Cancel march, urge Indian groups

source

KUALA LUMPUR: Community leaders from 25 leading Indian associations have backed MIC’s call for tomorrow's Hindraf march to the British High Commission to be cancelled because there are too many political, economic and social concerns at stake. 

“Investors are watching us closely, and if they do not have good vibes about this country, they will shift their attention elsewhere. 

“The country and its people stand to lose tremendously. If the intention is sincere, just get a few men to hand over the memorandum to the High Commission,” said Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry public relations and publicity chairman K. Ramesh. 

Media statement: Saravanan speaking during the press conference at the MIC office in Kuala Lumpur Friday.

Ramesh was one of 25 community leaders present at a press conference yesterday at the MIC office called by party information chief Datuk M. Savaranan to protest the gathering. 

Saravanan said calling off the gathering was the best approach to prevent any untoward incident. 

Like Ramesh, Saravanan questioned the motive behind the gathering. 

“The High Commission is not even open on Sunday, so why plan the march on a rest day?” he asked. 

Malaysia Hindu Sangam national central council member C.M. Kopalan said the MIC and the Government had helped to fund, build, repair as well as settle relocation and land issues for temples nationwide. 

Malaysia Punjabi Chambers president Datuk Daljit Singh said the group would not support any gathering with a hidden agenda to foster ill will. 

The leaders said they would advise their 500,000-odd members to steer clear of the gathering. 

In Putrajaya, Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the “silent majority” should make itself heard and stand up to people with their own agenda. 

He said racial and religious sentiments made for a dangerous cocktail that could spell disaster. He also cautioned Umno Youth members to remain calm. 

In Kangar, Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail advised the people not to join any illegal assembly.

No support for Hindraf rally from MIC, 25 NGOs
By : K. Harinderan

Representatives from 25 Klang Valley Indian NGOs voicing their opposition to the Hindraf rally yesterday at a press conference convened by Federal Territory MIC chairman and national information chief Datuk M. Saravanan (front row, third from left).

KUALA LUMPUR: Twenty-five Indian non-governmental organisations here deny that they will support the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) rally tomorrow.

Federal Territory MIC chairman and national information chief Datuk M. Saravanan said: "Hindraf's claims are baseless and the Indians here will not support the gathering.

"As Malaysians, we have lived in peace and street protests are not a part of our culture.

"I urge the parties to discuss and resolve the matter. History has shown that demonstrations always end in violence."

Saravanan was speaking yesterday at a press conference convened by the MIC and the NGOs, which claim to represent 500,000 Indians in the Klang Valley.

Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry vice-president for Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, Ramesh Kodammal, said demonstrations would affect the business community and, on a greater scale, the image of the country.

Malaysian Punjabi Chambers of Commerce and Industries president Datuk Daljit Singh Dalliwal said: "Our message is clear, we support the Barisan Nasional government and do not support any element that goes against the peace and economic viability of the country."

The Hindraf rally outside the British High Commission is in support of a class-action suit against the British government for bringing Indians to Malaya as indentured workers, for exploiting them for 150 years, and for failing to protect their rights as a minority in the Federal Constitution when independence was granted.

The group is seeking STG4 trillion (RM27.7 trillion) in damages in a suit filed in Britain on Aug 30. They plan to petition Queen Elizabeth II for a Queen's Counsel to argue their case