs. The below is news covered by Malaysiakini.

An SPM school-leaver with excellent results has failed to get a government scholarship, prompting the father, also a teacher in the same school, to suspect if there were ‘inside deals’ awarding scholarships to unqualified students instead.

The father, who declined to be named, says he believes such an internal network exists, that contributed to unqualified students in his school “disappearing one by one” as they headed for overseas programmes or matriculation studies in local universities.

“(My) children are capable too. They are also loyal to this country because we always encourage them to embrace 1Malaysia,” said the father of three.

“When we see (those unqualified students) disappearing (on scholarships) one by one, we ask ourselves, what (then) are we?

“We too are Malaysians, we struggle, we work hard but look at (what has happened to) our kids. We are disappointed, we can see tears in their eyes, but what are we to do when we are stuck?” asked the visibly upset father.

Last year, Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin insisted that the awarding of the highly-coveted Public Service Department (PSD) scholarship had been done transparently, although he conceded that there were interest groups and members of the public who were in the dark over its selection process.

Despite his assurance, a number of Indian Malaysian students are crying foul that the government has ignored their scholarship applications despite having passed their exams with flying colors.

Some, who scored more than 7 ‘A’s, are lamenting that their application for matriculation studies were rejected due to their skin color.

‘Cheated by education system’

Yesterday, these students (below) gathered at the Indian-based Human Rights Party (HRP) office in Prai, Penang, to complain about how they felt cheated and disappointed by the country’s education system.

Thennarasi Pannir Selvam, who scored 8 ‘A’s in her exams at the Bukit Mertajam High School, was heartbroken that she was rejected although her results amply qualified her to study medicine.

“I feel cheated, and unfairly treated. This is not 1Malaysia, because those whose results were lower than mine had been offered to study matriculations, whereas I did not get the chance,” said the 17-year-old, who comes from a low income family of eight.

Ravien Shanmugam, who obtained 11 ‘A’s from SMK Balidshah said the system was terribly unfair to him as he had repeatedly appealed for entry to the matriculation programme, but failed to get a response from the relevant departments.

“Even ‘normal’ students managed to get into matriculation; I studied hard and scored well in my exams. But I (am dependent) on the government to pursue my studies, and did not get a scholarship, so I feel very disappointed,” said Ravien, from a middle-income family of five.

Kavata Balasubramaniam, who scored 10 ‘A’s at Penang St George’s School also failed to get into matriculation studies as she had hoped.

“I applied for the PSD scholarship because my parents cannot support me, as they have two other kids to care for. But I failed to get it, so I have no choice but to study in Form Six. I feel very disappointed,” she said.

‘A national issue’

Meanwhile, HRP advisor N Ganesan (left) stressed that while the Indian community was most affected by this problem, it was a national issue faced by other communities as well.

“There is a definite scheme to clearly (oppress) them when they are young, so that (the prospect of a good) future is (robbed) from the Indians,” he said.

“We have been a minority, for more than 50 years we (have been) marginalised. And the problem here now is more acute than we are led to believe,” he added.

Referring to Prime Minister Najib Razak’s public claim to be willing to help the students with their applications and appeals, Ganesan suspected it to be mere lip service.

“I hope this is not something that is merely cosmetic. I hope something real happens, but as it is with this country, only when it happens (then) I (will) believe,” he said.

“How can we talk about human capital (for the country) when we stunt the growth of these students, just because they are Indians?” he asked. 

Political parties on bandwagon

The prime minister was recently reportedly to have expressed willingness to resolve the controversy over the awarding of the much sought-after scholarship, that assisted entry to overseas programmes or matriculation programmes in local universities.

Many SPM leavers with excellent grades who failed in their applications for the PSD scholarship and the placements have since appealed. 

Parties like MCA, MIC and now HRP, have offered to help the students with the appeals.

MCA said that there’s too many top scorers, too few PSD scholarships:

It is not possible to award Public Services Department (PSD) scholarships to all of the SPM straight-A students because there are too many of them.

Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said 7,800 students obtained straight As while the PSD could only offer 1,500 scholarships.

However, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek and Dr Wee, who is also MCA Youth chief, said they had appealed to the PSD during a recent meeting to give out more scholarships in view of the high number of top scorers.

During the meeting with PSD director-general Tan Sri Ismail Adam, Dr Chua and Dr Wee brought up the case of 1,304 top SPM scorers who did not get scholarships from the department.

“Currently, 1,500 scholarships are given out, 214 to students with A+s,” said Dr Wee after launching the Read Malaysia 2010 book fair yesterday.

Dr Wee hoped that in future students with the most number of A+s would be given priority in the awarding of scholarships.

He also said that the DAP should not hit out at him because the awarding of the scholarships was not under his ministry.

I’m not sure what the Minister is trying to prove, but he’s merely stating the obvious. Everyone knows that there are too many top students around. Question is, what has been done to alleviate the problem? This issue has been happening for many years now. Why not make the requirements stricter and be totally transparent? Until now, the list of scholarship recipients were not published. No details have be given on the selection logic. No wonder some groups claim that there may be hanky panky involved.

I think besides total transparency, the cut-off grades should also be properly highlighted and duly complied with. The scholarships should be awarded to those who score all A+, while those with a mixture of As should be given scholarship to study locally, either in reputable IPTS or IPTA (via matriculation/pre-u/foundation routes). Secondly, those with less than 9As should be asked to continue in Form 6, while the ones with less than 5As should be encourage to take up diploma in IPTA or polytechnics. As an alternative, stop scholarship for SPM leavers and create scholarship for STPM leavers. Only offer scholarship to those student who are able to secure places in universities list by JPA/MMC etc. This would save a lot of time and work for JPA. Matriculation programs should be stopped and post-SPM education streamlined to be fair for all Malaysians.

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HRP turnaround with IFs

April 6th, 2010
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I’m getting more worried about HRP. First, they said won’t support any candidate. And today, Uthaya is saying will support Zaid with some “ifs”.  I don’t this is the right way to proceed as it will affect the integrity. I would rather if HRP goes to ground and educate the voters to make right decision. DON”T DECIDE FOR VOTERS. Go to ground, explain your cause, explain what voters should expect, explain the rights and wrongs of both coalition. Tell them about money politics, about bribing voters, about giving handouts. Tell them to think about the future of their district. Ask them to evaluate. Ask them to ask the candidates what they can do or have done.

Even though I’m in full support of getting land for Tamil schools, let the voters ask, instead of another party making conditions. Let the Indian voters say to candidates: allocate land for Tamil school and you get my vote. Let’s see which candidate dare to do it.

But do bear in mind, Tamil school issue only affects Indian community. The other communities are not bothered about it.  So, I think it won’t really affect the PR coalition if HRP doesn’t support PR because current ratings indicate Indian community is giving thumbs up to PM Najib (according to Merdeka Center, 71%).

Human Rights Party (HRP) pro-tem secretary-general P Uthayakumar is willing to back fellow Kelantanese and Pakatan Rakyat coordinator Zaid Ibrahim in the forthcoming Hulu Selangor by-election.

Earlier the party said it would not get involved. However, this dramatic ‘about-turn’ comes, in his words, with two ifs – one small and another big.

The small if: “Zaid should prevail on the other Ibrahim, Anwar, to approve land for all the 98 Tamil schools in Selangor,” said Uthaya. “If he doesn’t stand in Hulu Selangor as we expect, we will still support any other candidate who replaces him.”

Tamil schools sitting on their own land, according to Uthaya (right), would be eligible for federal government aid and grants. “We need to educate all our children irrespective of who they are including the stateless, foreigners, illegals and refugees. Children are the future of the nation and the world.”

