Keterlaluan (too much) – that’s what Utusan says on its front page. Reading the list of those who commented, you won”t be surprised with the words they used:

Pertubuhan-pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO) Melayu dan Islam mengutuk keras dan menyifatkan perbuatan sekumpulan penyokong Hindraf menimbulkan kekecohan pada majlis Rumah Terbuka Aidilfitri Perdana Menteri dan menteri-menteri Kabinet Islam sebagai keterlaluan, biadap dan menghina kesucian 1 Syawal.

Sambil membayangkan tindakan pertubuhan haram itu didalangi individu tertentu dengan tujuan menghancurkan perpaduan negara, mereka meminta kerajaan bertegas dan tidak melayan tekanan daripada kumpulan yang mengambil kesempatan atas kemurahan hati kerajaan.

Timbalan Presiden Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung (GPMS), Syed Anuar Syed Mohamad berkata, perbuatan kumpulan berkenaan adalah menghina perayaan besar umat Islam, tidak bertamadun dan tidak bertanggungjawab.Beliau mempersoalkan tujuan mereka menimbulkan kekecohan dalam suasana Perdana Menteri dan rakyat jelata meraikan 1 Syawal, seolah-olah cuba memberi gambaran negatif bahawa mereka langsung tidak mendapat peluang bertemu Perdana Menteri pada hari lain. Katanya, insiden itu dikhuatiri didalangi pihak-pihak tertentu dengan mempergunakan suasana perayaan dan kehadiran wakil kedutaan asing untuk mengganggu serta memberi imej buruk kepada negara luar.

Beliau berkata, kejadian itu bukan menunjukkan perjuangan tulen tetapi mengambil kesempatan merosakkan imej negara selain memberi gambaran seolah-olah Malaysia tidak mengamalkan budaya tolak-ansur.

“GPMS meminta kerajaan supaya jangan melayan mereka kerana Hindraf bukan pertubuhan sah. Mereka patut dikenakan tindakan, tidak kisah ISA (Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri) atau undang-undang lain. “Biar ia menjadi pengajaran. Tidak pernah berlaku insiden sebegini dalam sejarah 50 tahun kita merdeka. Ini perbuatan berani tidak bertempat dan dipengaruhi demonstrasi jalanan,” katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia di sini hari ini.

Beliau mengulas perbuatan sekumpulan penyokong Hindraf menimbulkan kekecohan pada majlis Rumah Terbuka Hari Raya Aidilfitri Perdana Menteri dan anggota Kabinet beragama Islam di Pusat Dagangan Dunia Putra (PWTC) semalam.

Tanpa mempedulikan peraturan, mereka bertindak mendahului barisan pengunjung lain yang sudahpun beratur untuk memasuki dewan sejak pukul 10 pagi. Walaupun timbul kekecohan, mereka dibenarkan memasuki dewan atas semangat hari raya.

Menurut saksi, kumpulan itu mula memotong barisan orang ramai menjelang tengah hari untuk menyerahkan patung beruang dan kad hari raya yang mereka dakwa mengandungi 300 tandatangan bagi mendesak pembebasan pemimpin Hindraf yang ditahan di bawah ISA.

Sementara itu, The Star Online memetik kenyataan K. Shanti, isteri kepada Pengerusi Hindraf, P. Waythamoorthy bahawa isi kandungan kad raya yang diserahkan meminta Perdana Menteri membebaskan beberapa pemimpin Hindraf yang ditahan di bawah ISA.

“Mesej kami ialah kami mahukan hero-hero kami dibebaskan. Ini adalah rumah terbuka dan kami boleh datang, jika kami mahu. Semasa hari raya ini, kita sepatutnya bermaaf-maafan. “Jadi, kami memaafkan dosa-dosa UMNO terhadap komuniti India. Kami hanya mahu tahanan Hindraf dibebaskan,” kata Shanti.

