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DAP steer clear of Anwar’s crossover list

September 25th, 2008
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It is interesting to read today that Lim Guan Eng said (in NST) that

I have not seen the list and in my meeting with Anwar on Tuesday night, he told me that he has not shown the list to any Pakatan Rakyat leaders.

Granted that we can simply believe the papers nowadays especially on political news, but this admission by DAP is revealing. This may be a strategy by DAP in case Anwar fails, DAP will not be hurt much since they will claim its all Anwar’s plan. Kind of an escape route.

DAP still trusts Anwar, says junior Lim. They also want to make Anwar as official spokesman for the crossover topic, but I can’t remember anyone else but Anwar and PKR talk about it. DAP and PAS just add some comments here and there, but they are never the main players.

“I think it is better to let Anwar do all the talking. There should not be too many people talking about this issue. Otherwise it will create confusion, undermining the credibility of Anwar,”

Whatever it is, I’m undecided on the list’ existence. At the moment, its 70 percent No, 30 percent Yes. But politicians being themselves, you’ll never know. Today they will say they will sink or swim with BN, tomorrow they will be wearing PKR or DAP logo! That’s how fast things can change.

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HINDRAF advises Samy to beg for forgiveness

September 24th, 2008
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Strong words indeed from Hindraf’s Thanenthiran!

The Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) has challenged the MIC president to show guts by seeking the forgiveness of Indian Malaysians before pursuing the release of the detained Hindraf 5.“(S) Samy Vellu should kneel and beg for (forgiveness) for his wrongdoings (against) the community if he is sincere and honest about seeking freedom for our leaders,” said Hindraf national coordinator RS Thanenthiran.

“I am sure Indians have a big (enough) heart to forgive him if he asks.”

He also challenged Samy Vellu to pull his party out of Barisan Nasional (BN) if he fails to obtain freedom for the five leaders being held under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

“If he fails to secure their release from Kamunting (detention camp in Perak), then MIC should pull out from BN. Is he prepared to do that?” asked Thanenthiran, at a northern region meeting of the movement in Butterworth, Penang, last night.

Some 100 coordinators and activists from Penang, Perak and Kedah attended the two-hour meeting.

They appeared amused by Samy Vellu’s claim that he has asked the prime minister to consider releasing the Hindraf 5. This was followed by a similar call by the Coalition of Malaysian Indian NGOs.

“Samy Vellu (left) reportedly called on the government to detain our leaders. Now he has suddenly emerged to champion their freedom when he has lost all his government powers,” scoffed Thanenthiran.

The community has largely blamed Samy Vellu for failing to improve their low standing and to deal with social and economic problems.

Their disgruntlement prompted their desertion of BN in the March general election and led to the MIC leader losing the long-held Sungai Siput parliamentary seat – and consequently his cabinet post.

Thanenthiran said the MIC president had been a lame-duck cabinet minister at the time the ministerial order had been signed to detain the Hindraf 5, following a massive street protest held in Kuala Lumpur last November.

“It’s heartening to see BN and NGO Indian leaders coming together to secure the freedom of our leaders. But are they really sincere? Are Indian leaders from MIC, PPP and Gerakan prepared to withdraw from BN if they fail to secure the release of Hindraf 5?”

Uthayakumar’s health, he claimed, was deteriorating due to lack of proper medical care. A diabetic, the lawyer is said to be suffering from a worsening heart condition and high blood pressure.

“He is exercising regularly to keep fit,” said Thanenthiran, urging the Kamunting authorities to provide quality medical care.

Uthayakumar is learnt to have isolated himself from the other Hindraf detainees, and has restricted his list of visitors to family members, his lawyer Karpal Singh and a handful of Hindraf leaders including Thanenthiran.

So, would MIC quit Bn if Hindraf is not released? I doubt it. Samy Vellu already told that they have “full faith” in the Prime Minister. So, whatever the PM says, they will have to accept.

By the way, why is Uthaya limiting his visitors and isolated himself from the other 4 detainees? No reasons given in the report.

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PM to consider on releasing Hindraf 5

September 23rd, 2008
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As Samy Vellu mentioned earlier, he planned to meet PM and so he did. Malaysiakini reports that together with Dr S.Subramaniam, they tried to convince PM for 30 minutes to release the Hindraf 5. Prime Minister Badawi apparently told them that he will consider their appeal. Quoting Samy Vellu:

The prime minister promised to discuss the matter with Home Minister (Syed Hamid Albar) and come to a decision.

He said Abdullah told him that he will “study the situation and recommend appropriate action.

“We have full faith and trust in the prime minister, and we believe that he will do something (positive) on this matter,” he added.

