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samy vellu at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas India

January 8th, 2008
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The MIC, he said, had submitted several memoranda to the Government on the issues even before the Hindraf rally. “We don’t go to the streets to demonstrate. They (Hindraf) submitted a one-page memorandum, alleging that the Indians were marginalised, without giving any specifics,” he said.

What memoranda and what is the status? Or is it OSA protected?

Samy Vellu said the Government had set up a committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to look into the problems of the Indians.

What committee is that? Surely it has a name right? Funny enough there was no mention of any committee headed by DPM Najib specially for Indians. Or did I miss anything?

Indian media 'grills' Samy Vellu

source

By A. LETCHUMANAN

NEW DELHI: MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu was “grilled” by the Indian media over allegations that Malaysian Indians were marginalised. 

While he was speaking to the Malaysian media, the local press as well as foreign media butted in and raised questions on the Nov 25 illegal rally by Hindraf and issues such as discrimination and marginalisation of Indians. Samy Vellu, who is also the Works Minister, patiently replied to the questions for more than 30 minutes. 

Later, speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2008, he said there was no demonstration or violence in the country as claimed by certain quarters. 

“It was a gathering by a group calling itself Hindraf. It is not a registered body or a union,” he said. He said the organiser of Hindraf was not in the country while the others were detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA). 

Samy Vellu reiterated that the Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had looked after the interests of the Indian community. 

The MIC, he said, had submitted several memoranda to the Government on the issues even before the Hindraf rally. “We don’t go to the streets to demonstrate. They (Hindraf) submitted a one-page memorandum, alleging that the Indians were marginalised, without giving any specifics,” he said. 

Samy Vellu said the Government had set up a committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to look into the problems of the Indians. “They (the Government) are giving more opportunities for Indians in civil sector employment, more funding for small businesses and other sectors,” he said. 

He also said a demonstration by 10,000 people did not mean the country faced an unrest. “Unrest means the whole community getting together and causing problems. This is not happening there,” he said, adding that the majority of the Indians were peace-loving and supported the Government. 

MIC also distributed copies of a booklet entitled Malaysian Indians — Then & Now, outlining the history and development of the community in the last 140 years to the 1,500 delegates of the conference as well as the Indian media. The colourful 20-page booklet also contains the Indian community’s representation in the government and civil service, education, Tamil schools, tertiary education and religion.

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did they or did they not talk about discrimination against malaysian indians?

January 8th, 2008
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The Star says:

Asked if Antony had raised the issue of alleged discrimination against Indians and Hindus in the country, Syed Hamid said he had not.

PTI says:

India and Malaysia today discussed the plight of ethnic Indians, who had been protesting against the government alleging their marginalisation in this multi-racial country.

The issue came up during talks Defence Minister A K Antony had with his counterpart Najib Razak here.

However, the two leaders did not reveal details of their discussions on the issue.

"He is aware of the political situation. Let's leave it at that," Najib told reporters at a joint press conference after the meeting.

When Indian journalists sought his remarks, Antony declined to comment.

So who said what? Maybe Syed Albar did not hear the discussion properly or the reporters misunderstood his comments.

India, Malaysia discuss ethnic Indian issue

By PTI : Monday January 7, 04:26 PM

Kuala Lumpur, Jan 7 (PTI) India and Malaysia today discussed the plight of ethnic Indians, who had been protesting against the government alleging their marginalisation in this multi-racial country.

The issue came up during talks Defence Minister A K Antony had with his counterpart Najib Razak here.

However, the two leaders did not reveal details of their discussions on the issue.

"He is aware of the political situation. Let's leave it at that," Najib told reporters at a joint press conference after the meeting.

When Indian journalists sought his remarks, Antony declined to comment.

The Hindu Rights Action Front (Hindraf), a non- governmental group, had organised a massive rally attended by over 20,000 ethnic Indians here on November 25 to protest their alleged marginalisation in this country. The allegation has been denied by the government.

Authorities took into custody scores of people following the assembly, declared "illegal" by the government. Five leaders of Hindraf are still in detention under the controversial Internal Security Act (ISA) which allows holding people without trial for a long period of time.

Asean-India FTA talks enter final stage

source

PUTRAJAYA: Discussions on a free trade agreement (FTA) between Asean and India are in the final stage with only one more outstanding issue to resolve. 

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said once the issue – which centred on the export of palm oil from the region to India – had been resolved, the FTA would be signed. 

“A feasibility study on a separate FTA between India and Malaysia has also been completed and discussions on the matter have started between our International Trade and Industry Ministry and India’s Ministry of Commerce. 

“Both our Prime Ministers had in a previous meeting stated that they wanted discussions on the agreement to be concluded as soon as possible,” he told reporters after meeting India’s Defence Minister A.K. Antony at his office here yesterday. 

Syed Hamid said Antony had also expressed the Indian government’s wish to play a greater role in its relationship with Asean. 