Presiden Majlis Belia Malaysia (MBM), Datuk Shamsul Anuar Nasarah berkata, kumpulan itu mengambil peluang suasana rumah terbuka untuk menonjolkan isu yang sepatutnya boleh diselesaikan dengan cara lain. Katanya, perbuatan itu tidak kena pada masanya iaitu ketika sambutan Aidilfitri bagi meraikan kemenangan umat Islam menjalani ibadat puasa dan merapatkan hubungan sesama rakyat.

“Mereka tidak menghormati orang Islam yang merayakan Aidilfitri,” ujarnya.

Pengerusi Persatuan Pergerakan Perpaduan Islam Malaysia, Datuk Zulkifli Mohamad berkata, perbuatan penyokong Hindraf itu sepatutnya membuka mata rakyat tentang siapa sebenarnya kumpulan yang disokong oleh Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) dan Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim itu.

“Kita selalu memikirkan orang lain dan tidak mengambil kira perasaan sendiri. Mereka sudah melampau dan tidak prihatin kepada suasana 1 Syawal yang menjadi perayaan besar umat Islam,” katanya.

Presiden Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Negara (Pribumi Perkasa), Datuk Ibrahim Ali berkata, Hindraf adalah pertubuhan haram yang semakin mencabar undang-undang serta nampak bersedia menimbulkan kekecohan tanpa mengira tempat dan keadaan. Katanya, Hindraf langsung tidak mempedulikan dan menghormati perayaan besar umat Islam menyambut 1 Syawal.

Timbalan Presiden MBM, Datuk Idris Haron pula menganggap Hindraf dan pihak yang mendalangi kumpulan itu sebagai pengkhianat kepada perpaduan kaum di Malaysia.

Beliau yang juga Presiden Majlis Gabungan Belia Melaka (MGBM) berkata, perbuatan mereka cuba menguji kesabaran orang Melayu dan kerajaan serta berniat mahu menghancurkan negara dan perpaduan yang dibina lebih 50 tahun lalu.

“Kita perlu siasat siapa dalang mereka dan beri peringatan keras supaya mereka tidak terus mencuba mencetuskan ketidakseimbangan sosial negara” tegasnya.

Presiden Gagasan Melayu Perak (GMP), Datuk Seri Mohd. Helmi Ismail pula berkata, perbuatan kira-kira 1,000 anggota kumpulan itu langsung tidak kena pada tempatnya dan keterlaluan kerana mengganggu majlis rasmi yang dianjurkan oleh pemimpin kanan negara.

Katanya, selain itu, tindakan kumpulan itu yang sering menggunakan kanak-kanak sebagai barisan hadapan setiap kali demonstrasi diadakan adalah tindakan pengecut.

Interesting words which leaders of these organisations use – keterlaluan (too much), biadap (rude), menghina Syawal 1 (insulting 1st of Syawal) , tidak bertamadun (uncivilised), tidak menghormati orang Islam (not respecting Muslims), pengkhianat (traitors), pengecut (cowards). Obviously all this are correct in their views.

Perhaps Utusan can next interview people from other communities too so that they too can condemn HINDRAF’s actions.

Berita Harian wrote that the action was “tidak beradab” (uncivilized):

Tindakan penyokong Barisan Bertindak Hak-Hak Hindu (Hindraf) membuat kecoh pada majlis rumah terbuka Aidilfitri anjuran Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Kabinet di Pusat Dagangan Dunia Putra (PWTC), kelmarin, disifatkan tidak beradab dan tidak menghormati perayaan umat Islam.

Menteri Dalam Negeri, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar, berkata tindakan kumpulan itu menyerahkan memorandum kepada Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi pada sambutan perayaan agama tidak kena pada tempatnya.

“Sambutan Aidilfitri atau apa juga perayaan lain adalah masa untuk kita merapatkan hubungan sesama kaum bagi memperkukuhkan perpaduan dan keharmonian tetapi perbuatan Hindraf ini boleh menimbulkan salah faham dan rasa kurang senang di kalangan umat Islam.