Uthaya disclosed that his party, the unofficial political wing of Hindraf, has a long list of more than 100 Indian issues to take up with the authorities. But for the moment he would be happy to settle for the resolution of one issue – land for Tamil schools in Selangor.

“We don’t want grand announcements and hollow pledges,” warned Uthaya. “We want the state government to pledge in writing. The media will be our witness.”

Once bitten twice shy, continued Uthaya, “considering what a disappointment Lim Guan Eng – the Penang chief minister – has been.”

In the absence of a written pledge, the fear among Indian voters is that they would be forgotten again after one brief moment of glory as kingmakers.

The moment that the Selangor government makes its pledge in writing on land for Tamil schools in the state, HRP will be ready to reconsider its earlier position of studied neutrality in Hulu Selangor.

“Our members and activists from Hindraf will be ready to spring into action to bring in the votes for Zaid or whoever else stands in place of him,” swore Uthaya. “MIC won’t be a problem because they have actually written off the Indian votes.”

The HRP chief estimates that Pakatan can win in Hulu Selangor – a BN stronghold – if it bags a little over 4,000 of the 12,000-odd Indian votes.

This coupled with the majority of Chinese votes and a significant minority of Malay votes is sufficient to deny BN the parliamentary seat, according to Uthaya.

He reckons that BN doesn’t need the Indian votes to win but fielding an Indian candidate would be a bonus for them.

Earlier, before he came up with the land for Tamil schools proposal, Uthaya had asked Zaid whether he could cite even one instance where he spoke up seriously on Indian issues.

“We will help in Hulu Selangor if Zaid (left) can do that,” said Uthaya. “He may have done so (speaking up) on some minor issues but even here we are not sure.”

The big ‘if’ to win HRP’s and Hindraf’s support in Hulu Selangor is that the Selangor state government take the lead to stop ‘mandore politics’.

Uthaya didn’t ask for any written pledges here and this is more for future ties between HRP/Hindraf and Pakatan.

Uthaya explained ‘mandore politics’ as a situation where Indian legislators in the opposition, as in the BN, were reduced to the level of mandores in dealing with the community.

The work of the mandore politician is to announce empty pledges and have these suitably recorded in the Tamil media.

“We can see why mandore politics is happening in the opposition alliance,” said Uthaya. “Just like Samy Vellu and his MIC, the opposition alliance thinks that Indians are more foolish than the Malays and Chinese when it comes to politics.”

Uthaya pointed out that the Chinese and Malay communities, unlike Indians, are not plagued by the problem of mandore politics “because they would not tolerate this supreme insult for even a moment”.

The HRP chief sees a bleak future for the opposition alliance unless it can work together with his party and Hindraf to create a wave that would translate into votes. Of particular concern is the 67 parliamentary seats in Peninsular Malaysia where the Indians are the deciding factor.

Zaid was not immediately available for comment. Uthaya’s proposal, communicated to him via text message, drew no response.

Earlier, before Uthaya came up with the carrots for Zaid, the latter confessed in a text message that he had no idea who would be the PKR candidate for Hulu Selangor. He did not indicate whether he would be interested.

But it learnt that he’s keen to stand in Hulu Selangor provided he stands a 50-50 chance. Apparently he doesn’t mind even losing in the process as long as he does well in the by-election in terms of the votes garnered.

However Hindraf chair Waythamoorthy (right), speaking from Singapore, fears for Zaid in Hulu Selangor if Anwar continues labeling Hindraf as racist.

“Anwar called Hindraf racist twice within a week recently,” fumed Waythamoorthy. “He told a Tamil daily in Kuala Lumpur that Hindraf was racist and repeated the same thing in London a week later.”

Ironically, said Waythamoorthy, Anwar’s people at the same time keep appealing to him to highlight the Sodomy II trial in the international theatre.

The Early Day Motion on Anwar Ibrahim, introduced not so long ago in the British Parliament, is one such effort that Hindraf has made in recent weeks, stressed Waythamoorthy.

“At least the man should show a little gratitude,” he added.

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