Posts Tagged ‘ISA’

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200th day under ISA for HINDRAF 5

June 24th, 2008
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29th June 2008 will mark the 200th day under ISA detention for the 5 HINDRAF leaders (detained since 13th December 2007). What is the opinion or comment of the Indian community on this? What do you, the man (woman) in the street have to say? Agree? Disagree? Hurt? Angry? Don’t Care? Feel hopeless?

Should they be released? Should they be brought to court for a fair trial? Should we instead ask for those who claim these people are linked to terrorists to be put under ISA?

Having a hard time wondering how long is 200 days? Well, sit back and think what you have done since 1st January 2008. Changed career, met a new love, bought new things, voted in elections, paying higher for petrol, met new friends, watched plenty of movies, attended weddings, graduated, went for holiday, involved in new hobby, learned new skill, moved house, got married, and many, many more things would have happened in the last 6 months. Feels like a long time doesn’t it?

Share your thoughts please.

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Fathers Day at Istana Negara

June 14th, 2008
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Following is report from Malaysiakini on the HINDRAF-organised Father’s Day gathering at Istana Negara today. Earlier, it was reported that YB Manikavasagam and YB Sivarasa were among the 6 people arrested at the gathering.

Interestingly, Ronnie Liu ACCEPTED the bear on behalf (of the KING?). I’m not sure who he is representing, definitely not the King.

I think Hindraf have to look beyond flowers, teddy bears and other gifts, as it may be shunned if seemed to be not effective. There should be some brainstorming session to ensure it gets continuous support from the Makkal. Makkal will forget the suffering and sacrifices of the Hindraf 5 if not constantly reminded, but there should be variety of ways to maintain the momentum. Perhaps some sort of branding and merchandising strategy – T-shirts, caps, car stickers, badges could be created. They can get support in the Pakatan states, so that’s a good starting point.

The intention of 48 children of ISA detainees to present Father’s Day gift of teddy bears to the Agong was dampened by the police and a no-show from palace representatives.

Chanting “Daulat Tuanku”, the children carrying teddy bear bouquets accompanied by about 30 adults were stopped from approaching the palace by police who formed a barricade 500 meters from the palace gates at around 10.40 this morning.

Policemen, already alert after an earlier arrest of three opposition parliamentarians, were quick to gather around the crowd. A senior police officer approached event leaders who were Hindraf leaders – RS Thananenthiran (national coordinator), S Jayathas (national information coordinator) and A Vathemurthy (Perak state coordinator) – requesting that the crowd to disperse immediately.

Thananenthiran then shouted that “We are Malaysian citizens who would like to present a gift to the father of all Malaysians.”

There were continuous pleas from the crowd which argued that as Malaysian citizens they should have the right to gather in front of the palace without a permit.  “Tourists are allowed to gather and present gifts, so why can’t we? This must be changed. We have all the right to rally peacefully,” said Vathemurthy.

The heat under the strong sun caused some of the children – from five to 15 years of age – to begin crying in discomfort.

Thananenthiran then asked the police to be compassionate with the children. The police officer fired back that although he loved children, they were being only being ‘utilised’ by Hindraf leaders. » Read more: Fathers Day at Istana Negara

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Sivarasa and Manikavasagam arrested

June 14th, 2008
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Both were at the HINDRAF-arranged gathering to present the Agong with flowers and teddy bears today at 10.30am. 15 children were selected to present the teddy bears. The gift were placed at the Istana Negara’s entrance.

According to HINDRAF, the purpose of the gathering was to ask the Agong, on Father’s Day tomorrow, to  release the fathers’ of these children. Hindraf National Event Coordinator, Kannan says:

the purpose of the gathering was to appeal to the King to advise Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar to release all the ISA detainees.

“These children do not have their fathers with them for Father’s Day (tomorrow) and that’s why they gave the King flowers as he too is a father,”

Obviously no one was around to receive the gift. Instead, the police instructed the crowd to disperse. Some were arrested, including the MPs above, and also MP for Ampang, Zuraida Kamaruddin.

According to MalaysiaKini, they were released on police bail around 1pm.  Hindraf Lawyer N Surendran was also arrested and released on bail.

According to the police:

Brickfields OCPD Asst Comm Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid said all of the people arrested were released on bail by 12.45pm.

He said the police arrived at about 10am and asked members of the public, including tourists, to vacate the area around Istana Negara’s main gate.