We have to admire Syed Hamid Albar for trying his best to twist the words and cause more anxiety. He doesn’t give up. Having open house is not a religious function – but an Malaysian identity which is being monetized to attract tourists. Which other part in the world do Muslims have open houses for 1st Syawal? I remember some leaders quoting from time to time that this (open house) was unique to our country because its not religious in nature. We have it for all the major functions. So, I hope someone can clarify.

Now, The Star said that HINDRAF caused a commotion (which is not necessarily a bad thing since pop stars and actors also cause them!):

Some 160 Hindraf supporters visited the annual Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house hosted by the Prime Minister and other Muslim Cabinet ministers, causing a short but loud commotion in the process.

Together with their children, some met with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who was given a teddy bear and a Hari Raya card by six-year-old W. Vwaishhnavi, the daughter of Hindraf (Hindu Rights Action Force) chairman P. Waythamoorthy.

Waythamoorthy’s wife K. Shanti said the card contained a message asking Abdullah to release Hindraf Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees.

Waythamoorthy has been living in London since last December after his colleagues M. Manoharan, P. Uthayakumar, V. Ganabatirau, R. Kenghadharan and K. Vasanthakumar were detained under the ISA for organising a protest rally in November, 2007.

“Our message is that we want our heroes released. It is an open house and we can come as we want. During Hari Raya, you are supposed to ask for forgiveness.

“So we forgive Umno’s sins against the Indian community. We just want the detainees released,” said Shanti.

Clad in orange T-shirts, the supporters gathered outside the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) around 11am on Wednesday and joined the public queue at noon.

After about an hour, they were ushered into one of the dining halls but did not get to meet Abdullah.

“We are not here for the food and drinks. We want to pass a message to the Prime Minister,” said Shanti.

Undeterred, they exited and re-entered via the entry meant for VIPs, causing a loud commotion as security personnel tried to restrict them.

After 10 minutes, a compromise was reached and the group was allowed to join the public queue to greet the Prime Minister. They waited patiently and managed to pass the teddy bear and card to Abdullah at about 2pm.

Several Cabinet Ministers disapproved of the timing of the memorandum, saying that a Hari Raya open house was the wrong platform for it.

“This is not the time, this is not the correct venue. They can come to wish Selamat Hari Raya and shake hands, but the rest of it, different time, and different date.

“If they come in peace and harmony there shouldn’t be any problems,” said Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.

Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said Hindraf members should have known their limits and not turn up at an open house “like this”.

“There are platforms for you to make your submission. This is not the proper way of doing things. I mean, it’s a Raya do. Today is Hari Raya, it’s got nothing to do with memorandums.

“This shouldn’t have happened like this, especially during this festive season, whether it’s Hari Raya, Christmas, Deepavali or Chinese New Year,” he said.

Tourism Minister Datuk Azalina Othman said such behaviour would reflect poorly on Malaysia’s image to tourists.

“If you are here as a guest, then behave as one. Parliament will convene on Oct 13. They can do so (submit their memorandum) then,” she said.

Now, what all of them did not mention was that another group was also there – are multiracial one which wore t-shirts saying “Free RPK”. Interesting. Later The Star mentioned RPK supporters in another article:

Some 160 Hindraf sympathisers and several Free Raja Petra Kamarudin supporters visited the annual Hari Raya open house hosted by the Prime Minister and other Muslim Cabinet ministers, causing a short but loud commotion.

Secondly, no mention was made that a prior notice was given to PM’s secretary about HINDRAF attending the open house and that it was acknowledged.

Surprisingly, the NST was highlighting comments by HINDRAF coordinator for a change!:

Hindu Rights Action Force members did not mean to cause a disturbance by attending Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s Hari Raya open house on Wednesday, its national coordinator, R.S. Thanenthiran, said. He said they cherished the open house concept and did not go to the function hosted by the prime minister to cause trouble.