“They hope to see Malaysia’s support on that matter,” he said, adding that the Indian government also hoped to see a “broadening” of the existing relationship, particularly in defence and trade matters. 

Asked if Antony had raised the issue of alleged discrimination against Indians and Hindus in the country, Syed Hamid said he had not. 

“In fact, he said India hopes to learn from the Malaysian experience and development model. The matter raised by Hindraf (Hindu Rights Action Force) is a domestic matter,” he said.

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MIBA Sivakumar talks about the positives of Hindraf rally

January 7th, 2008
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Silver lining of Hindraf rally

http://malaysiakini.com/news/76766

RK Anand | Jan 7, 08 3:45pm

On Nov 25 last year, some 30,000 people reportedly flooded the streets in Kuala Lumpur to participate in a rally. 

The massive turnout caught everybody by surprise, including the organiser – Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).

In a knee-jerk response, government leaders called it an act of extremism, arguing that all is well with the Indian community and hence there was no other motive, except for a sinister one, for such a rally.

Scores were arrested, while five Hindraf leaders, four of whom lawyers, are being held under the Internal Security Act (ISA). The five were accused of having links with terrorist groups, a charge they have vehemently denied.

However, as the days passed, there seemed to be an official recognition of the problems faced by the Indian community. Suddenly, all was not well after all.

Even MIC and its leaders acquiesced, carefully pointing out the leaks that needed to be plugged.

Positive side

"This is the positive side of the Hindraf rally," argued Malaysian Indian Business Association (Miba) president P Sivakumar. 

"This must be acknowledged. It is because of the five individuals locked up under ISA that so many things are moving now," he told Malaysiakini today.

"These professionals, who could have led comfortable lives, were forced to shoulder this issue because the groups tasked with helping the Indians failed miserably. They have sacrificed their freedom for this," he added.

On the momentum of change stoked by Hindraf, Sivakumar said since the Nov 25 rally, there have been some positive developments.

The most notable, he pointed out, is that it has united the Indian community. Apart from this, he said numerous meetings and assurances followed.

"For example, the special meeting between Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Indian non-governmental organisations on Dec 14," added Sivakumar, who was present at the meeting.

He said MIC and its president S Samy Vellu, who have come under intense pressure, are now forced to act for the betterment of the Indian community.

"Not to forget Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo meeting with Hindu groups over the issue of temple demolitions and the prime minister also giving an assurance concerning this.

"The premier, in his winding up speech during the special meeting, also acknowledged that help was not trickling down and promised to look into improving the delivery system.

"After three generations of Indian Malaysian parents selling off their assets to educate their children, there is now hope of more educational grants and loans coming forth.

"There is also hope that all races in Malaysia will one day be treated equally. Why did all of these happen? Because of the Hindraf rally," he noted.

'New champions' 

Sivakumar also pointed out that the rally gave rise to 'new champions' of the Indian community and some of them are branding the rally as a form of extremism.

"But where would these new champions be if not for the rally?" he asked.

In view of this, Sivakumar urged all parties, including the media, to stop using the word extremism to describe the rally.

"This is an unkind term which should not be used," he said, calling the rally a "just cause" born out of "bottled-up frustration".

"The rally, which was meant to be peaceful, was an eye opener, it got everybody talking. It even captured the world's attention," he added.

Critics have lambasted Hindraf and its leaders for making claims, which they said, bordered on extremism and could lead to racial tensions.

Chief among these are the claims that the government has marginalised the Indian community and subjected them to ethnic cleansing.

'No evidence' 

In a related development, Samy Vellu told Indian television station NDTV that the Hindraf five are held under ISA on 'suspicion' of having terrorist links, namely with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

The veteran politician said this when asked if the government has evidence to back the accusation.

Below is an excerpt from the Jan 2 interview.

NDTV: Do you have any evidence to back your government's charge that Hindraf has links with terrorists?

Samy Vellu: Hindraf said they would fight like the Tigers (LTTE), the way the Tigers are fighting in Sri Lanka. It was by (Hindraf chairperson) P Waythamoorthy. After he talked like that, we did an investigation and it was felt that he may have gone there for training.

NDTV: Do you have evidence of this?

Samy Vellu: No. It is our suspicion.

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hindraf and war of roses

January 7th, 2008
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However, it is expected that the police will declare the gathering of 10,000 illegal – with or without roses.

without doubt, it will be not given a permit. national security, traffic congestion, application must be made by organisation, thugs may cause violence etc. will be the reasons. Valid reasons of course. if many policemen and FRUs are assigned to parliment, lack of security may increase criminal activities in other places; traffic jam due to roadblock and road closures; Hindraf is not registered organisation; anyone can join the crowd and cause mayhem.

anyway, i suppose being a non-working day and the parliment not in session yet, PM or his representative won't be around. Probably the organisers can ask everyone to pass by and leave the flowers there between 7am and 2pm or so. this will reduce the probability of traffic jam and violence instigated by other people. just put some large baskets to put the flowers in. later the Parliment police can easily dispose of it, or even resell it to the florists. make some side money la…

anyway, looking at the current support for hindraf, i think there will be much more than 10000 people wanting to give PM a rose. 20K? 30K? 40K?