“Everybody left except for a group who refused to leave. We gave them three warnings to disperse. Deputy OCPD (Supt Azri Abd Rahman) spoke to them, and at 10.20am, I told gave them five minutes to disperse.  “At 10.25am, they still refused to leave so we arrested them. No force was used, and they did not resist arrest,” he said.

At 10.35am, ACP Wan Bari said a group of 70 people, including about 15 children, alighted buses parked some distance away and walked towards Istana Negara. “Each child was carrying a basket lined with yellow cloth containing flowers and a teddy bear. They left the baskets in front of the palace gate,” he said, adding that they left after being asked to.

ACP Wan Bari said he could not comment further on investigations as “counter-reports have been made” against him for ordering the arrest of the six, and his comments would prejudice investigations.

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PRIMA supports who?

May 29th, 2008
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Well, never heard of PRIMA before this, but it seems that they represent 115 organisations.  They are asking for quota in civil service, reverting to mothe tongue for science and maths, setting up of non-muslim affairs department, and to free Hindraf 5. Note that they also mentioned that “They no longer want political parties to handle the matter and said that it would speed things up if it is handled within departments” regarding to religious matters.

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has been urged to set aside at least 35 per cent of its civil service sector for non-Malays. The call was from the Federation of Malaysian Indian Organisations (Prima), an umbrella body for 115 Indian-based organisations.Its president A. Raja Retnam urged the government to ensure fair distribution of jobs for all ranks in the civil service.  “We are not asking for much. If you go to Putrajaya, you can hardly see any Chinese or Indians working in the government departments,” he said yesterday.

Prima also called for Science and Mathematics to be taught in the pupils’ own mother tongue, either Mandarin or Tamil in Chinese and Tamil schools respectively next year. Raja Retnam said the move to teach Mathematics and Science in English was not successful especially for students from rural areas who found it difficult to cope. “Before it was taught in English, the students were doing well but their performance had declined now.   “Moreover, early education is better taught in the pupils’ own language,” he said.

The federation also called for the setting up of a Non-Muslim Affairs Department in the Prime Minister’s Department to handle sensitive issues pertaining to religious matters. They no longer want political parties to handle the matter and said that it would speed things up if it is handled within departments.

Raja Retnam also called on the government to free the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders currently held under the Internal Security Act and to charge them in open court.

source

Now, its interesting to read what Saravanan says after meeting the same group. Here it is reported that the group represents 47 organisations (but the article from NST above says 115). He met with the NGOs for two hours, and summarised that NGOs support BN ( by extension MIC) and still come to MIC to help solve problems – even in opposition held states. » Read more: PRIMA supports who?

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Aid for ISA families

May 28th, 2008
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Selangor government takes the first step to snub federal government action by planning to provide aid for families of ISA detainees who are from Selangor. Possibly the case of  YB Manoharan is one of the strong reasons for this move. Will the other states follow suit?

Also heard that Bar Council also had started a fund for the family of detained lawyer (4 of the  Hindraf leaders).

The Selangor government will provide financial and welfare assistance to families of those held under the Internal Security Act (ISA), which allows detention without trial.
Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim said these measures would be taken up by the state government to help the wives and children of these detainees to ease their burden during the difficult period.  He added that his government will look into bearing the travelling costs for families to visit the detention camp every week.  At the same time, he said that children of the detainees may apply for state government scholarships to further their studies.  The wives too will be encouraged to look into various ways to become involved in businesses to help them earn a living, he said.  “Life can be difficult for them but they must continue to fight,” he said after receiving a memorandum from the Abolish ISA Movement (GMI) today.

DAP state assemblyperson M Manoharan is one of about 70 ISA detainees being held presently at the Kamunting detention centre.

source

SHAH ALAM: The Selangor government has pledged to help the families of Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees by providing welfare assistance.  Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said several steps could be taken to help the wives and children of these detainees, to help them through difficult times.  The state government could bear the travelling costs for families to visit the detention camp every week, he said.  The children could get scholarships to further their studies, and ways can be found for the wives to become entrepreneurs.  “Life can be difficult for them but they must continue to fight,” he said after receiving a memorandum from Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA (GMI or Abolish ISA Movement) here on Monday.

source


SHAH ALAM: The Selangor government will provide scholarships to the children of 16 people from the state who have been detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA). It will also provide business opportunities to their wives.  Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said the state government would cover the cost of travel for families visiting those under detention.

source

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