“We’re a peace-loving group and only visited the Raya open house in the spirit of forgiving and forgetting in wishing our prime minister Selamat Hari Raya.

“We also took the opportunity to make a plea for the release of our five leaders detained under the Internal Security Act.”

Thanenthiran said the group decided to meet Abdullah only after the prime minister’s principal private secretary, Datuk Ahmad Yaacob, had invited Vwaishnnavi, the 5-year-old daughter of Hindraf leader in exile, P. Waythamoorthy, to the open house.
He said Vwaishnnavi and Hindraf members had visited the prime minister’s office on Sept 22 to hand in a request to attend the open house.

“Datuk Ahmad Yaacob received Vwaishnnavi’s request letter and invited her to attend the open house.”

Thanenthiran said as Hari Raya was a time for forgiving and forgetting they had thought it would be the ideal place to plead for the release of Hindraf leaders.

He said police did not stop the group at the open house but only requested that they enter in small groups.

Thanenthiran said Hindraf was not a racist or extremist group adding that their leader P. Uthayakumar had even followed fellow Muslim inmates in Kamunting in fasting throughout Ramadan.

He said another reason why they had visited the cabinet Raya open house was because of positive indications that the government might soon release Uthayakumar, 47, R. Kengadharan, 41, M. Manoharan, 47, V. Ganabatirau, 35, and Hindraf coordinator K. Vasantha Kumar, 35,

Meanwhile, Malaysian Indian Business Association president, P. Sivakumar, said Hindraf could not be blamed for using the open house as a platform to meet Abdullah.

“They’re faced with mounting pressure from all quarters of the Indian community for the release of their leaders.

NST also highlighted comments by Syed Hamid and Shafie Apdal among others, who condemned HINDRAF:

Hindu Rights Action Force members’ “intimidating” actions at the ministers’ open house on Wednesday were described yesterday as being disrespectful and inappropriate.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said the group’s boldness at the function also constituted an insult to Islam.

The event was hosted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at the Putra World Trade Centre.

Syed Hamid said that the group should have known better than to hamper the spirit and celebration of a religious occasion with a political message.

“If they wanted to join in the celebrations, that’s fine. But they came wearing T-shirts of the same colour and making it very clear that they wanted to deliver a message to the prime minister.
“That crosses the line and is just unacceptable, especially at a public function.

“There are other days to voice their protest or send a message. There are other avenues to bring up their disagreements.”

A group of Hindraf supporters brought a Hari Raya card and a teddy bear which they handed to Abdullah.

The card, delivered by Vwaishnnavi, the 5-year-old daughter of Hindraf leader in exile P. Waythamoorthy, urged Abdullah to release the movement’s leaders detained under the Internal Security Act.

The group led by Waythamoorthy’s wife K. Shanti had gathered outside the building at 11am.

They were later ushered into a dining hall but their request to meet Abdullah was denied.

The group then left and re-entered via an entrance meant for VIPs, where security personnel tried to restrict their entry.

A compromise was reached and the group was allowed to join the public queue to greet the prime minister about 2pm.

Abdullah accepted the card and teddy bear with a smile.

Also present were about 20 bloggers who wore T-shirts bearing “No to ISA” and “Free RPK”, referring to the two-year ISA detention order on Malaysia Today editor, Raja Petra Kamaruddin.

Both groups told journalists that their sole intention at the function was to send a message to Abdullah.

Syed Hamid said Hindraf supporters should have emulated MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu who had met him several times to seek the release of Hindraf leaders.

“He asked me (on several occasions) if there was any way to speed up their release.”

Syed Hamid said this was the first time in Malaysian history that a religious celebration had been tarnished by the extremism of a group.

“I don’t want to see a repeat of this. I do not want a trend of people causing disturbances during Deepavali, Christmas, Chinese New or other cultural and religious celebrations.”

He said investigations may be carried out to identify the masterminds behind Wednesday’s incident.

Joining Syed Hamid in castigating Hindraf members was Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal who said the movement should know its limits.