Hindraf declares war… of roses
http://malaysiakini.com/news/76787
Syed Jaymal Zahiid | Jan 7, 08 7:18pm

Its leaders have been demonised and detained, its supporters labeled as misguided, and its grievances dismissed as ‘extreme’.

So what does Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) have up its sleeves to make known its plight and that of the Indian community?

Roses. Lots and lots of them. And for whom? Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. 

In a statement from London today, Hindraf chairperson P Waythamoorthy said 10,000 Indians bearing red and yellow roses will converge in February at the Parliament House in Kuala Lumpur to petition Abdullah on issues affecting the Indian community.

Red roses to signify the ‘love and peace’ with which Hindraf brings its message, yellow roses to signify the demand for justice for five of Hindraf’s leaders – including Waytha’s brother Uthayakumar – who are currently held under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

Waythamoorthy said the yellow roses also symbolise the ‘cry for justice’ emanating from the Indian community on the whole that ‘has been neglected for the last 50 years’.

Abdullah, as internal security minister, had signed the orders for the detention of the ‘Hindraf 5' under the ISA – which provides for detention without trial. They were accused of being a threat to national security.

‘The heart bleeds’

Waythamoorthy said Hindraf aims to unleash its ‘flower power’ and bring its message of love, peace and justice in conjunction with Valentine’s Day.

However, the roses for Abdullah will only be delivered two days later on Feb 16.

‘The heart of the Indian community bleeds on the incarceration of their leaders under the ISA. It is hoped by accepting the roses, the prime minister would be compassionate and understand the needs of the Indian community,” said Waythamoorthy.

Requesting Abdullah to “make himself available” to the petitioners, Waythamoorthy said Hindraf hopes the prime minister would be more compassionate.

“It is hoped that by accepting the roses, the prime minister would be compassionate and understand the needs of the Indian community,” he said.

However, it is expected that the police will declare the gathering of 10,000 illegal – with or without roses.

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dato subra did not start hindraf

January 7th, 2008
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Subra: I did not start Hindraf
http://malaysiakini.com/news/76784
RK Anand | Jan 7, 08 6:29pm

Former MIC deputy president S Subramaniam has denied the accusation that he created the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) movement.

He was responding to his former boss and political nemesis MIC president S Samy Vellu. 

In a recent interview with India-based magazine Kumudam Reporter, Samy Vellu said that Subramaniam started Hindraf to campaign against him as a result of being disgruntled over his defeat in the contest for the MIC number two post in 2006.

The two veteran politicians have been embroiled in a protracted feud which culminated in Subramaniam losing to G Palanivel – Samy Vellu's preferred candidate – in the party polls.

Over the years, the MIC president has accused his estranged ex-deputy of numerous misdeeds, including being a 'back stabber'.

Commenting on his latest allegation, Subramaniam said the MIC president has now taken his blame game against him overseas.

"After all that has been said about Hindraf, Samy Vellu has suddenly come up with a new discovery – that I started Hindraf," he told Malaysiakini today.

"Who started Hindraf? Who is behind it? How many years has it been active? What are the reasons behind its struggle? These are questions I need not answer, as the people already know the answers," he said.

Subramaniam stressed that he has always fought his political battles on his own. "I don’t need to create any platform or hide behind any platform for this."

'Same old tune'

On that note, the veteran politician said he will fight alongside any movement or organisation whose struggle is genuine. 

"Whatever organisation or movement it may be, if their struggle is genuine, if they are fighting for the upliftment of the Indian community, for our rights, I am always ready to fight alongside or lend my voice to them.

"However, the demands made must be reasonable, not be twisted and the struggle should not cause racial divisions in the country. Only this kind of struggle will benefit the community in the long run," he added.

Subramaniam also pointed out that he was the first to urge the government to review the attempted murder charge slapped against 31 individuals in connection with a rally organised by Hindraf on Nov 25.

"There are media reports to prove this," he said.

The former MIC deputy president called on his former boss to stop the practice of 'covering up' his shortcomings and blaming others.

"He should stop singing the same old tune which he has been singing for 29 years, the people are tired of hearing it," he said.

On the contrary, he said the focus should be on the issues behind the community's struggle.

The Hindraf rally drew some 30,000 people to the streets in Kuala Lumpur. Following this, MIC and its leaders have come under intense pressure as the party has been accused of failing to represent the community.

The government has labelled Hindraf as an extremist movement and five of its leaders are being held under the Internal Security Act (ISA) after being accused of having links with terror groups.

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