Among the arguments put forward by Samy were:

1. Its been nine months since the five were detained (actually its 10 over months).
2. Some of them need medical attention
3. Their families have suffered and the detainees should be allowed to return home to look after their families
4. They pose no danger to the security of the country
5. By releasing them, it would “reduce the tension” within the Indian community.

I guess this is in addition to the original reason, which is to win back the support of the community.

“I am also being heavily pressured by MIC leaders and members to secure their release. Today, I have spoken to the prime minister and I can assure the MIC members that something good will prevail,” he said.

Next step is to raise the matter again in the BN supreme council meeting says Samy.

“We will seek the backing of all the BN leaders to secure their release,” he added.

If successful, this will be feather in the cap for MIC and Samy Vellu, and surely a certain percentage of the community will sway back to MIC. Or it could be that the community is just making use of MIC and Samy Vellu as they have the means to reach the government of the moment. Whatever it is, let’s not jump the gun. the PM have other pressing matters at hand, namely his political survival, to worry about the Indian community, MIC, and least of all, HINDRAF.

Let’s hope that this Deepavali will see the children happily in the arms of their fathers. But RPK have to sit it out alone, I guess.

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Indians returning to MIC?

September 22nd, 2008
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So claims its president, Samy Vellu. That is indeed good news for MIC and Samy.

Samy says that those voters who abandoned MIC during the elections are turning back to the party. “Hundreds of people” are visiting the party offices everyday, knowing that only MIC could help them.

Quoting some statistics from unknown sources, Samy said that 50% of the community rejected MIC in the last election.

According to him, the community realised that only a close relationship with th Federal Government through the MIC can improve the community’s livelihood.

They admit to having been confused and in disarray, that they were influenced into voting for the Opposition but I tell them that it does not matter.

When asked why they had come back looking for us, their answer was that the MIC has an administration, offices and an experienced leadership, and has continued looking after the people despite having lost in the elections.

This is the reason why they are still interested in forging a relationship with the MIC.

Its good that MIC did not give up hope, and still trying to win over the community. They had to eat the humble pie and move on with times. Yes, the MIC machineries are in place, but need to be fine-tuned or even overhauled to maximize its potential. Its time to look at the community as equal partners, rather than a meekly wife.

I hope MIC won’t be trapped again in false sense of security, just like in the elections time. They were pretty confident, but ended up in the losing end. The community can make use of all MIC facilities and network, but may very well ditch MIC when it matters most. This is something that needs to be understood. Just like when MIC played out the community at times, the community also can strike down MIC with vengeance.

By the way, do you really believe what he says?

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Release Hindraf 5 says BN Youth and MIC

September 22nd, 2008
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If the readers can recall back to the time near general elections, few of the BN component parties – MIC, MCA, Gerakan, and PPP were clamoring for release of HINDRAF 5 ISA detainees – since this was a sore point among the Indian community. MIC in particular had a horrendous time during the elections. Now, nowhere did we hear the “big brother” of BN saying that the detainees should be released.

So, imagine my surprise when today’s Star reported:

Barisan Nasional youth leaders plan to meet Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar over the call for the release of the five leaders of the Hindu Rights Action Force.

People’s Progressive Party Youth chief T. Murugiah said the Youth leaders from Umno, Gerakan, MIC and MCA had already agreed in principle to join the group which he would lead.

Can’t believe it la!

At least Samy Vellu is being direct in saying that by releasing the 5 fella, BN will win back some voters (and in the course save MIC’s hind). Let’s read some of Samy Vellu’s quotes on the second round of call by MIC to release the detainees:

It’s about time that they are released as they pose no danger to the security of the country.

“The government should not hold them any longer as it will prolong the Indian community’s ill-feelings towards the government,”

They only voiced out the problems and the frustrations of the Indian community.

“Similarly, the MIC has also been doing the same for the past few decades … so why detain them any longer?”

Err…that means MIC fellas also should have been in ISA for decades? Please la, don’t insult HINDRAF by comparing with MIC. Wait till rebranding finishes and people can see some improvement before attempting to do so.

Samy Vellu said many Barisan Nasional “die-hards” among the Indian community had voted for the opposition in the last general election as they felt that the five Hindraf leaders had been detained unjustly.

“It is not because they loved the opposition or they wanted a change but rather they vented their anger on the (BN) government,” he said.

He said the BN could regain their support if the five Hindraf leaders were released.

Right, the reason to release them is to gain more votes. So that the champion of the community can go around claiming that they were released due to his effort? Hopefully not.

I had asked the prime minister to release them on several occasions and also raised the matter at two BN Supreme Council meetings.

Now, this is very interesting. Note that Samy deftly avoided telling what was PM’s response to his request. Makes us all think. Did Samy Vellu really ask? Was the PM’s reply unmentionable? 🙂

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