“There are 26 million people in this country and others have problems too, not only Hindraf. There are Malays in Kamunting too, but you did not see anybody coming here on their behalf.

“Even though they (Hindraf) have their sympathisers, they shouldn’t be doing this at (religious) festivals.”

He said there were other platforms to send political messages or make requests.

Shafie said he would raise the matter in cabinet.

In Ipoh, the Gagasan Melayu Perak described the actions of Hindraf members as shameful.

Bernama quoted its president, Datuk Seri Mohd Helmi Ismail, as saying that they had gone overboard by taking their petition to Abdullah at the function.

He said the group’s action in using children as a front every time they staged protests was “the work of cowards”.

“The group is painting a negative picture in the minds of children as it is using them as a shield.”

And, of course this post won’t be complete without the report from Malaysiakini (there are photos too !):

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi came face to face with at least 40 activists calling for the repeal of the Internal Security Act (ISA) and the release of all detainees under the law.
A visibly amused Abdullah shook hands and greeted the activists at the Hari Raya open house in PWTC hosted by him and his cabinet ministers.

Abdullah was smiling throughout as he shook hands and exchanged small talk with the activists, as his jittery bodyguards looked on.

“He asked how I was and remembered we met in August,” said blogger and lawyer Haris Ibrahim.

“I replied by saying ‘Please, please, please, please, please abolish the ISA.”

Haris led a group of about 20 bloggers who wore T-shirts bearing ‘No to ISA’ and ‘Free RPK’ in reference to the two-year ISA detention of Raja Petra Kamaruddin.

These activists were soon followed by another bigger group from Hindraf – numbering some 200 and wearing bright orange T-shirts – who had wanted to deliver the same message to the premier.

However this second group’s effort was hindered by police who insisted that only a small number of them can be allowed to meet the prime minister up close. Subsequently about 20 of them met up with the premier.

Forgiveness

Led by K Shanti, the wife of Hindraf leader in exile P Waythamoorthy, the group handed Abdullah a teddy bear bouquet and a large Hari Raya card.

“I asked him when my husband could come back safely and he replied ‘so you are the chairperson’s wife’. He said that he would look into,” said Shanti.

Hindraf’s Hari Raya card however was badly torn after police tried to confiscate it at the entrance to PWTC. After a minor scuffle, the Hindraf activists managed to hang on to it.

“In the spirit of forgiveness during Aidilfitri celebrations, we wanted to express that the Indian Malaysians forgive him for sending Hindraf leaders to Kamunting,” added Shanti, when asked about the content of the card.

Both groups stressed that their activists did not eat any of the food offered during the event, which the government host annually, because their sole intention was to send a message to Abdullah.

 

Photo captions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hindraf activist wait for about 30 minutes in line to enter PWTC banquet hall

 

K Shanti explains Hindraf’s Hari Raya card to the police

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Police trying to confiscate the card

 

Hindraf coordinator S Jayathas complains over crumpled card

 

Hindraf leader in exile P Waythamoorthy’s daughter W Vwaishhnnavi holds teddy bear gift for prime minister

 

Several supporters of blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin

 

T-shirt condemning use of ISA on Raja Petra

 

 

Visitors to the open house at the buffet spread

 

Hindraf activists walk orderly in single file through a banquet hall while looking for the prime minister

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The activists were stopped some 6 metres away from the prime minister

Abdullah smiles as he greets the activists. Looking on is his wife Jeanne Abdullah and his deputy Najib Abdul Razak

 

Bloggers pose after accomplishing their mission

So, there you go. News from 5 media companies, each with their own focus. What do you think? Is it right for HINDRAF (or even RPK supporters) to wear their t-shirts and attend the open day? For me, I’ll say that this was a failed attempt by HINDRAF because they wanted 10,000 people to attend, but only 200 or so turned up. I guess all the supporters balik kampung. Not sure if more will attend the function in Kepala Batas this Saturday.